9 New Year’s Resolutions Smart Homeowners Should Make for 2022

We all make resolutions every year, from losing weight to going back to school to beefing up our savings. Other smart resolutions for 2022 have to do with your home. After all, it’s one of your biggest investments, so it makes sense to commit some time and attention to keeping it in tip-top shape. Here are 9 New Years’ resolutions to make for 2022.

  1. 2022 happy new year with hand pick up wood block on wood table with sunlight from window.hope for new year conceptAdd Safety Protocols

Fires, tripping hazards, and electrocution dangers must be addressed to keep everyone who lives in and visits your home safe. Add fire alarms and extinguishers on every floor, test for radon, and make sure everyone knows to clean your dryer’s lint trap after every load (which causes many house fires every year). Run through safety plans with every member of the household to ensure they know what to do in case of a fire, tornado, burglary, or other dangerous incident.

  1. Use Alerts for Maintenance

Proactively taking care of your home can help avoid big repair bills down the road. Change your air filters monthly, for example. Plan to have your heating and air conditioning checked every fall to address issues before they cause further damage. Either clean your gutters frequently or hire a professional to do it for you. Hire a pest control company to fight off termites, and keep your trees pruned back to avoid damage during windy summer storms.

  1. Conquer Clutter

No matter how expensive the furniture or how put-together the design, clutter can ruin your space’s vibe and stress you out. Resolve to get rid of it and find a “home” for every belonging you own. If you need to, purchase some extra storage bins and shelving organization to house your stuff, so it’s not sitting out on your cabinets and tabletops. File papers, hang up clothes, and donate or throw out items you no longer use.

  1. Embrace Energy Efficiency

Save some money in the new year by upping your energy game. Switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, install a programmable thermostat, and re-caulk your doors and windows. Set your water heater at a lower temperature and consider letting your laundry air dry instead of using your dryer. Turn off the lights and televisions when you leave a room.

  1. Create More Livable Space

Do you have a bedroom that has become your catch-all? Has your dining room table evolved into a desk?  Relocate everything that doesn’t belong there, so every room has its own identity. This move will make your home feel bigger and, best of all, more functional for daily living.

  1. Deep Clean One Room a Month

Although we clean our homes on a regular basis, don’t forget the deep-clean tasks that should be tackled every few months. Start small by tackling one room at a time. Scrub it top to bottom including walls, light fixtures, and baseboards. Launder the curtains, wash the blinds, and shampoo the carpet and rugs. Deep cleaning a room at a time makes certain you don’t fall into the habit of cleaning only the same surfaces and ignoring the rest.

  1. Tackle the Most Pressing Project

If you’ve lived in your house awhile, you probably have that one repair or renovation you haven’t been able to force yourself to handle. Maybe it’s costly, time-consuming, or just tedious. Resolve to get it done in 2022 — and then take action by making plans for how you will do it yourself or hire someone to do it.

  1. Spruce Up Curb Appeal

If your lawn is shaggy, your bushes are overgrown, and your mailbox is pitiful, the unkempt look is hurting your property value, and probably annoying your neighbors. Commit to cleaning and tidying up in the New Year. Weed, prune, and paint your way to a fresh-looking, nicely maintained lawn. Add solar lights along your pathways, some hard-to-kill potted flowers, and a welcome mat for a friendly final touch.

  1. Pay Extra on Your Mortgage

Resolve to get ahead financially by paying more than your required loan payment every month. Even a few dollars a month can chip away at your principal and enable you to pay your mortgage off years earlier than expected. Come up with the extra cash by cutting out that extra cup of coffee, packing your lunch a couple of days each week, or skipping that shopping spree.

Smart homeowners will make resolutions to care for and improve their properties as 2022 rolls around. Committing to a few or all of these resolutions puts you ahead of the game, keeps your home comfortable and well-maintained, and may even save you money down the road.