After Christmas ends and all the pretty lights and cozy décor comes down, winter can feel a little lackluster. What a lot of us crave going into some of the coldest months of the year is a home that exudes warmth and feels comfortable. A place we can cuddle up and recuperate or invite friends and appreciate connectivity.
Around this time of year I find my self torn- I hate to say goodbye to the warmth of Christmas but I also crave that invigoration and inspiration of beginning a new year and starting fresh. I find it helps to focus on creating a sanctuary, where I feel safe and comfortable but also inspired.
I always want my home to convey an “I love to live here” vibe. For me that means it should feel intentional and reflect who I am. So here is how I transition my home from holiday to winter décor.
Winter Décor Tips
- Remove all the “Christmas” décor (like Santa, red & green, mistletoe, colored lights, candy canes, gingerbread houses etc.). I take down everything I put up specifically for the holidays.
- Keep (or bring in) evergreen cuttings. I fill vases with pine and other evergreen branches. My lavender stays beautiful year-round, so I cut that and bring it inside too.
- Use lots of white candles, everywhere. In the cold of winter, real candles and fireplaces have a way of making a space feel more cozy, intimate and special.
- Transition your diffuser (or candle scents) to something less Christmas-y. Around Christmas I tend to use a blend of balsam fir, grapefruit and peppermint, going into January and February I’ll do a ginger/citrus blend, so it’s warm and invigorating.
- Bring in texture with cozy blankets. I like to drape soft blankets on couches and chairs to encourage curling up with a good book or movie.
- Bring in color. One of the quickest ways to change the vibe of a room is to change out the throw pillows. In the winter I’ll bring more color, like aqua or hot pink. For some reason winter feels like a perfect time for bright colors.
- Rethink how you have things arranged. Move furniture, clear off a credenza or TV console and start over or pull items from other rooms. You don’t have to spend money to give a space new energy.
- Bring in plants. If I had to pick one thing to decorate with for the rest of my life, it would be plants. They bring life and interest to any room.
Sometimes all it takes, to breath new life into a space, is to look at things from a different perspective. We become so immune to the things we see everyday (chipped paint, peeling wallpaper, a piece of furniture we hate); by clearing our space or even just looking at a picture of the space we provide ourselves the opportunity to see things differently. Just ask yourself these questions:
- What makes me happy?
- What do I want from this space?
And then, as you’re decorating the space, ensure each item you include supports those two things. Never bring things into your home that you don’t love (or like A LOT), don’t accept hand-me-down pieces just because you need “something”. Be thoughtful and purposeful, even if it takes longer, and you’ll have a home that communicates how much you love to live there.
Here’s to a cozy winter!
XOXO
