2022 was another year with many of us invested in home improvement projects and renovations. Getting creative with renovating our personal spaces is a great way to help spruce up working spaces , increase property value, update the style and improve safety in the structure. Dreaming about the improvements and renovations that we can make on our homes takes planning. Let's focus on these 8 tips to create a more beautiful and comfortable place to call home. 1. Send Clutter Packing A good first step towards creating the space of your dreams is decluttering the past year’s (or let’s be real, years’) buildup of odds and ends. There are many ways to streamline your stuff, so choose the method that works best for you and set to work assessing the need for your current stock of clothes, shoes, books, pantry, supplies, and more. Once you’ve removed the items that no longer serve you, take time to organize what’s left, so it’s easy to find and use. 2. Home Office Oasis The new year is a great time to think about how you might recreate your home office space. From new chairs, new technology, to an ergonomical desk setup, you can create a space that best meets your needs. Whether you enhance your current workspace or create an entirely different one that’s more separate from your home life, 2023 can be the year where you take those desired next steps into bringing your custom home office vision to life. If you’re considering selling your home in the upcoming year, then creating a dedicated home workspace can potentially positively impact your home’s value. 3. Go Green (& Save Some Green) As you’re moving through your home with intention, removing items you no longer need, take this great opportunity to audit for eco-friendliness. Start small by taking stock of lightbulbs, cleaning supplies and shower heads and planning to replace them with greener versions. Similarly, you can research and commit to more major upgrades like installing solar panels, a composting program, or even a living roof. While some of these switches will mean initial costs, remember that you’re not just saving the planet, you’re also likely saving money in the long run. 4. Commit to Maintenance Are you flushing out your water heater tank once a year? If your answer is no, you’re definitely not alone, but the reality is that your water heater will function much better—and last much longer—if the sediment is regularly drained from the tank. This and other home maintenance tasks tend to get put on the backburner, only getting attention when a problem arises. Resolve to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to home maintenance, and save your future self headache after headache. 5. Set a Cleaning Schedule If you’re like most people, you love the feeling of a clean house but despise the seemingly endless work that comes with it. Coming to terms with the inevitability of cleaning as ongoing maintenance is the first step to making it all the more manageable. Strategize a plan that will break up the tasks, so you’re not faced with an overwhelming amount of work. Experts continue to suggest categorizing and attacking chores by day, week, month and year to keep your house gleaming clean. Don’t forget to include all the members of your family, sharing the load and, if you have kids, creating healthy, responsible adults in the process. 6. Make Your Home More Homey Last but certainly not least on your list of aspirations is that project you’ve been putting off far too long. Maybe it’s a bathroom upgrade, plush new carpet in the family room, or an outdoor dining area for future in-person celebrations and gatherings. Choose the space you’d most like to show some love and, depending on your budget, embark on an overhaul or a full-blown renovation. You’ll enjoy the fruits of your labor for years and new years to come! 7. Prioritize Safety It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and build out an extensive renovation list. However, it’s important to take proper safety precautions along the way. Additionally, prioritizing those projects that make your dwelling safer is also key. Verifying the safety of the structure and mapping out a clear plan for renovation ahead of beginning any demolition should be a top priority. If your project list creeps outside your DIY skill level , make sure to bring in the experts to help bring your vision to life. 8. Update your style Across the lifetime of your home ownership, your style choices and preferences will likely change. Home renovation trends will evolve, and the overall feel of what you’d like to see in your home may vary. If you’re watching your favorite home renovation shows, you’ll likely be inspired to make some changes. So, make those that will both align with your style evolution, all while helping increase your home’s value. Let’s prepare for a good year ahead. Progress and change start at home. Use the Synchrony HOME™ Credit Card to help you create the home space that meets your needs in 2023.* * Subject to credit approval Not a cardholder yet?* Learn more now! Already a Synchrony HOME™ cardholder? Log in to learn about additional offers available right now! Want to access more information for moving and improving? Check out our resources.