The holidays bring joy, laughter, and memories—but they can also leave your home feeling cluttered and chaotic.
From leftover decorations to crowded spaces, resetting your home after the festive season can feel like a daunting task.
This guide will help you refresh and reclaim your space with 13 easy-to-follow steps, ensuring your home feels clean, organised, and ready for a new year.
Whether tackling lingering messes or looking to breathe new life into your rooms, these tips will save you time, reduce stress, and inspire a fresh start.
The first step to resetting your home after the holidays is giving it a thorough, deep clean. After weeks of hosting guests, festive cooking, and seasonal decor, your space deserves a refresh.
Focus on high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, and entryway, where dirt and clutter tend to build up the most.
Start with vacuuming carpets, mopping floors, and wiping down surfaces to remove dust, stains, and holiday remnants.
Tackle one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and prioritise cleaning tasks that make the biggest impact—like scrubbing counters, clearing out the fridge, and washing holiday linens.
A deep clean makes your home look great and sets the tone for a fresh, organised start.
Tips
Once the holiday celebrations wind down, decorations often linger longer than intended. To reset your home, start by taking down all seasonal decor and organising it for future use.
Sort through items like ornaments, lights, wreaths, and table settings, identifying anything that’s broken, outdated, or no longer needed.
Properly storing your decorations will make next year’s setup smoother while keeping your home clutter-free.
Use labelled bins or storage containers to keep items protected and organised. Wrap delicate ornaments in tissue paper, wind lights neatly to avoid tangles, and store wreaths in dedicated boxes or bags to maintain their shape.
This small effort now will save hours of frustration next year while keeping your space clear and fresh.
Tips
Holiday meals often leave behind an overstuffed fridge and pantry filled with leftovers and unused ingredients. Start by clearing out expired, unwanted, or excess food items to reset your kitchen.
Sort through your fridge, freezer, and pantry, tossing anything past its prime and organising what’s left for easy access.
This step frees up space and ensures your kitchen is ready for healthy meals in the new year.
Focus on repurposing holiday leftovers to minimise waste. Create quick meals like soups, casseroles, or sandwiches using leftover meats and vegetables.
For unused pantry items, consider donating non-perishables to local food banks to help those in need.
Clearing out food waste will leave your kitchen organised, clean, and ready to function efficiently.
Tips
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After the holidays, your living spaces may feel overcrowded or out of sync, with decorations, extra seating, and holiday clutter taking up room.
Rearranging your furniture and decor is an easy way to reset your space, improve flow, and give your home a fresh look without spending a cent.
Start by removing any holiday-specific items, and then assess how your current layout can be improved to make the space feel more open, functional, and inviting.
Try repositioning key pieces like sofas, chairs, or tables to suit everyday use better. For small updates, swap out seasonal decor with lighter, more neutral items like cushions, throws, or plants to brighten the space.
Decluttering excess items and maintaining the balance between furniture and open areas can make even the most used rooms feel brand new.
Tips
Holiday gatherings often mean heavy use of linens, blankets, and other fabrics throughout your home.
Reset your space by thoroughly washing all linens, including tablecloths, bedding, throws, and cushion covers. This not only removes stains, spills, and odours but also gives your home a clean, refreshed feel.
Focus on high-traffic areas like living rooms, dining rooms, and guest bedrooms where fabrics see the most use.
For deep cleaning, check care labels and treat stains before washing to preserve the quality of your linens.
To brighten up your space, consider rotating in fresh or lighter fabrics for the new season, such as breathable cotton or linen blends. Clean, fresh linens add comfort while giving your home a well-kept appearance.
Tips
Gift wrapping supplies often become chaotic after the holidays, with rolls of wrapping paper, ribbons, gift bags, and tags scattered around the home.
To reset your space and stay organised for next year, gather all wrapping materials into one place and sort them by type. Discard torn paper, short ribbon scraps, or items that can no longer be reused.
Streamlining your supplies now will save you time and effort when the next gift-giving season arrives.
Invest in practical storage solutions, such as clear bins, over-the-door organisers, or wrapping paper storage bags to keep everything neat and accessible.
Label compartments for paper rolls, bags, and accessories to avoid hunting for supplies later.
By organising everything efficiently, you’ll not only clear clutter but also save money by knowing exactly what you have.
Tips
The entryway is often the first area to show signs of post-holiday chaos, with shoes, coats, bags, and remnants of holiday decor piling up.
Refreshing this space makes your home feel more organised and creates a welcoming atmosphere for family and guests.
Start by clearing out any holiday-specific items, such as wreaths or lights, and deep-clean the area by vacuuming rugs, wiping surfaces, and dusting corners.
Next, focus on restoring order by adding functional storage solutions. Use baskets, wall hooks, or a shoe rack to organise coats, shoes, and accessories neatly.
A small bench or console table can double as a space for items like keys and mail, making the entryway stylish and practical. Adding small touches like a fresh doormat or a potted plant can breathe new life into this high-traffic area.
Tips
The holidays often bring an influx of new items, from gifts to decorations, leaving your home feeling cluttered.
Reset your space by identifying items you no longer need and setting up a donation box.
