9 ways to refresh your home for the new year.

So, school has gone back after the six-week Christmas break.

If you’re anything like me, you love the holidays but equally enjoy getting back into the routine that comes along with school life. I can certainly notice now that my kids have gone back to school, and I have the house to myself, that my home is looking a little tired in places and that a refresh is in order! Add to that all the extra belongings we have accumulated over Christmas and things are feeling quite cluttered.

Are you feeling that your home could do with a refresh as you embark on a new year?

Well, now is the perfect time to give your space some love. Even if you have little people still at home, or all your children have flown the coop - the start of a new year is an ideal time to look at your space with fresh eyes. What always surprises me is that a few small changes can make a big impact. Your home will feel better for it and subsequently you will too!

I’ve changed the layout in my open plan living space for the summer. Changing the location of the sofa and the artwork makes it feel like a different space altogether!

1. Clean and Declutter. Tackle this process room by room so you don’t get overwhelmed. Give each individual room a good clean, and if cleaning isn’t your thing, set a timer and see what you can get done in ten minutes. Decluttering is the best for helping spaces feel spacious, so be honest with yourself on what no longer brings you joy and move them on!

2. Change your layout & Use what you have in a different way. Take a photograph of each room to see it from a different perspective. This will help you to see if your current layout is working to its potential. Then be brave and try moving some things around - any change will feel instantly refreshing. Next, look back at your photos and consider if a piece of furniture could be used in another area of your home. This doesn’t have to be a permanent move but items like chairs, lamps and side tables can quite happily live somewhere else for a while.

3. Update or Rotate your art and photos. I love to do this as it’s so easy. Whether you purchase some new frames for your photos or move hanging art into another room, this is such a simple way to breathe new life into your home. If you’re looking for a more dramatic change, update your art using great affordable art suppliers like Love Your Space. I’ve used Love Your Space for a previous project and can’t recommend them enough!

4. Liven up with Fresh flowers & foliage. If you know me well, then you know that fresh flowers and foliage is my thing. Adding greenery to any room in your home will bring a freshness and life that is hard to beat.

5. Splurge on New linen. Depending on your budget, this time of year can be a great opportunity to purchase some new linen. For me it doesn’t have to be a big investment, even a new hand towel for my guest toilet makes a big impact. The same could be said for some new tea towels, all the way up to splurge items like bath towels and bedding.

6. Create an organisation station.

A refreshed home for the new year is an organised home! Whether it’s a space for things like bags and hats like I’ve created, or a peg board for paperwork and calendars - any organisation zones you create in your home will bring clarity and breathing space.

7. Layer with light textures.  If your main living spaces are looking a little tired try adding some more texture. With it being summer, opt for light materials and think in terms of cushions and throws. You can add a new pattern or colour into your living spaces in the same way, and I promise you the result will be instantaneous.    

8. Pull out the paint. Painting your space is the next step-up from some of the previous tips. Adding paint to your repertoire doesn’t have to be complicated and scary, and while it can be a lot of work and requires great preparation, it’s a perfect way to refresh any space in your home for the new year. Depending on your eye for colour and undertones in paint, it might be worth investing in a colour consultation, otherwise be sure to use sample boards and tester pots to get it just right.

9. Work out what’s not working.  Whilst the tips I’ve given you to refresh your home for the new year are simple and effective, some of you might be looking for something more. A simple refresh isn’t enough for you! If you can relate, start by working out what’s not working. Walk around your home and make a list of what projects you’d like to tackle this year. Start collecting some images using a Pinterest board and look at your budget. Perhaps you could start some proactive saving and have a chat with some industry experts to get a feel of what might come next.

I hope these 9 tips will inspire you to make some simple changes to refresh your home for this new year.

If you could do with the help of an interior designer to look at your space with you, make suggestions and answer any questions, then reach out to Design Release. We are passionate about creating meaningful spaces that feel and function just how you need them to - from the new year and beyond!