The Calm Before the Christmas Storm
October often flies under the radar. It is not quite holiday season, but you can already feel the year starting to accelerate. Calendars are filling up. Life gets louder. And suddenly, the spaces we live in can start to feel like they are working against us, not for us.
That is why October is the ideal time for a spring reset. With a little intention, you can reclaim your home, clear some mental space, and walk into the final months of the year feeling refreshed instead of rushed.
1. Clear the Visual Noise
Before the end-of-year chaos begins, take time to declutter the surfaces that you see every day. That includes kitchen benches, hallway tables, bedside drawers, and the random pile building up in the corner.
You do not need to declutter your entire house. Just choose two or three high-impact zones and give them a reset.
Tip: Try the 10-minute rule. Set a timer and see how much you can put away, donate, or throw out in that time. Small wins are still progress.
2. Refresh the Senses
Spring is all about energy. Fresh air, natural light, and subtle seasonal scents can shift the mood of a home without needing a single new piece of furniture.
Open the windows, rotate your indoor plants, or swap out heavy throw blankets for lighter textures.
Tip: Create a simple spring scent by simmering lemon slices, rosemary, and vanilla on the stovetop. It is budget-friendly and beats artificial room sprays.
3. Rework Your Routines
Your home is not just a place, it’s a rhythm. October is the perfect time to reassess your daily flow. Is the breakfast bench still working as a workspace? Is your entryway creating stress in the mornings?
Resetting routines often starts with small adjustments to how your home functions.
Tip: Try rearranging one area to better support your day-to-day. A tidy coffee corner, a designated drop zone for keys and bags, or a calm corner for journaling can go a long way.
4. Style for Simplicity
If you are craving calm, avoid over-decorating. Spring styling is about airiness, not clutter. Instead of adding more, focus on making what you already have shine.
Limit décor to a few key pieces per room and give them breathing space. Let the season speak through natural materials, soft colour palettes, and clean lines.
Tip: Choose one area of your home to edit, not fill. A bookshelf, hallway console, or bedside table is a great place to start.
5. Reconnect With Your Why
Sometimes reclaiming your space is less about how it looks and more about how it makes you feel. October is a powerful month to pause and ask: what do I want the rest of this year to feel like?
Whether it is a home that energises you, calms you, or simply supports your busy schedule, reconnecting with your “why” can help guide every small change from now until the year’s end.
Tip: Write down one intention for your home and place it somewhere visible. It might be “more ease,” “less stress,” or “daily connection.” Let it guide your next steps.
Reset Now, Rest Later
October is the breathing space between spring’s energy and summer’s full speed. It is the perfect time to slow down, reset your home, and take back control before the festive rush begins.
Your spring reset does not need to be a full renovation. It is about being intentional, clearing space for what matters, and creating a home that supports how you want to finish the year.
Start now. Your December self will thank you.
Disclaimer: The opinions posted within this blog are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, others employed by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate or the organisations with which the network is affiliated. The author takes full responsibility for his opinions and does not hold Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate or any third party responsible for anything in the posted content. The author freely admits that his views may not be the same as those of his colleagues, or third parties associated with the Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate network.