Make Your Home Your New Year’s Resolution
- Lenore LDI
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Where to Start (and How to Actually Follow Through)
Every January, I notice the same thing — homeowners feel a strong pull to reset their space.
The holidays are packed away, the house feels quieter, and suddenly those little things you’ve been living with all year feel louder:the outdated paint colour, the furniture layout that never quite worked, the room you meant to finish… but didn’t.
If you’re setting intentions for the new year, here’s one I fully support:
Make your home part of your New Year’s resolution.
Not in an overwhelming, renovate-everything way — but in a thoughtful, realistic, let’s finally start way.
Let’s talk about what people are searching for right now — and how to turn that motivation into real progress.
Why “Fixing the House” Is a January Thing
After years in this industry, January consistently brings the same mindset from clients:
“I want my home to feel calmer.”
“I’m ready for something fresh.”
“I want to finally make decisions instead of putting it off.”
From a search perspective, homeowners are looking for:
Paint colour ideas
Where to start with renovations
How to decorate without replacing everything
Furniture upgrades that feel intentional
Design help without committing to a full renovation
In other words — clarity.
New Year Home Resolution #1: Start With One Room (Not the Whole House)
One of the biggest mistakes I see is trying to do everything at once.
Instead, choose:
the room you use the most
or the one that bothers you every day
Often, that’s the living room, kitchen, or primary bedroom.
When one space feels finished and functional, momentum follows — and suddenly the rest of the home doesn’t feel so daunting.
If you want the biggest visual impact for the least commitment, paint is always my first recommendation.
A new wall colour can:
change how light moves through a room
make existing furniture feel intentional again
modernize a space instantly
January searches are heavy on:
“best neutral paint colours”
“warm vs cool whites”
“what paint works in low light”
This is where getting guidance matters — because the right colour feels effortless, and the wrong one feels expensive to fix.
New Year Home Resolution #3: Rethink What You Already Own
A fresh start doesn’t always mean buying all new furnishings.
Often, it’s about:
reworking layout and flow
editing pieces that no longer serve you
layering in a few intentional updates (lighting, rugs, accent chairs, art)
This is where decorating becomes strategic — not impulsive.
I always tell clients: you don’t need more things, you need better decisions.
New Year Home Resolution #4: Plan Renovations Before You Commit to Them
January is also when homeowners start researching:
kitchen renovations
bathroom updates
basement plans
“how much does it cost?”
My biggest piece of advice?
Planning is part of the resolution — not the demo day.
Even if your renovation is months (or a year) away, early planning saves money, stress, and regret.
New Year Home Resolution #5: Get Expert Eyes Early (Even If You’re Not Ready to Build)
One of the smartest New Year moves is simply bringing in professional guidance before making decisions.
A design consultation can help you:
prioritize where to spend and where to wait
avoid costly mistakes
create a clear plan you can tackle in stages
Think of it as setting the roadmap — so your resolution doesn’t fade by February.
Your Home Doesn’t Need Perfection — It Needs a Starting Point
If your New Year intention is to feel better in your space, start small, start smart, and start with clarity.
A fresh coat of paint.
A better furniture layout.
A clear plan for what comes next.
Those are the kinds of resolutions that actually stick.
Q: What does it mean to make your home a New Year’s resolution?
A - It means intentionally improving your home through thoughtful updates like paint, decorating, or planning future renovations.
Q: Where should I start when updating my home in the new year?
A - Start with the space that affects your daily life most and choose updates that align with your budget and long-term plans.
Q: Do I need to renovate to improve my home?
A - Not always — many homes benefit from paint, layout changes, and strategic decorating before considering renovation.
If you’re feeling motivated but overwhelmed, a little professional guidance can make all the difference. A consultation helps you prioritize, avoid costly mistakes, and move forward with confidence.
PS - I’ve put together a free Top Paint Colours for 2026 guide featuring my favourite Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams picks — plus practical tips on where to use them, how light affects each shade, and common painting mistakes to avoid.
Thanks for reading!
Lenore 🤍
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