Out With the Old

It’s an obvious place to begin, but you always have to start any reorganisation project with a nice big clear-out. Take all your spices out and line them up on your worktop; now it’s time to be ruthless! Are there any spices that have been sat at the back of your cupboard for years? Any seasonings you can’t stand the taste of? Now is the moment to say goodbye. 

Make sure to clean out the containers and repurpose or recycle them wherever possible. You don’t need to toss everything to have a clear-out; try to find a new life for everything in your home!

Check all the Dates

It’s easy to forget, but spices and herbs have expiry dates just like any other foods. Admittedly, they last for a long time, but if you have any spices that are years out of date, they will likely have lost a lot of their flavour and won’t taste as good in your recipes. Toss out any that look off-colour or smell bad to ensure that your spice cupboard contains only top-notch ingredients.

Match Everything Up

It may seem like an unnecessary expense, but if you can afford to splash out a little, matching jars are the perfect way to keep your spice cupboard organised and aesthetically pleasing! They don’t need to cost the world either – these simple glass jars from Amazon are only £14.

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle!

If you don’t want to spend money on brand new matching jars, consider repurposing old glass jars around your house. Products like baby food jars or sample-size jam jars are the perfect size for spices, and with just a quick scrub, they are ready to reuse. Just print out or make new labels so you know which of your spices is which!

Get Cleaning

While all your spices are out, make sure you take the opportunity to clean every inch of the cupboard or drawer you’re keeping them in. Herbs, spices and seasonings can go all over the place, so use hot water, a little washing-up liquid, and a hot cloth to wipe down the whole area. 

Organise Away

Now it’s time to put everything back. Take this time to think methodically about what spices you use most often, and make sure you keep those ones nearest the front. This way, when you reach for it, your favourite spices will be the easiest to access!

Expand your Storage

If you’re limited on space for your spices, get creative with how you store them! This magnetic spice jar set is only £10, and means you can keep all your labelled spices on your fridge or freezer door, ready to use whenever you need them. These are perfect if you’re struggling for cupboard space but love to keep a big spice collection!

Similarly, you can mount a spice rack on any free wall space you have in your kitchen to save vital cupboard and counter space. Your spice collection will be easy to access while also looking tidy and organised!

Tier your Cupboards

If you struggle to see all the spices you have in your cupboard, consider utilising tiered storage organisers. This one from Habitat is only £6, but it will allow you to see the labels on all your spices, so you’re not scrambling around searching for the spice you need for hours on end!

Keep your Drawers Organised

If you’re keeping your spices in a kitchen drawer, consider investing in a spiceliner to keep all your jars organised. The spiceliner is designed to keep your spice jars steady and stop them from rolling around everywhere. This one from Amazon can hold up to eight jars of various sizes – a worthy investment to keep your drawers tidy!

Keep up the Organisation!

It’s easy to reorganise your spice cupboard, but it’s tough to keep it tidy! Make sure you continually clean up any spills or messes that might happen while cooking, and always have a good supply of your best spices on hand in case you run out.

To save money, consider bulk-buying any spices you use in large quantities. It may seem inconvenient, but you’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run!

Clear-out Time

The best way to start any declutter is to being with a blank slate. This means clearing out all toiletries, towels, and cleaning products – get it all out! Bin any expired toiletries or towels that are past their best, or donate anything unopened and fresh to charity or your local food bank. 

Obviously, you don’t need to throw them away; just pop everything you want to keep in a pile to be organised later. This is also a good time to get all your household together to figure out what toiletries are communal or what belongs to who, so that when it comes time to sort everything, you’ll know the best place to keep specific products!

Wipe Away the Grime

Bathrooms can be magnets for bacteria in your home, so it’s important to give everything a good scrub before reorganising. Wipe down all your shelves and cupboards with a dilute bleach solution to ensure all germs are gone, so you can put all your products back into clean spaces.

Tame your Towels

A towel cupboard can become calamitous if not sorted regularly. It’s not as simple as just chucking clean towels into a cupboard; you’ll find it so much easier and tidier if you have a system. Try to keep large towels together, then group together hand towels and face towels separately. If you find piles of towels becoming messy, try the rolling method; keeping towels rolled up and stacked is aesthetically pleasing while also keeping everything organised.

