This post created in partnership with World Market.
The projects and opinions are my own.
H
Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you enjoyed a restful holiday break with family and friends. I’m excited to begin the new year in a new house and to share updates about what’s happening here. This week I’ll post a “state of the house” update and outline the projects I’m planning and the ones already in progress.
After the tree comes down and holiday decorations are packed away a home can feel a bit empty — but it can also feel calmer and more streamlined. January is a great time for fresh starts, so it’s the perfect month to evaluate what to improve around the house. Small organizing tasks and simple interior projects you tackle now are the ones you’re less likely to put off once the weather gets nicer.
A little creativity can significantly change how a home feels, and working on creative projects at home also boosts mood during the quiet winter months.
Here are three simple ways to refresh your home for the New Year. I used each idea in quick projects around my house last week — all were straightforward, affordable, and made a noticeable difference.
1) Organize everyday items
One of the easiest ways to refresh a space is to make everyday items both organized and attractive. Corralling necessities — like towels, cosmetics, or toiletries — in a stylish cart or basket instantly improves a room’s look and function. In my bathroom, a simple tiered cart keeps towels, cosmetic bags, and essentials neatly contained and ready to use.
I love small carts for their flexibility and charm. Last week this bathroom was an underused, blank slate — now the cart gives the room personality and structure while keeping daily items accessible. This kind of change costs little but delivers a big impact. I’ll share more about this bathroom in a future post.
2) Make the most of small spaces
Don’t ignore narrow halls, tiny corners, or other small areas when refreshing your home. These spaces can become surprisingly useful and charming with just a little attention. In our upstairs hall — situated between the kitchen and the basement stairs and right outside my son’s bedroom — I installed a compact “command station.” It uses the space efficiently without crowding traffic flow and gives our family a practical spot for daily notes and mail.
We use a small chalkboard as a reminder board for simple messages and to-do notes for our son as he heads out in the morning. A wall-mounted mail holder serves as an easy drop spot for incoming mail. These small additions make the hall more functional and add a bit of personality to a previously blank wall.
I’m always amazed at how much impact minimal effort can have on overlooked parts of the home. Adding hooks, a surface, or a small piece of furniture can transform a plain passage into something useful and pleasing.
3) Bring the outdoors in
After holiday greenery is gone, a winter terrarium or small indoor garden brings life back into your rooms. Working with plants is grounding and therapeutic, and mini terrariums make it easy to add greenery in any season. They’re great for decorating a table, dressing up a shelf, or making a kid-friendly project. Choose a glass container, a small selection of seasonal plants, and some decorative soil or rocks to create a tiny indoor landscape.
If you prefer low-maintenance options, faux plants are a practical choice that still adds color and texture without extra care. Terrariums and small planters are versatile — swap plants seasonally or create a permanent display that fits your style.
Cute, yes? These little indoor gardens are a quick way to introduce warmth and visual interest to any room.
I hope these simple projects inspire you to refresh your home this new year. Small changes — a better-organized everyday zone, a purposeful use of a tiny space, or a fresh touch of greenery — can make your home more functional and welcoming.
Below I’ve listed the sources I used from World Market for these projects, along with a few other items that helped pull the spaces together. Consider these ideas as starting points you can adapt to your own home and style.
Disclosure: I was provided a gift card to World Market for the products used in these projects.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! What small project around your house could you complete this week to kick off the year?