Post-Holiday Reset: How to Decorate for Winter on a Budget
*This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here. Thank you for supporting my blog.*
I don’t know about you, but as much as I absolutely love the magic of the Christmas season, there is a specific kind of hangover that happens once the calendar turns to January. After weeks of intentional hosting and sticking to our holiday decor rules, the house can suddenly feel a little… bare. Or, if I’m being honest, a little chaotic! We’ve just finished our winter storage purge to make room for new gifts, and now I’m craving a home that feels quiet, intentional, and most importantly, cozy for the long winter months ahead.
Today, I’m sharing how I’m transitioning our home from Holiday Sparkle to a Winter Sanctuary without spending a dime. It’s all about high-impact, low-cost changes that prioritize rest!
1. The Winter Edit: Keep the Texture, Lose the Theme
When I start taking down the tree, I don’t pack everything away. My #1 rule for winter decorating is to think texture, not holiday. Those chunky knit cream blankets and the deep green velvet pillows? They stay. They aren't Christmas, they’re cozy. My favorite place to shop during this time is my own home. I’ll take the evergreen stems out of the red vases and move them into my favorite white Target clearance finds or a vintage crock I found on Facebook Marketplace. It keeps that life and greenery in the house without it feeling like I forgot to take down the decorations.
1. The Pack Away List (The Themed Items)
[ ] The Red Rule: Pack away anything bright red. It’s the most Christmas of colors.
[ ] Iconic Motifs: Say goodbye to reindeer, Santas, gingerbread men, and stockings.
[ ] The Shine: Remove high-glitter items or tinsel that feels like a party.
[ ] Holiday Scents: Swap out Cinnamon Spice or Candy Cane candles for Fireside, Clean Linen, or Amber.
2. The Stay Out List (The Texture Items)
[ ] Winter Greens: Keep the cedar and pine branches! Just move them into neutral vessels like stoneware or vintage crocks.
[ ] Heavy Knits: Chunky blankets and wool throws are essential for the January chill.
[ ] Velvet & Faux Fur: These textures scream winter, not just holidays.
[ ] Natural Wood: Keep out your wood beads, cutting boards, and bowls to provide warmth against the winter light.
3. The Add In List (The Light Items)
[ ] The Warm Glow: Since the sun sets early, add battery-operated fairy lights to a bowl of pinecones or a glass hurricane.
[ ] Clear the Surfaces: Give your eyes a rest. Leave 20% of your surfaces completely empty to create a breathable room.
2. Creating an Intentional Slow-Down Spot
With the days still short and the Florida winter giving us just enough of a chill to stay inside, I’ve been focusing on my Intentional Reading Nook.
You don’t need a whole room makeover to do this. I simply moved a comfortable chair near a window, added a floor lamp for a warm glow (ditch those harsh overhead lights!), and set out a small table for my coffee mug. It’s a dedicated space that whispers, "It’s okay to slow down." This is where you’ll find me every morning before the kids wake up, reconnecting and recharging for the day.
3. Lean Into Moody Traditional.
If you saw our Moody Traditional Christmas Tour, you know I’ve been loving deeper tones lately. Winter is the perfect time to experiment with this.
Since I love a good DIY, I’m looking at some of our builder-grade walls and thinking about a fresh coat of a dark, moody gray or deep blue. Paint is the most budget-friendly way to completely change the feel of a room. A darker wall in the bedroom makes the space feel like a warm hug - exactly what we need when the post-holiday blues try to creep in.
4. The Kitchen Reset
The kitchen is always the last place I tackle, but after all the holiday cooking, it usually needs the most love. I’m doing a Mini Kitchen Reset, clearing the counters of clutter and only leaving out what is functional and beautiful. It’s the little things that bring a smile to day.
I’m currently obsessing over my wood cutting boards leaning against the backsplash. They add so much warmth to our neutral kitchen! I also love to keep a winter-scented candle going on a marble riser. It makes the "chore" of making dinner feel a little more like a treat.
Creating a home you love isn't about the size of your budget or how many new things you can buy. It’s about taking the time to make your space reflect who you are and how you want to live. Right now, I want to live slowly and savor these last few days of vacation with my family.
Are you ready to embrace the quiet of winter, or are you already counting down the days until spring? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to hear how you’re cozying up your home this month!
Happy Decorating!
I’m a mom of two and wife to a seriously supportive hubby, living our best life in our forever house by the preserve! I'm all about helping you create a stylish, Pinterest-worthy home on a budget. Let's obsess over interior design, home decor, DIY, and home improvement projects to help you create your best home. Follow along and say hello! I love hearing from you.
Currently Trending
Join me on Instagram!
Looking for something?
