5 Home Improvement Resolutions You Should Make in the New Year

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A new year means new things for both you and your home this 2012. If you've not thought about improving your home the past year, this year, you should. From making sure your home is well-protected to improving the decorations in certain areas, your new year home resolutions should focus on making your home a better place to live in. Make time this year for these five important home-improvement resolutions:

1. Make sure your home has improved security. Do everything you can to keep trespassers and intruders from your home. You can begin by first trimming the bushes and hedges around your property so that thieves and intruders have no place to hide. Make sure to replace your door locks with new ones, and consider investing in better outdoor lighting so you have lights on overnight. You can go further by installing locks on your gates and window grills, and installing a fire-proof safe in your storage area for keeping your important documents. If you can afford it, install a security alarm or exterior and interior closed-circuit cameras in your home.

2. Reduce, reuse and recycle. When making home improvements, consider using salvaged building materials. These second-hand materials cost far less, and if they are in excellent condition, you can save on your home improvements. Reuse leftover lumber, metal windows, wooden doors, scrap metal, decorative hardware, floorboards, and even masonry materials and plumbing fixtures.

3. Install home efficiency aids. Perhaps you can install a water heater in your bathroom or a filtration system in your kitchen. Things like these can help make your household more efficient.

4. Add rain-proof features. Weather experts predict Philippine rains to run into the summer of 2012, so take some precautions to make sure your home stays dry during the stormy monsoon season. Start by inspecting your roof and ceilings for leaks in the roof; plug them up right away. Also, begin trimming branches that are too close to your windows. Check your gutters to make sure they're free from debris, and have a plumber clean out your outdoor drain.

5. Redecorate a room. A full home interior decorating project may be too heavy for you to handle, but making small improvements to a room can help improve your home and give it new life. It can be as simple as getting new, coordinated beddings for your room, painting an accent wall in your living area, or buying new covers for your throw pillows.