January is finally here. Christmas is over, the tree’s back in the loft and we are finally sick of the sight of chocolate.

And now that that all the decorations have been taken down, it’s likely you’re looking at ways to brighten up the home again, without spending too much money!

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. It’s only natural to want to focus on your home around this time of year. Especially when the weather is so cold and grey!

So, get ready to feel inspired and knock those January blues on the head with our simple and effective ways to brighten up your home in no time. Perfect for helping you feel, relaxed, revitalised and re-energised!

New Year’s Resolutions for your home

1) Get more storage

One of the most frustrating things about coming home can be simply not having enough room to put things. Post, bags, shoes – anything! And when your possessions don’t have a home, it’s easy for everywhere to feel cluttered.

So, the first step is to set some time aside to have a proper clear-out and then invest in some stylish, new furniture. This will not only help your newly-tidied home stay tidy, but it will also help you feel more relaxed in your home – which can only be a good thing!

Cube Furniture is fantastic for helping you hide things away quickly and easily. Plus, there are lots of different sizes and colours so you can find the perfect match for your home.

stunning 9 cube storage unit in white with mint green fabric boxes in a living room

2) Organise your wardrobe

It’s so easy to let your wardrobe grow over time without actually having a proper sort-out. Take the time to go through all your clothes and take anything you haven’t worn in the past year to a charity shop. You’ll be surprised at just how much there is – as well as how much space you can create from having a clear-out!

Once you’ve tidied everything up, try to keep your work clothes to one side and your going out clothes to the other, to help you find things more easily in the morning! You might also want to pop a Shoe Rack at the bottom for heels and sandals.

3) Create a tech-free zone

Technology is now so prominent in our homes, it’s almost impossible to get away from it. But with screens affecting us so much, there are lots of us who are looking for ways to use our gadgets less with the aim of getting a good night’s sleep.

Creating a tech-free zone is a great way to start cutting down on screen time. And if you can’t go completely cold turkey, then why not set aside some time when you don’t look at any screens? A couple of hours before bed is a great time to do this and it will really help you get some better-quality sleep.

4) Go green

One of the big trends for 2019 is to add more houseplants into your home. And quite frankly, we can’t get enough of this! Adding in lots of greenery is not only good for the air, but it will really brighten up the place and leave everything feeling really fresh and homely.

Get plants of all different sizes and dot them around the home wherever you like!

5) Revamp your hallway

After a long day at work, there’s nothing better than being able to come home and shut the door on the world. And having a welcoming, tidy hallway, is the first step to spending a relaxing evening at home.

Store your coats, shoes and outdoor essentials using a Clothes Rail. And then any extras you need to store, find a home for. Storage Benches are also great for hallways as they help to keep everything clean and clear, as well as give you a place to perch when taking off your shoes!

6) Create a work space

It doesn’t matter whether you need a place to study, work or simply somewhere to make your next to-do list, everyone needs a space to think.

Pick a warm, quiet space in your home and add in things that are going to help you stay organised. It might be a small Console Desk with all your notebooks and pens on it, or something a bit larger like a Wooden Drawing Table, which is ideal for giving you the opportunity to get creative too!

7) De-clutter your bathroom

Bathrooms are great for helping you feel more relaxed. Especially when it’s wet and cold outside, there’s nothing better than being able to spend an hour in the tub, to warm up and switch off.

But zoning out can be difficult when you’re faced with piles of shampoo bottles and cleaning products!

Tidy up the bathroom and add in an Under Sink Cabinet to help you hide away all your essentials.

white under sink cabinet in a natural bathroom with lots of beauty essentials in the cupboard

8) Freshen up your walls

It doesn’t matter whether you love ice cream pastels, neutral palettes or bright vibrant colours on your walls, freshening up your rooms can make such a difference to your home. It’s pretty quick and easy to do and at the end of the day, if you change your mind, you can simply paint over it and start again!

This year’s hottest shade is Pantone’s colour of the year for 2019, “Living Coral”, which goes perfectly with grey, teal and gold.

9) Create a positivity board

January can often bring with it those winter blues. But, by finding ways to invite a little positivity in, can really help give you the boost you’ve been looking for.

Why not create your own positivity board? This can be something as simple as a cork board, black board or white board. Think of things you’re grateful for, or simply note down the things that make you happy and add them to your board. You can be as creative as you like – and as colourful as you like!

Keep adding extra notes as often as you like and whenever you feel down, you can look at the board to remind you of everything that makes you happy.

Looking for more inspiration for your home? Find us on Instagram and Facebook @HartleysDirect.