Everyone gets a Zone

If you have a lot of people using one bathroom, it can become messy so quickly. For this reason, it’s smart to allocate zones to each individual in the bathroom to avoid ending up with a massive pile of toiletries with no owner. Obviously, products like toothpaste or hand soap can be in communal areas, like by the sink. But for individual items like face washes, bath bombs, or medicines, allocated zones can be so useful.

Even if you are limited on room, you can divide up the existing space efficiently. Using labels is an easy and discreet way to divide up the cupboards in your bathroom. Splitting up the space like this can also reduce the amount of cleaning you need to do – each person has to keep their own space tidy, meaning you don’t need to worry about it!

Decant, Decant, Decant!

If you hate the cluttered look of shampoo and body wash bottles all over the place, opt for a set of labeled dispensers to bring some coordination to your bathroom. These can be filled with any product you prefer, and they create a sense of organisation with minimal effort! Refill as needed and enjoy the satisfaction of owning so many matching bathroom accessories.

Utilise all your Space

Even in small bathrooms, there are ways to increase your storage space. Adding extra hooks for towels, investing in a hanging organiser, gluing magnetic strips to the inside of your cupboards to hold hairpins – there’s always a way to get more out of your bathroom! Check out this article for more inventive ideas on how to increase the storage space in your bathroom. 

Organise your Supplies

A bathroom needs lots of cleaning products, and it’s a good idea to designate a specific space in your cupboards for bleach, disinfectant, or cloths. If you have young kids, make sure these products are kept out of reach and away from any other toiletries to avoid dangerous mix-ups.

Also, bear in mind that you don’t need to make snacks from scratch every single day! Your time is likely scarce enough without dedicating thirty minutes to carving out fruit or spreading peanut butter on cucumbers. Don’t hesitate to crack out the Babybels or crisp packets on your busiest days when you don’t have any spare time. Just see these snacks as inspiration for whenever you have a spare minute to try out new recipes and want to broaden your children’s diets.

Oatmeal and Peanut Butter Balls

These are a delicious and protein-filled way to keep your kids energised, plus they only contain five ingredients! Pop these in a sandwich bag and bring them with you on the school run to keep the kids busy on the way to school, or pop them in their lunch boxes for a dessert-y treat.

Banana Bread Muffins

Okay, muffins don’t seem like the healthiest snack you could find, but these ones are way healthier than the sugary supermarket options, plus they contain lots of fibre thanks to the bananas. Kids won’t know the difference either, so you can sneak them a healthier alternative without them even realising!

Frozen Yoghurt

Homemade frozen yoghurt is the best healthy snack for a hot day, and you can whip it up so easily in your own kitchen. It’s healthier than store-bought ice cream or sugary popsicles, plus you can customise it to your family’s favourite fruits – try new flavours and see what is most popular!

Veggie Wraps

Getting your kids to eat raw vegetables may sound like an impossible task, but these healthy wraps are so tasty that even veggie-hating little ones can enjoy them. Their colourful appearance will be popular with younger kids, and you can add in any vegetables that you know your kids will like. Offer a tasty dip like hummus or garlic sauce to make it more appealing to any hesitant eaters in your house.

Apple Sandwiches

These are a fun novelty for little fingers to get involved with making and enjoying. Once you’ve cored the apples and laid them out, give your kids the option of what to spread on top – whether it’s raisins, chocolate chips or coconut, let them make it their own so they can explore and try new things!

Fruit Skewers

This is another way to let kids get involved and customise their own snacks. Once the fruit is all cut up and the skewers are laid out, you can let everyone make their own rainbow skewers with the ingredients they like most.

Cucumber Rolls

These cucumber rolls are fun to look at and even more fun to eat! The bright colours make these a great afternoon snack for a summer’s day or a picnic, plus they’re full of healthy veggies. They require no cooking, so they’re super quick to whip up and require just a few cheap raw ingredients to make.

Fruit and Nutella Rice Cakes

Okay, Nutella might not be the healthiest ingredient in the world, but when paired with some healthy fruit and fibrous rice cakes, you can have a fun and well-balanced dessert. Using all the different ingredients, your kids can decorate their own rice cakes with fun faces or designs to add some fun to mealtimes.

