HUNTINGTON -- New Year's resolutions usually have to do with cleaning out, sprucing up and saving money.

Whether these plans are targeted at your body or your house, they are meant to improve your living space. Perhaps some of the following have made your New Year's resolution list. If not, consider them as ways to improve your home in 2010.

Sorting out the holiday decorations can save on storage space. Trash the broken, the ugly and the ones you just don't like. Remember one man's trash is another man's treasure so donate the usable to local charities. It's a good time also to give it up and buy new holiday lighting while it is on sale. The new LED lights save up to 90 percent in electricity, and next year you will avoid the frustration of unpacking lights that don't work.

With deep winter on the doorstep many will be housebound, and it is a good time to address cluttered cabinets and overstuffed closets. Spring cleaning doesn't have to happen in the spring. Sometimes the dead of winter is a more efficient time to do it. While cleaning out, look over the cabinets and drawers and decide if new knobs or a bit of paint might spiff up the house.

Saving money seems to be on everyone's agenda these days, and there are some very simple strategies one can use around the house. Take care of the furnace and improve the air quality by simply changing out the filter on a monthly basis. It saves money in the long run because the furnace doesn't have to work as hard.

Install a programmable thermostat. Dropping the temperature when you are sleeping or not at home can be a huge savings for you. If it is automatic, you don't have to think about it -- technology does it for you. Home improvement stores have classes that can teach you how to do the installation yourself if you can't afford a technician.

It seems that the average household uses lots more electricity than it did 10 or more years ago. Much of this is because of all the rechargeable gadgets like phones, cameras, iPods, etc. None of us wants to do without these things, but when we fail to unplug the charging device after the job is done we cost ourselves money. Also all of the electronic goodies such as video games, computers and flat screen televisions continue to use electricity after they are turned off. The displays and remote features continue to suck the energy for which you pay dearly. Some experts recommend that our high-tech machines and games be plugged into power strips which totally turn off the displays when clicked to off.

While winter holds us in its grip, it is a good time to get around to some of those inside jobs that would spruce up the house. Painting inside is no longer an exercise in choking on the fumes. Today, paint comes without the smells that could easily offer up a king-size headache. So if you are stuck in the house, it might be a good time to spruce up rooms that need a paint job.

Perhaps it is also time to take stock of bed linens, window treatments and carpet needs. The sales during January are always worth a second look. It could be a good place to spend some of that Christmas gift cash or gift cards. Don't overlook the deals online that not only offer price breaks but free shipping.

Winter doesn't have to be all about snuggling down in the covers with a good book. It can be a time to rejuvenate your living space, take some money saving steps and do your part to go "green." Do some planning and have the supplies on hand so when you have cabin fever, you can get some of these jobs completed. When the weather gets better you'll be glad you did.

And remember, New Year's resolutions can be for your house as well as your body.