10 TOP Winter Decorating Ideas to Warm up Cold Spaces

These winter decorating ideas are sure to warm up cold spaces…

It can be a sad, cold time of year. Once the holiday decor is down, there’s this frigid void in our homes. The rooms that had been filled with colorful presents and glittery garlands now look blank and barren.

In January and February where I live, the landscape looks stark, desolate, and cold. No plants, no birds.

Life is slow. Frozen. And that kind of matches how our house can feel when that last box of Christmas ornaments is finally stashed away.

So to combat the inevitable winter blues that come with this Christmas hangover, I’ve adopted some winter decorating ideas.

This ensemble of winter decor will help warm our homes and breathe some life into those blank, barren spaces.

Need a Winter Decor Warm-Up?

Well, we’ve got you covered…quite literally with idea #1! And pssst…be sure to check out this post about 9 Simple Tips for Hygge Decor in Winter, too.

1. Toasty Tartan

It’s no secret that I’m a bit mad for plaid. But plaids and tartans are such a gorgeous, easy accent. I have a stash of plaid scarves and blankets that are out in full force at this time of year and always serve as the source for some fun and easy winter decorating ideas.

There is nothing cozier than curling up in a big, wool blanket. And if it’s festive and pretty? Even better.

Now is a great time of year to shop for them, too. After the Christmas shopping season, winter decor tends to go on sale. PERFECT.

And don’t forget plaid scarves!

Plaid scarves and blankets can serve as a platform for all kinds of winter decorating ideas.

Table runners are probably my favorite way to use them, but I will also make quick bolster & pillow covers out of them as well.

Pin

2. Can’t forget Candles

I mentioned these in our post about easy ways to up the ambiance in your home, but I use these so much, I think it bears repeating. Shop for and buy some battery-operated candles on timers.

Years ago, these things were cheesy, cheesy, cheesy. But they’ve come a LONG WAY. It’s tough to tell sometimes if these candles are fakes or the real deal.

And the timer component is so clutch. Mine are set so that each evening, around dusk, the house comes alive with candlelight. It’s warm, friendly, and inviting.

Pin

3. Buffalo Check/Glorious Gingham

Granted, I don’t think that gingham goes well with every home’s aesthetic, but if you have a subtle country vibe going on, buffalo check is beautiful.

I bought a bolt of this fabric, and have used it for quick bolster covers (seen above). And in the summer, this fabric is outside draped on our pergola as outdoor curtains.

It’s a super versatile print. Lots of people go for gingham in their bedding, or throws.

4. Pinecones

I use pinecones to decorate starting in the fall, and I keep them around until spring. They add so much texture and such pretty, deep, warm tones.

I sprinkle them everywhere. Like a little pinecone fairy. Why not? They’re cheap.

And cute.

And super seasonal.

You can buy them in big batches online, in all shapes and sizes. 

And try some of the scented variety if you haven’t already. Gorgeous.

5. Fabulous Faux Fur

Another source of winter decorating ideas? Anything faux fur. So fuzzy and fluffy and fantastic. Blankets, pillows and rugs are readily available, almost anywhere these days.

And the material seems to just scream “come snuggle up in your old pjs and fuzziest socks.” Can’t get much better than that.

We love our faux sheepskin rugs, and I’ll just throw one on top of another rug to add a little seasonality to a space.

If you just buy the pillow covers, you can simply change out the covers in the off-seasons.

6. Vintage Winter Sporting Goods

Being the junker and lover of all things antique that I am, I have a pair of vintage snowshoes that I adore. I also have a pair of old ice skates that I’ll decorate with as well.

Wooden skis are on my shortlist of items that I always have a lookout for at tag sales and thrifting trips.

Usually, I’ll just prop these up in a corner somewhere and call it a day. A great place to find vintage sporting gear is eBay.

That’s typically my go-to spot for all things old and unusual.

7. Seasonal Scents

Around Christmas, we break out the Yankee “Christmas cookie” candles, and all kinds of other seasonal smells fill our homes.

For some reason, I don’t think a lot of us carry this idea through the rest of winter. But I love the idea of carrying those nostalgic seasonal scents with us into the new year.

“Winter”,  in my mind is pine, cinnamon, and citrus…maybe even vanilla. Sure, those could be considered Christmas-y as well, but unlike those Santa tchotchkes and reindeer lawn ornaments, having some pine scent or cinnamon hanging around the house after Dec 25th is A-OK I think.

One of my favorite ways to bring scents into our home is a stovetop simmer recipe I dished in our ambiance post. It’s comprised of a variety of ingredients, one of them being citrus. Either lemon or orange.

Just having a bowl of citrus fruit sitting out in the winter is pretty, and reminds us that warmer days are ahead. Cinnamon is another favorite.

It’s also in the simmer recipe, but I also like to have sticks of cinnamon sitting out in the winter. They look lovely in a mason jar…

I buy cinnamon sticks in bulk. Otherwise, they can get pretty pricey.

Pine, balsam or cedar incense, pine sachets or candles are wonderful if you’re after that scent of a wintery forest.

8. Evergreen Garnishes

If you’re lucky enough to have any pine trees at home, a super easy, affordable way to get that pine scent at home is to simply go lop off some branches! I do this ALL THE TIME.

Pin

Plus, the green color is so gorgeous at home in the winter.

Or choose to use those types of leafy greens as a garland or simple scattered loose leaves.

Pin

Don’t love pine? What about a boxwood, magnolia  or bayleaf wreath?

9. Winter Dishware or China Patterns

I have been collecting a set of seasonal dishes for years. Each Christmas, my family will buy me a couple of pieces. And I use those dishes not only to set our table but also for decorating in other ways.

Pin

Like a simple candle in a teacup.

Pin

Try hanging some on a wall!

But no matter what you do with them, gorgeous seasonal dishes like these will be treasured by your family for years to come.

 

10. Please sir, may I have S’More?

And if all else fails, and cabin fever finally starts to get the best of your family, head outside, to a firepit…

Pin

And make some S’Mores! Grab those marshmallows, and get ready for a cozy, wintery-warmed-by-the-firepit treat. There’s nothing like it!

Let’s make this winter wonderful! Hope this has given you a few, fun winter decorating ideas!

Pin these winter decorating ideas for later ⤵️