Raspberry and Yoghurt Bites

These raspberry and yoghurt bites are a tasty snack for all ages! They require virtually no cooking or prep, just wash your raspberries and fill them up with whatever yoghurt you love. For a fun mix, put chocolate chips in a few of them to add some extra sweetness.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Peanut butter and jelly might be an American classic, but kids everywhere love this sweet and savoury combo. This snack requires some effort, but it’s great if you get a spare afternoon to enjoy some baking. These would be a deliciously sweet addition to any lunchbox – just make sure you make enough for the whole family to enjoy!

Pizza Puff Snacks

This is a more filling snack that could definitely pass as a tasty lunch for the kids. It may seem ambitious, but if you buy you’re puff pastry from the supermarket, it can be really quick to make. Let your kids pick their favourite pizza toppings to go in them and they’re sure to be a hit.

Fresh Fruit Popsicles

This is another great recipe idea for a hot summer’s day. You may have to invest in popsicle moulds, but it’s worth it if you make these over and over again this summer for the whole family. Experiment with different flavours and see what you love!

Cheese Twists

These are a popular snack for the whole family! Simple and quick to whip up, these cheese twists are the perfect accompaniment for a family movie night. Add a tasty sauce on the side for some added flavour, just enjoy them as they are.

Coconut and Banana Bites

These are the perfect snack for an after-dinner treat on a weeknight. The sweetness of the dates combined with the healthy oats and bananas will make this a success with kids and parents, plus they’re so quick to make.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

If your kids are craving crisps or salty snacks, try out roasted pumpkin seeds as a healthy alternative. These are sure to run out quickly if a bowl is left out on the kitchen table. They can be seasoned according to your preferences, and they can be enjoyed by the whole family!

Why is a Clean Fridge Important?

Keeping your fridge clean may be a chore that falls to the bottom of your to-do list every week, but it is actually really important. Every time you touch the foods in your fridge or unpack your shopping, new cultures and bacteria are introduced into your fridge, so there are loads of opportunities for germs to enter. 

 A survey carried out by Which found that seven out of ten fridges contain harmful bacteria. Harmful bacteria like Listeria, which can cause serious illness, can thrive in unclean fridges and freezers, so keeping your fridge clean is really important for your and your family’s wellbeing.

Get the Timing Right

To ensure you don’t have to leave loads of perishable foods out on your worktop while you work, make sure you clean your fridge just before a big food shop. This way, your fridge will be at its emptiest and you can do a deep clean with relative ease.

Remove Everything

Obviously, to clean your fridge really well, you need to clear out all its contents (Yes, that includes all those sauce bottles in the door!). For anything perishable, particularly dairy or meat products, it’s good to have some cold bags to hand so you can keep them at safe temperatures while you clean.

Take out all Shelves and Drawers

Since this is a deep clean, a swipe of an antibacterial wipe is not going to cut it! You want to ensure that all the cracks and crevices of your fridge get cleaned thoroughly. Make sure you remove all the shelves and drawers that you can and leave them to soak in hot soapy water while you work on the rest of the fridge or reorganise your food.

Keep it Food-Friendly

If you are worried about using strong chemicals near your food items, don’t worry – it’s still possible to banish germs from your fridge with natural cleaning solutions. A simple one-part vinegar to three-part water solution will disinfect surfaces while also getting rid of any mould or mildew that is hanging around the recesses of your fridge.

If you don’t have any vinegar to hand, good old-fashioned hot soapy water will do the trick too. It’s food-safe, germ-killing, and should get rid of any greasy residue in your fridge. Whatever you use, just ensure you get into every corner. For particularly tricky cracks, cotton buds or old toothbrushes can be really useful!

Get Sorting

After all this cleaning, it’s time to focus on what is going back in the fridge. Take this time to really thoroughly check all your food items and their expiry dates. Give everything a smell, make sure it’s all safe to eat, then organise it into categories. It doesn’t need to be too complicated – just group things together, like raw meats, dairy, sauces, etc.

Protect your Fridge

To avoid having to clean up any future messy spills or leaks, it’s a great idea to line your drawers or shelves with liners that are cheap and easy to get from Amazon. If you don’t want to splash out on these, a similar effect can be achieved with old newspaper or carefully placed clingfilm, although these might not last as long as the liners.

Chill Out

When your shelves and drawers are all thoroughly cleaned and put back in place, close your fridge and allow it to get cold again. It is tempting to whack all your food back in once it’s clean, but it isn’t safe to put your food back into a warm fridge! Keep your perishable goods in cold bags while your fridge reaches its correct temperature, which can take several hours.

Top Tip: the recommended temperature for a fridge is between 3 and 5 degrees celsius.

Do your Research

Before you chuck everything back into the fridge, make sure you know your food hygiene rules. It’s recommended that uncooked meats and fish go on the lowest possible shelf, to ensure any liquids do not drip onto ready-to-eat food and contaminate it. 

Similarly, it’s recommended that you keep dairy and cooked meats near the top of the fridge. Any fruits and vegetables should be in the fridge drawers to keep them fresh; if you’re keen to keep your fridge extra-clean, give your fruit and veg a rinse when you get back from the shops. This way, it’s already clean when you come to use it, and it’s keeping your fridge clean too.

Deodorise

To keep your fridge smelling fresh long after you have given it a thorough clean, you can leave a small cup of bicarbonate of soda on a shelf to absorb any bad odours. This can work as a deodoriser for up to three months, so just make sure you replace it once it has done its job!

Teach Everyone about Food Hygiene

It’s all well and good if you know how to organise your fridge, but make sure everyone else in your family knows how to as well! A handy refrigerator rules poster stuck to the fridge door will remind everyone of where everything goes, plus it’s great to get your kids practicing good food hygiene from a young age!

Start at the Source

It may seem obvious, but keeping your pet clean is a really easy way to ensure your house stays clean too. After any long dog walks, for example, make sure you rinse off as much mud as possible before letting your pet on the furniture or carpet. To make this easier, it’s a good idea to have a spare towel on hand in the car or the porch to tidy up any muddy paws whenever necessary.

Similarly, if you have a pet who moults, ensure you’re brushing or washing them regularly. It’s far more efficient to get as much pet hair in a brush or down the plughole as possible. Make sure you’re taking your pet to be groomed regularly in Spring and Autumn; these are heavy moulting times for dogs as their coats prepare for new seasons and shed excessively. 

Find your Pet’s Favourite Spot

Does your cat love to lay in that one patch of sunlight? Does your dog like to lay across the sofa for a snooze? If your pet has a spot on your furniture or carpet that it especially loves, it might be a good idea to add a blanket to that area. This way, you can chuck a single blanket into the washing machine and have it smelling fresh again, rather than needing to deep clean that single spot when its stubborn smells won’t shift!

Do Routine Washes

Your pet’s bedding, blankets and toys can absorb so many odours over time. At least once a month, make sure you wash all your pet’s bedding as thoroughly as possible. Check whether the blankets and bedding can be thrown in the washing machine, then leave them outdoors on a dry day to leave them smelling as fresh as possible.

When it comes to toys, it’s really important to disinfect them every few days to ensure your pet stays healthy and your house stays clean. This may seem excessive, but bacteria can build up on your pet’s toys within just a few hours! 

If you have fabric soft toys, throw them in the washing machine with any other blankets and towels on a high heat to give them a thorough clean. If your pet has plastic or rubber toys, check the labels to see if they are safe to put in the dishwasher. The high temperatures of the dishwasher will sanitise the toys completely. If you’re unsure about that, you can always soak the toys in a solution that is equal parts distilled white vinegar and water for half an hour. It’s a great disinfectant and your pet’s toys will be super clean!

Clean your Fabrics

Your sofas, carpets and rugs can start to hold onto some really bad smells over time, and it can happen without you even realising it! It can be time-consuming and expensive to deep clean your furniture or carpet, so it’s a good idea to have a handy homemade disinfectant spray handy to keep odours at bay. You can mix together ¾ parts of vodka and ¼ water along with a few drops of your favourite essential oils in a spray bottle. Spritz this disinfectant on your furniture every week to keep it clean and smelling fresh.

Invest in a Quality Hoover

To ensure your house doesn’t become filled with pet hair, it’s a good idea to spend a few extra pounds on a hoover that can handle it. Although your Henry the Hoover might seem to do the job, It can be missing small amounts of dirt and dust that produce bad odours in your home. You don’t need to necessarily spend a fortune – there are cheaper options that specialise in stubborn pet hair, like the £120 Telios Extra.

