Keeping New Year’s Resolutions With A Little Help From Your Home!

It is that time of the year again when you start pondering what happened with the New Year’s resolutions that you chalked up last year and why you never could follow through. Most of us get off to a flying start, but soon, pessimism, lethargy and a hectic lifestyle kick in to wreak havoc with all those planned changes. That obviously does not stop millions across the globe from making a long list of resolutions at the start of each year. Being the eternal optimists, we are no different either. And this time around we have just the right plan that will keep you motivated all year long!

We here at Decoist truly wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2014, a year in which you keep all your resolutions and achieve the goals you have set for yourself. That is precisely why instead of facing the challenge all on your own, we suggest you let your home be an accomplice that will facilitate the changes that you wish to make to your lifestyle. Here are some fun and interesting ways in which interior design can help you with keeping this year’s resolutions…

1. Time to get more charitable

Whether it is modern interior design or the time-tested philosophy of Feng Shui, all profess a simple message of creating a better living environment – Throw out the clutter! Most of us tend to surround ourselves with stuff that we do not really like, use or need. Just clear it out to not only make some space for useful new decor additions, but also to create a more harmonious home and work environment. How does this help with a New Year’s resolution, you ask? Well, most of us have ‘to become a better person’ or ‘volunteer to help the needy’ somewhere on the resolutions list. Embrace minimalism and the idea of less is more.

Modern living room with a minimalist style — Modern living room with a minimalist approach

Donate what you do not use anymore. It could be old furniture items or bundles of clothing that you haven’t tried on forever. Never underestimate the value of the donation that you make as every little step can make a big difference.

Clutter-free and organized closet design — Clutter-free and organized closet that does away with the excess

2. Shape up and stay motivated

If making yourself a better person on the inside is a part of the New Year’s resolution, the outside is obviously equally important! In fact, pretty much every survey (and common knowledge) indicate that getting in shape and losing weight are on the top of most people’s ‘to do’ list for the New Year. It is that time of the year when gym memberships see a sudden spike that leads to an eventual dip around Valentine’s Day as we find it hard to stay motivated beyond a month or two. The best way to avoid this is by having a cool little home gym.

Once again, the idea is to get started one small step at a time. Depending on the available space, your workout needs and economic constraints, you can start off with a treadmill, an elliptical or an exercise bike. Even if you are short on space, the sight of a small nook with workout equipment can spur you on to sweat it out at least 15 to 20 minutes each day. If you are looking for more home gym inspirations, check out these 70 diverse home gym ideas.

Keep yourself fit with home gym — Wall decal should keep you focused on the goal!

3. Go green to save some green!

Another favorite among New Year vows is the clichéd spend less, save more. This one is obviously all about avoiding an impulsive shopping spree, planning your finances and cutting out the unnecessary. But your home can chip in as well with the saving. Going sustainable is not just a cool fad anymore. It has some real benefits that help you with cutting down on the power bills in the long run. Create a more energy-efficient kitchen with smart appliances, think about greywater recycling systems and look toward alternate sources of power like solar energy.

Exquisite modern kitchen in white with energy-saving lighting installations

IKEA has recently started selling photovoltaic panels in its UK stores in an effort to promote cleaner and greener homes. Better insulation can cut down the power consumption of your heating and cooling systems, and all of these add up to substantial savings over a 12-month period.

Solar panels help save up on energy bills

4. A focused and inspiring ambiance

Another must have among the resolutions is ‘learn something new and exciting’. Obviously this could vary from cooking and music to a foreign language or an intricate craft. As with workout routines, we quit on ‘something new’ the moment the learning curve starts getting a bit steeper (It has happened to all of us at some point). The best way to overcome this niggle is with some visual inspiration.

Decorate with music instruments you intend to master

Instead of tucking away that guitar or piano, make it a part of the interior. This will tempt you to spend more time with it. You can do the same with books, knitting tools or pretty much anything else that is vital to your learning process.

Smart reading nook in the family room — Finally finish that classic you always wanted to read!

5. You eat what you see

“People eat what’s easiest to access and what they can see”, says Marlene Schwartz, deputy director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University. This is an inference drawn after considerable research surrounding behavioral treatment of obesity. Your kitchen often defines your eating habits. So, if you wish to cut back on junk food and lead an improved lifestyle, think about making fresh, natural and healthy foods more accessible. Decorate with fresh fruit arranged in fabulous fruit bowls, relegate snack foods to obscurity and keep your kitchen atmosphere as cheery as possible.

Fruit display ideas in the kitchen — Fruit bowl displays in the kitchen encourage healthier food habits

Reorganizing the refrigerator is another simple way in which you can not only improve the look of your kitchen, but can also take a step towards better eating habits. Another surprising tip from the experts is to switch to smaller plates and taller, narrow glasses. This helps you to cut back on calories while giving you the illusion of having more!

Stylish decorating with fresh fruit and flowers — Fresh ambiance in the kitchen leads to proper eating habits

6. Chalk up your goals

Sometimes we need a little pat on the back to keep us going, while on other occasions we need a firm kick up the backside to ensure we do not go off track! Staying true to your New Year’s resolutions is the biggest challenge, and the best way to address this is by making a list and displaying it openly in the house. If charts and boards do not appeal to you, then paint a part of your bedroom wall with chalkboard paint and start jotting down what needs to be done. This not only gives the room a trendy appeal, but also acts as a constant reminder that will keep you on your toes.

New Year's Resolutions on the wall — Let your walls remind you about those promises made at the start of the year!

7. Add Color to your Life!

Colors have great significance in our lives and often play a major role in shaping our own mood. Of course, each of us has different color preferences and it is best to surround yourself with colors that you love the most. Repaint your interiors not just according to the hottest color trends of the season, but also keeping in mind the purpose of each room. For instance, cooler neutral tones coupled with a splash of blue are considered best for a soothing bedroom.

Contemporary bedroom in blue — A more contemporary bedroom space with a soothing vibe

If your New Year’s resolution is to go to bed early and get up early for that lovely morning job, then a simple change in the color scheme of your bedroom might make a big difference in achieving that goal. Similarly, a bit of natural freshness in the living room or the kitchen can help uplift your mornings instantly. Never underestimate the power of color!

8. Design that encourages sharing

Spending more time with your family and loved ones is another vow that most of us find pretty hard to keep. Busy urban lives and the plethora of noisy gadgets around us often leave us too engrossed in our own little bubble. It is time to change all that this year, and you need not invest in an expensive family trip to get it done. Instead, create a dedicated family space in your own home where each evening the entire family can come together and share a few lovely moments. It can be something as simple as a new kitchen island with smart bar stools or a trendy home work space coupled with the kids’ playroom.

Family room serves both kids and adults — Family room comfortably serves both kids and adults

9. Finding True Love!

Sound unbelievable? Not really. Falling in love or finding true love is actually pretty high on the New Year’s resolution of most out there. (Don’t expect them to readily admit it though.) Your house can obviously help you with this as well, especially if you are a bachelor with your own ‘crib’. Let us be honest: a messy look with clothes thrown around, a carpet with old pizza and pasta stains and a stench of staleness is not really the trendy look that girls adore. Even a bachelor pad needs a certain class and a basic style that will encourage some lucky girl to finally take a step beyond the threshold!

Stylish modern bachelor pad — Fabulous modern bachelor pad sizzles with flair and panache

Let 2014 truly be a new beginning and a year where you finally honor all those promises you have made to yourself. As you head beyond the first week of the year, try out these little tricks and tips that will egg you on and keep you motivated. At the end of the day, interior design is all about making your life richer and better! So, what are your New Year’s Resolutions for 2014?