8 Simple Winter Decorating Tips
We’re sharing 8 simple winter decorating tips as part of the Welcome Winter Blog Hop hosted by my sweet friend Cecilia of My Thrift Store Addiction.
If you’re coming over from Rita’s blog, Panoply, welcome, we’re excited to have you here.
If your household runs anything like ours you can probably relate to the fact the first week of January seems to be dedicated to getting back into the swing of things.
You’re taking down all the Christmas decorations, prepping the kids for school, grocery shopping, exercising, catching up on laundry, filling out your planners, and your goals list too.
By the second week of January, you’re reacquainting your family with morning and nightly routines.
You have the menu planning down pat, the daily chores handled like a boss and it feels like things are getting back on track.
By the third week, you’re wondering, “Should I be organizing? It’s January after all.”
Maybe you’re looking around the house and feel totally bummed because the Christmas decorations are all gone, it feels “empty” and you miss the twinkling lights already.
We can definitely relate.
While I completely appreciate a clean slate and a fresh start, I miss the soft glow from the lights almost immediately.
This year we’ve taken a more relaxed approach to organizing all the things based solely on the fact we fully intend to celebrate each season and we wanted to prepare our home to welcome winter.
Truthfully, the grace-filled change has been fantastic.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re transitioning your holiday décor to winter décor.
8 simple winter decorating tips…
Tip #1: Put Away All Your Santas and Anything That Looks Christmas-y
We used shades of red and green to decorate for our Effortless Christmas Home Tour this year which made knowing what to take down in January so much easier.
Our very first step was to take down the trees, the glittery ornaments, to put away the Santa mugs, and everything else with red or Christmas accents.
Tip #2: As You’re Putting Away Holiday Items, Take Note of What Needs to be Decluttered or Donated
Decluttering is honestly one of THE easiest ways to create a warm and welcoming home no matter what the season.
I know it can be overwhelming at times. But it is definitely worth the effort!
We always leave a donate box by the front door. That way, we’ll have it at the ready while we’re packing up holiday décor.
It’s a super simple way to take care of two things at once.
Tip #3: Embrace a Neutral or Calmer Color Palette
A neutral color palette doesn’t just include bright white. It has soft grays and greens, warm camels, creamy whites, blush tones, and gorgeous blacks.
If you love color, consider using a more muted palette with soft silvers, French blues, and moss greens during the winter season.
Tip #4: Pile on the Texture
Winter is the season for rest and snuggling up!
Layer your home with lots of texture like cable knits, chunky knits, cashmere, or faux fur. Adding textured pillows and blankets is an easy and inexpensive way to create another layer of coziness.
Tip #5: Use the Fireplace or Light Candles
The fireplace at the cabin and at Bliss Barracks are both remote-controlled gas fireplaces.
Every morning while visiting I have quiet time and drink coffee by the fire. It always feels like the biggest luxury!
Our wood-burning fireplace at home takes a bit more work. But it still provides that same relaxing feeling.
If you don’t have a fireplace, don’t sweat it. Lighting your favorite candles will still bring a sense of warmth into your home!
Tip #6: Add a Touch of Nature
Another simple winter decorating tip to make your home feel cozy is to add a touch of nature to your home.
In the winter you can decorate with cedar, holly, pine swags, pinecones, paperwhites, amaryllis, ornamental kale, dusty miller, roses, pansies, or use greenery from a big box store.
Tip #7: Create an Indoor Hot Drink Station
There’s nothing like starting your day with a steaming cup of hot coffee, tea, or cocoa.
Creating a hot drink station doesn’t have to be anything fancy!
Just use generous mugs, your favorite flavored coffees, teas and cocoas, special syrups, spice shakers, marshmallows, and of course cookies.
Tip #8: Use a Simmer Pot to Make Your Home Smell Amazing
Simmer pots are one of the easiest ways to make your home smell amazing. They’re super simple to put together too!
