11 New Year's Resolutions for Old House Owners

If you're anything like me, you probably have a laundry list of things that need to be fixed or organized in your house. Add to that the "fun" things (like redecorating) and you're overwhelmed before you've even begun. This year, make it a goal to map out your priorities, so you can begin to feel good about checking things off of your list. You won't feel so bad about avoiding reorganizing your basement if you know that it's on track to eventually get done. Just make sure you stick to it!

A house budget doesn't have to be a complicated thing. Just dropping a set amount into the piggy bank each month will help you feel in control of your seemingly endless house-related spending, and if you've got your priorities in place, you'll know exactly what you're saving up to do. With money set aside, you'll also know where to turn when an unexpected crises arises and your hot water heater, boiler and chimney all simultaneously need replacing. In an old house, when it rains, it pours.

It's the cardinal rule of old house ownership: the second you fix one thing, another thing will break. Last month, as soon as we thought we had saved enough money to fix the hole in our fireplace lining, our thermostats randomly decided to stop working. Because of all the urgent things that need tending to, the stuff I actually want to do (i.e. hiring an electrician to install pretty light fixtures in our living room) always seems to end up on the back burner. It's frustrating, to say the least. But what's even more frustrating is having to pay other people to fix every single issue.

My husband and I have a lot of big ideas, but we're not especially handy. Recently, we spent an evening on YouTube learning how to install light fixtures. Once we learned how to do it (trust me, if I can do it, so can you!) we felt as if a whole world had opened up to us. Not only is it empowering to feel as if we can take control of the things we want to do in our own house, but it's going to save us a lot of money, too. A win-win!

Ever wish your walls could talk? Most local historical societies can tell you where to begin to dig up the history of your house (old photos can be especially fun!), which can lead you down an incredibly fun rabbit hole. Or, with a subscription to Ancestry.com, anyone can start digging through old censuses to find out the names and professions of former residents. If you find anything of particular interest, consider applying to get your house listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it's not only a great honor, but it also opens the door to financial perks if you or future owners decide to undertake a major restoration.

Who doesn't love to read home renovation blogs, on which people document their befores, their afters, and everything in between? While I haven't gone to that length (it seems awfully time-consuming!), I still draw intense satisfaction from looking at photos of how my house used to look. Keeping these photos within reach is a great way to remind yourself just how far you've come, and to have a good laugh at that hideous old wallpaper you couldn't wait to tear down!

For creative people, a house is like a gift that keeps on giving. In my mind, there is no limit to how many times one can rearrange, reupholster, or repaint things in a house. That said, I'd like to personally thank the Pinterest Gods for keeping me up way too late each night while I tirelessly collect (and recollect) inspiration for each and every room. Homeownership can be tough at times, but with the bigger picture in mind, you'll constantly feel as if you're working toward an end goal that shows off your personal style in the most beautiful way. What more could you want?

You know that drawer full of junk that you add to every time you don't know where else to put something? I have at least five of those. Whether it's once a day, once a week, or once a month, set a goal to tackle one drawer (or shelf, or cabinet) at a time. For a while, I would do this for 15 minutes before bed each night. It took hardly any time at all, but it went a long way in making me feel good about my home.

Shortly after we bought our house, we discovered that a fairly large section of wood flooring underneath our refrigerator had rotted. When a contractor came to look at it, they determined that it had been caused by a very small (and easily fixable) leak inside the refrigerator. Because the former owners had ignored it, it had ruined the floor.

When it comes to old houses, a small issue can and will eventually become a very big one. This year, pick one thing you've been putting off and get it resolved. You'll sleep better at night knowing that it's not getting exponentially worse.

Old houses often come full of quirky details, and they're not always exciting things like butlers' pantries or claw-foot tubs. Sometimes, your arch nemesis is that old radiator so poorly placed in the bedroom that you can't fit a bed next to it. If you don't have the funds to remove or replace the item, consider highlighting it instead. I once saw a radiator that had been painted ombré — it was the most adorable thing!

Like most old house owners, you probably feel as if you live in a constant renovation project. It's natural to want everything fixed and designed the week after you move in—but this would be skipping all of the fun! To quote one of my favorite books, The Little Prince, "It's the time you have spent on your rose that makes your rose so important." In other words, the more you give to your house, the more you will fall in love with it. Fortunately, old houses usually need more than a little TLC. Your love affair has only just begun.

Sometimes, I can get so caught up in playing with my house that I forget to actually live in it. My husband rolls his eyes every time I say sometime to the effect of, "We can't have people over for dinner until the dining room is finished," or "I just wish this room was a different color so I could actually enjoy it." If you do one thing this year, invite people to your perfectly imperfect home to start the memory making. I promise they won't judge you for having uneven bathroom lighting.