As we welcome in the New Year at James & Co, it’s a natural moment to think about fresh starts and new ideas, especially at home. December is a lovely time of year, but the pace can get a bit intense! There’s something wonderfully grounding about the quiet arrival of January - the guests have drifted home, the last mince pie has been claimed, and the decorations have been cleared away. It’s a moment many of us look forward to - a gentle reset where rooms begin to feel spacious again and our senses shift from the richness of December to something cleaner, calmer and simpler.
Crafting a home that reflects this fresh start often begins with the smallest of tweaks. This season is an invitation to pare things back, reclaim your retreat, and reintroduce lightness into those everyday spaces.
Introduce Soft Resets
Often it’s the quieter, more thoughtful changes that make the biggest difference - here are a few ideas to consider:
· Declutter by category rather than by room - sorting items by category throughout your entire house such as books, clothes or ceramics, allows you to see what you truly love and what’s simply been filling space. When pieces are returned with intention, surfaces instantly feel calmer and more organised.
· Overhaul your textiles - chunky throws and richly coloured cushions have their place in December, but January invites something lighter. Swapping even one or two items for natural fabrics or earthy tones can subtly change how your room feels.
· Create intentional white space - this can be a surprisingly powerful change. Leaving a windowsill clear, a side table unstyled, or a shelf partially empty gives the eye a place to land and reduces visual clutter.
· Add one handmade or tactile object to each area - a woven basket, a ceramic bowl, or something crafted at home brings warmth and character. These pieces will help your room feel lived-in rather than styled.
Consider “Quiet” Scents
After a month filled with spices, iced biscuits and fir trees, our senses can feel overstimulated. Clean scents act as a kind of sensory palette cleanser, encouraging new routines, focus and clarity. Choosing a simple scent is a great way to change the atmosphere of your home and create a backdrop that feels unobtrusive yet uplifting. Try soft sea notes that echo the open air, such as those found in our No. 15 Sea Salt Reed Diffuser, or subtle herbal greens that feel fresh but not sharp.
Make Space for Creativity
During January, when calendars become less crammed, many people naturally return to creative habits such as drawing, baking, playing an instrument, or reorganising a space purely for enjoyment rather than efficiency. Designating even a small area for these activities - a cleared table, a basket of materials, a comfortable chair - enables your creativity to flow without the pressure. These pastimes often bring a greater sense of calm than productivity ever could.
Rest Up
A wonderful way to initiate a reset - both for you and your home - is to create a dedicated rest space, and the bathroom provides an ideal setting for this. January is a good time to reclaim the bathroom as more than just a functional space. With a few thoughtful changes, it can become somewhere to pause, take a deep breath and recharge. It will quickly feel like a mini bathroom revamp without the expense!
Simply start with a quick clean and clear surfaces back to the essentials. Remove half-used bottles and excess products to allow the room to feel calmer immediately. Consider adding a pot plant as a lovely way to bring some natural colour. Textiles can play an important role here too. Fresh, coordinated towels and maybe a soft bath mat, or a robe kept just for evenings at home can all elevate the experience. Easily create a spa-like feel by using a soft, dimmable bulb to build a relaxing atmosphere and position a candle on the edge of the bath or basin. Our No. 5 Green Candle pairs very well in any bathroom space.
So if you find yourself craving peace and simplicity this January, a quick reset could be exactly what you need. Which scents do you gravitate towards when you want a fresh start in your home? - we’d love to hear what’s worked for you!
Wishing you a healthy and happy 2026 from all of us at James & Co.
