The new year is upon us, and you should make some resolutions for your home in 2016. Every home is different, but here are some recommendations that will be true for each and every household in America.
What should you be doing in 2016?
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Make Your Home Safer
If you haven’t already done so, you want to make your home safer this coming year. You don’t want to live with any potential health hazards, and you want to check to see if your home has radon.
You’ll also want to:
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Install carbon monoxide detectors
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Install fire detectors
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Install security alarms depending on the area you live
Another recommendation is to add dates to your calendar for when to clean out your dryer’s lint. According to the US EPA, 15,000 fires a year occur because of dryer lint combusting.
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Reduce Your Bills
The New Year should be a time when you try to figure out ways to reduce your bills. After all, who couldn't use the extra money in their pocket every month? You want to start doing this the old-fashioned way:
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Shut off lights when you leave the room
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Dry your clothes on a line or indoor rack
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Turn off your air conditioner when it’s not needed
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Turn your heater down to 55° at night
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Shut off your power strips
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Set your computer to go to sleep by itself
If you have older appliances, exchange them for Energy Star rated units that will help you save money.
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Create a Weekly Cleaning System
You’re busy with your kids, work, and potentially your furry little friend. It's far too easy to let a mess pile up in your house and get overwhelmed. A good way to alleviate this problem is to skip the spring cleaning, and make a schedule to clean your home routinely.
Even just 30 minutes a day will allow you to keep a clean home all week long.
Make a point to fold clothes as they are finished drying, change bedding, dust, and clean up after yourself after you eat. If you are going into a new room and you find yourself bored, grab a cleaning towel and dust off the shelves or furniture in the room.
All you have to do to have a clean house is to make a schedule and hold everybody accountable in your household.
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Find a Way to De-Clutter
The last thing you want when you return home from work is to find your home in disarray. It’s far too easy to accumulate items, and after the Christmas holiday you’re probably left with a lot of boxes, items that are no longer used often, and stuff you don’t need anymore.
Go to every room and every closet to find items that you don’t want any longer.
A major issue for most homeowners is getting rid of clothes, and the rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn it this season – get rid of it. It’s far too easy to think that a shirt or blouse is still beautiful, but if you’re never going to wear it, it’s time to get rid of it. You can donate it so that someone else can enjoy it.
Woven baskets or other containers can be used to condense your DVDs, remotes, toys, shoes and other items into a neat and tidy space.
If there is one thing you should be doing in 2016, it’s minimizing the amount of stuff that you have lying around your home. If you want an open, beautiful space, it’s time to begin by decluttering your home for good.
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Prepare for Entertaining
If you're the type of person who wants to be the primary entertainer of your group of friends, it’s time to get your house ready for the occasion. Here are a few simple points that can make or break your home for entertaining:
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Add plants to your space to give it life
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Paint an accent wall a new color
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Update your throw pillows or blankets
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Utilize a colorful rug, runner, or curtains as an anchor for your space
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Change out your pictures to a theme with matching frames (a series of sketches or watercolors, for example)
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Rearrange your furniture so that it is convenient for conversations
It doesn’t take much to make your home sparkle, and if you want the best house on the block in 2016, these 5 New Year’s resolution tips will help your home go from drab to fabulous!
Charleston Real Estate Experts
Are you getting ready to buy or sell your home? The Keadle Real Estate Group can help! Check out our Charleston Real Estate Guide for the best tips and trick to buying and selling a home. Our Charleston Real Estate MLS has nearly 4000 listings, and is the perfect place to start your home search.