Winter decorating is the perfect transition as you pack away Christmas, and because it is January, a colder month, it calls for something quieter, slower, and softer.
It’s the perfect time to let your home breathe and lean into a cozy, relaxed feeling.
Less pressure. Less decorating. More comfort.
If you’ve ever stood in a room after taking down Christmas and thought, now what?—this is for you.
Winter Decorating Ideas for January
Winter decorating isn’t about starting over. It’s about editing.
January winter decor works best when you remove anything that screams Christmas but keep what feels natural, warm, and timeless.
This is also the month where less is more truly shines. The goal is a cozy feel, not a crowded one.
- Think calm
- Think warm
- Think natural
- Think cozy
That’s winter decorating at its best.
Start by Removing What Feels Like Christmas
Begin with anything clearly tied to December. That includes the Christmas tree, ornaments, holiday figurines, Christmas artwork, and wreaths or garlands with ornaments.
Once those are gone, stop. Stand back and look at the room.
You’ll notice little gaps or empty spots. Those are your opportunities for winter decor.
Designer tip: Work on one room at a time. It keeps you from feeling overwhelmed and gives you a real sense of accomplishment.
What to Add Back for Winter Decor
Winter decor should feel easy and collected, not busy. Here are simple pieces that work beautifully this time of year:
- Vases with greenery stems
- Greenery wreaths or garlands without ornaments
- Pine cones
- Fairy lights
- Candles or battery powered candles
- Cozy blankets
- Faux fur or sheep skin rug
- Small trees without decorations
- Baskets
- Books in creams, browns, and winter blues
- Blue and cream ribbon
- Winter color scheme, such as blue, brown, and creams (think about nature to gather your color scheme)
These pieces bring warmth and texture without pushing the space back into Christmas.
Winter Decorating Ideas for the Living Room
After Christmas Mantel Decor
My fireplace mantel transition was incredibly easy this year.
I removed the popcorn garland, stockings, paper chain, and the air-dry clay gingerbread men from my Little House on the Prairie Christmas theme. Everything else already had a winter vibe.
I got lucky on my mantel and didn't have to add anything back in, but here is what stayed working from the top down.
First is the art. A winter evergreen botanical tree printable from my Etsy shop fits perfectly for winter, so it stayed. Printable art is an inexpensive and easy way to change your art for seasons and holidays. I have many to choose from in my Etsy shop here.
Then the window with a wreath and blue and cream ribbon. I got lucky with the ribbon because it has a winter feel.
Next, on the mantel shelf, I left the greenery, the garland with fairy lights, and crocks filled with greenery sprigs.
Cream and brown books, chamber lamps, and crocks with blue stripes.
So far, so good. This side of the room is feeling winter.
Remember to keep any warm lights, such as fairy lights, which add a warm glow, essential during the winter months.
On the hearth, I kept the mini tree with fairy lights, a basket trunk for firewood, and a lantern. It feels cozy and calm without feeling festive.
Because my Christmas color scheme was cream and blue, the mantel flowed right into winter. That made this transition almost effortless.
Once the mantel was finished, I moved into the rest of the living room.
Winter Decorated Sofa
If the back of your sofa is showing, consider adding a blanket for visual appeal. I added a new blanket to the back of the sofa from Studio McGee's new spring collection. It has lots of cozy textures and those perfect winter blue and cream tones.
It’s cozy without feeling heavy. Exactly what winter decorating should feel like.
Then, on the sofa, are a few throw pillows in more winter blue and cream tones.
Designer Tip: Bringing your color scheme throughout the room helps tie it together.
Coffee Table
On the coffee table, I kept the basket tray with books and candles. I simply removed one candle and holder that featured Christmas holly.
The books were already in neutral tones, and the candles added just the right amount of warm glow to cold winter days.
Designer Tip: That one small change made the entire table feel winter-ready. Sometimes winter decorating is about removing, not adding.
Chairs and End Table
Once the Christmas tree came down, I brought the end table and lamp back into this space.
I placed it on two stacked books in soft browns and creams.
