Easy ways to refresh your space for the new year

With the arrival of a new year comes the perfect excuse to pull off a seasonal home refresh. Transitional times naturally make us crave spaces that feel lighter, calmer and more uplifting. And the good news is you don’t need to take on a major renovation or invest in a single big, expensive piece of furniture to make a meaningful impact.

Often, it’s one or two thoughtful updates that can completely shift how a space feels. A new rug, the creation of a plant corner or even a small styling change can help your home feel renewed and intentional again.

Here, we’ve rounded up a few easy but high-impact ideas to give your home a fresh new look. Whether you’re searching for living room rug ideas or looking for simple ways to brighten a room, these updates are designed to feel both achievable and inspiring.

When it comes to creating a home that feels cohesive, cozy and truly lived in, it’s important not to forget about the “extra” spaces. We tend to focus on the big rooms like the bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining room, but the smaller, in-between areas deserve your attention too.

Think hallways, mudrooms and entryways. These areas are often referred to as secondary spaces, but even modest updates such as a runner rug or woven basket can impact overall design.

A patterned runner rug can instantly make a narrow hallway feel brighter. Swapping cluttered storage for stylish woven baskets can elevate a mudroom. Adding a rug to an entryway helps anchor the space while introducing warmth and texture.

With Ernesta’s custom-sized rugs, it’s easy to find the perfect fit for rooms with unusual dimensions, which is often the case in smaller spaces like these. Instead of settling for something too short or too narrow, a custom rug ensures every corner feels intentional. If you’re not sure where to start, our custom rug size guide can help you find the ideal fit for your home.

One of the simplest ways to refresh your space is by bringing in a bit of nature. Plants instantly add energy, texture and warmth, making them a great way to brighten a room, especially during the darker winter months.

A tall fiddle leaf fig or ficus plant can bring life to an overlooked corner, while a smaller snake plant works beautifully on a bedside table for an easy bedroom refresh. If you’re new to plant care, don’t hesitate to ask the experts at your local nursery. They can help you choose plants based on the type of light your home gets, whether that’s sustained direct sunlight or just a few hours of it a day.

If keeping plants alive feels intimidating, there are some excellent faux options available now that don’t look or feel like a mass-made plastic piece. The key is to do your research and read reviews so you find something that looks realistic and well-made. Dried plants are another beautiful alternative. Dried eucalyptus, for example, looks just as lovely arranged in a vase as it does styled into a wreath, offering an evergreen, effortless look that lasts all year. You can also try layering in earth tones and natural fiber rugs for an even easier alternative to plant care that provides similar benefits.

Pattern can feel a bit daunting at first, especially when you’re introducing it into a larger space. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to experiment with pattern is through a rug. Think of your rug as the great connector of the room. It sets the foundation, brings colors together and allows your furniture and decor to shine. Rather than overwhelming a space, a thoughtfully chosen patterned rug often makes it feel more complete.

If you want to dip your toe into pattern, consider Ellis, Willow or Copeland Quinn. These designs add interest without overpowering the room, making them perfect for a subtle bedroom refresh or an understated dining room refresh.

If you’re ready to go bolder, we recommend looking at Silas, Bennett or Kaia. These statement-making options bring personality and depth to a space while still feeling timeless.

If a rug feels like too big a commitment, throw pillows and blankets are a great way to test out new patterns and colors before taking the plunge. Either way, we recommend taking advantage of our rug sampling program, which allows you to see how different designs look in your home IRL before committing to a full-size purchase.

Paint is one of the most powerful tools when it comes to an easy home refresh, and you don’t need to paint an entire room to see results. 

Start by touching up dingy or nicked areas to instantly make your space feel cleaner and more polished. If you’re craving something bolder, consider painting a wood fireplace mantel in a rich, unexpected color to create a focal point. Painting just the trim can also completely change the feel of a room, especially if you choose a contrasting shade. This technique works particularly well if you’re trying to brighten a dark room without committing to painting every wall. Other quick projects include refreshing your front door with a welcoming hue or giving an old, beat-up dresser a new lease on life with paint.

There’s something special about incorporating pieces into your home that have a story. Antique or antique-inspired items add character, depth and warmth to a home in a way that newer pieces sometimes can’t.

Ernesta’s Persian Edit is a superlative example, taking cues from time-honored designs and hand-crafted by skilled artisans in Uşak, Turkey. The motifs and color palettes feel modern while paying tribute to the centuries-old craft of Persian rug weaving, making them beautiful anchors for living room rug ideas or a thoughtful home office refresh.

If you’re looking to incorporate this sense of history on a smaller scale, visit your local thrift or antique store. Look for pieces that feel both functional and decorative. A chinoiserie vase for floral arrangements, a woven basket for storing fruits and vegetables, or colorful vintage glassware can instantly elevate your everyday spaces and make them feel more personal.

Sometimes, the easiest home refresh doesn’t involve buying anything at all. Simply rearranging what you already own can make your space feel brand new.

Take stock of your home and consider whether everything is really in its best place. Could that chair in your living room be a better fit in your bedroom corner? Would the rug in your bedroom feel more at home in the den? Has the lamp on your bedside table never quite worked, but might be perfect in the living room?

Even swapping a few items between rooms can shift the energy of your home and help you see familiar pieces in a new light. Rearranging encourages creativity and reminds you to make the most of what you already have.