9 Easy Ways to Transition to Winter Decor After Christmas

How to easily transition from Christmas to winter decor and create a cozy, inviting space.

Hey everyone and Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a beautiful, happy holiday season. January always brings that quiet sigh after all the hustle and bustle of the holidays and if you’re anything like me, you’re in “hunker down” mode now. Are you also craving some organization and simplicity with the new year??  It’s time to cozy up and get ready for the colder winter months.  Here are 9 tips to transition to winter decor after Christmas easily.

1. First things first, remove all the red

I adore red at Christmas. It’s festive and Merry and makes the green, white and black just pop. It invokes a feeling of excitement and anticipation and, to me anyway, always feels like Christmas.  However, if you’re looking for a more calm, quiet and cozy feeling in those long, cold winter months, it’s got to go.

 

 

Instead, opt for a more neutral color scheme with shades of white mixed with browns and black for winter decorations for your home.  I leave some of the greens up from Christmas to add a bit of color and texture and mix them in with some lighter pieces like eucalyptus. This really pops especially in simple white pitchers or glass vessels.  If you prefer a bit more color try using lighter shades of blue and green which blend in nicely with the neutrals and reminds me of glistening snow.

 

 

How do I decorate my house for winter?

This is one of the vignettes I created for Christmas. For more non-Christmas winter decor, I kept the pitchers and sled and just removed the red berries and gold candle holders which made it seem more formal. This is more clean and simple and easily removable when we need to use the table. You can see where we scored the sled here.

This old tool box was a dull brown wood when I got it. I gave it a couple coats of chalk paint, used the palm sander to sand it down for a chippy look and now it makes more of a statement.  I just simply added the greens and it creates rustic winter decor.

 

 

2. Clear the clutter – “Out of clutter, find simplicity” – Albert Einstein.

I love layering decor during the holidays. Stacking the white dishes, layering the mini trees in a vignette, lots of books and greens and berries, oh my. But for starting the new year and a fresh new beginning, clear the clutter and instead opt for simple vignettes.  It’s a great time to purge old decor and start fresh.  I’ll share more on that to come in an upcoming post. 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

3. Use different shades of white.

For simple decor after the holidays, stick with white. White is so versatile, simple and clean and this time of year especially, it’s a nice contrast to the red and other brighter colors at Christmas.  Plates, pitchers, blankets, pillows, frames, candles you name it. It just feels more calm and inviting and screams farmhouse winter decor.

 

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More after Christmas decorating ideas…

 

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Winter living room…

 

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4. Add natural elements for contrast and texture.

All of the white can become flat if you’re not careful. To add some texture and visual interest to your winter decor,  add some natural elements such as pine cones or add birch logs and branches, grapevine wreaths and antlers make great winter home decorations.  Don’t use too much or it will become cluttered so keep it simple.

 

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I like the way the tray above adds texture but you could also go with something like this where I used the larger bowl and white candlestick holders. Multiple layers are great for creating different looks throughout the year as well as for winter decorating ideas.

 

 

You can see the coffee table makeover here.

 

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5. Mix in warm wood tones.

When I think about decorating for winter, I always picture woods and whites. Wood tones warm up those shades of white just a bit and make the space feel just a bit more cozy. Use crates, boxes and even the warn backs of books to spruce up your space.

How gorgeous are these old trunks from Liz Marie Blog?!?

 

 

The frame on this mirror is a warm addition to the shelf and I love that the shape of it adds a bit of interest as well to this rustic winter decor.

 

 

 

 

 

I adore this space from Little Vintage Nest, now called Sarah Joy Blog!!!

 

 

 

How do I make my house cozy in the winter? 

6. Pile on the blankets and throw pillows

Who doesn’t love wrapping up in a nice soft blanket to watch a movie or read a book.  Funny, I do it in the winter when it’s cold out but also in the summer when the AC is on. Am I the only one who freezes indoors in the summer?? 🙂 For cozy winter decor, you can store throws in baskets, over the end of the sofa and on ladders so you can always find one.  Choose textured throws and pillows to add the softness and make seating more cozy because they also add some interest and depth to your winter decor.

 

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7. Bring in some fun elements with vintage winter sports gear.

Another way to transition from Christmas to winter decor is to add old winter sports gear like vintage skis, old skates, sleds and snow shoes. They add a bit of fun and character to your winter decor and give our space a vintage vibe. Try looking for these pieces at garage sales and flea markets to get a good deal.

 

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8. Candles

What better way to warm up a space than with candles. They’re not just a winter decor idea but really warm up a space when you’re decorating after Christmas is over.

 

 

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9. Baskets & woven items

You can also add texture to a space with baskets as well as a bit of warmth with the warm honey tone and a bit of country winter decor.

 

 

 

 

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Don’t forget to add that extra bit of personality to any space all year long.

You know those things that just make you smile when you walk by? Something that was given to you by someone special? Maybe you got it as a souvenir on vacation or it was just a great find at a thrift store? These pieces that have a story are a great way to give your space some personality and they are part of what make your house your home. 🙂   I’ve shared some of my favorite pieces and the stories behind them here.

I love the patina of these little vintage binoculars. We picked them up on one of our trips to Brimfield.

 

 

 

 

 

So it’s time to take a deep breath and rest after a busy holiday season. I hope you found some inspiration from these winter decorating ideas for after Christmas to create a cozy space you love. If you can’t find me, I’ll be on the sofa under one of those cozy blankets. 🙂

Happy DIY’ing!

Col

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