BMR's guide to resolutions

Take your renovation, decoration or organization project one room at a time. Think about your budget and how much time you can devote to the task, as well as your skill level.

There’s a reason we say things are “set in stone”—but setting your goals down in writing is the next best thing. This will help you prioritize your projects for the year and act as a visual reminder of all you want to accomplish.

Creating an action plan allows you to lay out the specific steps of your project. You already have the what; an action plan gives you the how.

Tell your family, friends or colleagues about your plans. You never know—some of them may have similar goals, and you can keep each other on track throughout the year. This is also a great way to get an extra pair of hands for taking on bigger tasks. After all, what are brothers-in-law for if not helping out with renovations?

FINALLY finished that bathroom upgrade? Reward yourself for a job well done with a treat, like a nice dinner (maybe invite that brother-in-law who helped with the tiling) or a new decor piece to complete your freshly organized space.

Resolution #1: Finally keep up with the Joneses

You know the Joneses. Year after year, they wow us with their spectacular home improvements. Leaky faucet? No problem for the Joneses. They can put up a backsplash with their eyes closed and have blueprints for an outdoor bar that would stump a NASA engineer. The rest of us are impressed—and a little jealous. But if you’re ever going to keep up with the Joneses, you have to start with the right tools for the job.

Resolution #2: Get organized

We all know someone who’s constantly posting perfectly lit photos of a spotless, clutter-free home. Of course, it’s pretty likely that just out of frame, there’s an overflowing closet or a collection of random possessions, lost and forgotten under the furniture. De-cluttering your home for real starts with an organized storage system.

Resolution #3: Stop breaking your back shovelling

Oh, Canada. When will we learn? It’s time to be prepared for whatever our northern winters have in store. The snow and ice will be back next year, so invest in proper equipment now!

Resolution #4: Finally decorate your home, your way

Do you die a little inside every time you look at that beige kitchen wallpaper that your great-great-aunt put up in 1963? It might be time to do something about it. Let’s get decorating!

Resolution #5: Put the whole house at your fingertips

Have you ever secretly wanted to rule the world? (Cue lightsaber sound effects.) No? Well, maybe total control is overrated. But with the right technology, you can control your house lights and heating with nothing but a smart phone. Hey, we’ve all got to start somewhere.