Happy New Year! I hope you’ve had a lovely, restful Christmas full of family, friends, too many chocolates, and maybe one too many glasses of bubbles.
Now that the decorations are down and the house feels a little quieter, this is always the moment I take a breath and begin my favourite ritual of the year: a thoughtful home reset.
I’ve never been a fan of the “new year, new me” mindset. It feels a bit intense, doesn’t it? I much prefer to think of January as a time to slowly recalibrate and give both your home and your mind space to breathe.
I find it gives me time to refocus my energy on the projects I care most about, and to let my mind wander and be creative.
It’s something my husband Sam and I do every single year, and something I encourage all my clients to do too. It’s not about perfection or setting a goal. It’s simply about looking at your home with fresh eyes.
Why January Is the Perfect Time
After Christmas (which I absolutely love: the food, the fun, the chaos!), our homes are usually full.
Full of people, memories, gifts… and let’s be honest, full of stuff. Cupboards that won’t quite close, drawers overflowing, surfaces that feel “busy” rather than calm.
January gives us that perfect pause. The pace slows down just enough to notice things again. It’s my moment to ask:
– What do I actually love?
– What am I holding onto out of habit?
– What no longer feels like me?
Because your home should evolve with you. Life changes every year. Kids grow, routines shift, and your taste naturally moves on. This reset is your chance to let your home catch up with you.
Reset & Decluttering Strategies
I always say this isn’t about throwing everything out or starting from scratch. It’s about giving your home some breathing room and clearing just enough to see the space properly again.
A few habits that really help:
1. The “one in, one out” rule. For every new thing that arrives, let something old go. It’s simple but powerful.
2. 30-minute sessions. No all-day marathons! Pick one small zone such as a drawer, a cupboard, or your bedside table. Tidy in short bursts so it feels achievable.
3. Weekly mini-edits. I like to do one area a week throughout Jan (and early Feb). It stops clutter creeping back.
4. Rotation zone. Unsure about an item? Pop it in a “maybe” basket. If you don’t use or wear it within a season, you probably won’t miss it.
And a little tip: begin in the spaces that quietly drain you every day, like hallways, kitchens, and surfaces you see first thing in the morning. Resetting them gives the fastest feeling of calm.
Your Wardrobe Reset
I always include my wardrobe in this home reset. Somehow, it’s the part that instantly lifts my mood.
Give everything a proper look. Ask yourself what you actually wear, what fits well, and what truly feels like you. If it doesn’t, that’s okay. Clothes have seasons, just like we do.
I hang everything in colour order to make mornings feel calmer and help you see what works together. You’ll rediscover old favourites and spot the gaps more easily.
And if something no longer works, sell or donate it. I’ve had great success with Vinted, and I love knowing those pieces get a new life somewhere else.
Sam did his wardrobe with me this year. He wasn’t thrilled at first, but by the end he admitted it felt so good…plus it gave him an excuse to get onto vinted to pick up some new threads.
If you have kids, it’s the same with their toys or books. Finding homes for new gifts becomes so much easier when you’ve cleared space for them.
Sam, Zach and I sit and read 3-4 books in an evening, so it's also fun to do a proper clear out of his bookcase to rotate in some new adventures, keep a few fan favourites and donate some oldies to a new home.
Make a vision board
Once you’ve cleared some space, it’s the perfect time to think about what you want to welcome in this year.
Earlier this year, I wrote a piece about how to create your perfect vision board, and I still stand by every word.
The process is simple and powerful. Gather images, colours, and textures that inspire you, things that make you feel joyful, calm, or motivated. Pin (use Pinterest) or print them out, and arrange them where you’ll see them every day. I always tell clients that your vision board doesn’t have to be about goals or achievements. It can simply be about the kind of feeling you want to create in your home and life.
I like to include fabrics, colour palettes, or images that capture the mood I want my home to reflect. It’s such a creative way to reconnect with what makes you happy and to shape your surroundings with real intention.
Memories that matter
Lastly, here’s a habit I’ve lovingly copied from a friend of mine, Lottie. Each month throughout the year, I print off a handful of photos from my phone and from Sam’s digital camera (his new favourite hobby!).
We stick them to our fridge using these handy magnetic photo frames. The fridge is now covered with happy moments, little day trips, dinners with friends, those everyday memories that would otherwise be forgotten.
Come January, I always print a fresh batch and give the display a small refresh. It’s such a simple, cheerful habit and instantly brings warmth into the kitchen.
Starting the new year surrounded by those tiny reminders of the year just passed fills me with excitement for what’s next.
Final words
So this January, don’t think of it as overhauling your home. Think of it as pressing a gentle reset button.
Take stock, create space, and reconnect with what your home gives you: calm, comfort, creativity, warmth, and a true sense of belonging.
Because once the clutter clears, you’ll see your home again, properly see it. And that’s where the magic begins.
Here’s to 2026, and to a home that truly feels like you.
Tash x