5 Rooms in Your Home Designers Want You to Reset in 2026

"When the new year comes along, it awakens something within ourselves to reset our lives: from our bodies to our career and relationship goals. It can also be the perfect moment to reevaluate what's working in our home, and what could use a boost. The new year is a natural moment for a fresh start, says Liad Schwartz of Interiors with Liad. If we're resetting habits and routines, it makes sense to reset our spaces, too."

"Our environment influences how we feel more than we often realize, and even small changes can make a meaningful impact. He also points out that after the holidays, things tend to slow down, allowing you to thoughtfully reassess your spaces. So, move over spring cleaningtreat the new year as the optimal time to reset a few rooms in your home."

"Formal dining rooms are making a major comeback (this means actual dining rooms that are in their own space), and in 2026, designer Bradie Fisher thinks they're overdue for a reset. It is all too often a room that sits empty except for holidays, which feels like wasted square footage in a home that's meant to be lived in and enjoyed, she says."

"It's a good time to evaluate your home office as well, says designer Teela Bennett. As work-from-home routines continue to evolve, the home office benefits from regular reassessment. Resetting this space can involve improving ergonomics, reorganizing storage, or redefining how it fits into the rest of the home, she says. A thoughtful reset ensures the home office supports productivity while still feeling integrated and intentional. Chances are, there are even things you can get rid of to free up space."

The new year offers a natural moment to reset home spaces because environments strongly influence mood and habits. Small changes can have meaningful impact, and the post-holiday slowdown creates opportunity for thoughtful reassessment. Formal dining rooms can be reimagined as relaxed, layered, and flexible spaces with smaller tables, mixed chairs, and softer elevated lighting such as wall sconces or battery-operated lamps. Home offices merit regular evaluation to improve ergonomics, reorganize storage, and redefine how they integrate with the rest of the home so they support productivity while feeling intentional. Decluttering can free up underused square footage for better daily living.

Read at www.goodhousekeeping.com