Home Decorating Tips for a Warm and Cozy Winter

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When the cold months of winter start to set in, with shorter days, longer nights, and biting winds that
makes you long to wrap your hands around a warm mug of cocoa, you may find yourself going into
hibernation mode. You’ll likely have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and you’ll want nothing
more than to come home and snuggle up under your favorite down comforter or drink some wine and
eat some cheese with your honey next to a blazing fire. Or perhaps your fondest wish is to settle down
on the couch with the family, pop some corn, and watch a few holiday flicks. The point is, much of the
winter will be spent indoors, which means you’ll likely want a home that is warm and cozy. So here are
just a few decorating tips to create the perfect space to wait out the winter.

1. Pillows and throws. Unless you want to pay beaucoup bucks to heat your house, you’re likely
going to lock the thermostat at a temperature that is a little chilly for most people. But since
you can only pile on so many sweaters and socks, it behooves you to create some areas for
members of your household to nest. This is where fluffy pillows and fuzzy throws enter the
picture, and you should have plenty handy in cupboards, bins, and baskets around the house.
As for color, you can’t go wrong with winter white (it gets dirty, but cleans up well with bleach)
or a bright accent color that goes with your décor. Various shades of green are always nice
when there’s no greenery outside.

2. Door draft stops. While you can certainly add some weather stripping for exterior doors or
place practical rubber draft stops under entryways, you can use your drafty house as an excuse
for some cute (yet functional) accessorizing. Decorative draft stoppers (for interior doors) are
often colorful and whimsical (although you can definitely find some that are simply a solid-
colored tube). They may come in the shape of animals (often snakes) or you might prefer pretty
colors or patterns. But when doors are closed, these cute items of décor will ensure that the
heat stays in.

3. Candles. Nothing says cozy like the flickering light of a candle, so find ways to incorporate these
alternate light sources into your space. They can set the mood for an intimate dinner, a low-key
holiday party, or a night of reading seasonal stories by the fire, and if the power goes out you’ll
be glad you have them.

4. Centerpieces and displays. You may think you need to place a seasonal display on every surface,
from the dining room table to the sideboard to the standing desks in the office. But the truth
is, less is more when it comes to décor. You don’t have to go all minimalist, but one big display
will have a lot more impact than several smaller ones scattered all over the house (which can
just look like clutter). A modern option is to fill a hurricane glass with colorful ornaments and
ribbon, but if you want a more traditional or rustic look, collect some pine cones and cut a
couple of branches from a pine tree in your yard to place in a bowl.

5. Consider your furnishings. Whether your everyday decorating style leans towards French
antiquity or mid century modern furniture (or anything in between), it’s important to stick
to your aesthetic when it comes to adding seasonal décor. So if your space is ultra-modern,
skip the old-timey decorations. And if your style is more eclectic, search for décor that is
understated so it won’t compete with key pieces.