Home Security

9 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Home

By Ring on December 27, 2023

The new year is a perfect time to tackle the goals you didn’t get to in the last, from hitting the gym more to finally reading the book gathering dust on your shelf. And if you have a list of house projects that’s been getting longer and longer recently, now is the perfect time to cross off a few big-ticket items.

Looking for a New Year’s resolution that will have a lasting impact beyond the coming year? Here are a few ideas to help make your home smarter, safer, and more stylish.

1. Cut Down on Clutter

From clothes that are two sizes too small to toys that haven’t been played with in years, you’re probably holding onto a few things you don’t need anymore.

Ready for a fresh start this new year? It’s time to tackle those junk drawers, closets, and cabinets and give your old things a new home. Make a donation pile for all the items in good condition that you don’t use anymore, and throw out or recycle anything that’s worn down or no longer useful. After a good purging session, it will be easier to find the things you actually use, and you’ll have plenty of storage space for new essentials.

2. Upgrade Security

Whether you’re planning to spend the new year enjoying quality time at home or jet-setting around the globe, improving security at home can help give you peace of mind no matter where you are. And when you choose Ring, it’s quick and easy to give your whole home an essential layer of security. Here are a few simple steps to help protect your home in the new year:

Install a Ring Alarm security system and subscribe to Ring Protect Pro, sold separately, to get real-time notifications if a sensor is triggered at home.¹

Consider enrolling in 24/7 Alarm Professional Monitoring with your Ring Protect subscription, sold separately, to help ensure no notification gets missed.¹ A trained agent will follow the appropriate emergency response plan if your Alarm gets triggered.²

Place indoor and outdoor security cameras around the house, so you can check in when you’re away. You’ll get notifications if motion is detected, allowing you to check in on Live View and use Two-Way Talk to speak with any visitors. Outdoor cameras with built-in lighting will also shine when motion is detected to help increase safety and security.

Replace your traditional doorbell with a video doorbell to keep track of activity around your front door, monitor packages, and speak to guests from anywhere.

3. Improve Curb Appeal

You may trim your trees, plant new flowers, and swap out seasonal wreaths throughout the year, but when was the last time you made big changes to the outside of your home? New paint colors, lighting, and furniture can completely transform your home’s look and give visitors a positive first impression before they even enter your home.

Here are some ideas to level up your curb appeal:

Improve your front door with a fresh coat of paint, upgraded hardware, or new house numbers.

Power wash the exterior to get grime and dirt off siding and concrete.

Elevate your exterior lighting by adding Ring Wall Lights above your garage or along walls for a subtle warm glow when the sun is down.

Buy new furniture for your front porch, like rocking chairs or an outdoor couch.

Place Path Lights and Steplights along walkways and stairs to illuminate the path to your front door and highlight your outdoor setup after dark.

Find the perfect sunny spot for your Ring Solar Security Sign to let others know your home is protected.

4. Make Your Home Smarter

If you’re looking for ways to save time and make your life a little easier in the new year, smart devices can help. You can control smart appliances remotely and set routines, so you don’t have to change the thermostat or turn out the lights manually.. Here are a few smart home upgrades to consider:

Smart lights

Smart thermostats

Smart security systems and cameras

Smart locks

Smart plugs

Smart kitchen appliances

If you have a Ring security system or cameras, look for other smart devices that work with Ring. You’ll be able to control everything, including lights, thermostats, locks, and plugs, straight from the Ring App. You can also link devices like Ring Alarm and smart locks and set convenient automations. For example, you can disarm Ring Alarm when you unlock your smart lock or set your smart security cameras to begin recording if Ring Alarm is triggered.

5. Give a Room a Makeover

Chances are, there’s a room in your house that isn’t quite where you want it to be. Whether you’re dealing with a guest-bedroom-slash-home-office or a half-finished basement, figure out what it will take to transform your space — and get started!

You'll probably need to hire a contractor for a major project like a full kitchen remodel or upgraded bathroom. But if your problems are purely cosmetic, you may be able to tackle a room on your own. A new coat of paint, a stylish standing desk, a fluffy area rug, and a few pieces of personalized art can transform your home office setup from drab to cozy.

