Every year, as the final month draws to a close, people begin planning their New Year's resolutions, the positive changes they plan to make in the next year. Goals like "lose weight," "read more books," "quit smoking," and "get more exercise" are common. However, not many people make resolutions for their houses. Your home is one of the most important investments you'll ever make in your life, so you want to give it the care that it deserves, just as you do for yourself. Here are a few resolution ideas to get you started.

Purify Your Air 

Keeping your air ducts clean can help you and your family breathe easier. Aim to have your ducts professionally cleaned this year. Then, keep up with changing your filters every few months. Some filters need to be changed more or less often, so be sure to check the package instructions for your specific brand of filter. Clean ducts will run more smoothly and use less energy too. 

Reduce Energy Use 

Over the course of a year, your home uses up a lot of energy, so work towards reducing your family's energy usage and your carbon footprint. Switch your old light bulbs out for new LED versions that not only last much longer but use less energy overall. As a bonus, reducing your energy will save you money as well. 

Set Aside Money for Improvements 

It's time to stop talking about all the renovations you'd like to do and actually start doing them. Rather than relying on credit to cover the costs, set a bit of money aside out of each paycheck just for your house. It can be helpful to put this money in a separate account from your day-to-day one so that you aren't tempted to use it for other purposes. 

Streamline Your Belongings

Before you get to spring cleaning, conduct an inventory of your belongings. Think about what you can get rid of, anything you no longer want or need. Items that are still usable can be sold or donated. Then, when it comes time to do a thorough cleaning, it will be an easier job with less clutter getting in the way. 

Protect Your Family 

You can't put a price on your family's safety, so give them the protection they deserve with a home security system. Whether you choose something simple, like an alarm system, or something more complex, like a guard-monitored home security suite with all the bells and whistles, you'll have greater peace of mind knowing that your home and family are safe. 

Start Your Renovation at Northern Lighting 

From LED light bulbs to stunning chandeliers to unique light fixtures and more, we have everything you need to renovate your home's lighting concepts here at Northern Lighting. Stop by our showroom today to take advantage of our Dot Sale; you'll save up to 20 percent on select items!