MOODS | New Year Refresh

New Year signifies a new start for many. 2021 not withstanding, January brings opportunity to take a fresh look at your home and space; creating a sense of calm so your mind can think calmly and clearly.

Overwhelmed with where to start? Here's a 5 step approach for creating a streamlined, serene space ahead of spring.

1. Clear the Clutter

It's amazing how much "stuff" we can amass in a short space of time. Even though we may try to be conscious about what and how we consume, it can be hard to keep things streamlined. Especially if families are part of the mix.

As we're currently spending more time in our homes, it might be a good idea to use some of it to get stuff done (sigh). Sorting things we have been holding onto and which we don't need anymore. Donating, selling and recycling items we haven't used for sometime. And keeping only those that we genuinely love, use regularly or that have sentimental meaning.

See, it's lovely to personalise our spaces with keepsakes and mementos of trips and travels, but if we're tripping over items which are bulky or that we just don't appreciate anymore, we quickly become frustrated with our living spaces. And this is far from ideal if we're living it day in, day out for the foreseeable.

Decide what matters and rehome the rest to free up some welcome space.

2. Stack and Store

Now, we don't all have huge amounts of floor space, and if your home is anything like mine, storage is somewhat of a premium too. But if we're only keeping hold of those things we love, there's less need to stick them forgotten in a box somewhere, and they become part of the style of your home.

Open shelving has been a popular trend for sometime now. Shelf ladders, box shelves and layered vertical storage are ideal ways to display and store your favourites. Add rattan or wicker baskets, labelled glass jars and ceramic bowls to help add texture and uniformity, and you'll disguise mess whilst adding easy style points to living areas, kitchens and bedrooms.

3. New Neutrals

Neutral doesn't have to mean just grey, white, or greyish-white. With recent trends looking a little more natural overall, fresh greenery, wood accents and soft textiles like wool, felt and cotton come as part of the package; adding warmth and softness to spaces whilst maintaining a sense of light and airy calm.

A few metallic accessories like lamps, candle jars and plates add areas of interest and avoid the whole effect looking flat or one-dimensional. Don't be afraid to mix and match. If you're creating a shelf of candles, for example, white, silver and brass work nicely together especially if you mix up matt, hammered and shiny finishes. Think layering complementary textures rather than adding in lots of different colours.

Plants are also your friends here. With so many different varieties and almost as many different pots to accessorise with, they add freshness and life to your space. Experiment with leaf styles along the same tone of green or blue for an insta-worthy collection.

4. Simple Scents

Further the freshness with light scents. For natural fragrance, decorate vases with eucalyptus (which retains its beautiful shape even as it dries - bonus) or natural diffusers and candles with uplifting Juniper, Lemongrass, Basil and Gardenia notes for a hit of outdoor freshness as you waft past.

5. Let Light in

The days are slowly getting lighter (yay) but its still a little dark for us to go without lighting most of the time. Whilst we wait, try softer light shades and simple silhouettes for table and floor lamps or make the most of natural light with mirrors which reflect daylight back into the room.

In a nutshell

Who can blame us for taking this month a little slower than some? Let's be honest, most Januarys feel cold, wet and a little dull after our festive fun, but as we will be without plans for a while, might as well snuggle on down, read the book, drink the wine and embrace the excuse to press pause on life a little now and then.

Take a little time to get your home into a space that feels relaxing and restful, rather than cluttered and claustrophobic so you can enjoy being at home as much as possible .

And it will be spring before we know it.