5 Design Updates to Refresh Your Home for the New Year
There’s something energizing about a fresh start. As the new year approaches, it’s the perfect moment to take stock of your home—the space that holds your routines, your gatherings, and your quiet moments—and ask: How can this feel more like me?
At Élan Design House, we believe in thoughtful evolution over total reinvention. The most impactful updates are often the most intentional ones—subtle shifts that create a ripple of renewal through your space. Here are five design-forward ways to refresh your home for the year ahead.
Rethink the Mood Through Color and Light
A new year often calls for a new atmosphere. Instead of repainting entire rooms, consider smaller interventions that shift the energy: a tonal wall, deeper drapery, or a statement lamp that casts a warm glow. Layered lighting—ambient, task, and accent—can completely transform how a space feels at different times of day.
Our team often starts by identifying the feeling you want to capture—serene and airy, moody and grounded, or warm and layered—and uses light and tone to bring that vision to life.
Upgrade Textures, Not Just Things
Refreshing your home doesn’t mean replacing everything. Instead, look at how texture shows up in your space. Swap crisp linens for nubby bouclé, introduce handwoven throws, or incorporate aged metals or limewash finishes for depth and patina.
Texture adds dimension and quiet sophistication—it’s what makes a room feel lived-in yet elevated. This is where custom upholstery or tailored window treatments can make an outsized impact without changing a single piece of furniture.
Curate and Rebalance
Over time, homes collect layers—art, objects, books, and memories. Rather than adding more, try rebalancing what’s already there. Reframe art, edit your shelves, or shift a beloved piece to a new location where it feels fresh again.
Our designers love using what clients already own in new ways. The goal isn’t minimalism; it’s intentionality—creating visual breathing room so each piece feels meaningful and seen.
Introduce a Signature Scent
Scent is one of the most transportive elements of design—often overlooked, yet unforgettable when done well. It has the power to anchor a space emotionally, set the tone for your day, and create a signature experience the moment you walk through the door.
This is why we created our own Élan Design House studio candle—a soft, layered fragrance we use throughout our projects and in our own studio. It’s a blend designed to feel elevated, calming, and beautifully understated—never overpowering, always intentional. Lighting it instantly elevates your environment and ties your home back to the sensibility of a thoughtfully curated space.
Whether you use our signature candle or another scent you love, incorporating fragrance into your home refresh brings a new dimension of luxury—one that guests notice immediately and that you get to enjoy every single day.
Invest in One Transformative Piece
Instead of redecorating an entire room, focus on one statement addition that redefines the space: a custom rug that anchors the living room, a sculptural pendant over the dining table, or a beautifully crafted chair that becomes a focal point.
These are the kinds of pieces that stop you mid-conversation—the ones that make your home feel new again, without starting from scratch.
A Fresh Start, Designed for You
A new year doesn’t require a new house—just a renewed perspective. Thoughtful design has a way of refreshing not just your environment, but your mindset. Whether you’re ready for subtle refinements or a full-room reimagining, we’re here to help you start the year beautifully—one intentional detail at a time.
