Homeowners

Give Your Home a Glow Up: 8 Meaningful Upgrades Delivering Big Impact

After the holiday decorations come down, it’s natural to want to extend the same “new year, new me” energy we have for our fitness, beauty, and careers to our homes.

The good news? A home glow-up doesn’t have to mean a full renovation or a five-figure budget, although it certainly can. From subtle design refreshes to strategic upgrades, there are plenty of affordable, approachable ways to make your home feel brighter, calmer, and more personalized in the new year.

“I always tell clients: if it’s out in the open, it should either be functional and beautiful—or it should be put away,” said Jessi Economos, founder and interior designer at Jeid Studio in Waukee, Iowa.

Below are eight of the best ways to give your home a glow up this year.

Easy DIY ways to give your home a visual glow-up

Not every upgrade requires financing or the help of professionals. Here are a few affordable, do-it-yourself tweaks that are as easy as they are impactful.

1. Declutter for instant calm

One of the easiest improvements doesn’t cost a cent, although it may take an afternoon to accomplish. Clearing countertops, editing closets, and creating designated storage zones can make a home feel larger and more peaceful.

2. Swap out hardware for a quick refresh

Replacing cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, or door handles is one of the fastest ways to modernize a space. Matte black, brushed brass, and warm bronze finishes continue to be popular, and installation is usually DIY-friendly.

3. Refresh walls with paint or wallpaper

A fresh coat of paint remains one of the most cost-effective upgrades. Accent walls, color-drenched rooms, and wallpaper in powder or dining rooms can add personality without overwhelming the space.

Plus, wallpaper comes in plenty of removable, peel-and-stick options that are renter-friendly and low-commitment.

4. Upgrade lighting for warmth and style

Lighting can dramatically change a home’s mood. Swapping outdated fixtures for larger statement pieces, adding table lamps, installing dimmer switches, and even making your lightbulbs match can instantly elevate a space and make it feel more intentional.

“Your lamps, your ceiling lights, your exterior lights all need to be the same color temperature. That’s the Kelvin number on the box,” said Economos. “Because when one lamp is cool and bluish, but your overhead lighting is warm, it creates this low-level mental chaos.”

“You might not notice it consciously, but your brain absolutely feels it,” she said. “When all your lighting is consistent, your home instantly feels calmer and more pulled together.”

5. Rearrange your space

It’s easy to get stuck in old habits. Thoughts like “this chair has always been here,” or “this art has always been in this room,” make it easy to overlook possible improvements like shifting the layout, improving the circulation, or even moving pieces to different rooms.

“[Reorganizing your space] can feel like you got a whole new house without buying a single thing,” said Economos.

Functional home glow-ups that support everyday life

Glow-ups aren’t always things you can take photos of and post online. They can also be functional improvements. Here are a few practical ways to uplift your everyday life.

6. Create quiet nooks

Dedicated spaces for reading, reflection, or working from home can help turn an underused corner of your home into a retreat.

All you need is a comfortable chair, a stylish lamp, and a small side table. Bonus points if you add a scented candle.

7. Layer in texture and softness

Pillows, throw blankets, and area rugs can enhance your home’s comfort and softness, especially during winter months. Mixing textures such as knits, velvet, or faux fur helps spaces feel layered and inviting.

8. Strategic kitchen and bathroom upgrades

For homeowners ready for larger projects, targeted renovations can have an outsized impact. Replacing a bathroom vanity, upgrading fixtures, or refreshing kitchen backsplashes can modernize high-traffic areas without requiring a full remodel.

Using home equity to fund your glow-up

For homeowners with equity, the new year can be an ideal time to invest back into the home itself.

Home equity financing options, such as second mortgages, Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), and cash-out refinances, allow homeowners to borrow against the value of their properties that they’ve built over time.

Each option works a bit differently:

• Second mortgages are an additional loan on top of your existing mortgage. These loans provide a lump sum with a fixed rate and predictable payments.
• HELOCs offer a revolving line of credit that homeowners can draw from as needed. They are often useful for phased projects, such as renovations.
• Cash-out refinances replace an existing mortgage with a larger one. The homeowners can then pocket the extra cash.

These tools can be used for everything from cosmetic updates to larger renovations, such as kitchen or bathroom remodels. While it’s important to consider interest rates, repayment terms, and long-term financial goals, home equity can be a practical way to spread the cost of improvements over time.

Let your glow-up set the tone for the year

At its core, a home glow-up is about alignment, setting up your space for how you want to live in the year ahead. Whether that means simple weekend projects or more substantial renovations, changes can help make your home feel brighter and more enjoyable.

“Maximalism is definitely having a moment, but your home will feel calmer the second you start curating what’s actually visible,” said Economos.