January feels like a clean slate, and your home can feel that way too. A new year home reset isn’t a big renovation or a week-long cleaning marathon. It’s a handful of small tasks that clear the clutter, refresh your space and set up routines for the months ahead.
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Use the checklist below and the free printable to work through it at your own pace. Do a little each day, or take one weekend.
🖨️ Download the Free New Year Home Reset Checklist
⬇️ Download the new year reset checklist (PDF)
Prints on standard US Letter paper. Free for personal use.
🧭 How the Reset Works
The reset has six parts, and you can do them in any order. If you’re short on time, start with declutter and routines, because those two make the biggest long-term difference.
| Step | Focus | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Declutter | 1 to 2 hours |
| 2 | Deep clean | 2 to 3 hours |
| 3 | Reset each room | 1 hour |
| 4 | Paper and digital | 1 hour |
| 5 | Routines | 30 minutes |
| 6 | Set intentions | 15 minutes |
🗑️ Step 1: Declutter
Start with the spots that collect the most clutter: the junk drawer, the pantry, the bathroom cabinet and your closet. Use a box for donations and a bag for trash, and drop them off right away. Not sure what to let go of? Use our list of 100 things to declutter right now or the post-holiday declutter checklist.
🧼 Step 2: Deep Clean the Spots You Skip
- Empty and wipe the fridge and toss anything expired
- Wash bedding, pillows and any washable curtains following the care labels
- Clean the oven and microwave
- Wipe baseboards, door handles and light switches
- Clean the windows and tracks you notice most
For a longer plan, try our spring cleaning checklist, which works any time of year, or use the cleaning checklist by room.
🏠 Step 3: Reset Each Room
Kitchen
Clear the counters and put away things that don’t belong. Wipe the cabinet fronts and organize the one drawer or shelf that annoys you most.
Bedroom
Clear the nightstand, edit the closet and put away anything on the floor. A calm bedroom helps you sleep, so see our minimalist bedroom ideas.
Living room
Clear the “put away” pile, fold the blankets and return stray items to their homes.
Bathroom
Restock the essentials, toss expired products and wipe the shelves.
Entryway
Put away shoes and coats that are out of season and create a drop zone for keys, mail and bags. Our entryway organization ideas show how.
🗂️ Step 4: Reset Your Paper and Digital Life
- Sort mail and papers into file, shred and recycle
- Keep one folder for papers that need action, and check it weekly
- Unsubscribe from email lists you don’t read
- Back up your phone photos and delete duplicates
- Put this year’s important dates in your calendar
🔁 Step 5: Set Simple Routines
A reset only lasts if you build routines to keep it going. Pick the ones that suit your life:
- A weekly reset day. Our Sunday reset routine takes about an hour.
- A nightly 10-minute reset to clear the kitchen and living room: the nightly reset routine checklist shows how.
- A weekly cleaning plan. Print the weekly cleaning checklist.
- A quick weekly plan, using our 20-minute weekly planning routine.
- A monthly maintenance check, using the home maintenance checklist.
🎯 Step 6: Set Your Intentions
Pick three home goals for the year. Keep them small and specific, like “clear one drawer a week” or “have a 10-minute reset every night.” Then pick one room to improve first. Write the goals at the top of your calendar or on the fridge.
❓ Home Reset FAQ
How long does a new year home reset take?
The full list takes about 6 to 8 hours. You can split it over a week, doing one step a day, or tackle it in a weekend.
Where should I start?
Start with declutter, because it makes cleaning faster. Then move to routines so the reset lasts.
What if I only have an hour?
Choose one area: the junk drawer, the pantry or your bedroom nightstand and closet. A single reset spot is better than none.
Can I use this checklist at other times of the year?
Yes. It works as a reset after the holidays, a move or a long busy stretch.
💡 Final Thoughts
You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment to start fresh. Print the checklist, tackle one step and save the pin so you can come back to it in January.
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Sarah Michael believes that a clear space leads to a clear mind. As the founder of The Organized Life, she is dedicated to helping busy people simplify their routines and embrace a clutter-free lifestyle without the overwhelm.