Air out the House

Now that we’re coming into Spring, it’s the perfect time to air out the whole house and let out all the bad odours in your house. On a warm, dry day, open as many windows as possible to let air circulate through the house. When paired with freshly washed bedding and plenty of disinfectant spray, your house will be smelling fresh and clean!

Paper Shamrocks

Starting off with an easy one, all this craft only takes some green paper! Follow the tutorial and pop them in a cute jar or pot, or for a bolder look, thread them with some string and make a cute banner to hang across a fireplace or doorway. 

Get the tutorial here.

DIY Shamrock Balloons

For a party vibe, you always need balloons! Opt for this super easy DIY challenge to ensure you have the most glamorous decorations for any celebration you’re having today or at the weekend. With just some tiny felt shamrocks and glitter, you can transform regular balloons into party-ready accessories!

Find the tutorial here.

Paper Plate Rainbows

This one is perfect for little fingers. Just provide the paper plates and some easy crafting materials, and your kids will be making their own rainbows in no time. Join in and make a little competition of it – whoever makes the best paper rainbow wins some lucky chocolate coins!

Find the tutorial here.

Irish Flag Mason Jars

Mason jars are the ideal base for so many DIY projects. This one needs just a little tape and paint, and you’ll be left with the perfect rustic decorations for any themed party or dinner! They’re adorable when filled with chocolate coins for a sweet treat, or with some white, green and orange flowers for a stunning table centre. Try it out and see what you think!

Find the tutorial here. 

Shamrock Wands

Have any fairy or princess obsessed little ones in your house? They’ll love these adorable DIY shamrock wands! With just a few simple crafting materials, you’ll have some super fun wands that are just as magical as the little ones you give them to!

Find the tutorial here.

Shamrock Brooch

This DIY might take a little more effort than the others, but it is such a gorgeous addition to any outfit. Using felt and some simple sewing techniques, you can make this gorgeous brooch. Make them for yourself or as fun gifts for the whole family!

Find the tutorial here.

Irish Dinner Recipes

A great way to celebrate Irish culture this year is to try out some delicious Irish dinners. With so many to choose from, you’re sure to find one that suits your family’s likes and dislikes. These hearty meals are the perfect way to celebrate St Patrick’s day this year!

Find some recipes here.

Shamrock Cupcakes

If trying out some authentic Irish recipes sounds a bit too daunting, you can always go for simple but delicious cupcakes! These make the perfect sweet treat for St Patrick’s day, and your little ones will love having the opportunity to help out in the kitchen.

Find the recipe here.

Shamrock Slime

Are your kids crazy for the slime trend going on at the moment? If so, this is the perfect craft to get them engaged and excited for St Patrick’s day! Jazz it up with glitter, beads and any other Irish-themed additions you can think of – this DIY is sure to be a hit!

Find the tutorial here.

Shamrock Colouring Sheets

If you’re looking for a more low-maintenance craft this year, don’t worry – we understand that a whole evening of glitter, paint and glue isn’t for everyone! Go for these chilled-out printable colouring sheets to keep the kids entertained this St Patrick’s Day, and enjoy a night of relaxed fun.

Find the colouring sheets here.

Family Photos

Traditionally, family photos were something meant only for private rooms such as bedrooms; in reception rooms, artwork was purely aesthetic, and sentimental photos of loved ones were seen as too personal to display for guests. However, things have changed a lot over the past fifty or sixty years, and the rules of interior design have changed too. Nowadays, a lovely way to bring some personality to a home is to put up photos of the most important people to you! You don’t need to splash out on an expensive studio photoshoot; simply head over to Photobox for great deals on canvases and framed photos which are sure to brighten up your home for under £100. 

If you want something more understated, opt for some framed photos dotted around on coffee tables and cabinets; these are subtle but will add a touch of character to the surfaces of your home.

Shop for Houseplants

A simple way to spruce up any space and inject some colour into your home is to invest in some gorgeous houseplants. As well as looking gorgeous, they’re really good at purifying the air in your home and keeping your environment clean, so you’ll feel better too! 

Worried about being a houseplant murderer? Start off with some really easy ‘unkillables’, like a snake plant or aspidistra, which will spruce up your place without demanding constant care. Pop any plants on a bare-looking windowsill or shelf for some instant life in your home!

