How to Create a Cozy Winter Home after Christmas

The post-holiday season often leaves our homes feeling empty and cold after we pack away the Christmas decorations.

Winter’s quiet months offer the perfect opportunity to transform your space into a cozy winter home. Make it a sanctuary that bridges the gap between winter’s hibernation and spring’s promise.

Here’s how to create a warm, inviting home that celebrates winter while hinting at the coming spring.

Cozy living room with a white sofa adorned with patterned cushions, a glass-top coffee table with a decorative tray, and a plaid armchair. A large window in the background lets in natural light, and shelves and lamps add to the decor.

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Start with a Deep Clean

January is the ideal time for a thorough home refresh. I decided I needed a blank slate. My friends, I took it to the extreme. 

I cleared everything off of every shelf and countertop. I took almost everything off the walls. 

A bright living room features a vaulted wooden ceiling, large windows, and a glass door. It is furnished with white and blue armchairs, a white sofa, and a coffee table. The space has a fireplace with a painting above it and built-in bookshelves.

After everything was taken down and stored in my office, I took advantage of the empty surfaces to really deep clean.

A cozy dining room features a wooden table with white chairs, white cabinets, and a brass chandelier. The room has white shiplap walls, a wooden ceiling, and a blue-patterned rug on the dark wooden floor.
Living room with a white sofa, a framed painting above a white fireplace, an empty white bookshelf, and large windows showing a snowy outdoor scene. A side table with a lamp is next to the sofa. The ceiling is wood-paneled.
Sunlit kitchen with a wooden ceiling, white cabinets, and black island. Four barstools sit at the island, illuminated by pendant lights. White columns frame the space. Light wood flooring complements the airy, rustic design. Stairs are visible in the background.
A bright kitchen featuring white cabinets with glass doors, a black countertop, and a large stove. The backsplash is white subway tile, and there are dishes visible through the cabinet glass. The ceiling is wooden with track lighting.
Bright room with a black front door and wood ceiling. Walls are light gray. A built-in coat rack with hooks and a bench is on the left. A small cabinet and shelf stand to the right. Hardwood flooring and a light blue rug complete the space.

“Handy” sent these pictures to our girls and said “Have you heard from Mom? I came home from work and this is what the house looks like!!!” – He’s a funny guy!

I also paid special attention to windowsills, baseboards, and ceiling corners where dust and glitter accumulate during the busy Christmas season. After all of my surfaces were cleaned I vacuumed and mopped all of the floors. Lastly, I washed all of my throw rugs so that they were also clean.

Bright room with a black front door and wood ceiling. Walls are light gray. A built-in coat rack with hooks and a bench is on the left. A small cabinet and shelf stand to the right. Hardwood flooring and a light blue rug complete the space.
Before
A cozy entryway with a black door adorned with a wreath. Hooks on the wall hold scarves. A plant sits on a vintage chair by the door. Light gray walls and wood floors enhance the space. To the left, a dining area with a blue rug is partially visible.
After

Create Cozy Winter Layers

To embrace the winter months this year, I was very intentional about what I was going to put back into our living spaces. I knew I wanted a cozy feel but I wanted a much more minimal feel.

Instead of the typical cozy winter décor, I knew that many enjoy leaving up twinkle lights and decorating with pine boughs, etc., for that “after the holidays” feel. However, I wanted a different cozy home feel.

Keeping my palette neutral allows me to switch out throw pillows and chunky throws to add texture to my living space. I chose a blue and white theme which is my favorite color palette and a way to display my vintage flow blue China.

A cozy living room corner features a white armchair with a black cushion, a white side table with a lamp, and a bookshelf with decorative items. A fireplace with a painting above and soft sunlight streaming in complete the scene.

My neutral textured white rug works in my room no matter what season we are in.

Another way to incorporate texture is by using woven baskets, ceramic vessels, and natural wood elements. These additions create visual warmth without relying on traditional winter motifs.

Add Subtle Spring Elements

I’m ready to bring the outdoors in in the form of spring. I want to weave in gentle reminders of the coming season without compromising winter’s cozy atmosphere.

By adding a floral lumbar pillow from Target I was able to set the tone for my pops of pinks and peaches in my space.

