Planning to stay inside this winter? This year more than ever, you’re not alone. And although hunkering down at home during the colder months can sound a bit bleak, it doesn’t have to be. Especially when you take the opportunity to dress up your ambiance for the season. And when you implement a few of our clever winter design ideas, home easily becomes a cozy sanctuary that you won’t want to leave.

1. Update your color scheme with interchangeable accent pieces

When considering how to decorate for the seasons, we firmly believe in working smarter, not harder. That’s why we recommend switching out smaller accent pieces like toss pillows, throws, and tabletop decor. Having staple furniture pieces in neutral fabrics or wood tones can make this practice easier throughout the year no matter what color schemes you’re drawn to.

When decorating for winter, focus on deeper, more saturated hues or icy, cool tones to make your home feel ready for the season. Choose one or two different colors to keep consistent across all of your accent pieces.

Photo by @blankslatereno is pictured with our contemporary Lottie Upholstered Platform Bed Frame.

For the more vibrant statement pieces in your collection, such as a printed armchair or brightly colored couch, nothing says “winter” quite like added pops of metallic or frosty white.

Photo by @kelseymaggart is featured with our festive Mikhail Sofa.

2. Use textures and patterns to warm up the room

During the colder months, one of the best things about being at home is escaping the chilly weather outside. Evoke the feeling of warmth in a room by using accessories and textiles that are soft to the touch, like chenille blankets, velvet pillows or a faux fur area rug. There’s no better way to make your space look and feel more inviting.

Photo by @dirt.naturals features our velvet Charlotte Upholstered Platform Bed Frame.

And patterned accents are by no means off limits. A colorful nordic print or festive plaid will instantly add that cozy-cabin-in-the-woods vibe.

Image by @myhouseof8 shown with the Christina Upholstered Platform Bed Frame.

3. Soften the lighting

Warm up the look of a living space or bedroom instantly by swapping out your white light bulbs with ones that have a warmer, golden hue. Another way to achieve this inviting glow? Use candlelight or string lights. Placed across a nightstand or coffee table, or strung up above a window, these softer forms of lighting can really lift your spirits all winter long.

Image from @via_justine is shown with our channel-tufted Debi Upholstered Platform Bed Frame.

4. Add seasonal greenery

Your holiday wreaths and garlands can continue to enhance your winter aesthetic way past December 25th. Adding lush greenery is a simple way to breathe some extra life into any room needing a bit of a pick-me-up. Plus, plant life can do wonders to enhance your physical wellbeing and cure those winter blues (check out our Easy Houseplants blog to read more about how).

Image from @tayloralexa is shown with our cozy Josh Loveseat.

Aside from typical holiday favorites like cedar, pine and blue spruce, other seasonal greens like eucalyptus, magnolia and juniper look equally as lovely when arranged simply in a vase or draped over a fireplace mantel, headboard or banister.

5. Change up your wall hangings

No one ever said you have to stick with the same old wall hangings season after season. Switching out a few pieces, whether they’re framed family photos or painted artwork, gives your eye something fresh to look at from room to room. Now is the time to hang up those snowy landscapes!

And even if you don’t have much of a collection to pull from, you can still rearrange your existing wall decor to create a collage or move certain pieces into different areas. Similar to rearranging the furniture, it helps make your space feel brand new.

6. Take a “less is more” approach

When it comes to interior design, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with ideas. Especially in the age of Pinterest and Instagram! That’s why the best advice we can give is this: don’t get caught up trying to adjust and perfect every single knick-knack or accessory in your house. Oftentimes, the smallest alterations can make the biggest difference. Remember that quality counts for way more than quantity.

As our friend Kate Becker (@katebecker.mn) wisely puts it, “I think we get so wrapped up in ideas that we see online and can get overwhelmed when wanting to switch things up for a season or holiday...when in reality, changing out pillows, blankets, or flowers can make a big difference! At the end of the day, if I am feeling stuck, I will rearrange the furniture to see the room in a new light!”