6 Interior Designers Reveal Their Easy Home Upgrades
The saying ‘New Year, New You’ gets batted about a lot at this time of year, and there’s always pressure to commit to a total life overhaul – and it applies to interiors, too. The holiday decorations come down, and our social media feeds fill with rooms that look totally different, totally new. Not to mention, January brings a flurry of new interior design trends to pay attention to.
And while it’s nice to have that fresh feeling at the start of the year, when it comes to our homes, we’re more into the idea of ‘New year, same home – just with a little sprucing.’
So we asked interior designers what home upgrades you can tackle this month to achieve that fresh, ‘new’ feeling without a total overhaul – small, affordable tweaks that make a big difference, without having to call in the professionals or pick up power tools.
1. Bring in Plenty of Greenery
(Image credit: Kensington Leverne. Design: Emma Ainscough)
Incorporating plant life – from indoor trees and potted plants to floral arrangements – is a guaranteed way to make your home feel fresh for the new year. With their uplifting colors and their mood-boosting capabilities, plants can quickly enhance the atmosphere of any room.
It makes sense to add plant life to your home in January, too, after you’ve taken down your holiday decorations. ‘We like to bring in live plants and florals to fill in the gaps that the holiday greenery left,’ explains interior designer Erin Sander.
As for what plants to include, interior designer Laura Medicus recommends going big. ‘Try adding one or two medium sized or larger indoor plants to your room to give it some life in mid-winter.’
The Sill
Money Tree Plant
Money trees are beautiful plants that are easy to care for. Plus, they’re said to bring good luck, and who doesn’t want that at the start of a new year?
UrbanStems
The Frosty Fern
This little fern would be a great addition to the desk in your home office or the dresser in your bedroom. The white tips of its leaves are meant to mimic snow — perfect for enhancing the winter ambience at home.
Greenrow
Ivy Ceramic Vase
If you prefer to style your home with a bouquet of flowers, do so with a vase that’s equally as appealing – like this one. Its hand painted ivy detailing is the perfect complement for a fresh bouquet.
2. Update Your Soft Furnishings
(Image credit: Lulu and Georgia)
Every room needs a throw blanket – for extra warmth, increased comfort, and added style. As you reimagine your interiors for the new year, swap your current throw blankets for fresh, new styles that feel better suited to this side of winter.
‘I like swapping out my throw blankets in January for pretty new ones or ones I haven’t used in a while,’ Laura explains. ‘It’s still cold outside, but we’ve made it through the holidays, and I know I could use a pop of color. A new throw is an easy way to inject something bolder.’
Instead of the holiday reds and greens, try a deep brown or blue throw blanket instead – it’ll still provide a dose of uplifting color, but in a neutral, elevated manner.
Not only can throw blankets add color and warmth to a space, but they’ll add texture, too. According to interior designer Thecla Glueck, ‘Changing textures throughout the year is one of the easiest ways to subtly refresh and elevate a home.’
McGee & Co.
Gingham Wool Blend Throw
From its soft wool-blend material to its charming checker print, this blanket can easily help you refresh any room for the year ahead. Style this throw blanket across the back of your couch for a chic look.
Wayfair
Bubble Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Even by looking at it through a screen, you can tell this throw blanket is cozy. Its faux fur material will keep you extra warm, and its bubble detailing adds textural appeal. Plus, its chocolate brown color is the perfect choice for winter.
Land’s End
Anyweather Fleece Throw Blanket
This lightweight fleece blanket can elevate any room with its deep color and simple style. Because of its size and weight, it can easily be rolled up and stored away when not in use.
3. Give Your Walls A Refresh
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Now that the season of holiday parties and at-home gatherings has come to an end, it’s the perfect time to repaint the walls. According to Thecla, repainting has a high impact on the overall design of a room and can easily freshen up any space.
‘To elevate the effect of paint, opt for limewash or fresco plaster; these finishes add depth, movement, and a softly layered patina that instantly makes a space feel elevated and considered,’ Thecla says. ‘And curating a tonal color palette for cohesion will further elevate.’
You don’t have to repaint an entire room in a new shade to refresh your home for the new year. Simple touch-ups can be just as impactful as painting an entire room. Walls with scuff marks or stains can greatly benefit from a fresh coat of paint. Now that the season of holiday entertainment is over, there’s no better time to get out the paintbrushes and start painting.
