The start of a new year calls for a re-evaluation of your home – what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be refreshed. According to Shea McGee, a new year refresh doesn't have to comprise of a long, convoluted list of things to do. In fact, all it takes is a few simple changes.
In a recent video posted to Instagram, the designer explains her tips on how to successfully refresh your home for 2026, and her advice is refreshingly easy to put into practice. No need for any major renovations, the use of power tools, or paint brushes. Shea's tips are so simple, you could do them all in one weekend. And the results will make your home feel refreshed and ready for the year ahead.
1. Switch Out Your Sheets
Shea's first tip is simple: 'get new sheets,' the designer says. 'I love fresh sheets on my bed, so I start my morning off right.' The best bed sheets have transformative qualities, and there's no better time than the start of a new year to swap your existing sheets for a new, cozier, softer set.
'Bedding brings a fresh energy not just to the bedroom, but to your personality,' says Julia Demer, sheet obsessive and Style Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'It’s my favorite way to shake myself out of a winter design slump – you’d be surprised how much of a difference cotton versus linen can make, or opting for a pinstripe instead of a solid.'
'Sourcing the best begins with my all-time favorite bedding brands: Cozy Earth, Brooklinen, and, if I’m feeling fancy (which is always), Lilysilk,' Julia explains. 'Each offers something distinct (bamboo viscose, iconic percale, perfected mulberry silk), but they all have one thing in common: they stand out for more than just quality or aesthetics. They feel genuinely amazing, no matter what you choose.'
So, if you're looking for that one easy change refresh your home for the new year, this is it. With a simple sheet swap, you can create a cozy bedroom with minimal effort involved.
2. Rework Your Shelf Styling
Shea's second tip is just as simple – restyle your shelves. 'If you have a bookcase, take it all off, only put back the things that you love, and find a few new spots to add some new things to love,' Shea explains in her video.
Organizing a bookshelf is so much more than just stacking books next to each other – in my opinion, it's an art form. Shelves provide blank spaces for decorative objects, trinkets, and books that can infuse your home with personality and speak to your interests.
If you have shelves in your home that could use some reworking, spend an afternoon taking everything off of them to start from scratch. Put back the books you like, and then add some new decorative trinkets: style the entire arrangement differently than before. Take it further too, switch up your coffee table styling, or the styling of your bedroom dresser.
This simple style switch-up will definitely give your home new energy for the new year. Plus, it'll look like you made a drastic change, when in reality, all you did was reorganize.
3. Thrown Down a New Rug
Shea's last idea to refresh your home for 2026 is to swap a rug for one made from natural fibers like jute, sisal, or seagrass. A new rug can give any room in your home a refreshed energy and inviting spirit for the year ahead, so it's definitely an idea worthy of consideration.
'For the new year, I think it's really nice to choose one spot in your home to swap out a rug for a natural rug – like bring in some jute because it just feels free,' Shea explains in her video. Natural fibers for flooring can benefit a room in lots of ways. Not only are they considerably more durable than regular styles, but they add textural appeal to a space, too.
Plus, natural rugs have a way of grounding rooms with a calming elegance. If there's a room in your home that feels busy, consider styling a natural rug on the floor to soften and ground the space. Our Style and Trends Editor Charlotte Olby plans on doing just that in her home this year. 'I've been guilty of always picking up 'hero' pieces in my own home and have been left with rooms that feel like a chaotic mix of color and pattern,' she tells me. 'So, my personal New Year's resolution is to bring in some stylish background pieces. This January, I'm picking up a seagrass rug for my living room to help anchor my myriad of prints and patterns with a grounding warmth.'
The start of a new year acts as a perfect time to give your home a refresh, and with Shea's tips, you can do just that in no time. By changing your sheets, restyling your shelves, and swapping an old rug for a new, natural style, you can give your home renewed energy for the year to come.
