TThe change of seasons is the perfect excuse to refresh your home. With the holidays behind us and winter still ahead, this is an ideal time to create a sanctuary that feels snug, warm, and inviting all season long.
We recently moved into a new house, and our bedroom is still in the “we moved our things in” stage. In January I’m excited to give it some intentional thought and design — to dream a little and make it feel like a true retreat.
Even if you don’t plan a full makeover, taking time this season to rest, dream, and make small improvements is nourishing for the soul.
In my upcoming book A Lovely Life I write about using winter as a season to rest and rejuvenate. I naturally spend more time in the bedroom during colder months. I also enjoy sitting by the fire or warming up in the kitchen, but my bedroom is where I retreat early to snuggle in and get cozy — so it needs to feel welcoming for long winter naps and quiet mornings.
If you saw my last post, we’re doing a home challenge this month called A Lovely January. It’s simple: pick one room to make progress on this month. I’d love for you to join and share your progress!
I chose the bedroom for my challenge.
Our main budget and focus this year will go toward a kitchen remodel and an addition, which I’ll share about later. Since the bedroom is my winter refuge, I want to refresh it so it feels cozy and comforting without a major expense.
We’ll use what we already own: a versatile dresser we’ve moved around over the years, our cane bed, the painted bookcase from our previous home, a couple of lamps, a mirror or two, two nightstands that came with the house, and an IKEA chair that came with the house as well. Over time we may update pieces if we find something that better fits the room’s size or our organizational needs, but for now these items work well.
So what will our refresh include?
We removed the garland this week, so we’re starting with a clean slate.
Lighting:
Lighting will be a priority to enhance the room’s cozy atmosphere. We added a new brass floor lamp perfect for reading in the chair. We’ll keep the floral lamp on the dresser because it adds a pretty, soft glow. I’m considering a new ceiling fixture to add personality; the current one is acceptable but swapping it out can make a big impact. I’ll also add plug-in wall sconces by the bed to free up nightstand space. One more lamp or sconce will help distribute soft light around the room; I’ll look for an affordable option to complete the mix.
Mirror:
We already hung a mirror, which reflects the view outside and helps the room feel larger and brighter. It’s a simple change that makes a noticeable difference.
Bedding:
Although I love several quilts I’ve collected (including a blue-and-white one I still adore), I’m inspired to change the bedding for a winter look. Mixing pillows, duvets, and quilts lets you refresh a room without major expense. This bedroom is currently the only full bed space I’m working with, so I’m excited to experiment with seasonal bedding here.
Color Palette:
We considered repainting but decided to wait. The current wall color (Bunny Gray by Benjamin Moore) complements the water and sky views outside and creates a soothing backdrop. For now I’ll focus on bedding and accessories to introduce color and pattern while saving repainting for later.
Slipcover:
The chair in the room is very comfortable, so rather than replace it I’ll likely update it with a slipcover. It’s an easy way to refresh the look without a full furniture swap.
Bench:
We need a bench at the foot of the bed so our dogs can safely hop up and down. They love to snuggle with us in the mornings and nap during the day, so a bench will make access easier and more comfortable for them.
Art:
I’m still deciding on art. We have a few pieces up for now, but I’m open to switching things seasonally. Art adds personality and color, and I’ll keep an eye out for pieces that feel right for this room.
Window Treatments:
Curtains will add softness and coziness, so I plan to add panels where needed. Some windows currently have simple shades and others are bare; curtains will help with privacy and light control. I may also consider shutters on a lower window for added privacy while preserving the view.
Function:
Organization is a focus, especially in the closet. I’ll gather ideas and implement systems that improve storage and make daily life easier.
Flooring:
Ultimately I want hardwood floors throughout the house and may do them during the remodel. If floors are postponed, adding throw rugs near doors and the chair can introduce color and pattern in the meantime.
Dream List:
There are endless possibilities: wallpaper or wood accent walls, wood ceilings, crown molding, a fireplace — all ideas I’d love to explore over time.
This gives me a practical yet inspiring list to work through this season. I’m not rushing to complete everything; the goal is to enjoy the process and make thoughtful updates. By the end of January I aim to have updated lighting and a cozy winter bed look.
****UPDATE: We’ve made progress on the bedroom! Come see the updates in our follow-up post.
You can also find the post sharing the lantern ceiling light we installed and the difference it made in the space.
What are you working on this month? Share your ideas, plans, and progress in our community or on social media with the hashtag #alovelyjanuary — tag me so I can see!