Placing arrangements of fresh flowers in soft pink and peach tones in vintage vessels is a great way to do that. I was able to find tulips and pink larkspur in my local grocery store. The larkspur smells amazing.

A terracotta plant pot with ferns sits beside a wooden caddy on a black countertop. The caddy holds a white pitcher with white tulips, a white plate, and small scissors. The background features a beadboard wall with a power outlet.
A bright kitchen with white cabinets and a black countertop. A stovetop with a black pot is below a pot filler and range hood. A pitcher with pink flowers and a container holding kitchen utensils sit on the counter.

Displaying forced paperwhite bulbs in vintage chamber pots adds a touch of whimsy and a subtle nod to spring.

A kitchen counter with a white potted plant with tall leaves and budding flowers. Next to it are a white ceramic pitcher, a lit candle, and a small framed picture. A decorative lamp is on the right. The background shows cabinets and a stove.

Don’t forget that fresh indoor plants can breathe (literally) new life into your space after the holidays.

A small corner with a white cabinet, decorated with three white vases holding tulips. Above, a shelf displays a framed painting and a plant. A blue hanging board and a white checkered towel complete the arrangement. Walls are light gray.

On my coffee table, I used a wicker tray and topped it with a vintage-like stone dove, three sweet little faux geranium pots along with the ultimate cozy, a favorite candle.

A round wicker tray holds a potted plant with white flowers and green leaves, a small golden decorative object shaped like a bee, and a white ceramic bird. The tray rests on a glass surface, with soft light reflections visible.

Some Favorite New Finds

Set the Mood

Creating ambiance through thoughtful lighting and scent is a favorite part of cozy in my home. You can see where I talk about the warm-toned bulbs I use in my table lamps to create pools of gentle light HERE.

For my candles, I choose clean scents after the holidays. Clean Cotton and Fresh Cut Herb by Antique Candle Co are two of my favorites. I’m also enjoying battery-operated taper candles. You get the glow of candlelight without the worry of fire or melted wax.

A cozy living room with a lit fireplace framed by white shelves, holding decorative items. A white armchair and a small table are visible. A large painting and tall candles adorn the mantel above the fireplace.
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.

min·i·mal·ist

When you call a person a minimalist, you’re describing their interest in keeping things very simple. A minimalist prefers the minimal amount or degree of something.

Embrace Minimalism

Winter is the perfect season to practice restraint in decor:

Leave some surfaces bare to create visual rest and highlight special pieces. I did that on my end tables. I left them clear with only a lamp.

Group similar items together for impact while maintaining simplicity. While I could never be accused of being a minimalist, I did my best to keep things simple and somewhat minimal.

When I went through the items that I moved into my office, I did a purge. The items that got moved back into my living space each serve a purpose, whether functional or purely beautiful.

While organizing my possessions, I determined that there were things that I would donate and a few things that got tossed.

A group of light pink roses with slightly wilted petals rests on a white plate. The soft lighting casts gentle shadows, highlighting the roses' delicate texture and subtle color variations.

By following these guidelines, you’ll also be able to create a home that feels both seasonally appropriate and fresh – a space that honors winter’s quiet beauty while looking forward to spring’s renewal.

The key is finding balance: between cozy and clean, between winter and spring, between decorated and decluttered. This thoughtful approach creates a home that will carry you comfortably through winter’s remaining months while gently anticipating the season ahead.

Peace and Love,

A blue background with hand-drawn elements sets the stage. A heart symbol flanked by two lines adds charm, while the text "Lynn xoxo" in cursive whispers a promise to make food prep easier and more delightful.
A dark blue background with a subtle, wavy abstract line pattern running across the center, reminiscent of the flowing creativity often found when living large in a small house.

Meet Me

My name is Lynn. I live in the suburbs of Chicago in a 1,300 sq. ft. home with my Handy husband, Keith.

I’m an open book about my life on my blog. You can find out more about me by visiting my About page.

about Me
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2 Comments

  1. Michelle Anna Alfano says:

    This is such a great post. I feel like there is so much out there about holiday decorating and that’s as far as it goes in winter. It’s like everyone wants to go into hibernation mode after the holidays. I love that you give specific advice to make your space cozy all winter long.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Michelle – I appreciate your comment and following along!

      Reply