Designing your space with small changes for new beginnings

I always look at January as the best time to start new things, make an effort to keep your resolutions, clean up, repair daily bad habits, and start fresh. It’s a time for us to begin again—a new year means a new you!

Therefore, I make it a point to focus on family first, then work. This starts with resetting your own home to bring in good vibes.

1 Healthy start

Health is the first thing we take care of when the new year comes in. Gym memberships are on the rise in the first few weeks of January.

With this in mind, the kitchen is a good place to start. Some of us are hoarders, especially when it comes to pantry food and appliances.

Check all food staples for expiry dates. With the number of small appliances we have, we have practically collected quite a few. Assess each one and see what we still need. Check also what’s broken.

Cleaning up the kitchen area can help us prepare food better. Keep the essentials. Arrange pans, flatware, and plates. Keeping a clean and nicely organized kitchen is the best path toward healthy cooking.

2 Start new habits

Lighting a scented candle every morning freshens up the home and gives everyone a fresh start. My favorite scent is Black Cherry, so I get a few candles to bring a yummy scent all over the house.

Preparing a nice dinner with a new menu once or twice a week can connect us better with our families. Little acts can create a big impact.

3 Upgrade soaps and cleaning materials

It’s okay to spend a little on these at the start of the year. Bringing in sweet-smelling soap scents can brighten anyone’s mood. Cleaning materials that clean well and smell good are essentials for any home reset.

4 Bring in some color

Splash one wall with a color you’ve never tried. Try some wallpaper. Go bold or go neutral—either way can bring something different into your home.

5 Renovate your foyer

The foyer has been an important space in the house since the pandemic. This is where you can sit, change shoes, and store bags from outside, among others.

Why not add some wall accessories to reorganize this space? Adding a new shoe storage piece in the form of a credenza can add character.

6 Refresh your bedroom

Get some new sheets, like Egyptian cotton, for better sleep. The bedroom is our sanctuary. Clean up your bedroom space by decluttering.

7 Create new spaces

Create a corner space, a reading nook, a breakfast space, a meditation area, or a quiet room with no gadgets. Create spaces that care and inspire.

8 Reupholster

Reupholster some furniture pieces in a more interesting fabric. Create more patterns and layer your pieces.

9 New art, new look

Refresh your walls with new paintings or replace the frames of your existing art.

10 Rearrange your furniture

Changing your layout can bring in different energy. This is the best reset you can do to any space. You may angle your sofa instead of a linear set up. A more informal layout can pull in your family to spend more time together in the living room.

The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila