This post is in partnership with Wayfair
It feels good to be back at the start of a fresh new year. Today I’m sharing some simple spring therapy for a winter home — seasonal shifts and progress from several rooms in my house.
This is a long post with lots of photos and ideas, so grab your coffee or tea and let’s look around together.
For convenience, many of the sources I mention are linked throughout the post.
I’ve noticed something about my home at the start of the year — maybe you have too. If I take down Christmas decorations too early, the house can feel a little empty. Yet there’s also something so appealing about a clean slate: calmer rooms and a fresh start.
When the holidays are packed away, I often look forward to rearranging surfaces and adding a small touch of spring.
Yes, I said spring — even in the middle of winter. A fresh color or pattern, a living plant, or mixing existing items with something new can create a lovely “spring moment” that brings life to a room and lifts your mood.
It’s never too early to bring a hint of spring indoors.
The optimism of spring is a joyful thing. Decorating in a way that helps you feel more present and happier in this season is worth the effort.
Spring decorating isn’t only for when spring arrives on the calendar.
If you enjoy decorating or want friendly guidance, I’m offering a 5-week workshop that walks through a timeless recipe and rhythm to pull rooms together in any season. The goal is to help you adapt principles that work for your home so decorating feels personal and enjoyable.
Below are a few seasonal swaps and examples of how I mixed and matched pieces this week in the snug, the entry, the kitchen and the bedroom.
Last year my motto was “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Here’s another useful tip: just because something found a place last season doesn’t mean it has to stay there this season. Evolving your spaces helps the home feel alive, not stuck in a previous moment.
Refresh, rearrange, and let your rooms evolve.
We plan a complete snug refresh with paint and rearrangement later this year, but this week we used what we already have to create a cozier, brighter mood. Simple swaps—like changing a rug or moving furniture—can make a room feel ready for both lingering winter and the first hints of spring.
Collect classic pieces you love so seasons are easy to update.
Some classic items in the snug and why we like them:
Framed botanical art — This set is beautiful and versatile; you can display them together or spread them through your home.
Checked lampshade and lamp — A traditional base with a whimsical shade adds personality and interest.
Spindle-leg end table — A classic, movable piece that serves many functions throughout the year.
Blue patterned rug — We moved a rug from the dining room to the snug; color and pattern can refresh a space without heavy lifting.
Faux hydrangeas — Great for winter when real blooms aren’t available, they add texture and a subtle floral hint.
Bring the joy of spring back into your entry.
The entry can feel bare after the holidays. Instead of leaving it stark and wintery, bring in small cheerful touches: tulips by the door, a striped pot with an orchid on the entry table, and a lighter lamp for a brighter mood. These simple swaps make the space welcoming without overwhelming it.
I also love a solid brass door knocker for its timeless charm and practicality. It’s decorative and functional, and it’s easy to refresh the look around it as the seasons change.
A seasonal dish swap is an instant mood lift.
Collect dishes over time that coordinate even if they don’t match exactly. Taking everything down, cleaning shelves and returning pieces in new combinations is a small ritual that refreshes the kitchen and your spirits.
A green-and-white dish set (or the same pattern in blue) is a cheerful addition. Botanical and patterned pieces mixed together create a lived-in, curated look that feels fresh every season.
One simple idea: use a striped planter not just for plants but to hold wooden spoons or utensils. Seeing everyday items presented intentionally makes daily life feel a little more joyful and whimsical.
Practical updates make everyday life feel intentional.
At the start of the year I’m often motivated to declutter and organize with purpose. Attractive storage pieces, like a lidded laundry basket or a wicker trunk, are functional and pleasing to the eye, and they can move from room to room as needs change.
We recently brought a dresser back into one room and made a few other swaps upstairs — more on those updates soon. For now, the bedroom refresh we’ve begun is already creating a peaceful, welcoming mood.
Create spaces that delight and calm you.
Just as the first bulbs push up through winter soil, you can invite delight into your home any time. If winter moods don’t inspire you, lean into what does — a warm, sunny day or the image of tiptoeing through tulips — and bring those feelings into your rooms.
Every time we enter our refreshed room we feel delighted. A little paint, pattern, and thoughtful rearranging using furniture we already own made a big difference. I’ll share more updates soon.
Happy January!
More Wayfair Finds to Refresh Your Home: