The start of the New Year brings all kinds of new resolutions and promises that you’ll probably plan to carry out for the coming months. As the calendar changes, it’s a perfect time for you to start fresh. When it comes to your home and personal life, there are lots of ways you can make a new start, refresh your space, and give your surroundings a new look. From planning a major declutter to bringing in artwork, read on for a list of 15 easy ways you can update your home and your outlook this year.
1. Let More Natural Light In
Sunlight makes a home feel fresh and open, and it’s also a great way to get some extra vitamin D. Instead of relying on artificial lighting, consider finding new ways to let more natural sunlight into your home. Replace room-darkening window treatments with sheer curtains or swap your blinds with some sheer window coverings. If you have money in your budget, consider installing a skylight or a sliding glass door. Allowing natural light to come in is also a great way to keep your circadian rhythm in check for better sleep. If you have a lot of sunlight streaming in, just make sure that your furniture isn’t directly in the path of the sun, or else the colors may fade.
2. Make Minor Paint Changes
You don’t have to repaint your entire home a new color to give your space a refresh. Bring in some good vibes by creating a beautiful feature wall that includes new wallpaper or paint it in a fresh, fun color. A feature wall takes less time, it’s more budget-friendly, but yet it can do wonders for changing the aura of a room. Look for fun paint colors that will bring you joy or consider painting one wall in a cheerful stripe pattern or a stamped or stenciled floral design.
3. Move Your Furniture Around
A simple rearrangement of furniture can completely transform a space. Start with your living room and move the sofa, coffee table, and end tables to a new spot. Look online for creative layouts that will make each room more functional and provide better “flow.” The simple act of rearranging furniture can literally transform the way your home looks and functions. This is also a perfect time to do a little bit of cleaning while you’re moving things around. If you want, you can even swap furniture from one room to another to really give your home a change.
4. Add Centerpieces or Flowers to Your Table
A gorgeous centerpiece can bring joy and a fresh touch to any table in your home. Place a crystal, glass, or stoneware vase on the center of your dining room table and fill it with a bouquet of freshly cut flowers or branches. Centerpieces can be anything you like including a charming tray topped with scented candles or small sculptures. Get creative and come up with ways to add unique centerpieces to the dining room or living room table. Nothing refreshes a home quite like fresh flowers, so visit your local florist or pick a few from your own backyard to bring inside.
5. Add a Rug to Your Living Room for Color and Texture
Area rugs bring instant softness to hard floors and can really warm up a space. Look for a new area rug featuring soft material like wool or silk for added texture. Natural fiber like jute is a fun addition to help create a trendy, boho-chic living space. Rugs come in an endless array of colors and patterns, so find something that really speaks to you and your style. You can even layer your area rugs by placing the largest one on the bottom and topping it with a smaller one in a contrasting color, pattern, or material.
6. Add Pillows and Cushions in Different Sizes and Prints
Another easy way to refresh your home for the new year is to bring in a few throw pillows or cushions. These home accessories add layers of texture and softness to furniture while allowing you to bring in some pops of color. Look for pillows or cushions in varying sizes to mix things up. You don’t have to choose pillows in the same color or pattern, either. Have some fun by adding in different designs that will help your furniture come to life. A large floor pillow is an awesome addition that makes the living room more welcoming and inviting.
7. Add Some Art
Artwork is the ultimate form of self-expression, so why not bring some new pieces into your home for the new year? Whether it’s a classic still life or landscape or something in a funky abstract design, artwork is a simple way to update any room. Shop for artwork from local artists whenever you can. It’s a great way to support your local businesses, and this art is quite special since it’s created by people from your own community. No matter what you choose, hang canvases or framed prints throughout your home for an easy refresh. You can also create an eye-catching gallery wall to showcase all of your art in one place.
8. Improve Your House Aroma
Fragrance plays a crucial role in our moods and how we see the world. You can elevate the aroma in your house by bringing in some scented products that can really change the vibe. If scented candles aren’t your thing, try lighting some incense sticks. Incense is extremely affordable and does a fantastic job of filling small to medium-sized rooms with a range of unique and intoxicating scents. You can also try automatic fragrance sprays, wax warmers, or plug-in units that can fill up your home with your favorite fragrances. Look for a calming scent like lavender to set the mood or try something uplifting like a citrus or mint scent.
9. Create an Inviting Entryway
A welcoming home is a positive home, so work on updating your entryway for the new year. Add a charming welcome mat to your front door to greet your guests in style. Bring in a cute bench or hall tree where your guests can hang up their bags, coats, and hats. If your entryway is small, a slender console table is a perfect addition to provide people with a spot to put their keys or purses as they come through the door. A comfy bench gives everyone a place where they can slip their shoes on and off. Install a pendant light or chandelier to brighten things up in this important part of the home.
10. Don’t Forget the Chores
If you really want to start the new year right, it’s a perfect time to declutter and organize. Spend a day simply going through every room of your home and deciding which items you no longer want or need. The simple act of decluttering can make you feel like you’ve accomplished something, and it’s also a great way to find things you may have lost or forgotten about. Start by cleaning one room at a time and making piles to sell, donate, or recycle items as you go.
11. Take Out Old, Broken, or Useless Things
Speaking of decluttering, hanging onto items that no longer serve a purpose will only make you feel bogged down. Spend some time looking for items throughout your home that are either old and outdated, broken, or no longer serving any function. When you do this task, consider which items are still usable and that can be donated. While they might not be doing anything for you, they could still help someone else in need.
12. Donate What You Don’t Need
After you determine which items in your home are no longer needed, it’s time to donate them. Look for local charities that could use your old items – try homeless shelters, animal shelters, or churches. You can also list old bulky items online as free for the taking and place them on the curb. Whatever way you decide to donate, just make sure that your old items are going to someone who could truly use them. Get in touch with several local nonprofit organizations and ask them if they’re in need of anything specific.
13. Be a Better Version of Yourself
The new year is a time for self-reflection and finding new ways to improve. Take some time to work on personal development this year. Whether it’s starting a new hobby or reaching out to people you love more often, there are endless ways you can become a better version of yourself. Begin the year with a positive mindset and you’ll be on the right track toward becoming a better person. Use a journal to write down things you’re thankful for every day. Practicing gratitude is one of the most effective ways to feel calmer and more at ease.
14. Reconnect with Family and Friends
As you kick start the new year, don’t forget to reach out to the people you love. Perhaps you haven’t spoken to a relative in several months or maybe you and your best friend had a disagreement. Whatever the situation entails, it’s important to make the effort to reconnect. If you’re not ready to call someone, simply send them a card letting them know they are loved and missed. Rekindling relationships with your friends and family members can be a truly life-changing thing.
15. Be a Better Neighbor
Practice positivity this year by simply being a better neighbor. Talk to the neighbors in your community and find out if there’s anything they need. Organize special events like a neighborhood cookout or yard sale. Offer to run errands for elderly neighbors or help out new parents by offering to babysit or grocery shop. When you become a better neighbor, the positive vibes will spread. You might even develop new lifelong friendships in the process, too!
As the new year approaches, consider these tips to refresh your life and your home. Whether you bring in new area rugs and artwork or help out your neighbors, there are plenty of things you can do to make this your best year ever. Spend some time decluttering and organizing, then donate items to those in need. The more positive things you can do to uplift your surroundings, the happier you’ll be all year long.
