How to Make Your Home Feel Fresh After the Holiday Décor Comes Down

Once the holidays are over, your home may be left feeling a little sparse or bleak. The tree is taken down, the decorations get packed up, out-of-town guests head home, and everything is a bit quieter. But a few thoughtful changes can make your home feel renewed after those holiday decorations are gone.

Spring may still be months away, but this in-between time is a perfect opportunity to refresh your home. It can be as simple as tidying up, putting things back where they belong, and tackling areas that may have been overlooked during the busyness of the holidays. You may also want to dig deeper, taking stock of your décor and the overall feeling of your home as you head into the new year. “This transitional moment is a good time to pay attention to how you actually live in your space,” says organizing expert Shira Gill. “What's working? What feels like it's in the way?”

Whether you’re focused on dusting corners or turning your house upside down for a major redo, it’s good to have a plan—and remember to start small. “You don't need to do everything at once,” reminds Gill. 

Edit, Edit, Edit 

According to Gill, the first step is to simply start removing things. “After the holidays, most homes need editing more than decorating,” she says. That includes holiday-specific areas like the gift wrapping station, extra boxes you're keeping “just in case,” and any gifts you may have received that you just don’t love. Gill emphasizes the importance of an annual post-holiday purge: “Permit yourself to let it all go.” Discard or donate anything that doesn’t fit or makes the home feel cluttered.  

While this edit can just be the spark for a good seasonal clean-out, it can also turn into a larger lifestyle shift that prompts you to think differently about the objects you own. “The most sustainable thing we can do is own less and care for what we have,” says Gill. “When your home is edited down to things that truly serve your daily life, maintenance becomes easier, and you stop feeling like you need to constantly refresh or update.”

Wipe Down Surfaces 

After you’ve cleared out the extra stuff from your space, it’s time to start cleaning. “My approach is to touch every surface,” says Gill. “Wipe down everything!”

She uses a non-toxic cleaner or a simple solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and focuses first on walls and countertops. She then moves on to door frames, light switches, and other more out-of-the-way spots. “Clean surfaces make a bigger difference than any new purchase ever will,” Gill adds. 

Tackle Overlooked Corners

Amid the whirlwind of holiday activities, regular cleaning routines can easily fall by the wayside. Gill recommends starting with the areas most often overlooked during the busy season, including baseboards, the insides of cabinets and drawers, behind furniture, and underneath the bathroom sink. “Pick one neglected area and give it real attention,” she says.

Look up and check the tops of cabinets, picture frames, and ceiling fans—all areas that tend to collect dust over time. Since you’re most likely spending more time inside, it can be a good time to get windows professionally cleaned so they’re sparkling and clear. 

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Add Some Natural Elements 

“Once you've cleared the clutter, try to resist the urge to immediately fill empty spaces,” says Gill. “What feels bare at first is often just your eye adjusting to less visual noise.”

When she feels an area needs something, Gill reaches for natural elements that add life without contributing to clutter. Small, colorful touches like bowls of citrus, fresh flowers, or foraged branches help to brighten up a table or countertop when it’s dreary outside.

Shop Your Home 

Before heading out to buy new items, Gill suggests starting by shopping your own home. “Move things around,” she says. “Swap art between rooms, switch up your pillows or textiles, or pull your favorite dishes out of the cabinet and actually use them.” Getting inspired by what you already have helps cut down on impulse purchases that you might regret later. 

During the winter months, Gill focuses on adding warmth to a room through texture, switching out lightweight blankets for thicker wool ones and bringing in heavier drapes to keep the chill out. These small shifts can make your home feel cozier and more welcoming when temperatures drop.

Get Some Fresh Air and Change Out the Lighting 

To quickly freshen up a space, Gill also recommends letting in short bursts of fresh air. “Open windows for just a few minutes to circulate air, no matter how cold it is,” she recommends. Even a brief airing-out can help shift the energy of a stagnant room and make everyone feel more awake and alert. 

Subtle scents can also help shift the mood, as does soft lighting. “Warmer bulbs make a space feel completely different,” advises Gill. Swap harsh overhead lights for soft, indirect table lamps that illuminate corners. And most of all, allow yourself to sit back and relax. “Light the good candle,” says Gill.