For many people, January 1st is an opportunity to reset. Some journal and reflect on their past year, while others make lists of resolutions to work towards in the year ahead. While these actions add value and meaning, there’s a necessary step in preparing for the year ahead: resetting your home. By taking the time to refresh your home, you’ll enter the new year organized, motivated, and ready for success.

As self-help author W. Clement Stone suggests, “Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are there things around you helping you toward success—or are they holding you back?” This logic applies to your home. When your space supports your success, the day-to-day becomes easier, and long-term goals tend to be closer in reach.

CREATE A CHECKLIST
A home refresh won’t happen overnight. The holiday season is in full swing, and your mind is probably a jumbled mess filled with year-end chaos. Take tasks step by step. Grab a pen and paper and go room to room in your house, jotting down any major areas that need attention.

Once you have an idea of what you’d like to focus on, create a schedule. Like I said—it’s not going to happen overnight! Realistically schedule what you want to focus on each day of your home refresh. It might be easier to focus on certain rooms at a time for some, or to take it task by task for others. It can take days or weeks depending on how you plan. There is no right or
wrong system!

DECLUTTER AND DONATE
An entire year is coming to an end, which means toys and clothes are outgrown, items are expired, and clutter is piling up. Sort through your kids’ belongings. Put aside the clothes they no longer need and the toys sitting in the back of the closet. Deliver these items to local donation centers, or distribute them to friends and family members—some might want hand-me-downs!

Take a moment to look through your personal belongings. Is there clothing you haven’t reached for in over six months, or shoes gathering dust since 2022? The same goes for items throughout your house, like kitchenware and technology. Getting rid of items that no longer serve you makes room for a new start in the new year.

PURGE AND REFRESH
Throw away items like old receipts, mismatched socks, dried-out pens, unnecessary mail, and old grocery lists. Sift through medicine cabinets and hygienic products and empty items that are past usage date or empty. Ask your kiddos for help by tossing old coloring sheets and dried Play-Doh. Tackle your kitchen by clearing out food in the back of the fridge, old condiments, and expired pantry snacks. After ridding your house of clutter, you’ll start to feel a weight lifting off of your shoulders.

DEEP CLEAN AND DETOX
Hang in there for this next step! Giving your home a deep clean lays the foundation for fresh beginnings. Sweep, mop, vacuum, dust—all of that good stuff. Most importantly, focus on the areas that probably don’t get as much attention. I’m talking about floor boards, ceiling fans, appliances, air filters, nooks, crannies, and everything in between. Do your linens need washing or couch cushions need flipping? Open some windows and let in some cool, fresh air!

Incorporate some lively energy to the process. Turn on some entertaining tunes, light a delicious candle, and turn it into a family affair. It’s a new year for everyone, so ask your kiddos a similar question as Stone asks: Is the state of your bedroom going to inspire you this year?

REORGANIZE AND REINVENT
Sometimes, a clean slate requires rearranging. It doesn’t have to be anything major—simple restructuring can leave a lasting effect. Switch around your living room furniture, update the photos in your frames, change the layout of decor, and switch out textiles and artwork. Add fresh flowers, new plants, and a candle you have yet to burn. 

Sort and label items in places like your pantry, workspaces, and children’s closets. Refold your clothes and linens, and make your bed up. A slight change in organization and visual aesthetics will not only make your life easier, but your living space more functional and less chaotic.

A SIGH OF RELIEF
No matter if this refresh took you one weekend or three weeks, take in the progress you’ve made and let out a sigh of relief. Notice the difference in the air, the ambiance, and the overall feel and function of your household. No matter if you make big changes or small progresses, improving your living space in preparation for the new year is just what it takes to step into the new year fresh.