After the holidays, when all the extra decorations are packed up and put away, our homes can often feel empty and stark. Funny that it didn’t really feel that way before all the decor went up for the holidays, but it often is the case after they all come down.
I actually really like putting everything away. It feels like a clean slate. It does feel a lot more open and in some spaces, empty, at our house, but I feel like that’s when a lot of creativity tends to happen for me. Currently, I’m staring at an big empty corner in our living room where our tree stood and I’m coming up with a hundred different ways to utilize that space! I’m also slightly obsessing over a DIY kitchen remodel that in reality is still a few months off. I still have to paint our half way completed master bedroom before I tackle a huge DIY kitchen project. But often, just that space and “emptiness” can allow for dreaming and scheming.
The holidays are also a time to look at our homes as a place that we hope they’ll be. Typically over the holidays we’ve had friends and family as guests in our homes. I always want my home to be inviting, comfortable, and cozy for my family and friends {although usually these days it’s super loud and not calm!} When we’re hosting guests, hopefully we’re totally prepared, but sometimes having the extra company opens our eyes to what our home may be missing to make it all that we want it to ultimately be.
We may discover we don’t have enough seating for when we have a gathering, or our dining table is too small to accommodate a larger group. And although I’m not suggesting you go out and spend a bunch of money to fill those gaps, you can think and shop smarter, and sometimes even shopping your own home can do the trick. A simple desk could double as a desk and extra dining space when you have larger groups over. Adding some fun ottomans or stools, some with storage even, could be just the right amount for the extra seats you need while adding color, pattern and extra storage throughout the year.
Another prime example of this is if you are having company a few times a year as overnight guests. Yes, you could dedicate a whole room for guests if you are lucky to have the extra space. You could also get a sleeper sofa to accommodate overflow of over-nighters at your house. But something to consider is how often are you having overnight guests at your home and for how long? Sometimes a good air mattress is more comfortable for your guests when they are visiting and makes your every day sofa more comfortable throughout the year. Just don’t let your kids pop one after the first night as a guest in someone’s house whose air mattress was actually borrowed from a neighbor. Then you’ll be sending them a gift card to replace said popped air mattress. This may or may not have happened to us over the holidays. {it did.} And it was our kids.
But going back to the open space and hopefully breathable room, I find January a great time to reevaluate what’s working in your house and what you may need tweak to make your home more functional. Chances are you are inside more in January than during the summer months, so you are able to see how you and your family and your guests really use your home.
Keep an eye out for those empty corners and open book shelves. You may just come up with something brilliant and beautiful!
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