Rugs and Mats

Rugs are such a versatile and useful piece of furniture, but they’re so often neglected. If you’re struggling to create warmth in a living room, tucking a large rug under your coffee table and sofa is a wonderful way to add some cosiness. Plus on hardwood floors, a rug is so comfortable and warm. 

If you have opted for super bold interior design choices, a mellow rug in neutral tones (like this one from Dunelm) would be the best choice. On the other hand, if your room is lacking colour or seems drab, a bright rug (like this one from Wayfair) adds so much zest to any room.

Add ‘Tiles’

If you’re renting, chances are you have experienced being charged a ridiculous fine for leaving one blu-tack stain on a bedroom wall, and you don’t want to go through it again. But if your rental property is super-dull, stick-on tiles are a great way to add colour and pattern to your home and, even better, when the time comes to move out, simply take them down and it’ll be like you never changed a thing! It works really well for a dull fireplace, a kitchen splashback, or even a bathroom floor.

Make sure to read the instructions really carefully before you apply, and opt for easy-removal tiles like these ones from Amazon. This way, when it comes to moving out, you’ll be able to easily remove the tiles without damaging the wall or floor underneath.

Hang Art on your Walls

A simple but effective way to jazz up your rental is to hang up some of your favourite pieces of art. If you have no idea where to start, do some research! Have a look on Pinterest boards, Instagram, the Architectural Digest website – wherever you can think of. Get an idea of what you like – maybe you’re a bold and bright type of person, or perhaps more neutral and chilled-out. What is most important is that the art on your walls brings you joy when you look at it. It will undoubtedly be an improvement on the bare walls you might currently have, and you will love admiring your own choices every day when you pass them.

Stock up on Command Hooks

After purchasing all your lovely art pieces, think carefully about how you choose to hang them up. Nails are an obvious no-go, and blu-tack might seem safe, but it can actually leave residue on the walls that your landlord could charge you for. Command hooks and strips are an amazing option when it comes to hanging your photos or art; they’re super strong, and they leave no damage or staining on your walls when you’re ready to take them down. They may seem pricier than a packet of blu-tack, but trust us, in the long run, you will be glad you shelled out an extra £3 to get these!

Add Pops of Colour

Often, when you rent out a property, you’ll likely find it quite grey or plain, simply so it’s easy for anyone to move in and not be offended by garish colour schemes or decor. While this might make sense from a landlord’s perspective, it’s not much fun for you as a tenant. So, to add some character to your place, don’t be afraid to add splashes of colour wherever you can. Whether you’re able to splash out on a bold sofa, or just a few cushions and brightly-coloured placemats – it will make a huge difference to your place.

Dot Around some Lighting

Often, a landlord is unlikely to dish out money for soft furnishings and lamps; they’re unnecessary, and just something else for a tenant to break. But this attitude can leave rental properties feeling stark and unwelcoming due to one swinging lightbulb in a room amidst no other sources of light. To soften your place and make it more inviting, add some gentle lighting, like some lamps or fairy lights. You wouldn’t believe what a difference it can make to a space, and you’ll feel so much cosier with a gentler lighting arrangement.

Clear Some Stuff Out!

Okay, don’t actually chuck things away, but if your landlord has opted for some interior design choices that you really can’t stand, there’s nothing wrong with popping them in a cupboard or under the bed until it’s time to move out again. Canvases featuring stock photos of New York or unattractive ornaments can really detract from the space and make you feel like a guest in your own home, so don’t be too shy to hide the questionable decor choices and replace them with your faves! It’s completely within your right to do this, as long as you keep a hold of these decor pieces and put them back as they were when you move out. 

If it’s bigger pieces that you can’t stand, like a sofa, never fear. Pick up a cheap and cheerful throw rug to drape across it and brighten up your place – you’ll feel like it’s a completely new piece of furniture!

Separate your Spaces

If you live in a very open-plan space, it can sometimes feel too empty and spacious. To make your individual rooms cosier, the use of screens or curtains to divide up space is the ideal solution. Even if you only have one large kitchen and living room space, segment off an area for work, or section off your dining space just for entertaining. Screens are a convenient way of creating these intimate spaces without doing any big renovations, allowing you to make a home your own on a budget.

