January feels like a new beginning, in every way. It’s not just the start of a new calendar year, but a time that invites us to pause, to notice what feels heavy, what feels nourishing, and what we want to pursue. As someone who has long relied on Target for thoughtfully designed essentials that support my daily ritualsthey’re the natural partner for today’s post on my Sunday Night Cooking Reset. Because while the new year often brings that familiar urge to overhaul everything at once, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that lasting change is more about consistency.
I know the temptation to rush the reset, to rush into new routines, hoping that effort alone will bring clarity. (I’ve done this several times.) But over the years, I’ve noticed that the habits I stick with are ones that feel supportive, not demanding. Those who make everyday life easier instead of requiring more willpower. That’s why one of the most meaningful places I return to – again and again – is the kitchen.
Hearth and hand
with Magnolia
A calm and reset kitchen for everyday life
Calm is one of the words that guides my approach to 2026. As a designer, I have always believed that our spaces not only reflect the way we live, they shape it. And nowhere is this more evident in my own home than in the kitchen. It’s there my mornings begin, food arrives and daily routines unfold. When that space feels intentional and uncluttered, healthier choices tend to follow naturally, not because I’m trying harder, but because the environment is doing some of the work for me.
With calm, simplicity, and intention at the center of this reset, partnering with Target felt like a natural extension of how I approach my home. Their well-designed and accessible parts make it easy to create systems that are both functional and beautiful, without striving for perfection. Ahead, I’m telling you how I reset my own kitchen: how I think about zones, store essentials based on how I actually cook, and rely on a simple Sunday ritual to support the coming week. The goal is not a perfect kitchen. It’s the one that supports and anchors me – and helps me feel inspired in space, every day.
Clear counters
I always start with the counters, because that’s where I feel overwhelmed first. When things start piling up – mail, appliances, half-used jars – the whole kitchen seems noisier and chaotic. (Yes, the complete opposite of calm!).
First, I remove everything, then slowly add back only what I actually use each day. Some tools I use all the time. Something tactile or beautiful that makes the space feel warm and lived-in. Over time, I’ve learned that resisting the urge to keep everything within arm’s reach creates a surprising sense of calm.
This step alone changes the way I move around the kitchen. The cooking is less rushed. Cleaning seems more manageable. And the space begins to support me, rather than competing for my attention.
Branch Basics
Eternal spring
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Eternal Spring
Threshold
Bright room
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Reset the Pantry with Visibility in Mind
A calm pantry isn’t about perfection, it’s about clarity. I’ve noticed that when I can see what I have, I waste less, shop more intentionally, and naturally seek out foods that fit the way I want to eat.
I group items by category, then focus on visibility: clear containers, open baskets, and storage systems that work at a glance. Believe me: I don’t decipher everything. It’s more about creating a pantry that reflects the way I cook (and snack!) every day.
When staples are easy to spot and access, the whole kitchen feels more together, especially on busy weeks when decision fatigue is already high.
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Bright room
Good and gathering
Good and gathering
Good and gathering
Good and gathering
Prepare some basics for the week ahead
I don’t prepare meals in the traditional sense, but I prepare possibility. Wash produce, roast a tray of vegetables, cook a grain or two. These little steps make weekday meal feel flexible instead of overwhelming.
Some of that preparation extends to the refrigerator itself. I’ve learned that when the refrigerator seems cluttered or chaotic, even the best intentions get lost. So after laying out some basics, I take a moment to reset how everything is stored: group similar items together, keep grab-and-go options visible, and create clear areas that make it easy to see what’s available at a glance. When the fridge looks organized, it becomes a silent signal to feed myself rather than choosing what’s easiest.
I keep this process intentionally light. The goal isn’t to plan every meal or follow a rigid system, but to eliminate just enough friction so that healthy choices come easier when energy is low. When the washed fruit is easy to reach, the leftovers are contained and visible and the drinks are neatly stored, the refrigerator starts working. with me rather than against me. Even minimal preparation builds momentum and supports the way my life actually unfolds.
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Good and gathering
Good and gathering
My Calm Sunday Kitchen Reset (A Simple Checklist)
I return to this same routine most Sundays – not as a rule, but as a reset, which I can return to when the week ahead feels full. It usually takes less time than expected and the gain lasts literally all week.
1. Clear and Reset Surfaces. I start by cleaning the counters and tables, wiping everything down and putting any misplaced items back where they belong. This alone creates instant visual calm and sets the tone for everything that follows.
2. Restock everyday essentials. Then I do a quick inventory of what we actually use during the week (coffee, snacks, produce, pantry staples) and restock just what we need. Nothing fancy, just enough to feel supported.
3. Prepare some flexible bases. I wash fruits and vegetables, cook a simple cereal or roast a tray of vegetables. Not full meals, just basics that make weekday cooking easier and more intuitive.
4. Reset the refrigerator for more visibility. I’ll group similar items together, make sure leftovers and takeout options are easy to see, and eliminate anything that’s past its prime. When the refrigerator appears organized, it silently guides better choices throughout the week.
5. Let the kitchen settle. Before I’m done, I take a moment to put things back where they belong: light a candle, put away the tools, and let the space feel finished. It’s a small pause that signals that the reset is complete.
Hearth and hand with Magnolia
Foy er and hand with Magnolia
Stackable Marble Salt and Pepper Cellar, 3 Piece, White/Warm Gray
Takeaways
A calm kitchen reset means getting back to what works (not overhauling everything entirely). When the space we nourish ourselves in feels thoughtful, uncluttered, and aligned with how we actually live, healthier choices naturally follow. Not out of discipline or perfection, but out of ease. By making small, intentional changes – clearing a surface, creating visibility, preparing a few simple basics – we create a kitchen that meets us where we are and moves us forward through the week. And in that calm, everyday life begins to feel a little more spacious, a little more grounded, and a lot more sustainable.
The position The Calm Kitchen Reset That Keeps Me Organized All Week appeared first on Camille Styles.
