Declutter your visible surfaces

Out with the old, in with the new, as the saying goes… or in this case, just out with the old. Decluttering is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. Our environment directly affects how we feel, and when we’re too busy to clean on a regular basis, clutter can pile up, making us feel even more stressed. The vicious cycle continues until you can’t bear it any longer and have to grab the duster. Don’t let it get to that point—kick off the new year by decluttering the most visible surfaces in your home. Group items by type (chargers, tools, stationery) and make sure everything has a ‘home’, so you won’t be tempted to leave it lying on the kitchen counter going forward. If need be, head to IKEA and invest in some smart storage solutions: don’t underestimate the power of a handful of plastic sorting boxes… If this feels like too much to tackle at once, start by decluttering one room (or even just one surface) at a time. You’ll soon have room to breathe again.

Sort out your wardrobe

In a similar vein, January is the perfect time to get the family involved with cleaning out their wardrobes. This goes for toys as well as clothes if you’ve got kids: chances are there are old toys, books and games lying around that would be better off passed down to younger cousins, or donated to a charity or hospital if they’re in good enough condition. Bonus: as well as clearing out space in your home, you’ll get a dose of feel-good chemicals too. Go through your wardrobe and give it the Marie Kondo treatment, or if that feels too harsh (let’s face it, not every T-shirt in your drawer needs to spark joy…), try asking yourself this question: did I wear this in 2022? If the answer’s a ‘no’, it might be worth donating or selling it. You’ll be surprised at how much money you’re able to make reselling good quality clothes on platforms like Depop and Vinted.

Create a cleaning routine

Struggle keeping your home clean on a regular basis? You’re not alone. We all know what it’s like, once everyone’s at work and school, and once the evening comes around, you’re just a bit too tired to get out the hoover. Your best bet is to create a very simple, low-effort cleaning routine that ensures your home is always at its best, no matter how busy you are. We love dividing tasks by the amount of time they take, and assigning them to different household members on different days of the week. Someone’s got 15 minutes to spare? Great! They can grab a sponge and some natural all-purpose cleaner, and give the bathroom a quick scrub down.

Refresh your cleaning products

If you can think of 100 things you’d rather do than clean your home, investing in some high-quality new cleaning products may inspire you to start enjoying the process. Good sponges are a must, and can be used in almost every room in the house. If you don’t have a quality mop or hoover, consider making the most of the January sales to upgrade your appliances. And if you’re in need of cleaning products, ditch the chemicals and opt for all-natural solutions instead.

Refresh your soft furnishings

Finally, if you want to brighten up your home without the budget for a full renovation, consider refreshing your soft furnishings. It’s amazing how a new lamp, blanket or vase can transform the room. Trawl second hand stores and car boot sales for unique, well-priced finds, and if you’re feeling crafty, you could consider up-cycling something yourself. Enjoy knitting? Have a go at making a handmade blanket! If you’ve got cushions that could do with some TLC, why not stitch a pattern or some sequins onto cushion covers you’ve already got? We’ve still got a few months of cold, dark winter ahead of us, so it’s the perfect time to get creative indoors.

Looking for more tips and tricks on making your home feel like home—all year round? Visit our Knowledge Base, where you’ll find everything from how to clean your washing machine (spoiler: yes, it does need cleaning from time to time) to how to embrace ‘hygge’ during the colder months.