11 Things to Do to Refresh Your Home in January
Give your home a fresh update this January with these helpful ideas
This January, take advantage of the momentum a new year brings to clear out clutter, start a healthy habit and make plans for the year ahead. Here are 15 ideas for a refreshed and revived home.
3. Give your command centre a reboot
The spot where you drop items as you walk in the door can be a clutter magnet. Make a fresh start for the new year by clearing away the paper, old pens, rubber bands and other random items that have migrated into your command centre. Clean the surface, remove old notices from the bulletin board and put up a new calendar.
The spot where you drop items as you walk in the door can be a clutter magnet. Make a fresh start for the new year by clearing away the paper, old pens, rubber bands and other random items that have migrated into your command centre. Clean the surface, remove old notices from the bulletin board and put up a new calendar.
4. Sharpen knives
Cooking with sharp knives cuts down on prep time and is safer, too. Take your kitchen knives to a pro to be sharpened, and maintain them between sharpening sessions with a honing tool at home.
5. Give your kitchen a healthy makeover
Making a resolution to eat more healthfully? Start by clearing those less-healthy options out of your cupboards and fridge. Place fresh fruits and vegetables front and centre, and put healthy-food preparation aids, like a juicer or blender, on the counter where you are more likely to use them.
Check out ways to use natural products to keep your home fresh
Cooking with sharp knives cuts down on prep time and is safer, too. Take your kitchen knives to a pro to be sharpened, and maintain them between sharpening sessions with a honing tool at home.
5. Give your kitchen a healthy makeover
Making a resolution to eat more healthfully? Start by clearing those less-healthy options out of your cupboards and fridge. Place fresh fruits and vegetables front and centre, and put healthy-food preparation aids, like a juicer or blender, on the counter where you are more likely to use them.
Check out ways to use natural products to keep your home fresh
6. Clear clutter responsibly
If you are doing a new year’s purge of unwanted items, keep things out of the landfill and help others by donating gently used items to a good cause. For other items be sure to recycle responsibly – try to find a recycling centre that accepts electronics, paint, clothing and more in your area.
If you are doing a new year’s purge of unwanted items, keep things out of the landfill and help others by donating gently used items to a good cause. For other items be sure to recycle responsibly – try to find a recycling centre that accepts electronics, paint, clothing and more in your area.
7. Gather home inspiration and set goals
Whether you’re thinking of renovating or simply picking a new paint colour for the living room, use downtime in January to do some research and make plans.
8. Plan your spring garden
Scoop up a stack of garden magazines, a notepad and a pencil, and pour yourself a cup of tea – it’s time to sketch out ideas for this year’s garden (even if it’s just on your windowsill!). Drawing your plans on paper is a good way to keep things realistic and plan paths and hardscaping components at the same time.
Whether you’re thinking of renovating or simply picking a new paint colour for the living room, use downtime in January to do some research and make plans.
8. Plan your spring garden
Scoop up a stack of garden magazines, a notepad and a pencil, and pour yourself a cup of tea – it’s time to sketch out ideas for this year’s garden (even if it’s just on your windowsill!). Drawing your plans on paper is a good way to keep things realistic and plan paths and hardscaping components at the same time.
9. Rest, relax and appreciate what you have
After the holidays, it’s time to slow down this season. Get cosy at home and embrace simple pleasures like reading a good book, making a big pot of soup or indulging in an afternoon nap.
After the holidays, it’s time to slow down this season. Get cosy at home and embrace simple pleasures like reading a good book, making a big pot of soup or indulging in an afternoon nap.
10. Create space to get some exercise indoors
Making a workout zone in the house can be a great help in staying healthy when you can’t get outside. Even a corner of a room cleared of furniture can be enough space for rolling out a yoga mat or working out with weights.
Making a workout zone in the house can be a great help in staying healthy when you can’t get outside. Even a corner of a room cleared of furniture can be enough space for rolling out a yoga mat or working out with weights.
11. Take down and store exterior holiday decorations
Pack away the holiday lights and decorations for next year – use dividers to separate strands of lights to prevent them from becoming hopelessly tangled.
TELL US
What is on your home to-do list this January? Share your plans in the Comments below.
Pack away the holiday lights and decorations for next year – use dividers to separate strands of lights to prevent them from becoming hopelessly tangled.
TELL US
What is on your home to-do list this January? Share your plans in the Comments below.
Pack up holiday decorations carefully for next year and give your living space a thorough cleaning to pick up stray pine needles. Break down cardboard boxes, gather wrapping materials to recycle and find homes for holiday gifts.
2. Buy flowers and light candles
Boost spirits on grey days by lighting candles (real or battery powered), and indulge in cut flowers from the market or a new potted houseplant to freshen the air.