Chez-Vous HomeStyle and Art - Remember your property when setting 2008 goals!

It’s a new year, a chance for fresh beginnings, new plans and those infamous resolutions! It’s the time of year when we focus heavily on ourselves – our health, fitness, relationships, plans for the future, and such like.

But do we give any thought to our homes? It’s all very well starting the New Year with clear plans for our physical and mental wellbeing. But sometimes we forget the importance that our immediate environment plays in achieving this. Our home is our haven from the outside world. If we don’t make the most of it, then how can we fully relax and enjoy our free time?

And as more people become self-employed and work from home, it can be difficult to separate work and home life. If we’re setting goals for business, why not set goals for our homes?

We spend more time indoors during the winter months so we have time to focus on which elements of our properties are less than pleasing, the clutter, and all those maintenance jobs.
Well now is the time to take action.

Prepare a list of all the key projects you would like to undertake on your property. You can categorise this list to suit you - by room, priority, or interior/exterior. Be careful not to make your list too long and, as with business goals, keep your projects realistic and give them achievable deadlines.

Is clutter a problem? As with structuring a business, implementing a system is vital. Decide which items need to be in each room and set-up a system to keep things in their rightful place. This system can take the form of cupboards, storage boxes, baskets, folders, and so on. There is a range of practical and stylish ways to hide clutter. Tackle one room at a time so that it doesn’t overwhelm you.

Once your system is in place, stick to it! Deal with things straight away rather than letting them accumulate into piles.

If there are larger projects to tackle – maintenance, decorating, renovation, etc. – then start planning now. You may not want to begin the projects until warmer weather in spring but advance organisation will save you time and problems in the future.

Would you like to restyle a room in your home? Then start defining how you want it to look and feel. Cut out pictures that inspire you from magazines; think about colours and themes and how you intend to use the room.

If you intend to put your property on the market then consider any negative aspects that may put off potential buyers and result in a lower asking price. Plan a course of action to resolve these.

Does your project require tradesmen – builders, decorators, gardeners? Start your research now! Get recommendations from trusted sources, arrange to see several companies and always ask for references. Get organised now and you will avoid the disappointment of finding that your preferred suppliers are already fully booked until next winter.

Once your property goals are set and your system is in place, you can begin realising the full potential of your home and enjoy it.

If you would like advice and help on how to make the most of your property, then please contact The Property Stylist now.

enquiries@chez-vous-homestyle.co.uk
http://www.chez-vous-homestyle.co.uk
Tel: 01189 770215

Article by Jayne Leighton Herd, The Property Stylist.
© 2008 Jayne Leighton Herd. All rights reserved.