4. Switch Around Your Artwork
(Image credit: Kasia Fiszer)
Reframing, repositioning, or even swapping wall art for new styles can be a low-lift switch that has a big impact on a room.
Designer Rory Everitt says, ‘Put that old framed poster in your attic for a while and hang up something that resonates with you emotionally at this stage in your life. Statement art makes a huge impact on the vibe of a room and is great bang for your buck.’
Interior designer Erin Sander also suggests upgrading wall art for a fresher feel, specifically recommending styling vintage tapestries. ‘They can be used instead of art throughout the home to bring an impactful upgrade and easily refresh the aesthetic,’ Erin explains.
The Citizenry
Amala Jute Wall Hanging
Handcrafted by Indian artisans with locally-sourced jute, this wall hanging is a stunning piece to display in any room. Its weave brings textural appeal and its neutral colors are calmingly elegant. Mount it above a credenza in your foyer for a charming and rustic statement upon entering the home.
PSTR Studio
Liat Greenberg – Floating Flowers
In search of some new art for your home? Here’s a beautiful piece that can add some color to your walls. Titled ‘Floating Flowers’, this watercolor print can breathe new life into your home for the new year. It’s sold in an array of different sizes and frame styles, so you can choose which will best suit your space.
Magnolia
Oversized Scroll of Blooms Tapestry
Designed in reference to traditional scrolls, this tapestry looks like a work of art from an ancient time. From its delicate floral details to its rustic finish, it can add character to any wall in your home. At over 6′ wide and 4′ tall, this tapestry can make a grand statement on any wall from which it’s hung.
5. Declutter
(Image credit: Kensington Leverne. Design: Emma Ainscough)
No matter the time of year, decluttering can make a home feel fresh and new. However, they’re particularly helpful right after the holiday season, when the home is cluttered with miscellaneous decor, holiday presents, or other seasonal objects.
‘After the holidays, I always feel a need to reduce clutter,’ Laura Medicus tells me. ‘Go through your home with a critical eye. Are there small tchotchkes sitting out that you’re used to seeing that make your room look cluttered? Try taking a few things out of the room and putting them in storage for a while. You can always get them back out in spring.’
Rory Everitt thinks similarly and suggests tidying up items that aren’t in constant use. ‘Put stamps back in your junk drawer, place books back on shelves, and recycle mail and magazines you no longer need,’ he says. ‘Store items that you use occasionally in cabinets, cupboards, and furniture so they’re near at hand.’
While decluttering, it can be helpful to recognize which existing storage solutions are working in your home and where you could benefit from more. This way, you can keep your home tidy, organized, and fresh all year long.
H&M
Extra-Large Seagrass Storage Basket
You can never have enough storage in a bedroom. That’s why it’s important to make use of the underside of your bed. This storage basket can help. It’s just the right size to fit comfortably under your bed to store anything from clothes to books or even shoes.
The Citizenry
Kawi Wicker Floor Basket
For blankets in your living room, toys in a playroom, or even for dirty clothes in your bedroom, this woven wicker basket is a storage must-have. It’ll keep things in order and look good while doing so.
The Container Store
Anchor Hocking Glass Canisters With Glass Lids, 1 Gal
It’s so important to keep the kitchen tidy, and this glass jar can ensure organization. Use it on your countertop to hold dry ingredients, or remove its lid to use it as a makeshift utensil crock. Get a few more in varying sizes to create a clean, cohesive look.
6. Rearrange the Furniture
(Image credit: Future)
When all else fails, there’s one incredibly easy New Year’s home decor refresh hack that can make a profound impact on your home at no cost. All you have to do is move things around.
This simple yet impactful idea comes from Thecla Glueck. ‘Move whatever you own,’ the designer says. ‘Rehang art, move furniture layouts, restyle vignettes. Editing and restyling a space keeps it aligned with a commitment to sustainability.’
Try this in your living room by repositioning your couch or accent chairs, in your bedroom by moving your bed to a different wall, or even in your kitchen by restyling the countertops. You’d be surprised at how big of a difference a simple floor move can make in a home. Each space will feel refreshed, slightly different, and ready for the year ahead.
January may not be a favorite month for most, but it is the quiet time of the year to reset and refresh. We also spend a lot of time at home this month, so it makes sense for our rooms to feel cocooning and welcoming. These easy updates will do just that – plus they might give you a touch of that smug ‘New Year, New Me’ feeling.
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