There are a lot of winter ingredients at the grocery store you use right now. For example, citrus, pomegranates, cranberries, rosemary, cinnamon, and cloves if your farmers market is closed for the winter.
After a busy holiday season, we’re ready to embrace a slower pace, lazy nights by the fire, snuggling up to read books, having a cup of hot cocoa piled high with marshmallows, or relaxing with popcorn and a movie.
And I know some of you feel the same way too!
Spring will be here before we know it!
And while we’re ready for slightly warmer weather, we plan to savor every last bit of winter that’s left.
We hope you’ll fully embrace and enjoy this cozy season of rest too.
Up next on the Welcome Winter Blog Hop is my friend, Shelley of Calypso in the Country. She’s always so creative and I know you’ll love her beautiful home!
Once you’re finished there be sure to check out the rest of the fabulous ideas these creative ladies are sharing!
Let us know if you’re using any of these 8 Simple Winter Decorating Tips or your favorite way to welcome winter.
Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.Many blessings,
CoCo
Fabulous tips CoCo! Just walked into the guest room yesterday to discover a Christmas item that was left behind (forehead smack) . Your winter tips are a perfect annual checklist . Thanks for sharing!
Thank you bunches ladies! Hugs, CoCo
CoCo, there’s a definite feeling of wanting to organize, make cozy and tackle the new year like a boss. You definitely covered all the bases with how you executed the plan! With having booth spaces at a local antique mall, it was even more pressing for me to want to tackle the organization of Christmas things right away, and get my storage already ready for next year’s season. It feels good to lean into January after that work is finished. LIke a boss lady. 🙂 It’s a pleasure to hop alongside you, a like mind. Have a great weekend.
Can you tell we’re ready to tackle this year like a boss or what Rita 🙂 I swear I look at our home completely different now based on our pandemic experience. It definitely makes me want to declutter and organize everything so we can enjoy every inch to its maximum potential. Love hopping with you and enjoying all your fabulous ideas. Hugs and happy weekend, CoCo
All great ideas. We have been organizing, deep cleaning and believe it or not I have begun spring crafting.
Snuggling with the fireplace going and enjoying time together in the evenings
Cindy
Oh, my word, Cindy, it sounds like you are living the good life and I am so excited for you. I love the way you’re ending a day of cleaning and organizing in such a peace filled and relaxing way too. It’s the perfect way to welcome winter. Hugs, CoCo
Awesome tips, Coco – and your home looks beautiful! I love all your textures and natural elements. Your home has such a cozy winter vibe! Also, I just had one of those “should I be organizing?” moments today when I realized it’s the last day of the clothing drive at school! Now I’ll be spending the afternoon digging through closets…fun. Obviously, I need one of those donate boxes by my door too! Great to hop with you again!
Shelley
So glad you’ll be able to use some of these tips, Shelley! Finding a hack or technique that works is kind of like finding a good hair and skin product or great jeans – you tell everybody you know about it because you want to make their life easier too 🙂 We even have an empty box in our closets to make donating easier there as well. I’ve realized over the past few years small things really do help to make a big difference. Hugs and happy organizing, CoCo
Coco your pictures and winter tips were all so lovely , beautiful and helpful! have two of the green plates you shared…I am always looking for more. I also love all of the layers on your bed. You have such a gorgeous style and I always find so much inspiration! Pinned!
I really appreciate it, Kelly, thank you so much! Winter is definitely a weird season in Florida so we’re constantly craving relaxed cozy days. So excited you have these green plates too. I’ll keep my eye out for some extra ones. They’re still having outdoor market events here which makes winter easier 🙂 Sending you lots of hugs, CoCo
I loved this post so much CoCo! I pinned so many pictures for future inspiration. I always love reading your blog and getting great ideas from you. I’d like to share this on my weekly blog post tomorrow. Happy winter my friend!