Go room by room and gather unused gifts, clothes, toys, or decor that can benefit someone else. Not only does this clear out unnecessary items, but it also gives you a sense of purpose by helping those in need.
Place your donation box in an easily accessible spot, like a hallway or garage, so you can add items gradually as you declutter.
Once full, take it to a local charity, thrift store, or donation centre.
By making this a habit, you’ll keep your home organised year-round while contributing to a good cause.
Tips
After weeks of hosting gatherings, cooking meals, and decorating, the air in your home can feel stale. Resetting your space starts with refreshing the air and introducing clean, uplifting scents that enhance the atmosphere.
Begin by opening windows to allow fresh air to circulate and eliminate lingering odours.
Pair this with deep-cleaning fabrics, carpets, and upholstery, as they often trap odours from food, pets, or candles.
To add a calming and revitalising feel, incorporate natural scents. Use essential oil diffusers, scented candles, or simmer pots with ingredients like citrus, cinnamon, or herbs.
Houseplants are another great option—they purify the air and add a refreshing visual touch to your home.
A clean, pleasant-smelling space can make your home feel instantly renewed.
Tips
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The holiday season often brings increased use of electronics, from streaming family movies to setting up new devices and holiday lights.
After the festivities, your home can be left with tangled cables, misplaced chargers, and cluttered tech spaces.
Start by gathering all electronics and accessories—chargers, power strips, and cables—and sorting them by purpose. Untangle cords, label them for easy identification and store extras neatly to avoid future clutter.
Focus on tidying home offices, entertainment centres, and charging stations. Use cable organisers, clips, or zip ties to keep cords under control and out of sight.
For devices you no longer need, consider donating or recycling them responsibly.
An organised tech space improves functionality and keeps your home looking clean and polished.
Tips
The kitchen often becomes the busiest room during the holidays, with endless cooking, baking, and hosting.
After the festivities, resetting your kitchen ensures it’s clean, organised, and ready for everyday use.
Start by deep-cleaning appliances like the oven, fridge, and microwave to remove grease and spills. Clear countertops of unused items to create a clutter-free space, and reorganise cabinets and drawers to improve functionality.
Take inventory of your pantry, tossing expired items and organising staples for easy access.
Streamline your cooking tools by keeping only those you use regularly and donating duplicates or unused gadgets.
A refreshed kitchen makes meal preparation easier and sets a positive tone for healthy habits in the new year.
Tips
A fresh start after the holidays is the perfect time to establish a simple cleaning routine that keeps your home tidy all year.
A well-structured schedule helps you tackle cleaning tasks consistently without feeling overwhelmed.
Start by breaking down chores into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Daily habits, like wiping down counters or making the bed, maintain cleanliness, while weekly deep-cleaning sessions can focus on floors, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas.
Customise your cleaning schedule to suit your lifestyle. Assign specific tasks to certain days—for example, vacuuming on Mondays or laundry on Wednesdays.
Involving family members can also lighten the load and make maintenance more manageable.
A consistent routine ensures your home stays refreshed and organised long after the holiday buzz fades.
Tips
After the holidays, simple and thoughtful changes can breathe new life into your home, making it feel calm and refreshed for the new year.
Incorporating small, uplifting touches like fresh flowers, houseplants, or cozy textiles can instantly elevate your space.
Replace holiday-specific decor with neutral or seasonal pieces that create a light and airy atmosphere, such as natural wood accents, soft throws, and new cushion covers.
Consider updating your space with personal touches that bring joy, like framed family photos, scented candles, or a new piece of art. These small additions don’t require much effort or cost but can significantly impact your home’s overall feel.
By focusing on these details, you’ll create an inviting space and reflect a renewed sense of calm.
Tips
Resetting your home after the holidays doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
By following these 13 simple steps—like deep cleaning, decluttering decorations, refreshing your kitchen, and adding uplifting touches—you can reclaim your space and start the new year feeling organised, refreshed, and inspired.
Small, intentional actions make a big difference, helping you create a welcoming, functional, and stress-free home.
Take the first step today and enjoy the calm, refreshed home you deserve.
Which of these tips will you tackle first?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for more practical home tips and inspiration!
A1: Start with a deep clean of high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen. Focus on vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and clearing out leftover clutter to give your home a fresh foundation.
A2: Use clear bins or labelled storage boxes to sort decorations by type. Wrap fragile ornaments in tissue paper and wind holiday lights using zip ties or cord organisers to prevent tangling.
A3: Take inventory of your fridge and pantry, tossing expired items and repurposing leftovers into new meals like soups or casseroles. Consider donating non-perishable food items to a local food bank.
A4: Rearrange your furniture for better flow, shop your home for decor from other rooms, and declutter unnecessary items. Small updates like adding fresh plants or scented candles can also make a big difference.
A5: Label cords for easy identification, use zip ties or cable boxes to manage tangles and recycle old or unused electronics through certified e-waste programs.
A6: Break cleaning tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly categories. Use a checklist and assign specific days for chores like vacuuming, laundry, and deep cleaning to stay on track.
A7: Incorporate small touches like fresh flowers, houseplants, or cozy textiles. Replace seasonal decor with neutral, uplifting accents to create a calm and inviting atmosphere.
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