7 Small Comforts Designers Add to Their Homes When They’re Tired of Everything

Holiday decorating and entertaining can lead to burnout. But the new year always brings a fresh start.

“After the holidays, I’m always craving interiors that feel clean, serene, and quietly cozy,” says interior designer Darci Hether. “Nothing major, just thoughtful touches that instantly shift the mood of a home.”

We asked designers to name the small comforts that they reach for after the excess of the holidays to give their homes a lift—and we’re trying these ASAP.

Fresh-Cut Flowers

Hether swaps elaborate holiday greenery for fresh-cut flowers in a simple vase. Favorites include an arrangement of at least five white lily stems to brighten up the kitchen island, or a short, tight bunch of orange, hot pink, or white carnations in a low vase.

“There’s something incredibly grounding about bringing nature inside,” Hether notes. “A small arrangement adds life without visual noise, and the ritual of refreshing flowers feels like a gentle reset.”

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Crisp, Fresh Linens

Start the new year off with fresh bedding or bath towels, which are often on sale this month. 

“Fresh sheets or plush towels have an outsized impact,” Hether advises. “They elevate everyday routines and create that ‘hotel-at-home’ feeling that signals comfort, care, and calm.”

An Easy Houseplant

Bring life to your interior with a new houseplant in a chic, understated pot. Hether recommends low-maintenance philodendrons or fine leaf ferns, a recent favorite addition to her bathroom.

“Greenery is always good for the soul,” Hether suggests. “Even one well-placed plant softens a space, adds warmth, and brings a sense of vitality after a season of visual abundance.”

A New Throw Blanket or Mug

Small decor touches can have a big impact, Hether says.

“A beautifully textured throw invites you to slow down,” she says. “A signature scent immediately says ‘I’m home.’ And a new teacup or coffee mug becomes a small daily pleasure that quietly lifts your spirits every single morning.”

Hether notes that “some of the most impactful comforts don’t cost a thing,” such as washing windows, clearing countertops, and decluttering drawers.

Winter Greenery

Interior designer Valerie Darden likes to refresh her winter interiors with seasonal greenery.

“Around Christmas time, we have tons of decor, trees, and bustle all around us,” she says. “To suddenly remove all of the greenery is depressing. After the holiday rush, I embrace the chilly months by adding winter greenery such as pine or winter jasmine in chic vases.”

Candles

When it’s too cold to go outside, Darden enjoys curling up with a book or watching a movie.

To create a cozy atmosphere, “candles might be my favorite thing to add around my home,” she says, naming Diptyque Figuier (Fig Tree) as a go-to scent.

Spring-Scented Hand Soaps

Darden subliminally channels spring during winter months with fragrant hand soaps that smell of peony and gardenia. 

“These spring scents boost my mood,” she says, “and remind me that warmer months are ahead.”