5 simple ways to refresh your home (and headspace) this winter

Here are five easy projects to get you started.

Wallpaper a nook or alcove

Wallpaper can feel intimidating, but designers Gray Benko and Chelcie Eastman say it’s all about where, and how, you use it.

The duo behind Gray Benko Home and Magnolia Network’s “Anything but Gray” encourage homeowners to think of wallpaper as a supporting layer rather than the main event.

“Especially if you’re doing a small space, that’s the best time to go really big and really fun on the wallpaper,” Eastman said in an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s not a huge commitment, and you can have a lot of fun.”

And although bold patterns can feel overwhelming at first, Benko said wallpaper often works best when it’s treated as a backdrop.

“It’s not necessarily the feature,” she said. “It’s more like a background that supports everything you layer on top.” Like art, furniture and color.

Create a gallery wall

Gallery walls are popping up everywhere on TikTok and Instagram as maximalism stays on trend. Instead of blank walls or a single statement piece, layer framed art, family photos, vintage finds and meaningful mementos.

Part of the appeal is that gallery walls don’t require buying all new artwork. They work best when they evolve over time, becoming a visual record of the people, places and moments that matter most.

For those who want guidance, custom framing companies like Artifact Uprising and Framebridge offer tools and layout support to make the process feel more approachable. Framebridge also has two Atlanta locations (one at Westside Provisions and the other in Buckhead) where customers can see materials in person or get help planning a cohesive layout.

Credit: Courtesy of Avocado Green Mattress

Credit: Courtesy of Avocado Green Mattress

Refresh your bedroom linens

If you want a project that changes how your home feels day to day, start with the bed. It’s where you spend hours every night, and small upgrades can go a long way.

Target, Pottery Barn and other retailers make it easy to update the basics, while sleep-focused brands like Avocado Green Mattress and Bearaby design bedding with rest and recovery in mind.

“Deep, restorative sleep is a science-backed foundation of health and wellness,” Kathrin Hamm, founder and CEO of Bearaby, told the AJC. “Even small changes, like new sheets, can noticeably improve how you feel in the morning.”

Pillows are often the forgotten piece. Many people use the same one for years, even after it’s lost its shape. Materials like latex, wool or down tend to breathe better and hold up longer, but even the best pillow has a life span. Washing helps, though most still need to be replaced every year or two to support proper sleep, according to National Geographic.

Give your entryway a quick refresh

Not every winter project requires a ton of money or time. A simple front-entry refresh can make a surprising difference, especially during the darker months. Layer a doormat, add a winter-hardy plant or swap in warmer light bulbs.

It’s a small change, but one you’ll notice every time you walk through the door — and one that quietly sets the tone for the rest of the space.

Reorganize (or rethink) your closet

If your closet feels chaotic, your life might, too — which means it may be time for a reset.

Christina Giaquinto, a professional organizer with Modular Closets, encourages people to start by reframing the problem.

“Ask yourself: Do you have too much stuff, or not enough space?” she told the AJC. “By changing a single-rod closet to double hanging, you instantly double the space.” Wall hooks also make better use of vertical real estate.

If accumulation is the issue, Giaquinto swears by the five-second and five-year rules. If you can’t decide whether to keep something within five seconds, it’s probably time to let it go. And if you haven’t used an item in the past five years, chances are you won’t use it again.