New Year, New You ...

Now that 2019 has begun, you’ve likely made a resolution or two. I like to think of these as “No Obligation Promises You’re Not Legally Required To Keep”. As we swear to tone up, eat better, get a new job, etc we tend to let these slide as January becomes February until abandoned entirely by March. So this post I’d like to give you Three Tips You Can Do Today To Improve Your Space. Minimal commitment. Moderate effort. Still makes a difference. Your home has an energy and what you do in it affects your life in ways you might not notice.

Come Clean

Giving your place a good clean works wonders. While we’re trapped inside during colder weather with the windows shut, things get musty. This is why Spring cleaning always makes us feel fresh. If you’re stuck inside on a blizzardy Saturday or Sunday get out your supplies and scrub your place thoroughly. Also, clean out your fridge/cupboards. I guarantee there’s lots of expired or useless crap in there bringing down your healthy vibes so toss ‘em and make way for better choices. The end result will make you feel envigorated and more relaxed about hanging out inside while the snow flies. This literally takes half a day so it’s a quick fix that makes a big change.

Get Organized

With the recent explosion of Marie Kondo and her art of tidying up, there’s never been more interest in getting your closets organized. As a Designer/Virgo, I have known this joy forever but if it’s new to you, I highly recommend getting on the organization bandwagon. While you don’t have to feel up all your items, thank them for their service and origami your underpants until they can stand on their own, organizing your closets and drawers is amazing. First of all, you’ll rediscover items you love that you totally forgot you had. It’s like shopping your own wardrobe. Secondly, if you can’t remember when the last time was you wore something, why are you hanging onto it? Donating it to someone in need will make you feel grand and open up space for newness. Your home has an energy and if it’s cluttered and cramped you feel anxious. Getting rid of things opens your energy up to receive new people, money, experiences into your life. I do this a couple times a year and have a “Hanger Rule” where I have a fixed number of hangers. If I buy something new, something old has to go to make room for it on the hanger.

A Lick of Paint

Being stuck inside in Winter is a perfect time to tackle a little Home refresh. Nothing is cheaper, easier and has greater impact than paint. Consider touching up your baseboards and trims. Maybe paint a room or do a focal wall colour or colour block. Using Sherwin-Williams ColourSnap App can let you try colours digitally so you can make the right choice. Even painting the doors to rooms or closets can have a huge effect with little time or effort. It’s amazing how paint can change a room dramatically in look and feel at such a small cost. The newness you’ll feel will carry over into your attitude and help you combat S.A.D. Of my three tips, this one requires the most time, money and effort but it’s still peanuts for the payoff you’ll get in return.


So those are my three Tips for the New Year. I’ve talked before about the energy of the Home and how good Design and changes affect you, your emotional state and how that can spill over into other aspects of your life in a positive way. So consider doing one or all of these and see what changes occur in your life throughout the year as a result. This might also be the time of year when you’re considering a larger home project like a renovation so you might want to look into consulting with a Designer to help with that or set you up for success.


Until next post, thanks for reading and striving to live The Well Designed Life.


Steve