Home Improvement Resolutions for a Greener, More Organized 2020

New year, new you...or so the saying goes!  Every 12 months when we enter a new year, it is common for most people to make a New Years’ resolution – or sometimes even a few resolutions! From exercising more to doing things that bring you more joy, there are countless ways to ring in a new and more positive year. However, one thing we do not hear enough about is home improvement resolutions. After all, you spend so much time in your home, so it makes sense to set some goals for the place where you live. While they do say home is where the heart is, at WoW, we do not think making your home warmer, more comfortable and eco-friendlier would go amiss – certainly not as we enter a new decade. Without further ado, here are 4 home improvement resolutions you can take into 2020 and beyond.  

Go Green and Save  

Taking action against climate change is now more important than ever, and one of the best places to start making a difference is in your home. Going green is not only good for your health and the planet’s health, but likewise good for your wallet. There are small ways throughout your home to make a difference, such as learning how to properly recycle, turning off lights when you are not using them, or installing solar panels. If you find you are using your air conditioning unit too much, it might be because you have an air leak or your windows and doors need replacing. Not only will  replacement windows and doors make your home more comfortable, it also means you will be using your heating and cooling system a lot less (which means reducing your energy bill). Properly  insulating your home will also help lower your energy usage.

Opt for Low-Maintenance and Durable Materials

When carrying out home improvement projects this year, it is a good idea to try and use materials that are both low-maintenance and durable. This will not only save you time and effort, but will help save you money as you will not need to constantly update your home when certain components eventually wear-down (such as your windows or siding). For example, if you are looking at installing new siding, opt for fiber-cement siding which is not only weather-proof but exceptionally durable, resistant to fire, dents, rot and lasts for up to 50 years.

Declutter and Get Organized

A clutter-free house is a clutter-free mind (so says Marie Kondo!) While this might seem like an obvious home improvement resolution, it is an important one nonetheless. It is possibly one of the most inexpensive and simplest ways to improve your home in 2020. Keeping your home clutter-free comes down to two things: periodically donating or getting rid of things you do not use, and secondly, only buying things you actually need (this will also help cut down on consumption and help the environment at the same time).

Get Your Finances in Order

If 2020 is your year to make your home the best it has ever looked and felt, it is a good idea to start off the year with a home improvement budget. Creating a budget for the year will help you get a clear idea of your spending across the year, while also helping you to avoid overspending on your home improvement projects. Make a list of all the projects you want to tick off throughout the year, and start planning accordingly. We also recommend speaking to a home improvement contractor to find out how much the projects you are looking into will cost in order to get a more accurate idea of how much money to put aside.