January is the month of quiet resets. After the excess of December, our homes often feel cluttered, tired and in need of space to breathe again. Decluttering in January isn’t about stripping your home bare – it’s about creating calm, intentional spaces that feel good to live in.
Here’s how to approach decluttering thoughtfully, and then style your home so it feels warm, welcoming and refreshed rather than empty.
1. Start With Intention, Not Everything at Once
The biggest mistake with January decluttering is trying to tackle the whole house in one go. Instead, focus on how you want each space to feel.
Ask yourself what you want the room to feel like. Do you want it to feel calmer, more practical, or more inviting? Choosing a clear intention before you start helps guide decisions and prevents you from decluttering for the sake of it. Begin with one area – a hallway, living room shelf, bedside table or kitchen surface – and work in small, manageable sections.
2. Edit, Don’t Erase
Decluttering doesn’t mean getting rid of everything decorative. It means editing.
A simple rule is to keep pieces you genuinely love, use, or that add atmosphere, and remove items that feel purely functional but visually distracting. Grouping similar items together rather than spreading them out instantly makes a space feel more intentional.
3. Use Storage as a Styling Tool
Beautiful storage is key to an organised home that still feels warm.
Woven baskets are ideal for storing throws, magazines or logs, while lidded boxes can neatly hide cables, remotes and everyday clutter. Sideboards or shelving that combine open and hidden storage allow you to balance practicality with visual calm, making storage part of the room rather than something you want to hide away.
4. Reset Surfaces With Breathing Space
Clear surfaces are one of the quickest ways to make your home feel calmer.
Once you’ve decluttered, style surfaces with fewer, better pieces. A single sculptural vase can be more impactful than several small ornaments, while a small stack of books topped with one decorative object feels curated and calm. Leaving breathing space around objects allows each piece to stand out.
5. Layer Warmth Back In
Minimal doesn’t have to mean cold – especially in January.
After decluttering, reintroduce warmth through soft throws and cushions, textured rugs, low-level lighting such as table lamps, and the gentle glow of candles and natural materials. This balance keeps your home feeling cosy while still calm and considered.
6. Bring Life Into the Room
Plants are a simple way to refresh your space after a clear-out.
Try opting for one larger plant instead of several smaller ones, choosing simple ceramic or stone planters, and grouping plants in odd numbers for a more natural look. Plants add softness, movement and a sense of care to newly decluttered rooms.
7. Make It a Habit, Not a One-Off
January is the perfect time to create habits that last all year.
Small routines make a big difference. A weekly surface reset, seasonal edits every few months, and being more intentional about what comes into your home all help keep spaces calm without ever feeling bare.
A Calm Start to the Year
A fresh start doesn’t mean changing everything. It’s about making space for what matters – both visually and emotionally.
By decluttering with intention and styling thoughtfully, January becomes less about removal and more about creating a home that supports the year ahead.
Explore our curated storage, home accessories and furniture pieces designed to bring calm, beauty and function to everyday living.
