New Year’s resolutions tend to come with a lot of hype, but sometimes little return. Our lives get busier, and the promises we made to ourselves at the beginning of the year can lose their luster. But putting that energy into something other than yourself might make you more inclined to keep up with your goals this year!

These ideas are sure to get your home looking brand new, while giving you a space where you can fully relax at the end of a long day.

Aim to go green
Reduce your carbon footprint this year and create a more eco-friendly environment for your home. Watch your electric bill go down month by month, and sleep soundly knowing you’re doing your part. Simple ways to make this change include unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use (such as not leaving your phone charger in the socket all day, which many are guilty of!), taking shorter showers, replacing your light bulbs with LED bulbs, and using organic sheets.

Make a cleaning schedule
Make it a goal for your family to have a more systematic cleaning schedule this year. Put a calendar on the fridge (or wherever everyone will see it regularly), and reference whenever you need a reminder to keep up with tidying up around the house. This will hold everyone accountable for the different cleaning tasks that need to be done throughout the month.

Downsize each month
At the end of every month, re-evaluate your possessions and donate anything you don’t use on a regular or weekly basis. This can make your home more open and welcoming, and can decrease stress that comes from any clutter lying around. Whether it be clothes that no longer fit, lightly worn shoes, toys, outdated electronics, or other possessions that you don’t need, downsizing is the way to go.

Get your bills organized
Bills can pile up, physically and digitally, and unfortunately, going paperless doesn’t make you immune to disorganization. Plus, monthly expenses like your mortgage, loan payments, and cable tend to sneak up on you when you least expect them. Make this the year of getting these tedious obligations in order.

Do a safety check
Your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector shouldn’t go unattended for too long, although it’s an easy chore to forget to take care of. Take some time out of a day this January to check these safety necessities, as well as making sure your alarm system is still intact. A pro tip if you can’t afford or don’t have a security system in your home is placing a popular brand’s decal on your window anyway. This can keep intruders at bay when you go away for a holiday or summer vacation.

Tackle home improvement projects
Putting off home renovations is a common occurrence for any homeowner. They’re costly, time-consuming, and sometimes weather sensitive. Take the time to assess what improvements are priority and which are luxury add-ons, and tackle them that way. Set a goal for yourself to take on smaller projects (looking up easy DIY’s might help), as well as getting estimates from contractors for larger projects to be done.