Rearrange the Room

This first tip requires no new purchases or massive overhauls – all you need to do to make a room feel completely new is have a go at repositioning the existing furniture. It’s such a quick and simple way to reinvigorate a room, and all it takes is a bit of legwork. Rope in the family to get involved with sharing ideas, switching things around and looking at the room with a new perspective. 

If you’re struggling to envision a new layout for the rooms in your house, it’s worth doing some research into the ancient eastern practice of Feng Shui. Following all the principles of Feng Shui might be a little difficult, but adopting some of the ideas can really help to create flow and balance in your house. Check out some top tips here to bring your home some serenity. 

Add a Lick of Paint

The best way to reinvent a room is to add a new splash of colour on the walls. Yes, repainting a room can be a huge amount of effort, but we’ve got some ways for you to bring a bit of colour to your home with minimal effort. Rather than investing loads of time and money into repainting the entire room, select a feature wall or chimney breast to paint with an accent colour, while leaving the rest of the room as it is. Repainting a small section of a room can be done in one weekend if you work speedily – just make sure to cover all your furniture to ensure a clean job. 

Get Artsy

A really fun way to personalise your home is with some wall art. It might seem like an expensive option, but you can actually get artwork online for great prices, so you can bring some life into your room at a minimal cost. Fy.com is a great place to start; there are tons of different canvas prints to choose from, most of which cost less than £50. Whether you’re going for something cool and trendy, or more fun and humorous, there will definitely be something for your home.

Bring in Accent Colours

If you feel that your room is looking flat or plain, you might not be using a diverse colour palette in your interior design. Although it’s often good to keep rooms neutral so they can be easily adaptable, sometimes it leaves the room feeling lifeless.

If this is the case, it might be worth it to invest in some bold accent pieces to bring some colour to your home – think of rich jewel tones, like emerald green or vivid orange. These pieces do not need to be expensive; a few throw pillows, a fun art print, or a bold table lamp can liven up corners of your room and freshen them up, leaving your room looking as good as new! John Lewis’ Anyday range offers some great examples of bold but simple pieces that will brighten any room.

Improve your Storage Solutions

For loads of homes, clutter is the biggest eyesore. Whether it’s kids’ toys, TV remotes, or shoes scattered across the floor, it’s super frustrating to constantly be picking up after everyone. Perhaps you have loads of blankets or pillows that end up chucked everywhere; a wicker hamper slotted under a coffee table is a sleek and subtle way to store these winter layers without even thinking about it. To remedy this, there are so many different storage solutions available, and they can look super cute in your living spaces. H&M Home have an entire section dedicated to storage, and so much of it is super stylish and cheap.

Fill it with Photos

If you feel that your home is lacking a personal touch, an easy remedy is adding your favourite family snaps from over the years to areas where they can be admired. It doesn’t need to cost a ton for you to get family photos printed; Photobox offers photo canvases for as little as £10 each with seasonal discounts, so you can spruce up your house by displaying your favourite family memories everywhere!

Toasting to the New Year

One of the most important elements of a New Year’s Eve party is the drinks. While it’s super chic to whip up a complex signature cocktail with different spirits, liqueurs, and syrups, you have to bear in mind that you’ll need to be making them all night, so a complicated drinks recipe will leave you slaving away in the kitchen for a long time! Instead, perhaps opt for something a little more simple and effective. A gorgeous bellini can be made by combining small amounts of pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, and a large pour of prosecco. These are ready in seconds and look gorgeous when being served up to your guests.

As well as some impressive cocktails, make sure you have beers and wines available for people who aren’t prosecco fans. Plus, ensure some fun mocktails or alcohol-free beers for any designated drivers! A great host always anticipates the needs of all their guests, including any non-drinkers.

Keep your Guests Fed

Although you might not be hosting a full dinner party, people will still get hungry as the hours tick by in the run-up to midnight. An easy way to keep people full with relatively little effort is just to dot around some bowls with crisps, olives, and nibbly snacks. If you want to impress a little more, have a go at some canapes and hors d’oeuvres for your guests. Check out this huge list of recipes and find something that takes your fancy for New Year’s Eve.