Next to the books, I added a milk pitcher crock with dusty blue stripes.
You’ll notice the end table isn’t crowded. During the colder months, extra surface space is helpful for warm drinks, books, or cozy moments.
Designer tip: Repeating patterns makes a room feel intentional.
Since I already had blue-striped crocks on the mantel, repeating that detail here creates balance.
Winter Decor Ideas in the Library Area
Bookcase
This area may be my favorite winter transition.
After removing anything Christmas from the bookcases and leaving some greenery, I filled in the open spots with books. Once the shelves felt balanced again, I added the sweetest book lamp my daughter gave me.
It has two lighting settings, and I set it to warm. That one little choice completely changed this corner.
I love adding lighting to bookcases, especially during the winter months. It brings light into the bookcase, illuminating the nooks and crannies. If you love this book as much as I do, you can find it here on Amazon.
Library Table
On the library table, I styled an old wooden tray with a small cloche and an old blue-and-white Currier & Ives tea cup. I left the blue color needed for this all-neutral centerpiece.
Next to it sits a mini tree with fairy lights. That soft glow in the evening makes this table feel especially inviting for putting together a puzzle, playing a game, or reading a cozy book.
On the bench, I added a sheepskin. It instantly warms the space and makes sitting down feel cozy.
Small touches like this add comfort without clutter.
Entryway Winter Decor After Christmas
Wall Decor
In the entryway, I removed a large “Twas the Night Before Christmas” art piece and hung my mirror back up.
I left the mini wreaths on the candle holders and the blue ribbon. Not too busy, but the blue ribbon gives it that wintery feel.
Entry Table or Chest
On the chest, I kept a basket tray with books and the lamp, and removed anything else that was Christmasy. The lamp and candles keep the warm glow in this area, and the blue-colored books tie in with the blue ribbon for winter.
The front door still wears a greenery wreath with blue and cream ribbon. It feels wintery, not festive.
Kitchen Sitting Room Winter Decorating
In the kitchen sitting room, I left the garland with fairy lights and the bells on the display wall. The space needed that extra depth of color, which is why I kept the bells.
I removed the small Christmas tree and kept the cozy candles on the end table. Honestly, I could have kept the tree, but I decided the extra space for warm drinks and a book was more functional.
Over the hutch, the mistletoe garland came down. It felt too Christmas-specific. Instead, I reconstructed the paper chain garland from the mantel into a longer version and added it to the hutch.
The Currier and Ives plates are brown and blue, which fit perfectly into this winter theme.
The only thing I added here is my pinecone salt and pepper shakers.
Here is how it looks altogether. Simple and wintery!
Kitchen Winter Decor Touches
In the kitchen, I swapped out the art on my clipboard and left the mini wreaths, removing the ribbon since I had used red and white during Christmas.
A few candles in the window add a warm, cozy glow. And just like that, the kitchen feels ready for winter.
Winter Bedroom Decorating
During the holidays, I added a little greenery to the bedroom, so I pretty much left it there, except for anything that screamed Christmas.
For example, I like these teeny tiny wreaths on the lamps and candles.
It is the little details that make a good design great!
Also, I did think about this until I went to take photos, but this bed has pine cones on it. It must be a winter bed. LOL!
Winter Decorating Designer Tips
Here are a few last designer tips to help with your Christmas to Winter decorating transition.
- Work one room at a time.
- Use a winter color scheme
- Repeat colors and materials throughout your home.
- Leave breathing room on surfaces.
- Choose warm lighting over more decor.
- Cozy materials and textures
Final Thoughts
This was the easiest winter transition I’ve ever done. Starting with winter colors at Christmas made all the difference. And a more primitive, natural style naturally leans into winter decor.
Remember this rule: cozy, warm, neutral, and natural. If what you already own fits those four things, you’re ready for winter decorating.
I am so glad you came to join me, and I hope this post inspired you to winter decorate. What is the most important decor element for your winter home? Mine is warm lighting and cozy blankets.
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Happy decorating!
