Make your 2025 resolution to properly maintain and upgrade your home – it’s a promise that more than pays off!
Whenever we enter a new year, it’s the ideal time to get your home in good shape for the coming 12 months, as well as plan out any improvements or renovations you’re hoping to make. Here’s a checklist of areas of the home to inspect and maintain early on in the new year:
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Test all alarms and replace batteries where needed. You should also check the expiration date on the detectors themselves, as most will expire around 7-10 years after installation.
Emergency kit
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters like flooding, you should have an emergency kit stored in an easy-to-access place. An emergency kit should consist of non-perishable food, water, medical supplies, a flashlight, matches, and a whistle. Check this kit at the start of the year, and replenish any supplies you’ve used or removed.
HVAC system
Replace the air filters in your HVAC system and check when its annual professional inspection is due. Make sure you book an inspection before it becomes overdue.
Sump pump
Test the functionality of your sump pump and clear out any debris.
Windows and doors
Inspect all windows and doors for drafts, cracks, and sealing issues – rectify any problems as soon as possible to help your home retain heat more efficiently. This is also a good time to lubricate the hinges and tighten any screws.
Basement
Check for any cracks, leaks, or signs of pests. If you find any issues, rectify them as soon as possible.
Appliances
Clean your refrigerator coils and check that the temperature settings are optimal (40°F or below). Clean the oven hood and replace the hood filters. Inspect the washing machine and dryer hoses for cracks and thoroughly clean the dryer vent to prevent fires.
Deck, patio, and driveway
Inspect for cracks, loose boards, or other signs of damage. Rectify to ensure safety.
Following the above checklist will ensure that your home is safe and well-maintained at the start of the year, allowing you to focus on more exciting home projects throughout 2025.
How to plan your home improvements for 2025
Firstly, consider if any specific areas of the home require improvement or renovation. For example, you may have recently renovated some areas, but others may still be in need of a refresh. By focusing on the areas that need updating the most, you’ll see the best results at the end of the year once the work is done.
What are your goals with the renovations? Are you hoping to achieve a better style? Are you trying to make your home more practical for the needs of your household? Are you hoping to increase the value of your home? These goals will determine the best course of action.
Next, decide whether you want to undertake a full remodeling project, or if you just want to make smaller updates to the space, such as new flooring, paint, or furniture. You’d be surprised how much a small change, like updating the flooring in a room, can transform the entire space.
Finally, figure out which jobs you can tackle yourself, and which ones you’ll need professional help for. If you’re not trained in the relevant area of construction, renovation, or installation for the job at hand, it’s always recommended to enlist professional support. This will help ensure that you get the best results from your remodeling, and proper safety standards are adhered to.
Best home improvements to make in 2025
Whatever your goal for your home improvements in 2025, here are the best updates you can make.
Small changes
Walls – A fresh coat of paint can easily transform a room with little work required and for a low cost. Whether you use the same paint, or opt for a new color, it’ll give the entire room a fresh, clean look. You could use patterned wallpaper to give the room a bold accent wall, or create a gallery style wall using framed photos, art prints, and mirrors.
Top tip: For small spaces, lighter colors tend to make the room appear larger.
Flooring – New flooring will transform a room, and you don’t even need to replace your entire floor to give it a new lease of life. For hard flooring types, choose a patterned or textured rug to add some character to the space. If you have hardwood, or engineered wood flooring, sanding and refinishing the planks will give a refreshed appearance.
Top tip: Make sure your flooring type is well suited to the needs of your household.
Lighting – When was the last time you considered the light fixtures in your home? Replace old or outdated fixtures with modern styles like pendant lights, chandeliers, or even LED strip lights, depending on the style of your interiors. Add decorative floor and table lamps to create sectional lighting and add more visual interest to the room.
Top tip: Consider adding dimmer switches to control the ambiance in the room.
Hardware and fixtures – Similar to the above point, you could even change up the light switches themselves. Other fixtures and hardware around the home, like cabinet and drawer handles, can also benefit from a refresh every now and then.
Top tip: Decorative or modern outlet covers will give a sleek, polished touch to the space.
Practical improvements
Storage and organization – Install additional shelving into closets, pantries, kitchens, and bathrooms. Use pull-out organizers for easy access to your stored items.
Top tip: Free up floor space by utilizing your garage ceiling to store bulky or seasonal items.
Energy efficiency – Set yourself up for lower utility bills and a home that’s kinder to the environment by making changes to improve your energy efficiency. Improve the insulation in walls, attics, and basements to help maintain indoor temperature, and upgrade to double or tripe-pane windows to retain heat better during winter and keep it out during the warmer seasons, and replace incandescent bulbs with long-lasting, energy-efficient LED bulbs. If you have electric cars in your household, install an electric car charger on the property for convenient charging.
Top tip: When your appliances are due for replacement, such as refrigerators, washing machines, ovens, and dishwashers, choose energy-efficient products to replace them with.
Smart home features – Install doorbell cameras, smart locks, and motion sensors for peace of mind. Use smart plugs or switches to control lighting and devices remotely.
Top tip: Stick with the same brand of smart home appliances, or check that the different brands you’re purchasing can work seamlessly together.
Outdoor improvements – Unless you’re an avid gardener, update your landscaping to be more low maintenance. Add drought resistant plants and mulch to reduce watering and upkeep, and consider replacing your green areas with fake grass alternatives to remove any maintenance requirements.
Top tip: Outdoor motion sensor lighting can not only enhance security, but also make entering and exiting your property at night much easier.
Large renovations
If an area of the home is outdated, not suiting your preferences, or not sufficiently serving the needs of your household, it may be time for a full remodel.
Kitchen remodels – Upgrade your kitchen by:
- Replacing the cabinets and countertops
- Installing new, high-end appliances
- Installing new flooring
- Building a kitchen island
- Knocking down walls to create an open plan kitchen and living / dining space
Top tip: If you aren’t sure of the best way to remodel your kitchen, get in touch with an expert!
Bathroom remodels – Transform your bathroom by installing:
- A custom shower or tub
- New tile work
- A double vanity
- New mirrors
- Upgraded plumbing and fixtures
Top tip: Bathroom remodels are difficult to get right; make sure you find a professional installer to complete the job.
Home additions – Expand your home to create new, practical space:
- Add an extra bedroom or bathroom to accommodate a growing family
- Add a conservatory or sunroom to create extra space that’s showered in natural light
- Expand upward instead of outward and add a new story to your home
- Convert your attic or basement into a new, functional room
Top tip: When choosing to expand your home, consider what functionality your household will benefit from the most.
Roof replacements – Upgrade the exterior of your home by replacing the roof:
- Replace aging or damaged roof tiles with durable materials, like metal, clay tiles, or composite shingles
- Add solar panels for energy savings
Top tip: Completely change up the color and style of your roof materials to transform the exterior appearance of your home.
New Year’s resolutions for your home
Committing to upgrading your property is the best way to make the most out of your year. Not only will your household get to enjoy new, updated features within the home, but you’ll also increase the value of your property.
Planning some home upgrades? Our team of professionals are experts at home renovations, from small upgrades to full remodels. Get in touch today!