PHILADEPHIA - As what seems to have been the longest year in history is finally coming to a close, 2021 is just around the corner and many folks are feeling inspired to make resolutions that will bring changes to their immediate surroundings given how much time we’ve had to spend at home lately due to the pandemic.

 

Consider this: the pandemic made 60% of respondents realize their homes were disorganized, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners by online interior design company Modsy. Additionally, 77% were so stressed by their home surroundings that they undertook DIY home or room redesign projects during the quarantine.

Alessandra Wood, VP of Style at Modsy, says: “Approximately 80% of people give up on their New Year’s Resolution by February. Why? Because change is really, really hard. Once the glitter is swept up and the optimism of a new year has faded, it’s easy to slip back into old, unhealthy habits. This is because habits can be incredibly hard to break, especially when you live in an environment that reinforces them. So what’s the best way to make a resolution stick? Research tells us that it might be as simple as making a few changes to your home.”

Modsy has six tips to help people spruce up their home interiors and set themselves up for successful New Year's resolutions come January:

  1. Truly assess your place, your wants, and needs. Answering basic questions like whether or not a place is public or private if you spend a lot of time there, and you need it for work can set you up for success by determining your need for specific furniture and budget. 
  2. A fresh new face (or coat of paint). A fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. It’s definitely a simple design upgrade that makes a huge difference. 
  3. Cut down on clutter. Call it early spring cleaning, but simplifying and decluttering your living area can also open up more mental space to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Also helpful for those who plan to take up meditating in 2021. 
  4. If you have to look at it every day, think of investing in some nice art. Save some of your favorite art pieces for your bedroom—helping to make this space more personal and inspiring
  5. Use multipurpose furniture. While the end of 2020 (and all the clutter it dragged with it) seems to be in sight, our designers now more than ever appreciate the need to adopt versatile pieces such as storage furniture or murphy beds. We might want to be prepared for when our furniture needs to pull double duty again. 
  6. Utilize storage. Rethink where you have storage pieces in your home, and move them around to areas that have the biggest needs. Entryways are an often overlooked but high-trafficked area that is desperate for more storage. Move a storage piece, such as a credenza or extra dresser, into your entryway to capture clutter, hide bags, and shoes, and allow for the ultimate organized drop zone.

Modsy also recently released its 2021 Style Trend Report which is chock-full of emerging interior design trends and style predictions for the new year for anyone who might need a little help refreshing their space this January.

“New users and visitors to our site are also utilizing our tips and guides to help maximize their home space. If you're looking to start 2021 on the right foot, the best place to start is with your home,” says Wood.