HOME Feature: 2022 Home-Related New Year’s Resolutions

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New Year’s Resolutions

By Cathy Shouse

The start of a new year ushers in thoughts of what we would like to do differently. Often, we will focus on personal improvement, but the concept of change applies to our homes too. Whether you’re making official resolutions or just jotting down a wish list, we’ve rounded up some ideas for your consideration to restyle your home in 2022.

Meg Watercutter is a designer at Fairfield Galleries, which is a furniture and design store. She offers suggestions to customers she works with to help them meet their goals. “They just want to freshen up their home,” she said.

Sprucing up can happen in a number of ways. Painting interior walls can give a significant lift to a home. “The whites are in,” Watercutter said. “To complement the look, I put different textures with it. You can use leather. I use a bunch of textures using different fabrics.”

Adding a new chair and simply rearranging the chairs you already own can provide a pick-meup. The proper throw that is draped over a chair just-so, along with some well-chosen pillows, can do wonders to pull your current ho-hum look (that could be pretty if you weren’t so tired of it) into a fabulous must-see. And don’t forget that a change in the flooring can add a wow factor.

While you’re at it, maybe adopt a new attitude. It’s the season to appreciate what we have and not worry so much about keeping up with the neighbors. And in these times, maybe we can let go of the idea that our homes need to be perfect to have people over. A warm welcome will be remembered more than whether a home has followed the latest decor trend.

When it comes to your home exterior, the cold temps may keep you from doing much outside, but you can plan. “People are thinking about their projects already. In the winter, I think people get spring fever and they will start thinking about hiring a landscaper,” said Stephanie Felger, office manager at Felger Peat Moss. “Now is the time because the physical labor shortage means that landscapers are not able to take on as many projects as before. The slots will fill up fast.”

One resolution of Felger’s is to keep up with the maintenance of what landscaping she already has. She also considers and respects mother nature. “I’m trying to use more native plants and native pollinators,” she said.

While we’re in a reflective mode, maybe we will resolve to make our homes more, well, homey? We can aim for less stuff and more open space, for fewer TVs, and maybe get out a basket and vow to put the technology in it while dinner is being served.

Why not make your own unique list of resolutions, to include what you will enjoy and even what you will dump for good (like maybe that sign that says the word “EAT” and that other one that says “Gather”). a

Resources: Fairfield Galleries, Fort Wayne, (260) 489-5526, fairfieldgalleries.com Felger’s Peat Moss, Fort Wayne, (260) 693-3134, felgerspeatmoss.com/