New Year House Reset: Start the Year Fresh, Soft & Put-Together
A Carted & Curated Home Refresh Guide
Every January, I get the same feeling, not the “New year, New me” pressure… but a quieter nudge that says, “Let’s take care of the space that takes care of you.”
This isn’t about buying everything new or chasing trends.
It’s about clearing what’s worn out, refreshing what matters, and starting the year in a home that feels calm, clean, and intentional.
Here’s how I do a New Year House Reset, realistically, affordably, and without overwhelm.
1. Retire Those Tired Towels
Let’s be honest if your towels have:
• loose threads
• thinning patches
• or don’t actually absorb anymore…
…it’s time.
Towels work hard, and they don’t age gracefully. Bacteria builds fast, softness fades, and nothing ruins a good shower like a towel that feels scratchy or useless.
Stepping out of the shower into a plush, hotel-quality towel is one of those small upgrades that instantly makes everyday life feel more put together. My husband is tall and we prefer a large Bath sheet over a regular sized towel.
Luxury Towel Options I Like:
• Utopia Towels Hotel Collection
Ten Towels
2 Brown Extra Large Bath Sheet
NALIVO
2. Check Your Sheets (Especially the Corners)
If your fitted sheet corners are:
• popping off
• losing elasticity
• thinning around the edges
TOSS. THEM.
This is one of those things we tolerate way too long. If your sheets don’t stay put, they’re not serving you anymore.
You don’t need anything extreme, a 400–800 thread count is the sweet spot. Anything higher is mostly marketing.
Sheet Upgrades to Consider:
While there are a lot of popular sheet brands online, the set I keep coming back to and actually sleep on is this Hotel Style sheet set from Walmart. They’re breathable, hold up well over time, feel cool and smooth. They give that quiet, hotel-at-home feel without the fuss, and are one of those quiet finds I keep going back to.
Low-maintenance sheets I keep on rotation, and a great guest bedroom favorite is
• King Size Dark Grey sheet set
• LBRO2M Queen French Blue sheet Set
• Sleep & Beyond Sage Green California King Sheet Set
A Thoughtful Upgrade: Your Comforter
This is where I want you to pause for a moment because a comforter isn’t just décor. It’s sleep quality. I swap mine out based on seasons. For my deep winter nights, when the temperature is lower than my age. I reach for my thicker and heavier Duvet.
If your current comforter feels:
• flat
• uneven
• not warm enough
• or like you’re layering blankets just to feel cozy
…it might be time to upgrade instead of replacing it again next year.
Lately, I’ve been drawn to thicker, ultra-plush duvets. The kind that feel cocoon-like and grounding. Not stiff. Not crunchy. Just soft, heavy, and comforting in a way that makes your bed feel like a true place of rest.
This is especially worth considering if:
• you sleep better under weight
• you love warmth
• you want that hotel-level, sink-in feeling
Comforter Option I’m Loving:
Quick note: This is a heavier, very plush comforter, so it’s best for people who genuinely enjoy warmth and weight while sleeping. If you prefer light or airy bedding, this style may feel like too much, and that’s okay.
3. Replace Pillows You’ve Had for 12+ Months
Yes… pillows expire (did you gasp?).
And if you struggle with allergies, this step is a MUST. My husband and son have allergies, so I am tossing pillows often to keep them breathing well overnight.
Signs it’s time to toss them:
• neck aches
• lumpy texture
• yellowing (even through pillowcases)
• or you genuinely can’t remember when you bought them. (Rule of thumb, I wrote the month and year of purchase on the tag of my pillows.)
Another rule is simple: refresh pillows every January, so I always know their “age.”
Starting the year laying your head on brand-new pillows just feels right and it helps reduce dust and allergens, too.
Pillow Options Readers Love:
• Coop Home Goods Adjustable Loft
• Casper Sleep Essential Pillow
4. Refresh Your Glassware
Open your cabinets and be honest.
If you see:
• chipped glasses
• cloudy or worn pieces
• sets that no longer match
• random college-era tumblers you keep “just in case”
…it’s time to let them go (raises hand, I am guilty of this).
A clean cabinet with matching glassware feels grown, calm, and intentional, even if no one sees it but you.
A Soft-Life Glassware Lineup:
• Sauvignon Blanc White Wine Glass
• Pilsner glasses (perfect for entertaining)
Glassware I Recommend:
• JoyJolt Water Glasses
5. Toss Plastic Tupperware → Swap to Glass
Open your Tupperware drawer.
If the lids don’t match…
If the containers are stained orange (you know why)…
If anything is warped from the dishwasher…
LET. IT. GO.
Glass storage lasts longer, looks cleaner, and doesn’t hold smells. This is one of those swaps that instantly makes your kitchen feel calmer. I am guilty of keeping plastic and this year I am swapping out for Glass, join me. This one is personal. I don’t know why I have kept the plastic so long but this year; I desire more…. better.
Glass Storage Sets to Try:
• MCIRCO Glass Lunch Container
6. Candle Refresh (Non-Negotiable)
It’s you so it has to be aesthetic.
Every new year deserves:
• Kitchen candles
• Living room candles
• Bedroom candles
• Bathroom candles
• Guest bedroom candles
Scent changes the mood of a home. Choose candles that feel cozy, warm, clean, or grounding, whatever energy you want to carry into the year. I do change my candles out for the season. A pine, Christmas, Apple Autum is great for Christmas. I prefer Floral and “Roses/flowers” for Spring….
Candles are one thing I almost always buy in person TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, and Burlington have some of the best finds if you take your time and smell around. This is one area where browsing in person is part of the joy, I can find some brands that I absolutely love. I find the candles are bigger and tend to last longer. I am a woman who lights her candles daily.
7. Finish With a New Throw Blanket
A throw blanket tells on you 😌
If yours is:
• pilling
• stretched out
• faded
• or no longer soft
…it’s time to replace it.
A fresh throw can make your entire living room feel updated without changing anything else.
Throw Blanket Favorites:
✨ Your Soft-Life Reset Checklist
Save this. Screenshot it. Check it off.
• ☐ Replaced towels
• ☐ Upgraded sheets (400–800 TC)
• ☐ Bought new pillows
• ☐ Refreshed glassware
• ☐ Swapped plastic for glass storage
• ☐ Picked candles for each room
• ☐ Added a fresh throw blanket
This is how you start the year feeling calm, cared for, and truly at home.
At the end of the day, this reset looks the way it does because it fits our real life not a catalog version of it.
My husband is tall, so we love an extra-large towel (40×80 or 35×70). It’s one of those small upgrades that makes everyday routines feel noticeably better. We also sleep on a California King, which is why I didn’t tag Queen sheets specifically, but every option I shared does come in Queen sizes as well if that’s what works best for your home.
And because my husband has allergies, I’m very intentional about the things closest to us at night. Pillows get swapped yearly, and I stay mindful of materials and allergens when choosing bedding. It’s not about perfection, it’s about comfort, health, and creating a space that actually supports us.
That’s really the heart of a home reset.
You keep what works, upgrade what doesn’t, and choose pieces that make your day-to-day feel calmer, cleaner, and more put-together.
If you’ve been thinking about refreshing a few things as we head into the new year, let this be your sign to start soft, start simple, and start with what matters most to your life.
Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. I only share products I personally use, love, or would genuinely recommend as part of creating a calm, comfortable, and intentional home. Thank you for supporting Carted & Curated and the content I create.
