The Christmas decorations have come down and your house might be looking a little more tired than you remembered. As you make New Year’s resolutions physically, financially, and about any other ‘-ly’ you can imagine, why not make some resolutions domestically too?

Here are five small ways to make make BIG changes!

1. Consider a fresh coat of paint  

If you’ve had a patterned wallpaper up for several years, maybe taking it down and toning it down with a neutral paint is the way to go.  Or vice versa – If you’re tired of plain white walls, try jazzing it up with an fun new wallpaper or warm paint color.

2. Play “apple basket turnover” with artwork and accessories  

If you’re tired of your artwork or accessories, try taking them all down and piling them up in the hall or on the dining room table.  Then re-place them around the house somewhere different, maybe mixing in one or two new things as well.  Sometimes putting an old favorite in a new place brings a whole new life to the things you already have, and adding just a few new things makes everything look different.

3. Bring the outdoors in

Houseplants or fresh cut flowers, always liven up a room.  Something easy like a peace lily will be inexpensive and easy to take care of, while adding softness, fresh air, and color to your house.

4. Ask yourself if you need to replace or recover

Are your pillows tired?  Try switching them up!  A small thing like changing out pillows can completely change the feel of a room.  Maybe you have an upholstery piece that’s become a proverbial sore thumb in the room.  Why not recover it – it may last you many more years.  Carpets and lamps are another area that you can easily update.

5. Don’t forget the closets

Often times we stuff unused items into closets and drawers.  Clean out those hidden spaces and what you don’t want (or haven’t used, despite your best intentions) give it to a family member or friend!  I always tell clients to put things away in an upstairs closet for a few months.  If you don’t think about it or use it in that time, then donate it to someone who will – you probably won’t miss it that much, and they might really be able to use it.

Lastly, always remember if you do decide to buy some new things, make sure they’re for the right place.  Recycle from the main rooms to the side or guest rooms, and update the main areas with the new items.  That way your money works harder for you, by making the biggest impact!