Game the Night Away

It might seem like New Year’s Eve is full of fun and festivities, but it’s always good to have some games or mingling events ready just in case you hit a lull before midnight. A classic game of Pictionary, Guess Who, or Charades is a great way to pass the time and have loads of fun. If you’re stuck for anything more exciting, ask your guests to bring along their favorite party games – you’ll have the fun of playing something new, and you can get to know your guests better through something they enjoy.

If you’re up for more of a challenge, organise a big New Year’s Eve quiz for all your party guests! Include loads of fun topical categories relating to 2021 like politics, music, pop culture, and science. Get your guests into teams and encourage some friendly competition by offering a bottle of prosecco to the team who wins – the hours will fly by and it will be midnight before you know it!

Curate a 2021 Playlist

Thanks to loads of different streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, you can build your own playlist for your New Year’s Eve gathering. Perhaps you’d love to jam all night to iconic party tunes all night, or maybe you prefer a round-up of all the best tunes of 2021 – either way, you can create an individual blend of tracks just for your party! Get guests involved and let them add or queue their favourite tracks (on Spotify, you can even make a collaborative playlist with all your friends!).

If this seems like too much hassle, you can browse loads of playlists for New Year’s Eve made by other users. Check out these great choices from Spotify. Link your phone up to a portable speaker and ensure you have a good few hours worth of music to last you through the night – it’s so easy and you can be dancing all night to your favourite tracks!

Splash out on your own Fireworks

Sadly, the London New Year’s Eve fireworks have been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the pandemic. If you have the budget and the know-how, why not treat your party to some special New Year’s Eve fireworks to ring in 2022? They might not be as huge and impressive as the fireworks at the London Eye, but you can still enjoy them together in your own home. Make sure you’re staying safe and following all the required guidelines when setting off your fireworks, and stay conscientious of your community by avoiding setting them off late at night.

If fireworks seem a little excessive, treat your guests to some sparklers to celebrate the end of 2021! They’re smaller, safer, and easier to do than large fireworks, but you can still capture some child-like joy with the simple fun of some small sparks. It’ll be such a fun way to celebrate new year’s eve at home!

A Festive Film Night

For an easy, no-frills way to pass an evening, stick on a movie and curl up together on the sofa! Make sure to consider what audience you’re dealing with – a kid’s movie will be fun for the young ones in the room, but you don’t want all the parents falling asleep when they have to watch Frozen for the 200th time. Choose a film that’s fun for all the family – Christmas classics like ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas’, ‘The Muppet’s Christmas Carol’, or ‘Home Alone’ are loved by audiences of all ages, so you can keep the whole family entertained all night!

Get Crafty

If you’re up for something a bit more interactive, consider an evening of crafts to keep you busy. Whether it’s something simple like paper snowflakes or far more ambitious projects like wreath-making, you can get the whole family together and enjoy getting creative together. Make some food, set up your crafts, and have some fun! Just be sure to be safe if there are small children involved – crafts that include sharp scissors or glue guns can be a recipe for disaster when little ones are around!

Ready, Steady, Bake!

A super fun and easy way to get everyone together is with some fun baking! You don’t need to attempt anything insanely difficult; just some simple fairy cakes or biscuits are a lovely treat that everyone can enjoy making and eating. To add some festive cheer, pick up some cheap Christmas cookie cutters and host a competition to find out who can ice the most impressive festive biscuit. Even the grown-ups will be able to get into the spirit and play along all night!

Play the Night Away

Board games are a staple of Christmas nights with the family, but if you’re sick of fighting with everyone over endless hours of Monopoly, maybe it’s time to try out some new games. Articulate, Code Names, and Cluedo are all great options for a games night that the whole family can enjoy without chaos or arguments ensuing! If you don’t want to shell out loads of cash on new board games, why not try some old-fashioned party games like Charades or Who Am I – these are sure to keep you entertained for hours without costing you a ton of money.

Cocktail Night

If committing to a whole night of baking sounds like a lot of mess, why not opt for a simpler drinks night? Find some simple cocktail recipes online and, if you want to get the kids involved, browse a few mocktail recipes here for them to make themselves. The kids will love feeling like they’re included in the fun, and you get to enjoy some cocktails with the family too! If you want to add even more fun to the evening, add a theme – pyjama party, 1920s, Christmas jumpers – the list is endless! Dress up for the night and test out some new drinks recipes to use on New Year’s Eve!