HOUSTON – If you dread taking down your holiday decorations, you’re not alone. It’s a big undertaking, and the house can feel empty and a bit sad when all of the festive décor is gone. Luckily, there are ways to make the task easier, while creating a clean slate in your living space that you’ll love. Pamela Hope Designs Principal Designer Pamela O’Brien has tips to help you get the job and give your home a fresh start for the new year.
“I was one of those kids that was so sad when tree went down,” said O’Brien. “As an adult...I would just dread it. I would wait a long time. If it was halfway through January, I was ashamed of myself, and I finally said, ‘There has to be a better way.’”
O’Brien then developed some strategies to make the chore less arduous and even a fun tradition for the whole family to enjoy.
HOLIDAY TAKE DOWN TIPS
- Give yourself enough time to get the job done. If it all seems too overwhelming, break it into little tasks over multiple days to make it more manageable.
- Make it a party and get the whole family involved! Think of it as the last holiday hoorah before all the decorations go away. Play some holiday tunes and whip up some hot cocoa bombs to make cleaning feel merry and bright.
- Be thoughtful about which holiday decorations you truly use and love. If your holiday decorations seem to multiply year after year, keep yourself in check by limiting the amount of storage bins you have and only keeping what fits.
Now, you may be looking at your empty house and feeling the urge to refill it with new decorations for spring. Hit pause on that and see why O’Brien says this blank canvas could be the fresh start you need to kickoff the new year.
“I find it very refreshing, and actually I was very excited Sunday afternoon when all of my holiday decor was stored,” said O’Brien.
REFRESH YOUR HOME FOR THE NEW YEAR
- Embrace the open space: having a living area devoid of clutter can have a positive impact on your mindset. An open space invites more sunlight and helps you keep a clear head. Try leaving your home open at least for the month of January to see how it affects your daily routine.
- Repurpose, donate or discard: Before buying anything new for your home, take a look at what you already have and see if you can use something there first. You’ll be surprised what you might find once everything is decluttered. For any items you no longer want or need, purge it by donating or discarding it.
- Minimize all decor: There’s no need for your mantle to be completely covered in tchotchkes. Pare it down by having one or two statement pieces instead, then apply the same method to the rest of your home.
- Swap the holiday greenery for real plants: house plants have been proven to have a positive impact on your health, from reducing stress to improving air quality. Find some low-maintenance plants to begin, like succulents, to get your green thumb started.
- Rearrange your space: still not satisfied with the look of your home? Try rearranging the pieces on your shelves, tabletops and mantle for a free and easy update.
To connect with Pamela O’Brien, visit the Pamela Hope Designs website.