Fresh Start Projects for Your New Home

Chances are when you first moved into your house, you had big plans. Perhaps it was adding that bonus room or maybe it was revamping the backyard. Whatever it was, we know that after a while, you start to get comfortable (sometimes a little too comfortable), and those home improvement projects fall by the wayside. Fortunately, a new year brings a new, fresh start in your home. From small projects, such as adding wallpaper and repainting a room, to major undertakings, such as renovating a bathroom and adding onto the house, there are plenty of ways to revamp your place in the new year. For a list of home improvement projects that you can tackle in your new house this year, check out these ideas below.

 

Add shelving and storage around the house

The easiest way to get organized in your new home? Try adding shelving and storage baskets throughout the house. From your pantry and garage to your closets and bathrooms, adding vertical shelving and storage baskets to your rooms will help get things off the floor and out of the way, making it easier to enjoy your home this year. 

 

Organize your garage

Speaking of organization, it’s finally time to tackle that garage. From vertical bike racks and built-in cabinets to plastic bins and wire shelving, there are plenty of ways to outfit your garage in organizational tools.

 

Revamp your entry

From your front porch to your interior foyer, the home’s entryway is one of the most important (if not the most important) areas of the house. Not only is it the first thing people see when they enter your home, but it’s also the first place you enter when you come home. To revamp your entryway, think of creative ways to organize your shoes, dog leashes, keys, etc.

 

Update your light fixtures

Still living with the light fixtures that came with your home? It may be time to upgrade and personalize the electrical lighting inside and outside the house. To do so, we recommend starting with your entryway light, kitchen lighting and bedroom lighting. Those on a budget can find affordable and stylish lighting options at Home Depot and Lowe’s. 

 

Add potted plants and window boxes

You don’t have to completely re-landscape your yard to freshen up a home’s exterior. For a budget-friendly way to add color and greenery outside the house, we recommend potting plants on your porch and installing window boxes around the home.

 

Wallpaper your laundry room, powder room or mudroom

Ready to liven up your laundry room, powder room or mudroom? Try adding wallpaper to the walls. Fortunately, wallpaper nowadays doesn’t have to look like granny’s dining room. There are plenty of fun, colorful and modern wallpaper options available. For those hesitant about making a commitment to one wallpaper, we recommend opting for removable, temporary wallpaper. This type of wallpaper can be easily removed without damaging your walls.

 

Make your house more energy efficient

Adding LED light bulbs and a smart thermostat are e asy ways to make your house more cost  efficient and energy efficient at the same time. Other ways you can make your home more energy efficient include turning off the lights when you leave the house, using power strips, sealing air leaks and replacing filters.

 

Patch holes and touch up walls

Living in a home with holes and scuffed up paint? It’s time to revamp your walls. To do so, try patching up the holes where paintings and pictures were once hung, and repainting those distressed walls. This easy touch-up will give the home a much-needed facelift.

 

Purge your home of unnecessary items

From unused furniture to old clothing, getting rid of non-essentials will give your home an easy, low-cost makeover. To donate items, try dropping them at Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity. Not quite ready to eliminate your stuff for good? Try renting a self-storage unit to temporarily hold all of your unnecessary belongings. Fortunately, it’s easy to locate nearby storage units with Moving.com’s storage finder.  All you have to do is type in the zip code or your city and state, and click the ‘find storage’ button. Moving.com will pull quotes from nearby storage unit facilities to compare. 

 

Update your kitchen hardware and appliances

Is your fridge on its last legs? It might be time to replace it with a newer model. Most kitchen appliances made nowadays aren’t meant to last longer than 10 years. So take a look around and assess the condition of your oven, dishwasher, fridge and microwave. While you’re at it, consider changing out your kitchen hardware. Switching up the old pulls and knobs for modern, upgraded hardware will give your kitchen the refresh it needs.

 

Add artwork and prints

Need to decorate those blank walls? Try adding artwork and framed prints to infuse color around the home. Fortunately, wall decor doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find affordable and chic prints at Minted.com, Etsy, consignment stores and more.

 

Repair the hardscape

Do the patio and driveway need a little TLC? From cleaning and power washing to sealing and refurbishing, it might be time to improve your exterior hardscape. While there are plenty of ways to do this yourself, there are also an abundance of pavement and hardscape repair services to help you improve your outdoor spaces this year. 

 

Grout and clean your tile

From kitchen backsplashes to bathroom showers, chances are you have tile in more than one room in your house. While convenient and durable, tile and grout also have a tendency to get quite dirty. To clean up your tile in the new year, try bringing in the professionals for a deep clean. To do it yourself, simply use a toothbrush, baking soda and water.

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