A Fresh Start for Your Home: Refine, Refresh, and Renew
As we approach the close of the year, there’s a natural pull to reflect, reset, and refine—especially within our homes. The end of the year often brings a mix of holiday excitement and the desire for a fresh start. It’s a time when many of us take a step back to assess what’s working, what’s not, and how we can create more space for what truly matters in the months ahead. If you missed this post on ‘closing the year with purpose’ you may like to take a read before heading on…
Rather than rushing into a year-end tidy-up for the sake of it, why not take a more thoughtful approach? By refining your space with intention, you create an environment that nurtures your goals, supports your well-being, and invites more peace and clarity into your life.
Refine with intention:
To have a calm and organised home, it doesn’t have to be minimal or simplified... I firmly believe that having an organised home does not mean stripping it of its beauty, character, and charm. It's also not about maintaining a perfectly untouched, tidy space where creativity feels stifled. Instead, it's about cultivating a well-lived-in and loved home that is thoughtfully designed and functional for everyone who lives there—personal, refined, where everything has a place and a purpose. To thrive in a home you love I believe it’s about surrounding yourself with what you love, need and use, and designing a collected and personalised home for those that live there. This method and approach to becoming clutter-free and living with what you love, is what I call, refined. If you have had a busy holiday season, many of us find ourselves surrounded by post-holiday clutter—gifts, decorations, and remnants of festive chaos. It can feel overwhelming, but it’s also the perfect time to embrace a new approach and perspective to home organisation and life.
The four step success system:
By decluttering carefully and consciously, using my trusted four-step method of sorting items into piles for keeping, donating, recycling, and discarding, you can create a clear and intentional space where organisation can thrive!
“Keep what you love, need and use where everything has a place and a purpose”
You’re on your quest for less chaos and more calm and decluttering and making a home ‘edit and refine’ is a huge step to enjoying your home, style and life.
Keep- what you love, need and actually use. My rule of thumb if you haven’t used it in 6 months it’s time to say good-bye.
Donate- Items that no longer serve you or a purpose in your home but can bring joy to someone else. We endeavour to donate at responsible places that need them. The likes of day cares, hospitals etc.
Recycle- For items that are no longer usable and of service to you. You can also take this opportunity to up-cycle or repurpose.
Discard- You know the type! The broken toys, excess school supplies, rubbish in desks and drawers etc.
My rule of thumb is simple: everything needs a place and a purpose. But just because you’re refining your home to suit your needs doesn't mean you need more storage supplies, fancy gadgets, labels, or endless glass jars for it to feel organised. Refining means having less clutter and more of a curated collection of what you need, love and use. You might be surprised to find that you already have the storage solutions you need within your home.
Refining and organising checklist for the home:
Sort through holiday decorations: Keep the ones that spark joy and are functional. Store the rest neatly or donate items you no longer use, and discard the broken. (we all have a few of those)
Declutter holiday gift packaging:
Recycle any leftover wrapping paper, gift bags, or boxes you no longer need.
Store seasonal items properly:
Organise holiday decorations into clearly labeled boxes for easy access next year.
Clean out the fridge:
The kitchen can be one of the most wonderfully chaotic spaces during the holidays. But if it's not regularly refined and organised, you might find yourself facing some unwanted surprises—like moldy leftovers hiding at the back of the fridge come January. Set a timer for one hour, and dive in! Clear out the fridge and pantry, and make it fun by creating a "leftover pick-your-own" meal. It’s a great way to use up what you’ve got while giving your kitchen a fresh start for the new year!
Kids toys, gifts and excess:
Before birthdays and holidays, I always assist my kids with a major refinement and declutter. I remind them that when they get new things, we need to create some space. I also use this time to remind them that other children might benefit from the toys they no longer play with. They’ve gotten used to donating or exchanging toys, books, clothes, and games, and knowing that new things are on the way makes the process easier. In fact, over the years, they have taken great pleasure in seeing their younger cousins enjoy pre loved clothes or toys. If you didn’t have a chance to "refine" your kids’ items before Christmas, now is the perfect time to do it before 2025 rolls around.