6. Focus on Fire Safety

Taking the proper precautions can help keep you and your family safe during a home fire. So, if it’s been a while since you’ve thought about fire safety, there’s no time like the new year. Here are some steps you should take to prepare for a fire, according to the American Red Cross:

Install smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and test them once a month.

Replace smoke detector batteries at least once a year.

Find two ways to escape from each room in your home and teach each family member how to use them.

Designate a family meeting spot outside your home.

Practice your fire escape plan twice a year.

Consider having at least one fire extinguisher in your home, and learn the P-A-S-S (point, aim, squeeze, sweep) method. If everyone has left the house, 911 has been called, and the fire is small and not spreading, you can attempt to extinguish it.

If you have a Ring Alarm security system, consider linking Smoke and CO Listeners or First Alert Smoke and CO Alarms. With a Ring Protect subscription, sold separately, you’ll get alerts if a detector triggers the Alarm, so you can take action even if you’re away.²

7. Create an Emergency Plan

From hurricanes and floods to winter storms and power outages, disasters can take many forms — but with a home emergency plan, you can be prepared for any scenario. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Consider the emergencies you may face in your area to help tailor your plan.

Think about your family’s needs. Children, pets, elderly loved ones, and family members with disabilities may need more assistance and supplies in an emergency.

Decide which family members should complete specific tasks during an evacuation, like grabbing the disaster kit, helping pets and children, and calling an out-of-town contact.

Write down your plan, and include additional details like a family meeting spot, emergency contacts, medical conditions and doctors, and vet information.

Make sure you have a way to receive updates during an emergency, like the Neighbors App by Ring.

8. Perform Routine Maintenance

Even if everything’s in working order at home, there’s a good chance you’re due for a few tune-ups. A little routine maintenance in the new year can help detect future problems and potentially save money by addressing minor issues proactively. The National Center for Healthy Housing recommends several tasks for healthy home maintenance, including:

Have a professional inspect natural gas appliances for loose connections and leaks.

Inspect your foundation for signs of cracking and water damage.

Check your roof and gutters for leaks or blockages.

Assess your dryer vent, chimney, and furnace for fire hazards.

Check appliances that use water, like dishwashers, water heaters, and refrigerators, for leaks and connection issues.

Look for damaged electrical cords on appliances.

Replace the filters in your HVAC equipment.

While you inspect your home for signs of damage, consider connecting Flood & Freeze Sensors to Ring Alarm and placing them in areas that might experience water damage. If running water is detected, the Alarm will sound, allowing you to find the source of the leak and make repairs. And since freezing temperatures can cause burst pipes, your Flood & Freeze Sensor will also trigger Ring Alarm if it detects temperatures under 40 degrees Fahrenheit. With a Ring Protect subscription, sold separately, you will receive a notification if a Flood & Freeze Sensor gets triggered, whether it’s due to low temperatures or leaking water.¹

9. Reduce Energy Usage

If you’ve been looking for ways to go green, a few changes to your home can help reduce your environmental impact in the new year. Consider a few of these energy-saving measures to make your home more efficient:

Install a smart thermostat, which can automatically adjust the temperature to conserve energy. Many smart thermostats also collect important data about your energy usage, so you can find even more ways to save.

Swap traditional light bulbs for LED bulbs, which use less power. When connected to a Ring Bridge, sold separately, Ring Smart LED Bulbs can potentially help save you even more energy. You can check if lights are on from the Ring App and turn them off remotely if you forget to switch off a lamp or porch light before you leave the house.

Consider adding solar panels to charge your battery-powered outdoor cameras from Ring. With two to three hours of direct sunlight per day, your device will stay continuously charged in most conditions.

Invest in a smart water shutoff to monitor water usage, detect leaks, and remotely shut off the water supply if an issue occurs. You can connect Flo by Moen devices to the Ring App to control all your smart devices in the same place.

Add insulation and seal up drafts around your home to conserve heat in the winter and cool air in the summer.

Replace old appliances with updated energy-efficient versions, like dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers.

Ring Can Help Enhance Your Whole-Home Security This New Year

From Alarms and video doorbells to smart lighting and security cameras, Ring has what you need to help make your home safer — and smarter — this new year.

Need help deciding which devices will work best for your home? Take a quick quiz to get customized recommendations and jump-start your New Year’s resolution to upgrade security.