Flashy baubles and delicate garlands are carefully stowed away, promises of weekly holiday events and get-togethers have subsided, and endless hours of (fun!) baking projects are no longer at the top of your To-Do list. The holidays are over. A new year has begun!
After the excitement of the end-of-year holidays has calmed, and your layers upon layers of seasonal decor has been stored for the following year, the calm of a clean and simplified house can be a welcome respite from the visual chaos of the past few months. But after the novelty of a minimalist home dwindles, you might be left feeling like you're living in a sterile box.
After the excitement of the end-of-year holidays has calmed, and your layers upon layers of seasonal decor has been stored for the following year, the calm of a clean and simplified house can be a welcome respite from the visual chaos of the past few months. But after the novelty of a minimalist home dwindles, you might be left feeling like you're living in a sterile box.
My favorite way to decorate after the new year is by layering fresh greenery, adding texture with fuzzy blankets and pillows, and keeping things warm and inviting without all the glitz and glitter! Here's a few ideas to get you started!
Keep Those Greens!
I love fresh (and faux!) greenery all year long. Ferns, boxwood, pine, magnolia leaves, palms, you name it...all add life and interest to any home, and are easy to come by! Gently take apart the giant bows and ornaments incorporated into your holiday greenery and display the simplified winter greens in their own. It's a great way to add life to your home when the weather is cold and bleak.
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
Stick to Neutrals
As much as I love the warm tones of fall, and the vibrant hues of December holidays, I find that I'm ready for a palette cleanser at the start of the new year! Simplify your decor by removing excess colors (pillows, throws, holiday decor, tchotchkes, etc.) in favor of a more calming neutral theme. Your eyes will thank you!
And if you love color, don't worry! You'll be off and decorating for spring before you know it!
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
Reuse Your Red
Though your Elf on the Shelf may look a little out of place in February, if you love decorating with red for Christmas, why not keep the festive hue around for Valentine's Day?
Reusing your shiny red baubles and garlands in the form of wreaths and vase fillers is a great way to get more use out of your holiday decor!
 |
| via |
Subtle Sparkle
Winter is still a time of frosted windows and sparkling snow. It's okay to want to enjoy the glitter of the holidays a little longer! Tone it down a bit by keeping it somewhat neutral and evoking the feeling of glistening snow and evergreen forests (you should probably pack away the tinsel and Santa motifs).
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
Add Texture
Overcast days and bright snow will make the light in your home cool toned. Warm up your interiors with layers of soft pillows, woven baskets filled with throw blankets, plants in every room, and lamps with warm bulbs. Even in warmer months, adding layers throughout your decor will quickly make a house feel more homey!
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
 |
| via |
No matter how you like to decorate your house after the new year, keep it simple! Take the opportunity to enjoy the simplicity of a fresh, clean interior, then add your favorite items as the month progresses. You'll have an inviting home you love, and maybe a few things already in your spring cleaning donation pile! *wink*
*****************************
Q: How do YOU like to decorate after the holidays? I'd love to hear your ideas!