29 Dec New Year’s Goals For Your Home

It’s perfectly normal for humans to set personal New Year’s goals and resolutions, so why not do the same for our homes? After spending countless hours in our homes in 2020, this seems like the perfect idea as we put this year in the rearview mirror. Here are some ideas! 

Streamline the Clutter

One of the most straightforward resolutions to set and tackle for your home is streamlining the clutter. It’s an inexpensive project that can have a significant visual impact! Think cabinets, drawers, closets, garages, and more. Sit down and map out a plan where you will go room-by-room. Set-up a donation box where you can discard items you no longer use. And if you’re feeling incredibly motivated, you can also create a “sell” box for items that you can list on online resale sites like eBay, Poshmark, Mercari, and more.

Safety First

Creating a safe and sound home is easier than you think. Some of these items will probably be a “Duh, why didn’t I think of that?” moment, but left unchecked, they can lead to potential health hazards or fire risks. 

Start by checking your home for radon. It’s a colorless, odorless gas that can cause lung cancer, and it’s more common than you think. You can buy a test at a local hardware store. 

Next, when was the last time you cleaned your dryer vents and ducts? Dryer lint is highly combustible and is responsible for a lot of home fires each year. So, make sure you pay proper attention to the space behind your dryer and give it a good cleaning. 

Lastly, how well-ventilated are your bathrooms and attics? Improper ventilation can lead to major mold issues.

Makeover Your Energy Usage

Who wouldn’t like to save a little money each month on their utility bills? Making a conscious effort to reduce your energy usage is a great place to start! These are very simple ideas, but they can save you a lot of money over time. So, turn the lights off when you’re not in a room, turn off your heating or air conditioning when you’re not home, install LED lightbulbs and low-flow showerheads, and run your appliances at full capacity instead of doing small loads.

Establish a Weekly Cleaning Routine

Setting out to clean your home can feel overwhelming if you don’t have a plan in place. But by establishing a weekly cleaning routine, you can save yourself a lot of time and energy. Here are some tasks that should be completed daily:

• Running the dishwasher each night
• Picking up dirty clothes and putting them in the hamper/laundry room
• Hanging up jackets/coats
• Putting items away in their proper place

Every week, focus on one type of cleaning at a time like dusting, vacuuming, mopping, etc. And clean from top to bottom. If this still feels overwhelming, set aside a small amount of time each day to tackle your cleaning. Breaking it up into smaller chunks can make it more manageable. Don’t forget to delegate tasks to your family members. All hands on deck!

If you’re interested in building a custom home in the Marion, Cedar Rapids, or Iowa City area, please contact us at Dahl Custom Homes! We are experts at custom home construction and would love to discuss your project in more detail.   

We hope that 2021 brings you and your loved ones happiness, good health and prosperity!