New Year, New Home: 5 Rosehaven Resolutions

Typically, new year’s resolutions are a chance to change undesired behaviours or accomplish long put-off goals. Which is why at Rosehaven, we’ve brought that same spirit of self-improvement home – literally.

Here are a few Rosehaven home resolutions to not only keep your home in great shape but support your personal and lifestyle goals as well.

1. Schedule a January Cleaning

   Don’t wait until Spring cleaning to get organized. Start the year off by purging and organizing – donate, throw away, or store unused clothes and possessions. This will help you set the tone for the remainder of the year. It’s also a great opportunity to put away new gifts and clean up from the holidays.

2. Do A Safety Check

   It doesn’t take much time but it’s well worth it for your peace of mind. Do a spot check on your smoke and CO detectors and clean out the lint trap in your dryer (it can be a fire hazard if it’s too full). If you have pets or kids, double check your ‘proofing’ measures are still intact (plugs are still in outlets, gates are still tight, breakables and small choking hazards are out of reach, etc.). If you live in an old home, you may also want to consider testing for asbestos and lead if you haven’t.

3. Designate Rooms for Personal Goals

   If fitness and wellness are a big personal resolution for you in 2023, designate a room in your home to be your very own yoga area or fitness room. Want to pick up painting or crafting? Allocate some studio space. Incorporate desks, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, mats, etc. based on your activity of choice and it’ll make it more likely that you’ll use the space as intended.

4. Be Greener

   We know this isn’t a single goal but there are a few sub-resolutions that are relatively easy, and can help lower your bills, reduce messes, and live more sustainably. For example:

   • Sort Your Recycling: Most of what ends up in the recycling ends up getting thrown out because it isn’t actually recyclable. Take some time to double check the plastic packaging and other items you’re putting in there. You’d be surprised what’s in there that shouldn’t be.
   • Do Your Laundry/Dishes Off Hours: Turn on your washing machine or dishwasher before you go to bed, it’ll save you a few bucks on your bill over the long term. And try to avoid running them unless they’re full.
   • Be Smarter with Your Thermostat: A smart thermostat is well worth the investment since it adjusts and optimizes the way your system runs, but failing that, make a point of leaving it just a little cooler in the winter and letting it get a little warmer in the summer. It makes a big difference to your home’s electric or natural gas use.

5. Create a ‘Get Organized’ Chart

   To ensure each member of the family takes care of their chores and responsibilities, it may be a useful idea to set up a fun and creative organization schedule. For example, place a large whiteboard on the wall of your kitchen, office, living room, etc. to keep track of chores and who is responsible for them. Getting into this routine will not only prevent clutter and messes, but it gives everyone (particularly the kids) a clear sense of structure and responsibility. To make things a bit interesting, consider providing little incentives for the completion and performance of tasks.

Go into the new year with a fresh perspective. Check out our other blogs for more new homeowner advice.