It always feels a little weird to make resolutions to improve your life, with timing based on a decision made by a pope hundreds of years ago. I’m referring, of course, to the Gregorian calendar (implemented by Pope Gregory XIII, which is what’s used in the United States and most of the western world) and January 1. From a financial standpoint, it is officially the start of a new tax year, and new electrification and energy rebates, so it’s maybe not all that weird.

Regardless, I’m an advocate for making plans, and wintertime (especially where I live in Minnesota) is a great time to start thinking about the projects you want to tackle this year. When it’s so cold my car won’t start, or there’s so much snow I can’t get out of the driveway, it gives me time to consider my goals for the year and think through the projects on my list.

My big goal this year is not to start any new house projects, but instead focus on finishing projects that are almost done. As much as I’d like to break ground on updating my backyard landscaping in the spring, it’s much more imperative that I finally install that crown molding in the kitchen to finish a remodel that began in the fall of 2019. It’s been  about 90% complete for years now. This is the year it gets finished. Likewise, our first-floor powder room is totally functional and usable, but the pocket door needs some finessing (and the final pieces of trim need to be installed, too). Then there’s the basement, where I’m slowly framing walls and putting up drywall. And new flooring for the bedrooms upstairs.

Whatever you have planned for the new year, Fine Homebuilding is here to support and guide you on your next projects. Thank you for being a Fine Homebuilding member, and here’s to more finished projects!

—Andrew Zoellner, editorial director

This photo originally appeared in the article 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Reliable Crimp Connectors

These reliable, high-quality connectors from Wirefy work on 10-22-gauge wire have heat-shrink insulation to keep out water and road salt.

Buy at Amazon

Handy Heat Gun

This heat gun is great for drying joint compound, primer and paint when patching drywall and plaster walls. Plus it can soften adhesive, get a very cold small engine to start, and shrink heat-shrink tubing.

Buy at Amazon

Affordable IR Camera

This camera is super useful for tracking down air leaks in buildings. The one-hand pistol grip arrangement frees your other hand for steadying yourself while maneuvering tricky job sites.

Buy at Amazon