The new year is finally here, and it’s time to start thinking about the resolutions you’d like to make. Homeowners new and old can benefit from the tips and tricks below!
1. Make a realistic plan for the decluttering of your home. (Don’t be afraid to ask for help!)
As the old saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. And what better time than the “new” year? Meg McCluskey, owner of Chic & Tidy, which offers professional organization and services Bergen and Rockland counties, suggests starting small. “Don’t set out to overhaul your whole home at once—pick one area (a closet, cabinet, junk drawer) and start with that.”
She also recommends getting into a daily or monthly routine that will help you keep on top of your organizational work. For example, sorting your mail every day right when it comes in instead of having a pile to contend with at the end of the week.
2. Try transitioning to more energy-efficient options.
There are many things you can do to make your space more energy-efficient, like switching from standard light bulbs to halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs for short). If you’re ready to take a bigger leap, try swapping out your old appliances to more environment-friendly ones, like the Electrolux EFLS627UTT washing machine, which is EnergyStar-certified and available locally.
3. Put on a fresh coat of paint.
Looking for an inexpensive way to spruce up your space? Try putting on a fresh coat of paint on the walls of a room you’re feeling a bit “blah” about. It’s also recommended to re-paint your kitchen and bathrooms more often than your other rooms because of the moisture that accumulates (steamy showers, frequent cooking, etc.). You can tackle the job yourself or hire a local painting service, like CertaPro Painters of North Bergen County, Spilotras Painting, or Aquinas Painting Contractors.
4. Make your home safer.
Installing a security camera system will give you 24/7 monitoring of your home, as well as peace of mind. There are plenty of companies out there that sell affordable and state-of-the-art equipment, like Nest and Ring. You can opt to simply post cameras on the inside of your home or go the extra mile and install a high-tech doorbell with an attached camera. With the use of an app on your phone, you’ll be able to see who’s at the door, answer remotely, and go through old footage.
5. Keep up with the smaller projects around your house.
Guy Fava, owner of Heights Contracting in Mahwah, suggests routinely cleaning out your gutters and leaders, servicing years-old boilers, changing the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and inspecting older roofs. “Something like a clogged gutter can leave you with a damp moldy basement,” Fava warns. “It’s amazing what a small fix can do for your home.”
6. Don’t let your money fly out the window. (Literally!)
Double-check all your windows and doors to ensure they are full sealed and that your heat doesn’t escape in the winter and AC in the summer through small gaps. Weatherstrip all problem areas to keep your house comfy and climate-controlled. (And keep your heating/AC bills down).
