Once the ball has dropped and the last of the holiday decor has gone into storage, it’s easy to feel like your home now looks bland and empty. Combine that with the dreary weather outside and you might be feeling some serious post-holiday blues. But the good news is that you don’t have to give your home a total makeover to make it feel bright and cheery again. With some minor improvements, you can make a major impact in the best way possible. In the spirit of fresh starts, I’ve rounded up 15 simple but impactful ways to upgrade your home in the new year. Even better: You can pull off all of these home upgrades for $50 or less.
1. Upgrade window treatments
Window treatments are like the cherry on top of a room—they’re easy to overlook but can make all the difference. For an instant upgrade, swap basic blinds for blackout curtains, add café curtains across a kitchen window, or simply add curtain tiebacks for a pretty draping effect. If you’re willing to do a little DIY work, you could even re-mount your curtain rods higher up on the wall to give the illusion of higher ceilings. Just be sure your curtains are long enough to brush the floor to complete the look.
2. Paint walls or furniture
Don’t underestimate the impact of a fresh coat of paint—it can completely transform a room. Whether choosing a bold statement color or refreshing scuffed walls with the same shade, painting is an affordable way to elevate your space with minimal effort. If repainting an entire room feels overwhelming, start smaller by painting a piece of furniture. It’s less effort and can still have a similar impact. Painting is such an easy way to switch up your look and breathe new life into your decor.
3. Refresh your throw pillows
If your couch gets as much love as mine, chances are your throw pillows are starting to look sad and misshapen. Try swapping out drab throw pillows for fresh, plush options to revitalize your couch or bed. Throw pillows are also an easy way to experiment with colors and patterns, bringing a bright, cheerful touch to your home for the new year. And if you purchase throw pillow covers separately, they’re easy to swap out and store for different seasons.
4. Declutter
The beginning of a new year is the best time to embark on an annual cleanout. Entering 2026 without unnecessary clutter weighing you down is incredibly freeing, so let this be your sign to get started. If you’re not sure where to begin, start small: Tackle a single junk drawer or messy fridge shelf. Then, move room by room until your home is clutter-free. You’ll be amazed at how intentional and refreshed your space feels once you’ve pared down to what you really need and love.
5. Bring in some plants
No matter what your home’s style is, bringing in some greenery is a super simple way to level up your design. Plants not only bring a fresh pop of color but also a connection to nature, which can bring feelings of zen and calm into your space. Start out with a low-maintenance plant like a snake plant or pothos, or go for a fake plant if you’re worried about keeping a real one alive.
6. Upgrade hardware on cabinets or furniture
One of my favorite ways to spice up a room with little to no effort or money is to swap out the hardware on cabinets and furniture. It may be a small switch, but it can completely change the vibe of the piece and even the entire space. Whether you go for sleek, minimal hardware or bold statement pieces, updated hardware adds a personal touch that makes your space feel new again.
7. Switch up small accessories
Small accessories are one of the easiest ways to give your home a facelift without breaking the bank. Take advantage of after-holiday sales to purchase discounted coffee table books, vases, candles, and other home accents. These inexpensive swaps will help make your decor feel fresh and exciting again when you’re spending more time at home this winter.
8. Upgrade your storage
I’m a total sucker for those “restocking my kitchen” videos. What’s so appealing about them? The storage, of course! Everything has a place, and the use of small, aesthetic containers makes things look more uniform and clean. To upgrade your storage this year, invest in some pretty containers for things like cereal and rice in the pantry and fresh produce in the fridge. You can also incorporate these into your laundry room for essentials like detergent, scent beads, and dryer sheets. Or try revamping your junk drawer with small plastic bins to organize loose items like rubber bands, pens, and charging cables.
9. Change out wall decor
Wall art is highly visible throughout your home, so if your decor is feeling stagnant, start there. For a quick and easy refresh, take down your existing picture frames and swap in new art prints or more recent photos. You could also keep your current artwork and just upgrade the frames to higher-quality versions. If you’re feeling particularly handy, consider mounting some floating shelves for additional display space or hanging a mirror to make the room look and feel larger.
10. Upgrade your bed
For a home project that doubles as self-care, treat yourself to a bedroom makeover this year. If you’re sick of your same old bedding, splurge on a luxurious new sheet set or swap out your duvet cover for one in a fun texture or color. For a bigger splurge, you could even go the extra mile and invest in a new headboard or bed frame. There’s no shortage of retailers to shop, and stores like Wayfair, Target, The Home Depot, and Walmart offer affordable deals in tons of styles. Not only will these upgrades give your bedroom a fresh look, but they can also help create a serene oasis, which is exactly what you want during cozy season.
11. Refresh the entryway
While most of us tend to adorn our entryways with festive decorations during the holidays, the area often gets neglected the rest of the year. But the entryway is the first thing everyone sees when they walk through the door, which is why it should capture your personality and aesthetic. To refresh your entry, lay down a new welcome mat, boost organization with a coat or shoe rack, or hang some wall hooks or a mirror. If you’re looking to make a bigger investment, consider bringing in a console table if you have the space. It’ll create a spot to set down your belongings when you walk in the door, as well as create display space for lamps, vases, or picture frames.
12. Apply peel-and-stick wallpaper or tile
With the holiday madness over, now’s the time to tackle those home upgrades you didn’t have time for last year. For an easy (and renter-friendly!) room refresh, create an accent wall with peel-and-stick wallpaper or apply a stick-on backsplash to your kitchen or bathroom. Adding some color or pattern can make a big impact, and thanks to peel-and-stick options, it doesn’t have to feel like a massive DIY project. Make sure to measure out the area beforehand so you know how much material to purchase, then prep the surface so it’s smooth and clean.
13. Swap out light fixtures
If you didn’t know already, lighting can make or break a home. And when it’s cold and dark out by four o’clock in the afternoon, ensconcing yourself in cozy lighting will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Get rid of harsh lighting by replacing your current bulbs in favor of soft, warm-toned ones, and use lamps instead of overhead light fixtures where you can. Also, if you’re in the mood to DIY, try mounting plug-in wall sconces in your living room or on either side of your bed.
14. Switch up your home fragrance
The first thing that people notice when they walk into a home is how it smells. For better or worse, it can leave a lasting impression, so consider upgrading your home’s signature scent for a fresh start. Whether you use wall plug-ins, a diffuser, or candles, dispersing an amazing scent is an easy way to upgrade your home with very little effort.
15. Rearrange existing furniture
If you’re looking for a completely free way to upgrade your home, try rearranging your existing furniture. Sometimes the solution to a room feeling more full, homey, or complete is simply shifting around your accent tables or seating. If you really want to get into it, look up some videos on Feng Shui to learn more about how to optimize the energy in your home.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a Rhode Island native, professional blogger, and freelance writer. She’s passionate about helping women develop healthy relationships with money, become financially independent, and invest in themselves for the future. Arianna is a firm believer in going after what you want, taking time to stop and smell the roses, and the importance of a good cocktail.
Jenna Piotrowicz, Editorial Assistant
Jenna began working as an Editorial Assistant for The Everygirl in 2024. With her eye for detail, she assists the team with content creation, sourcing products and images, and works behind the scenes to support The Everygirl in uploading and updating content.
