As much as you’ve loved decorating your home with fancy lights, ornaments, and festive treats, you cannot live in the holiday spirit forever. Now that the holidays are over, you must prepare to transition your home back to its normal state. And that means the post-holiday cleanup and sifting through the decorations so your humble abode can look as good as new.
While most homeowners dread this process, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. After all, decluttering your home and organizing your belongings can give your home a much-needed refresh and help you prepare for the coming months.
If you’re looking for a simple yet efficient way to get your post-holiday house in order, these tips will help you restore harmony and balance in no time.
1. Put away the holiday decorations
The easiest way to spruce up your home post-holiday is by taking down all the decorations you’ve put up. It includes lights, trees, wreaths, and other decorations you’ve used to get your home in the holiday spirit. Put away these decorations in a safe place where they won’t get damaged so you can use them again the following year.
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2. Purge unused items
During the holidays, there’s lots of gift-giving, which can lead to an accumulation of items that aren’t used. You might have also bought things that you thought would be useful at the time but have little to no use now, such as books, clothes, toys, wrapping paper, decorations, and appliances. All these items can take up a lot of space and clutter your home.
Take time to go through your home room by room and purge any unused items. You can donate them to charity or sell them online or at a local second-hand store for a little extra cash. Whatever you decide, make sure that these items are out of your home and into the hands of someone who will put them to good use.
3. Organize loose items
Once you have gotten rid of the items that are no longer needed, it is time to organize all the loose items. It includes magazines, books, CDs and DVDs, knick-knacks, tools, and other small items that tend to accumulate in homes.
Invest in some bins, boxes, or containers that you can label and use to store these items in an organized fashion. You can organize by type of item, by room, or any other way that makes sense to you. Keep in mind that you will want to be able to access these items quickly, so don’t make the containers too deep or hidden. Also, avoid putting too many things in one container so it doesn’t become disorganized.
4. Change the furniture setting
If there’s something that can give a quick transformation to your living room, it’s furniture rearrangement. Change the seating arrangement to create a more conducive energy flow.
If you have multiple sofas, chairs, and other pieces of furniture, move them around and try to keep the center of the room open. This strategy makes having conversations, watching TV, or relaxing in the living room easier.
If your living room is relatively small in size, opt for furniture that is scaled down, like an apartment-sized sofa or loveseat, instead of a full-size couch. Arrange the furniture in an L-shape, move the coffee table to a corner or add new seating to create a better flow. It will make the living room more spacious and inviting.
5. Add new textures and colors
You may have been surrounded by the same Christmassy colors for months now. Break up the monotony and try something new in your living spaces. Find the perfect throw pillow to inject bold colors and patterns, and layer rugs over existing ones for texture. Use textured throws or wall hangings to bring a modern, eclectic feel. You can also paint a feature wall for a pop of color.
If you have wooden furniture, add some metal pieces to add contrast. Metallics such as copper, silver, and gold can add a modern touch to any living room.
You can use a few colorful cushions and throws in the bedroom to create a cozy atmosphere. Switch up the bedding for a more modern look, and add some patterned wallpaper to make a statement. You’ll love how these simple updates can entirely change the look of your living space.
6. Bring in nature
Adding a few houseplants can instantly make your living space feel elevated and more inviting. Opt for plants that are easy to take care of, such as succulents or small potted plants, and place them in areas where they can thrive. Not only will the plants bring life to your home, but they will also help to filter the air and keep your living space more oxygenated.
If caring for plants is too complicated or time-consuming, consider adding faux plants. Many of these look incredibly realistic and can be placed in areas where they won’t need to be watered or cared for.
7. Change the lighting fixtures
If you last changed the lighting in your home some time ago, now is an excellent time to give it an update. Consider switching out old fixtures for newer ones with lower-wattage bulbs and more efficient LED lights. It will help you reduce energy consumption and save money on energy bills.
You can also add dimmer switches to give you more control over the brightness of each room. Or you can install a chandelier or decorative light fixtures to give your home an updated look.
Whichever route you choose, updating the lighting in your home can drastically improve the ambiance and create a cozy atmosphere.
Conclusion
Cleaning, reorganizing, and updating every corner of your home after the holidays may seem overwhelming. However, the benefits of having a decluttered and organized home can be life-changing. Start by putting away the holiday decorations in a storage unit, purging unnecessary items, organizing loose items, and freshening up your home with a new furniture arrangement. Incorporating nature into your space, changing the light fixtures, and adding colors and textures can also help spruce up your home and create a more inviting atmosphere.
