Decorating for Winter: Simple, Cozy, ...

Decorating for Winter: Simple, Cozy, and Beautiful (After Christmas)

Okay… Christmas is magical. But the minute it’s over, I’m also ready to breathe again 😅
The tree comes down, the red everywhere starts to feel like a lot, and I want my home to feel calm, cozy, clean, and simple… while still staying seasonal.

Winter decorating doesn’t have to mean packing everything away and having your house feel empty. It’s more like a little “reset” — where you take away the Christmas reds, keep the winter greens, add a few candles, sprinkle in snowflakes and snowmen, and let your home feel peaceful again.

This is the season of less is more, and honestly… I kind of love it.

1. Start by Removing the “Christmas Red”

The fastest way to shift from Christmas to winter is simple:

✅ Put away anything that screams Santa + red + jingle bells.

Think:

Red ribbon
Bright red berries everywhere
“Merry Christmas” signs
Anything super holiday-specific

You don’t have to strip the house bare — just remove the bold stuff that makes it feel like December 25th is still happening.

2. Keep the Winter Greens (They’re Perfect All Season)

Greenery is your best friend for winter decorating because it still feels festive… but not “holiday.”

Keep out:

Pine garland
Small faux greenery picks
Mini wreaths (without the red bows)
Cedar stems in pitchers or crocks

Winter greens make everything look cozy, fresh, and natural. And bonus… they work perfectly until spring.

3. Add Candlelight Everywhere for Instant Cozy

If winter had a “decorating shortcut,” candles would be it.

Nothing makes a home feel warm faster than that soft glow—especially when it gets dark at 4:30pm (rude). 🙃

Try:

Flameless candles in windows
Candles on a tray centerpiece
Candle clusters on the mantel
Lanterns by the fireplace or entryway

And if your candles have timers? Even better. Set them once and enjoy the cozy glow every night without remembering a thing.

4. Swap Christmas Decor for Snowmen + Snowflakes

This is where winter gets fun — without going full “decor explosion.”

A few winter touches go a LONG way:

Snowmen on shelves or tiered trays
Snowflakes tucked into greenery
A simple winter sign (no Santa, no red)
Neutral winter accents like white, cream, silver, and soft gray

Snowmen keep it playful and cozy, and snowflakes add that pretty “winter wonderland” feel without being too much.

5. Keep Your Decor Neutral and Layered

Winter decorating is the season for soft and simple.

Stick to:

whites + creams
warm woods
winter greens
soft black accents (lanterns look amazing!)
cozy textures like knit blankets and woven baskets

Instead of lots of small clutter-y pieces, focus on a few bigger cozy statements.

6. Try the “Less Is More” Winter Rule

Here’s a rule I LOVE this time of year:

If you wouldn’t want to dust it in February… don’t put it out. 😂

Winter is meant to feel calm. You don’t need every surface decorated. In fact, empty space can make the cozy pieces stand out even more.

A few simple spots to decorate and call it a day:

entryway table
mantel
kitchen island or dining table
a shelf or hutch
bathroom counter (yes, even there!)

7. Use Winter as a “Reset Season” for Organizing

Winter decorating naturally leads into something even better…

✨ getting your house back in order ✨

This is the perfect season to:

clear off countertops
organize baskets and bins
simplify shelves
donate extra clutter
reset your pantry or linen closet

Think of winter as the calm before spring. You’re cozy-ing up AND quietly preparing for fresh energy later.

8. Create Cozy Winter Moments (Not Just Decor)

Winter isn’t about “more stuff”… it’s about creating that feeling.

A cozy home in winter looks like:

candles glowing
blankets folded and ready
warm drinks on a tray
soft lighting in the evening
a clean space that feels peaceful

This season is slower, softer, simpler… and honestly, it’s kind of beautiful.

Winter Decorating Can Be Simple AND Stunning

You don’t need to redecorate your whole house to make it feel like winter. Just:

✔ put away the reds
✔ keep the greens
✔ add candles + lantern glow
✔ bring in snowmen + snowflakes
✔ simplify + organize for spring

Winter is the season of calm. And your home should feel like a cozy exhale after all the Christmas hustle.

If you’re decorating for winter right now — I’d love to know…
Are you a “take it ALL down the day after Christmas” person or a “leave it up until February” person? 😄