Improving your home doesn’t have to wait until you have a reason, such as selling the house or holding a large, significant gathering. Simply living in your home is reason enough to strive to keep it in its best shape and up-to-date with your tastes and preferences. Here are some ways to make home improvement an ongoing habit in your house.
First, sit down and make a list of all the projects that you would like to accomplish in both the short term and for the long haul. Consider each room in your house–perhaps the kitchen needs a new floor and the faucet leaks, or your son’s bedroom has chipped paint and old carpeting. Don’t worry about organizing your list just yet; merely writing down all of the projects you can think of is the goal.
Once you have a solid list of home improvements you would like to make, you can start to prioritize them by importance. Repairing or replacing major appliances or fixing any ongoing problems that could lead to structural damage, such as a leaking toilet or a sagging roof, should be top priorities. Cosmetic concerns such as replacing carpeting or painting walls should be lowest on the list for now.
Once you have prioritized your tasks, you can start tackling them one or two at a time. Break each task into chunks and delegate the responsibilities. For instance, if you need a new roof and a new shower surround, your spouse may be in charge of calling roofers for estimates, while you are in charge of purchasing the supplies for the bathroom or hiring a contractor. Don’t try to tackle too much at once, especially if you have a limited budget for home improvement.
Budgeting for home improvement is a major concern, especially if you have lots of projects to accomplish. With your other expenses in mind, determine what you can afford to set aside each month solely for home improvement projects. You can use your budget as a tool for prioritizing tasks, as well. For instance, you may find that you don’t have enough saved to renovate your bathroom just yet, but you do have enough to paint your child’s room and make new curtains.
Keep your list in an accessible, visible place, and add to it as you notice things that need to be done; next to your shopping list is actually a great place to hang it. Automatically place repairs at the top of the list to ensure that they receive prompt attention, and jot down the supplies you need on your shopping list.
Revisit your list at the start of every season, or at least three times per year. You may find that you need to adjust your priorities based on the upcoming warm or cold months. For example, winterizing your pipes certainly can’t be put off until February, but fixing the air conditioning unit can wait until spring.
Maintaining an ongoing list of home improvement projects is a great way to ensure that you home stays in good repair and aesthetically appealing. While working your way through your initial list may take a year or more, the habit of constant improvement will stick.