New Year, New Home!

Posted by Bridgman on October 28, 2015

Every year, it's the same old thing. The Christmas festivities take their toll and by the time New Year’s Day rolls around we're left feeling a bit podgy, rather tired, and really poor. It’s no wonder then that our New Year’s resolutions mainly revolve around losing weight, getting more sleep and saving some pennies. And how long do they last? A week? A month perhaps? So what if we tackle 2016 a little differently? We've had a look at ways you can achieve the most common New Year's resolutions AND create a wonderful home environment that lasts, all at the same time.  

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Lose weight: get dusting Possibly the number one New Year's resolution is to shed a few extra pounds. This year, why not save your gym membership and put your energy into cleaning your home instead? You'll be surprised how many calories can be burnt in a vigorous cleaning session. You'll lose weight and have a tidy house too. Plus, the money you save can be put towards something lovely for you and your family. Save money: make your own Christmas can be expensive, so this January why not give the purse strings a rest by making your own furniture and home decorations? The internet is bursting with creative ideas that can be recreated in any home or garden, and Pinterest in particular is great for those of us who need a little inspiration. Just type in the item you’d like to make and see what comes up. From coffee tables to a new trellis for the garden, not only will you end up with unique pieces, you'll do so for a fraction of the price.

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See more people: create a social home

A new year gets many of us thinking about how important loved ones are. After all, we all have friends and family we love but don’t see as much as we would like. So, if this year your resolution is to do more socialising, why not give the areas you entertain in a little update? Try sprucing up the spare room, or adding more seating to the living room. Perhaps the garden needs a patio to make it perfect for BBQ season? To paraphrase Field of Dreams: build it, and they will come. Learn something new: become a craft guru If you fancy learning a new skill this year, then why not chose one that will allow you to improve your home? You could knit a new throw for the sofa, upcycle a tired looking bedside table, make pots for the garden or even sew a new set of curtains. Or, if you’re looking for more of a challenge, you could try building new items of furniture from scratch. Making something yourself is so satisfying and you'll get a real sense of achievement when the compliments start rolling in.

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De-stress: de-clutter There's nothing more mentally therapeutic than getting rid of all your old junk - out with the old and all that. Think about when you last used an item and if you can't remember, get rid of it. Good quality stuff can go to a charity shop, or be sold at a car boot sale or online. Anything else, recycle or take to the tip. Your home will thank you and so will your mind. Eat healthier: grow your own More and more people are turning their back on the supermarkets and opting to grow their own produce instead. And it’s easy to see why. There are no pesticides or carbon footprints to worry about, just delicious home-grown fruit and vegetables at minimal effort. Now’s the perfect time to start planning what you’d like to grow. Create a growing calendar so you can maximise your garden's output, then as soon as the warmer weather comes along you can get planting. http://www.diyinspired.com/tips-growing-herbs/ Get more sleep: make your bedroom a palace of slumber A good night's sleep does more for your looks than any makeup, and it does wonders for your well being too. If you’re intent on getting a bit more shut eye in 2016, then you’d do well to think about giving your bedroom a bit of TLC. After all, you spend about a third of your life in bed, so it's worth spending some time and effort making it perfect. From different storage solutions to minimise clutter, to a bit of mood lighting to create a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, giving your bedroom a make over can help you spend more time in the land of nod. This new year, resolve to make your home a better place and your other resolutions will just fall into place. Show your friend's the way forward by sharing these tips on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.