Make a Long-Term Plan 

Because none of these resolutions are things you have to do every day, one of the best ways to make sure that you'll stick to your goals is to plan the tasks out in advance. Make a list, whether monthly or quarterly, of what you need to do to keep an organized home. Then, consult it regularly to check off those tasks.

Tip

Now is the perfect time to plan not just for this year but for the next holiday season as well. While it's all still fresh in your mind, think about how you'd like to handle things next time around. Consider whether you had enough chairs, or if the dining room carpet got trashed because you put the bar cart next to the kid's table. Jotting down a few notes at the beginning of this year is sure to help save you some headaches at the end.

Purge Your Spaces

Cleaning is always a great place to start, but creating real change in your home will require you to take it a step further and purge some of the things you don't need. At first, this can seem a little daunting, but be relentless. If something hasn’t seen the light of day for an entire year (or more), then you've spent an entire year proving to yourself that you don't really need it.

The important part about this step is to be methodical. Don't just start ripping open closets and drawers and pulling everything out. You'll wear yourself out much sooner than you think, and the pile of things that will end up sitting on the floor is more likely to discourage than encourage you. Instead, use the same plan you had when cleaning, and go one room at a time. The process will take a little longer, but it will be much more manageable and far more likely to reach completion.

Tip

When purging, make two piles: one for items that you will throw out and one for pieces that you will donate. Then, schedule a pick-up with a service such as Green Drop to send everything that's in good shape to a charity.

Schedule Maintenance Jobs

Parts of your home need regular maintenance throughout the year. For example, the air conditioning unit should be inspected before summer begins. Your chimney should be maintained before you light your first fire in the late fall. Gutters need to be cleaned in both the spring and the fall.

Instead of counting on yourself to remember to make those handyman appointments throughout the year, sit down and make the calls now. Ask if you can schedule the appointments months in advance, then note them on your calendar.

*Article by The Spruce