20 easy ways to refresh your home in the new year

Before embarking on any major decor or organization projects, give everything a good cleaning first. And that means everything — this is a great time to tackle those projects that get left behind in the hustle and bustle of life, like cleaning the baseboards or dusting ceiling fans. 

Kick out last year's clutter by purging closets, toy boxes, bookshelves, and other areas of your home of items that nobody uses anymore. Throw away anything that isn't in good working condition, and set aside the rest to donate to a charitable organization in your area. 

A new rug can really give even the smallest room a boost. Consider an interesting pattern or a bright color to give your space a brand new focal point. 

If your holiday decorations are still up, it's time for them to head back into storage. Replace your wintry decor with bright, fresh elements, like cut flowers and throw pillows in sunny shades. 

It seems weird, but cleaning your washing machine is a good way to wash all of last year's gunk down the drain — literally. Purchase washer cleaning tabs, or simply run an empty load with one cup of bleach, then give the inside of your washing machine a good wipe-down with an all-purpose cleaner. 

Dust lurks in so many places in a home, and can really make things look dingy. Grab a microfiber duster and a free afternoon to give your home a seriously deep dusting. Pro-tip: start at the top (think ceiling fans, blinds, and vents) of the room and work your way down so you don't have to clean up all those dust bunnies twice. 

Even if you've already tucked it away in the closet, now is a good time to get rid of any old holiday decor that you don't plan to use next year. Toss out those old Christmas lights that don't work anymore, or broken ornaments, so that they're not in the way of next year's festivities. 

After a couple of years of use, throw pillows start to look dingy and misshapen. Fortunately, throw pillows are a relatively inexpensive way to give your room a new look. Choose a mix of textures and colors for a sophisticated palette, or keep it simple with solid colors that complement your space. 

Spring is just around the corner, and when the winter doldrums set in, it's nice to bring the outdoors inside. Spring for cut flowers, or buy a few low-maintenance plants (like pothos or ZZ plant) to add some green to your space. 

Dishwashers do messy work, which means they need a good deep cleaning every once in a while. Make it a habit to clean your dishwasher at the beginning of every year, and make sure to read your manual before embarking on this project — it will tell you how to appropriately clean the machine without causing any damage. 

If you really want the most organizing bang for your buck, figure out your top three pain points. If you've got overflowing toy boxes and a seriously stuffed sock drawer, make a plan to tackle those projects first before dealing with lower-priority projects. 

Every home's got one, and they're all overflowing with stuff that nobody really needs but doesn't want to throw away. Take some time to go through all the odds and ends in the junk drawer, and figure out a permanent home for the stuff that's actually worth keeping. 

Between bills and school records and all the other important documents in life, it's easy to feel like your life's been taken over by paperwork. Spend a couple of hours emptying the ever-cluttered mail receptacle in your kitchen, filing important papers away, and trashing (or shredding) everything else. 

Whether you're in search of a new look or just looking to make your bathroom feel a little cleaner, swapping out the shower curtain is an easy way to do both. Don't be afraid to go bold with your shower curtain, either — fun tropical patterns and creative prints can still be totally chic and practical. 

Moving around the furniture in a space can make even a room you've been using for decades feel totally new. Download a room planning app to make the process easier, or get creative and experiment with a few different layouts to see what works best. 

If you don't want to spend the cash on new decorative pieces, make use of stuff you've already got! There's a slew of DIY options out there, from transforming baskets into wall shelves to making your own macrame art, or your could just swap out pieces from one room into a totally different space for a fresher feel.

Shelves can be both practical storage and pretty decor, and it's fun to shake up the look of your shelves from time to time. Rotate out decorative pieces, consider color-coding or otherwise creatively arranging books, or add knick-knacks to spruce up even the most functional of storage solutions. 

If you're tired of the wall art you've had hanging up for years, throw it out! Scour thrift stores to find cool pieces on a budget, or get creative at home with canvases to create your own DIY wall art projects. 

It seems like a small thing, but a nice scent really makes a space feel more homey and cozy. Consider citrus and floral scents for a bright, fresh vibe, or keep it earthy with sandalwood and patchouli. 

Getting a good night's sleep is an excellent New Year's resolution, and a new set of crisp, fresh sheets is a good headstart on that goal. Toss out old sheets that have shrunk or stretched, and treat yourself to a nice new set of crisp percale or buttery soft Egyptian cotton sheets, depending on your preferences.