The decorations are down, the house is feeling bare and we have all vowed to those New Year’s resolutions about being more healthy, exercising more and generally getting into better shape. The New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t just apply to us humans, they should apply to the home too. Here are my top three home improvement resolutions for the new year and how you can achieve them.

Streamline your stuff
One of the best and least expensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of clutter. All those lovely Christmas gifts need new homes and some of the older items could find a home somewhere else. We all acquire a mountain of stuff; cabinets and drawers get jam-packed and it becomes hard to find the things you use and enjoy the most.

Make it your New Year’s resolution to clear anything that you don’t use, wear or love and donate it to charity or sell on one of the numerous buy/ sell sites. Hide useful (but not beautiful) items such as DVDs and remotes, store those kicked-off shoes in simple woven baskets and group similar items together on sleek trays for a stylish, clutter free look.

Shrink your bills (and your carbon footprint too)
When people think of going green, they often think it takes a heavy investment like solar panels or a hybrid car to make all the difference, but this isn’t the case. There are so many smart and small ways to reduce our energy bills in 2018 and the best place to start is by cutting your energy usage in your home:

• Remember to switch off the lights when you leave a room
• Install energy saving bulbs and low-flow showerheads
• Fill your dishwasher or washing machine before you press start
• Turn off your electric devices when not in use, instead of standby
• Give composting a try – your plants and garden will thank you in the spring

These little things really can make a huge difference to your bills and your carbon footprint.

Try not to buy – unless you have a specific need or place for it
You can declutter everything but we still have a tendency to bring more stuff into our homes. Start a new habit this year of spending more mindfully. Depending on your current shopping habits, this can be challenging to get used to, but it is worth the effort.

Every time you find yourself in a store considering a purchase, ask yourself whether you really need the item in particular if it’s a decor item and not purely functional. Bring it home only if you love it and know exactly where you will put it.