Every New Year brings excitement for so many reasons. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and pin down what you want to do different. From going to the gym more to changing your diet, there’s so many things to choose from. But maybe the best thing to for the new year is reset your home. But where do you start? Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is here to help. Here are seven things you can do to get started.
Get Started:
1.) Start With a Whole-Home Declutter
Before you start refreshing anything, this is the perfect time to get rid of things that you need anymore. If something doesn’t serve a purpose anymore clear it out to give yourself some room. To make it easy you can start three bags or boxes labeled keep, donate or toss. Now is the perfect time to donate since people are looking for holiday gifts. Donate what you can and toss what you need to. Focus on high-impact areas such as entryways, kitchen counters and bathroom drawers. Even just a 20 minute deep dive can help get you in the right mindset.
2.) Deep Clean the Overlooked Zones
Once the often used surfaces are cleared, you can start to tackle spots that are often neglected. Look at vents, under furniture, ceiling fans and the inside of some appliances. You may find that many of these spots are need of a good cleaning or dusting. A deep clean to end the year will set up with a baseline that can help make maintenance that much easier.
3.) Reevaluate Your Storage Systems
It’s a great time to look at your storage systems as well. Is the way you’re storing stuff working? Or is it holding you back? Invest in functional storage. Start labeling bins, add drawer organizers, add some baskets and vertical shelving. Organize items based on how often you use them, not how they looked over the past year.
4.) Refresh High-Traffic Spaces
Now it’s time to refresh some high-traffic areas. Give your busiest rooms a reset. Swap out or wash your throw pillows, add a new doormat and rotate or clean rugs. You can also rearrange furniture to give your home a nice, new update before 2026 rolls in. Small updates can instantly make your home feel renewed without a full makeover.
5.) Create a Calming Corner
Designate one spot in your home strictly for rest. Whether it’s in your living room, a spare room or your bedroom. A reading chair, meditation corner or cozy nook can be the perfect spot to unwind. Keep it clutter-free and pair it with soft lighting, a plant or a favorite candle. Your mind will thank you.
6.) Streamline Daily Routines
While you’re resetting your home, you can also use the time to reset your habits. Set up your space to help do exactly that. Create a station where you prepare meals, create a tidy mail spot or charging area and make yourself a “drop zone” close to your door. When you change what your home feels like, it can help create great habits as you head into the new year.
7.) Add a Seasonal or Personal Touch
Add in some seasonal or personal touches. Bring in something that symbolizes a fresh start. Add new artwork, a houseplant, fresh linens or a scent you love. Personal touches make your home feel aligned with who you want to become in the new year.
Wrapping Up the Year:
Maybe you’re ready for something completely new. It could be time for a new home and Howard Hanna is here to help with all of your needs. Whether it’s throughout the final days of 2025 or at the start of 2026, you can give a Howard Hanna agent a call or email and get started with the process of selling your current home and finding a new one.
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services proudly provides real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance services across 14 states. As the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States, Howard Hanna operates more than 500 offices with 15,000 sales associates and staff. Recognized as the most innovative brokerage, Howard Hanna provides solution-based programs and platforms to empower their agents to provide more resources for homebuyers and home sellers, resulting in their agents achieving a sales success rate that is 53% higher than agents at the top 1000 brokerages nationally. Since 1957, Howard Hanna has helped agents build the skills and experience needed to thrive in the ever-changing landscape of real estate. Learn more at www.HowardHanna.com.
