9 ways to give your kitchen a reset after the New Year, according to designers

A kitchen is at the center of the holiday celebrations. From cooking Christmas dinner to serving as a home bar as you host guests, few rooms work harder during the festivities.

If this feels familiar, you're probably looking for ways to give your kitchen ideas a reset for the new year. Whether you want to reclaim the space as your own or it still feels in slight disarray, there are plenty of ways to refresh your scheme.

And who better to speak to than the experts? We've asked designers for their top tips on giving a kitchen a reset for the beginning of the new year – and they've covered everything from decluttering to restyling your decor.

9 ways to give your kitchen a reset after the new year

From big decorating projects to small changes, these designer-approved switches and changes will instantly update your kitchen – and give it a much-needed reset for the year ahead.

1. Reset your kitchen organization

Nothing makes a space feel more refreshed than a functional organization that looks aesthetic. Even hidden storage can benefit from a rejig, especially after the New Year celebrations.

'Opt for bespoke inserts for organizing utensils, spices, and knives or deeper solutions for bulky pots, pans, and trays. This keeps everything within easy reach and organized,' says kitchen designer Tom Howley.

'In addition to offering a comfortable place to gather and eat, bench seating can relieve storage pressures in the kitchen. Integrated drawers or pull-out baskets can provide space for infrequently used kitchenware, toys, gadgets, and seasonal items,' he adds.

It's also worth extending your organized approach into your pantry – especially if it's visible from your kitchen. 'Choose clear containers of various sizes for storing dry goods like pasta, rice, and cereals. This keeps pantry items fresh and organized and allows easy identification and inventory control.'

2. Add soft furnishings

This year's kitchen trends are really embracing home comforts, so introducing soft furnishings and textures is a great way to not only reset your space but give your kitchen a more lived-in appeal.

There are plenty of ways to bring textiles into the kitchen. A breakfast nook with banquette seating is a bold approach, white upholstery on bar stools, rugs, and tea towels around the room is a more accessible approach.

For a more traditional, living kitchen design, you can also consider cafe curtains on the windows or even replacing a lower cabinet door for curtains. Consider which approach best suites your kitchen style and the way you use your space.

3. Introduce stylish storage for new kitchenware

As well as giving your hidden storage a spruce up, consider adding shelves, rails, and hooks to keep your more aesthetic kitchenware in a way that doubles up as decor.

'Evaluate your kitchen layout and identify underutilized areas such as cabinets, drawers, and awkward corners. Remember to maximize vertical space – adding shelves, cabinets, or hanging racks that use the walls and upper areas can create significant extra storage without sacrificing precious floor space,' says Tom.

In this kitchen, a long shelf above the countertops offers additional space to store kitchenware like cutting boards while also creating an inobtrusive place to add decor that's purely aesthetic. Perfect for giving your kitchen a reset without making any major changes.

4. Re-style your kitchen countertops

While there are some things to never put on your kitchen countertops, functional decor isn't one of them. And it's the perfect place to center your focus if you're trying to reset your kitchen for the start of 2025.

'Remove everything from the countertops, and only put back what’s necessary. If you need your coffee pot on the counter, create a dedicated coffee station,' says Sallie Lord, founder of GreyHunt Interiors.

It's also important to elevate anything that does need to live on your kitchen countertops. 'If you keep a fruit bowl, make it a statement piece filled with fresh fruit, and clear away anything else to achieve a clean, purposeful, and polished look.'

5. Introduce serene decor

Infusing nature into your space is a great way to reset your kitchen – it promotes wellness and offers a sense of serenity. And there are plenty of ways to introduce natural decor into your scheme.

'Consider incorporating touches such as potted herbs, artwork that puts a smile on your face, or a calming diffuser with soothing essential oils like lavender or chamomile,' says Tom.

'Enhancing natural light can also boost your mood by increasing serotonin levels, promoting positive wellbeing. Choose light-reflecting materials and airy, natural colors while ensuring that nothing obstructs the flow of light from windows and doors.'

6. Swap out your kitchen hardware

If you prefer to stick to a more minimal kitchen scheme – especially if you're working with a small kitchen or an open plan space – look to the functional aspects of your design that can be easily elevated.

Consider changing the hardware,' suggests Sallie, adding that 'backplate hardware can cover existing holes if you want to switch to a larger size.'

If you have kitchen cabinet hardware that blends into the doors, consider swapping it for something with more contrast. It could also be a good opportunity to experiment with mixed metals – a huge trend for 2025.

7. Update your lighting fixtures

A kitchen design element that is often underestimated, lighting can make a huge difference to your space – and it's the perfect feature to switch up if you want to give your scheme a reset.

An obvious place to tart would be your main lights – this could be flush mounts or kitchen pendant lights depending on your space. Simply switching out these fixtures for something more statement can have a huge impact of the look and feel of your scheme.

However, if you want to take it one step further, consider introducing other light sources. Under cabinet lighting can help with functionality as well as visual appeal. Or, introduce a table lamp to a dark corner for a more ambient glow.

8. Transform your scheme with a wall covering

No one can deny the power of a fresh lick of paint or an eye-catching wallcovering. And if you don't want to change your cabinetry, the walls are the perfect place to give a refresh.

'If you're really craving some drama and accessories aren't quite getting you there, I believe paint or wallcovering can transform any space,' says interior designer Laura Fox of Laura Fox Interior Design.

Kitchen wallpaper has soared in popularity, and for good reason. It adds color, pattern, and abundant personality to the space. It can also help create zones in an open plan kitchen – add wallpaper to a dining nook for a more cozy, intimate feel.

9. Decorate with seasonal fruit and flowers

One of the easiest ways to reset your kitchen decor is to swap out seasonal pieces. For example, in the spaces you decorated for the holidays, try replacing those pieces with Winter-appropriate ones, especially fruit and florals.

'If you already have a bold kitchen color, fresh fruit and flowers can make all the difference in the world,' suggests Laura. A vase filled with fresh flowers instantly gives the feel of a total reset.

For something more curated, design a charming vignette in an empty corner or on your island and style your flowers, a fruit bowl, and your favorite recipe books for an elevated look.

There are so many ways to give your kitchen a reset after the new year – whether you prefer small adjustments like decor and hardware or you're looking for a bigger change with paint and wallpaper, there's a designer-approved approach to inspire.