After-Holiday Home Interior Blues (and Joys)

You might think the difference lies in where you stayed during your holiday. Perhaps you returned from a cozy boat to a more spacious home, or from a tiny, minimalist cottage to what -post-holiday- feels like a cluttered warehouse. Whatever the reason, the moment you step into your home after a break is pivotal.

Your First Post Holiday Coffee, Tea or Matcha Break at Home  

We have scanned our home during that first post-holiday cup of tea, coffee or matcha, muttering things like: “That chest should go,” or “We need new chairs.” We’ve even repainted our walls to match the colours of a holiday cottage we loved.

Pen Down Your Observations

Here’s why: That first half-hour at home is when you see your space with fresh eyes. You notice things you’d normally overlook in your daily routine. Beware—the homekeeping monster is about to grab you by the neck and drag you into its lair of daily tasks. So use that first half an hour to list what is 'wrong' with your home.

Grab a notebook and jot down your observations before the moment passes.

We have an American friend who, as a young mother, stayed in a simple apartment in Tuscany. Afterward, she made a list of how little she actually needed at home. She said:

“I had everything I needed in that simple Italian apartment—and yet it was so little compared to what I have at home.”

She methodically set out to eliminate all the excess in her own home (which, truthfully, wasn’t even that excessive). 

This is a classic post-holiday story. Holiday rentals are furnished effectively—their kitchens are simple but functional. Yet they feel minimalist because, over time, we’ve accumulated so much clutter at home.

"Take my scissors, for example. I have six pairs, strategically assigned to different drawers to avoid the frustration of not finding one when I need it. And yet, despite having six, they all seem to end up in one location—defeating the entire purpose. The solution? Declutter back to two pairs and, more importantly, add a house rule to store them in one designated spot".

Homecoming Harmony: Replicating That Holiday Feeling

A tidy, minimalist holiday home feels welcoming—and that’s exactly what we try to replicate at home. But how?

We have written about this often on Handmade Luxury Home, and we’d love to inspire you. Check out our other blog posts for more ideas. But before you do, consider these three steps to transform your space:

1. Bring in natural elements. Lots of wood, for instance. It instantly feels homey and more connected with the outside world, something holiday homes so wonderfully do.
2. Use happy colours—and change them with the seasons. This too helps you stay in tune with the world outside.
3. Let go of unnecessary furniture and possessions. Simply... simplify.

Concluding Thoughts

Preventing post-holiday blues upon returning home is possible. Make sure you write down all your observations during that first half hour. Discuss them with those with whom you share your home—or don’t discuss them at all and do some covert Swedish Death Cleaning (Döstädning).

Then, during the weeks after returning home, find your way of making your home feel more like a holiday home.

Paula Kuitenbrouwer

Marga van der Vet 

-both passionate artisans & home magic makers-