You are so sweet, Kim, thank you! It’s been so much fun to see all the different ways people have been welcoming winter into their homes based on the area of the country they live in. Your home is always so warm and inviting. I swear I could sit at your kitchen table and hang out any day of the week 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
I love all of these tips! And the photos are stunning! Pinning for next year. Thank you for sharing, CoCo
Thank you so much, Jen, I really appreciate it. It’s been lots of fun to see how everyone welcomes winter into their homes. Hope your weekend is peace-filled and relaxing, CoCo
I love your cozy winter decorating tips, Coco. (I practice a lot of these myself!) You have incorporated so many lovely touches and I love both your natural and faux plants and greenery. Happy winter! Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thank you, Cecilia! Winter in Florida is really weird because there is so much brown and the temps are all over the place. I’m thankful for all the cozy winter touches indoors though because it’s a great reminder to slow down. Even if for just a moment 🙂 Thanks so much for putting this blog hop together. It’s been really great to see how everyone is celebrating winter. Big hugs, CoCo
These are amazing tips Coco! I love how you decorated your bedroom and those dishes are so gorgeous. xoxo
Thank you so much, Stacy. I really appreciate it! Hope your weekend is a relaxing one, CoCo
Great tips, CoCo! Love every one of your beautiful photos. But I’m seriously crushing on your bookshelves styled in subtle tones with texture; so pretty! Yes, this time of year it’s so nice to read (and work) next to a cozy fire. We buy duraflames by the box at costco this time of year;) So easy!
So sweet of you to say, Lora, thank you so much. Those bookcases will always have a place in my heart because my Dad made them for me. I told him 7 feet tall but when he delivered them they were almost 9 feet tall because he thought it would look better. Not surprisingly, he was right 🙂 I’ll definitely be looking for the duraflames. I had no idea they came in a box! Hugs and thanks for the heads up, CoCo
CoCo!! These are wonderful tips!! I love the idea of decluttering while you take your decor down. For some reason I always do these 2 things separately…WHY??? Thanks for the ideas and I hope that we all get to relax and enjoy more peaceful days!! Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much, Aliya! We’re always trying to think of fresh ways to organize and declutter. Especially, after the holidays when extra things really seem to pile up 🙂 Hope your weekend is full of good things, CoCo
Lovely post, CoCo! Reading it, I realize I instinctively do these things in winter…your tips will help me be more purposeful about it. We just had a blizzard blow through, so I am all about the winter cozy right now. Thank you for sharing your cozy home!
That is so exciting to hear, Linda! I seriously look at all your gorgeous snowy picks and get so excited. While I can’t imagine what it’s like to live there full time I’m always thankful for the peace-filled peeks into your life and the simple reminder to slow down and enjoy each season. Sending you lots of warm and cozy hugs, CoCo
Fantastic post. Learned I should keep a donate box by the door – genius! I love to purge so that seems right up my alley! What book is that open on your table? I think I’d like to check it out. The photo is fabulous. Happy Winter friend.
That one trick by the door and in the closet has helped us SO much, Cindy! The book on the coffee table is either Beekman 1802 Style or Decorating with White. I go through both of those books all the time and study the pages for inspiration. They’re fantastic! Hope your winter is a happy one, CoCo
Oh your posts are always a treat! I am in love with the paperwhites centerpiece and all of your calming and cozy winter decor. Your neutrals with a bit of greens mixed in are so gorgeous too.
Loving all your tips for creating a cozy winter home!
Thank you so much, Amber, I really appreciate it! Hope your day is a special one, CoCo
Love all the ideas you have for creating an after-Christmas winter look around the home! Thanks for all the great ideas!!! I pinned several photos (normal) and, of course, one to the Share Your Style board. <3 Happy to feature your post this evening at SYS #290.
I like this transitional time of the year… It's a good time to sit back and relax.
Enjoy your pretty home, Coco,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thank you so much, Barb, I really appreciate your sharing and featuring this post. I’ve had THE worst case of spring fever lately but I know winter was created for a reason and taking the time to rest will always be a sweet gift. Hugs and thank yous, CoCo