Don’t Keep It, Just Give It:
The holiday season often brings an influx of gifts, some of which may not align with your needs or space. Instead of letting them pile up, make it a habit to pass on what you don’t need or use. Keep a donation bin in a convenient spot—like your closet or entryway—and use it to collect any new items that don’t fit your home or lifestyle. Once it’s full (and no one’s asked about those gifts in a while), drop them off at a local charity or give them to someone who could use them. If you’re unsure where to donate, consider schools, shelters, or libraries. For example, we’ve donated unused toys and games to younger students at my daughters' school, and books to our local library. I’ve also donated unused baby clothes to the NICU at our local hospital to support mothers in need. Other options, of course if you have a receipt, take it back and get something you would prefer, (we all have a Rachel Green somewhere inside of us) or even sell it on.
Office clear out:
Approach your office space with the same four-step method: Keep, Donate, Discard, and Recycle. A clean, organised desk leads to a clear, productive mind. A creative mind can be a chaotic one, don’t let your desk and home reflect that. File papers, discard anything outdated, and use a pin board for inspiration and visuals. Create a system that works for both your work and life—one that keeps things streamlined, efficient, and easy to navigate. A tidy workspace sets the tone for a more focused and inspired day.
Refine the wardrobe of your dreams:
Your wardrobe should reflect who you are, not just what you feel obligated to keep. Start by evaluating each piece with intention—does it bring you joy, fit your current lifestyle, and make you feel confident? If it doesn’t, it’s time to part ways. My approach focuses on versatile, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Think quality over quantity, and choose items that can work for both your everyday and special occasions. You can create your own capsule wardrobe. Instead of organising your wardrobe by category—like shirts, dresses, and pants—I recommend organising by purpose. Group your pieces based on how and when you wear them: "Workwear," "Casual," and "Occasion," for example. This approach helps you clearly see what you actually reach for and wear, and what no longer serves you. It makes the process of decluttering much easier and more intentional.
Refresh and Re-style:
Once the holiday season winds down, it’s the perfect opportunity to give your home a fresh start. We all have our own timing for this, but I absolutely love using this moment to refresh key areas of our home. For me, it’s all about introducing light textiles, fresh foliage, and a bit of rearranging. It’s a simple way to shake off the holiday appeal and create a calm, welcoming space for the new year. Especially being in Summer, I have found January to be a nice transition to embrace summer decoration.
Shop your home: Sometimes, all it takes is moving things around! I recommend swapping decor from one room to another to create a new look. A framed print from the living room can become a focal point in the bedroom, or a set of candles on a coffee table can be moved to the mantle. Don’t be afraid to rotate pieces throughout your home to keep things feeling new without the need for new purchases!
Bring in Fresh Greenery: Adding plants or fresh flowers is a simple way to breathe life into any room. Greenery connects your home with nature and creates a feeling of calm. Whether it’s a potted plant, a small bouquet, or just a few sprigs from your garden, fresh foliage can instantly lift your space!
As we step into the new year, there's a wonderful sense of renewal in the air—and it’s the perfect time to invite that fresh energy into your home. Preparing your home for this doesn’t mean striving for perfection or creating a picture-perfect, showroom-style house. It's about curating a home that feels deeply connected to who you are, a place that nurtures your well-being and reflects what truly matters to you. It’s about creating an environment where you can rest, recharge, and feel inspired, every single day.
Take it slow, enjoy the process, and remember: a home that’s intentional, thoughtful, and filled with what you love is one that will continue to serve you for the year ahead. Whether you’re refreshing your wardrobe, decluttering your office, or simply adding a few personal touches to your living room, each little step you take brings you closer to a home that feels like yours—authentic, warm, and full of possibility.
Follow Maddy Evennett
