January 11, 2022

refreshing our homes for the new year + gorgeous rooms by designer heather chadduck

"Putting your house in order is the magic that creates a vibrant and happy life."
- Marie Kondo

How’s your New Year going? Whether your January has been temporarily derailed by all the illness that’s going around (I can relate) or whether you’re simply looking for a little inspiration to help wipe the slate clean, today’s post is intended to help you do just that! I’m talking about giving our homes a much-needed, post-holiday refresh. It’s exactly what’s called for to help usher in all the good vibes and promote feelings of peace and calm.

While I’m not naturally a neat and tidy person, I firmly believe that a clean and orderly house can simultaneously set me up for relaxation and productivity–not to mention good mental health. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true! When our family fell sick this past weekend, I can’t tell you how relieved I was that I’d spent a little time over the holidays getting a jump start on some of the semi-annual home cleaning and organizing. Who wants to be confined to a dirty house in disarray? Not I!

Read on for a few ways I’m cleaning house and freshening things up this month, along with a peek at some beautiful interiors by one of my favorite designers, Heather Chadduck. Nothing inspires me to tackle my own home quite like images of pretty, orderly rooms I wish to emulate. Chadduck’s cozy, yet streamlined, aesthetic is perfect. All images in this post are from her online portfolio, which can be found here.

Making routine chores feel more luxurious – I’ve recently become obsessed with a brand of laundry detergent and cleaning products that has almost transformed boring chores into a delight. If you’re not already familiar with The Laundress, it’s a line of eco-friendly and high-efficiency cleaning products that are beautifully-scented and beautifully-packaged. By no means is this a sponsored post, but I do think cleaning and laundering become so much easier and more enjoyable when we use products that we love. Whether it’s The Laundress or a similar brand, the products we choose can elevate cleaning, motivating us to make our homes fresh and bright for the new year.
Sizing up the clothing situation – I’ve come to realize that a good deal of our household clutter revolves around clothing. Items that my daughters have outgrown seem to hang around forever and I, too, have a habit of not letting go. It felt wonderful to go through each bedroom closet and dresser after Christmas, creating piles to keep, throw away, and donate. It’s since become easier for the girls to fold and put away their own laundry. I’m also motivated to keep up with things in my closet now that it’s less stressful and over-crowded.

Identifying & decluttering problem zones – We all have those areas of the house that tend to accumulate clutter and descend into chaos. Our home’s garage entry comes to mind. It’s where Costco hauls seem to linger, along with shoes, backpacks, lunchboxes, dance bags, and discarded school projects (hello, 3rd grade eco-system in a jar). I’ve been going through each of our home’s “clutter zones” systematically and purging unwanted objects and items. Declutter Like A Mother and Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui are two great sources for motivation because they address the emotional and mental consequences of ignoring clutter. Of course, there’s also the most famous book ever written on the topic: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Designating a place for everything & putting everything in its place – After purging and decluttering, tidying up should come naturally. I’m realizing how much easier things seem when we have an orderly system for storing everything from daily essentials to seasonal decorations. Getting everyone on the same page may not happen overnight, but the plan is to make putting things where they belong more of a family habit than a chore to be handled on weekends or when company is expected. I recently dusted off my old copy of The Complete Book of Home Organization for some ideas. This one from the Home Edit is also filled with practical tips for creating a system that works for you and your family. While I’ve never thought to hire a professional organizer, I know some people swear by it to help take stock of their belongings and bring order to their homes.

Switching out accessories and moving things around – It’s not always necessary to buy something new to make your home feel fresh (although that works, too)! Simply switching out throw pillows and blankets can do the trick. It irks my husband, but I like to rearrange furniture, artwork and lamps to keep things from feeling stale every once in a while. I recently emptied the library to dust (a HUGE job that involved a ladder and a Claritin). After editing and restyling the bookshelves, the room feels completely new to me.

Sprucing up with fresh flowers and houseplants – After all the holiday decorations have been put away, our homes can seem a bit sparse. Adding plants and flowers to the mix literally brings new life to a room. Once I’ve finished cleaning and organizing, I’m looking forward to a trip to the local nursery to pick out some new houseplants. Whether it’s the kitchen, living room, bathroom or even the hallway, every area in the house can benefit form something fresh. Notice how Heather Chadduck (and designers, in general) always style their interiors with flowers and fresh greenery.

Although household cleaning and organizing may seem mundane, don’t underestimate the impact a home refresh can have on your level of joy and satisfaction. Creating a restful and inspiring home environment is a worthwhile endeavor, especially as we welcome a new year. How do you refresh your home? I’d love to hear your cleaning hacks and ideas in the comments section!