Our living spaces are where we spend most of our time. They’re where we go to relax, recharge and re-center ourselves. By keeping them in top shape, you’ll create a better living experience for yourself. They’re the perfect place to focus on making a fresh start for the new year.
Check out 10 essential resolutions that serve as your checklist for a happier and healthier home in 2026.
1. Reduce Decor and Declutter
It happens to the best of us: Your existing furniture or decor no longer fits your personality, but you’re still hanging onto it. Now’s the time to clear out these items. If a particular everyday object or knick-knack doesn’t resonate with you, consider donating, selling or disposing of it.
Reducing decor doesn’t mean going minimalist, but you can free up space for the important things. Think of it as a way of highlighting your grandmother’s antique candlesticks without distractions from unimportant store-bought prints on the wall behind them. The things that matter will stand out, and you’ll gain more living space as a bonus.
2. Make Spaces More Personal
While you’re decluttering, think about how to personalize your space further. Perhaps it’s time to replace your hand-me-down furniture with one or two new items that you’ve picked yourself. Maybe you’re ready to reupholster the couch with a color you really love. Or, it could be as simple as replacing old or impersonal cutlery and dishware with new ones you love. You don’t even have to invest a lot of money to make the upgrades that will spark moments of joy.
3. Focus on Natural Light
Natural light can help spaces appear larger, brighter and ultimately, happier. It also reduces reliance on costly electricity. Optimizing your space’s light can involve:
- Relocating houseplants, furniture and belongings blocking windows.
- Placing mirrors across from windows to spread light further.
- Replacing curtains and window hangings with adjustable options like sheers, Venetian blinds or lightweight roller shades.
- Regularly cleaning windows and screens inside and out to remove dirt and grime.
- Painting window frames and sashes in bright colors (like white, off-white and cream) to make them more reflective.
If you want to take things a step further, consider upgrading your windows. Modern double-hung windows provide great natural lighting, while unique designs like garden windows and bay and bow windows allow light from multiple angles.
4. Conduct an Energy Audit
Nobody can afford energy waste in this day and age. As the new year begins, review your utility bills from the last few years for significant pattern changes. Abnormal spikes during the hottest and coldest times of year may signal heat and air loss. If you suspect your home is an energy drain, there are several paths forward.
- Contact a repair service to ensure your HVAC system is functioning properly. Make repairs and replacements as needed.
- Consider replacing your windows, doors and other seals with modern, energy-efficient designs.
- Think about replacing outdated appliances like space heaters, stoves, ovens and especially washers and dryers with newer, more eco-friendly models.
These upgrades come at a cost, but they deliver returns. Your initial investment will often pay for itself over time through lower energy bills, providing long-term savings.
5. Create a Household Budget & Emergency Fund
In a world of rising costs, a household budget can be a lifesaver. Alongside everyday living costs, budget for regular home maintenance. This includes things like new paint, replacement air filters and plumbing fixes.
A good home maintenance budgeting practice is the 1% Rule. Save one to five percent of your home’s value each year for emergencies, planned renovations or standard upkeep. This fund can be a lifesaver for sudden expenses.
6. Improve Your Curb Appeal
Your home’s exterior is its public face, and you want it to make a good impression. You can increase your curb appeal year-round in many ways. For example:
- Clear dead foliage and shrubs, plant new flowers and practice regular lawn care even as the seasons change.
- Clean your gutters and drainage ditches. Functioning drainage systems help water flow away from your home, reducing the risk of foundational damage and flooding.
- Repaint or replace doors and shutters for a fresh look.
- Pressure-wash driveways, walking paths and front porches.
- Fix siding damage or upgrade to more durable vinyl siding.
You don’t need to fully reface or re-landscape your home to achieve a fresh look. Small improvements throughout the year can keep things tidy while reinforcing your house against nature and the elements.
7. Invest in Home Security
A good home security system is not only reassuring but also a great potential selling point if you decide to list your house. You can invest in a state-of-the-art system from a large company, or consider smaller, but reliable protective measures.
- Install motion-sensor lights around garages, doorways and porches.
- Replace the locks on all entries, including garage doors and entry gates.
- If window locks are broken, contact a professional to replace the mechanism or the entire window.
- Buy a video doorbell that alerts you to visitors when you aren’t home.
- Use automatic timers to turn your electricity on and off at different times while you’re away.
- Place security cameras inside and outside your home.
- Install interior locks on closet doors and store valuables there while you’re away.
8. Review Your Insurance and Warranties
The new year is a great time to review your paperwork and make sure everything’s still in order. If you’re letting your homeowner’s insurance auto-renew without reviewing or updating it, you could wind up with coverage gaps that cost you compensation when filing a claim.
At the same time, review your warranties on appliances, windows, doors and utilities to see if they’re current. If you have a problem with one of these items, your warranty might help you repair or replace it at little to no cost.
9. Create a Home Inventory
While reviewing your insurance, take time to make a detailed home inventory. Add these valuable items:
- Furniture
- Art
- Jewelry
- Appliances
- Computers, TVs, gaming consoles and other electronics
- Lawn equipment and machinery
- Collectibles and models
- Silverware
- China
- Cookware
- Designer clothes
- Holiday decorations
- Linens
- Books
- Patio furniture, grills and outdoor heaters
Your inventory should include item descriptions, photos, serial numbers, proof of ownership, receipts and any other identifying information. The more details you provide, the better you can document the value of your items. This may help you recoup your losses on an insurance claim. Ask your home insurer if you need to itemize certain high-value items within your policy.
10. Commit to Safety and Health
Your well-being at home is as important as that of your belongings. As you organize your house, address health and safety essentials.
- Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Organize first aid supplies so everything’s easily accessible.
- Clean fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces and dryer vents to reduce fire risks.
- Replace air filters and clean vents and ducts to improve air quality.
- Check for fall hazards on stairs, bathroom floors and other walkways.
- Inspect attics, basements and crawl spaces for mold, mildew, animals or pests.
- Check for signs of damage in electrical wiring, breaker boxes and outlets.
Many of these tasks take only a few minutes, but they can greatly enhance your living space’s security.
A Better 2026 Starts With A Better Home
A fresh start in the new year can be as simple as freshening up your home and living routines. If new home upgrades are part of your 2026 resolutions, Window World has what you need. Our energy-efficient, quality products help you personalize and spruce up your space for the good times ahead. Get a free quote now.