Three Low-pressure Ways to Love Your Home in 2026
Somehow, someway, we’ve officially made it to 2026 – wow! Whether you’re all about New Year's Resolutions, or it feels like just another day, there’s definitely something to be said for turning over a new leaf and having an opportunity to start fresh.
For many of us, New Year’s Resolutions can sometimes feel like pressure; pressure to change everything for the better, start totally over, and get it all right from day one. This year, I’m ditching that idea, and using 2026 as an opportunity to find gratitude in the silly little life I live, and take care of all the things I already have – starting with my home.
For me, 2025 was a wild ride, and one of my busiest years yet. So in 2026, I am looking forward to slowing down (at least a little), and spending some more intentional time at home, and working on the space I love. Rather than adding resolution pressure to get it all perfect and do it fast, I’m focused on simple and meaningful ways to work on my home that are going to make me love it that much more.
This blog post will cover my top three ways I am planning on putting some energy back into my home in 2026, and give it a much needed refresh for the new year.
The Fix-it List
Whether you’re in the mood for some quick changes, or a total overhaul, there’s something so satisfying about checking things off your list. You know, that door hinge that’s been creaking forever, or that faucet that keeps dripping, or that light that flickers at weird hours scaring your dinner guests.
If you’ve ever found yourself saying “it’s fine for now” about a home project, take this as your sign to dedicate some time to getting it done. One of my favorite hacks is to schedule a day or a weekend that is 100% dedicated to tackling my big list of little projects. No other plans, no other commitments, just total focus time to complete all the things that keep slipping through the cracks.
When I do this, I will typically create what I call a fix-it list, with all the things I want to get done on my dedicated day or days. I’ll group things into categories based on time – from five minutes to five hours, and figure out the best plan to knock it all out. This prevents me from running to the hardware store between every checklist item (guilty!), or jumping around from one task to another. Having a list and a plan allow me to stay on track, and knock things out as quickly as possible.
Here’s a few things that you might consider adding to your fix-it list:
Replace any burnt out bulbs
Fix any squeaky hinges
Touch up any scuffed or chipped paint
Tackle those random carpet stains
Replace furnace filters
Post-fall yard maintenance
Is it the most fun way to spend my weekend? No way! But is the feeling after so worth it? You bet! Being able to plop down on the couch with my pups knowing I checked everything off is one of my favorite feelings. Trust me, you’ve got this!
Winter Cleaning
Why does spring get all the cleaning credit? I’m claiming winter cleaning as one the best ways to refresh your space in the new year!
To me, cleaning isn’t all about scrubbing those hard-to-reach spaces and steam-cleaning the couch – I’ll also clear out the things I no longer use or need, and take the time to declutter my home. Closets, kitchen, garage, nothing is safe! I find that taking even a little time to go through my belongings, appreciate the things I do have, and donate the things I don’t love, is one of my favorite things to do to reset my space. Plus, I get some extra joy knowing my old things have found new homes that will appreciate them more than I did.
While the weather might not permit the typical post-cleaning garage sale, there are tons of options for what to do with your extra things. There are plenty of thrift stores in the area that take donations, or are even willing to purchase or consign your old belongings (like Village Merchants). If you’re getting rid of furniture, places like Habitat for Humanity will even schedule pickups to make things as easy as possible. You could also consider selling on Facebook Marketplace or Offer Up if you’re hoping to make back a little bit of cash you spent over the holidays.
Whatever floats your boat, know that the options are out there, and I encourage you to explore!
Layout & Decor
Here’s where the fun really begins! You’ve put in all the work to fix up and clean up the house, now it’s time to give some extra attention to the spaces that are lacking. Maybe you have a corner of the living room that you find yourself avoiding, or a home office that isn’t screaming cozy or productive – now’s your opportunity to make those spaces ones you want to spend time in. For me, this often comes down to layout and decor.
Layout
Does the layout of this space make sense for my goals? Does this space flow with the rest of my home? Does this space feel too crowded, or too sparse? Sometimes, it’s as simple as a quick and intentional rearrange to refresh the space and make it work for you again.
Before rearranging my space, I like to take a moment to understand what I like about the space, and what feels like it’s missing. For example, in a home office, I might like that my desk faces the window, but I might not like how cramped and cluttered the space feels. Then, as I reconsider layout, I can prioritize keeping my desk facing the window, but make sure my furniture with storage is in close proximity.
Decor
Often, the areas of my home I spend the least time in are the ones that feel the least “me”. For example, I’m a total mid-century modern nerd, so I know if I don’t have enough antique goodness in a space, it might feel a bit cold, and like a place I want to spend my time. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a vintage lamp to bring the cozy vibes, or a cool piece of MCM furniture from my local antique store to get me absolutely loving my space again.
Lucky for us, Portland is filled with countless furniture, antique, and thrift stores that make sourcing decor that much more affordable and sustainable. Here are some of my favorites:
Thrift: TC Resale, Deseret Industries, The Arc
Resale: Village Merchants, Artifact, Mixtape, Re-run
Antique: Star Antique, Monticello Antique Marketplace
Final Thoughts
New Years doesn’t have to be about changing everything quickly and being perfect immediately. Instead, it can actually be about slowing down, being intentional, and investing in the space you have. There are so many wonderful ways to refresh your home in 2026 – whether it’s knocking things off that checklist, tackling a major cleanout, collecting some meaningful decor, or something else entirely. Regardless, it’s okay to keep the pressure low, the timeline slow, and give yourself permission to work on your space in a way that works for you.
