As New Year's Eve approaches, whether you're planning a quiet evening at home or a lively party, the excitement is palpable. Hosting a gathering is a fantastic way to bring loved ones together, but the aftermath can lead to chaos. With confetti, drinks, and decorations strewn about, restoring your home to its normal state can feel daunting.

I'm Virginia Frischkorn, a professional party planner and founder of Partytrick. Here are the three vital actions I take to reset my space after hosting New Year's Eve so I can embrace the new year stress-free, all while efficiently tidying up my home.

Three Steps to Refresh Your Space After New Year's Eve

Virginia Frischkorn

Virginia Frischkorn

Born into a family that cherished hosting gatherings, Virginia's passion for entertaining started early. At just 26, she established Bluebird Productions, her first luxury event planning business, which gained recognition from prestigious outlets like Vogue. Now, she leads Party Trick, a digital service aimed at empowering clients globally with their party planning needs.

1. Clear Off Surfaces

green and white kitchen with herringbone laid floor, island with sink and bar stools, green leaf wallpaper, marble countertops, countertop cabinets, trio of pendant lights, shelving

(Image credit: Divine Savages)

The morning after a celebration, countertops often become cluttered with empty glasses, leftover items, and remnants of festive decorations, which can make your kitchen feel cramped.

To tackle visual clutter effectively, I always begin by clearing my countertops. Focus first on high-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room, and dining space. Gather any glasses or plates and load them into your dishwasher. If you find leftover decorations from the night before, sort them into piles for washing, recycling, or storage, and set aside any forgotten items. Toss everything else into a trash bag, such as the Hefty Ultra Strong Tall Kitchen Trash Bags available at Amazon. This step is crucial; a clear space allows your home to feel more inviting and helps prevent feeling overwhelmed. Plus, when you're tired from the festivities, tackling one area at a time keeps the process manageable and rewarding.

2. Refresh the Scent for a New Beginning

A coffee table styled with books, a plant, and a candle

(Image credit: Jai Short / BE. by Brittaney Elise)

After hosting, it's vital to refresh the air for a true reset. Scents significantly influence mood, so introducing a pleasant aroma encourages a transition from party mode to a cozy home atmosphere, allowing you to unwind.

Utilize a favorite candle or an essential oil diffuser, like the URPOWER 500ml Essential Oil Diffuser available at Amazon to infuse your space with a new fragrance.

When selecting candles, opt for warm and grounding scents like cedarwood or sandalwood, such as the Paddywax Scented Candles Artisan Apothecary Candle in Amber & Smoke available at Amazon, which can help foster a cozy yet fresh environment.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Vanilla scented candle in a patterned glass contained with gold starsHand-poured

Festive Woody Winter Woods & Vanilla Gilded Glass Jar Candle

This candle features notes of brown sugar, marshmallows, whipped vanilla, and warm amber woods for a deliciously luxurious ambiance.

Diptyque candle50 hour burn time

Oud Classic Candle

This candle is perfect for small to medium-sized rooms and is worth the investment, offering a unique and complex woody scent.

A dark blue patterned glass candleCruelty and preservative free

LA JOLIE MUSE Berry Candle

If you prefer a fruity scent, this affordable option comes housed in a beautifully designed glass jar that you can repurpose around your home. It's fresh, fragrant, and fun.

3. Steam Clean and Refresh Your Fabrics

stone living room with pink painted fireplace, artwork, panelling, stripe couch, faux fur throw, rug, flowers, artwork, wooden floor, statement pendant light

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

Lastly, give your seating area and pillows a quick steam clean or spritz with a fabric refresher like the Febreze Fabric Spray Xtra Strength Original Scent available at Walmart. Hosting can leave your sofas with lingering odors or spills, so a quick refresh will ensure everything feels clean and ready for use again.

I also utilize my best steam cleaner, as steam and fabric sprays do wonders for eliminating odors and revitalizing your fabrics — especially beneficial if you have back-to-back parties!

A blue and white Black + Decker steam mop with white cable

H&G recommends 7-In-1 Steam Mop & Glove

This highly-rated steam cleaner eliminates up to 99.9% of germs with a long cleaning cycle, thanks to its large water tank capacity. It's ready for use in just 20 seconds.

Cleaning after a celebration can feel overwhelming, but the most crucial step is simply to start. Gather all necessary cleaning supplies and create a prioritized task list to check off. This strategy will provide a sense of accomplishment and make tidying up after hosting a breeze.

Also, don't forget to refresh your holiday hosting tips to ensure you impress your guests throughout the season.