This post is in partnership with Wayfair
It feels good to be back with a fresh new year. Today I’m sharing some simple spring therapy for a winter home — seasonal swaps and progress in several rooms that bring a lighter, happier mood without a full remodel.
This is a long post with lots of photos and ideas, so grab your coffee or tea and enjoy the tour.
For convenience, many of the sources I mention are linked throughout the post.
I’ve noticed something about our home at the start of the year. If I take down Christmas decorations too early the house can feel a little empty. Yet I also love the clean slate that follows — calmer rooms that invite change.
Over the years I’ve learned that after the holidays I look forward to rearranging and adding a small touch of spring.
A hint of a fresh color, an unexpected pattern, a living plant, or simply repositioning items you already own can create a “spring moment” that brightens a room in the middle of winter.
It’s never too early to bring a hint of spring indoors.
Spring’s freshness and optimism are uplifting — decorating in ways that make you feel more present and happier in this season is perfectly fine anytime you need that boost.
Spring decorating isn’t tied to a calendar.
If you love decorating or want more guidance, I’m running a five-week workshop that teaches a timeless recipe and rhythm for pulling rooms together in any season. The approach helps you create a home that reflects who you are rather than following someone else’s rules.
Here are some seasonal swaps and mixing-and-matching updates I made around the house this week: the snug, the entry, the kitchen and our bedroom.
Last year my motto was “a place for everything and everything in its place.” This year I learned another useful tip: just because something had a place last season doesn’t mean it must stay there. Move things, try new combinations, and let your rooms evolve.
Rotate pieces and refresh your layout.
We plan a full refresh of the snug later this year, but for now we used what we already had: removed holiday items, swapped the rug, and mixed furniture and accessories to create a cozy, transitional space suited to winter and spring.
Collect timeless pieces you can use year-round.
Classic items in the snug we love from Wayfair:
Framed botanical art — a versatile set that can be hung together or separately and adds a fresh, natural touch.
Checked lampshade and lamp — a traditional shape with a whimsical pattern that lightens the mood.
Spindle leg end table — a classic, moveable piece that’s worked in many rooms over the years.
Blue patterned rug — previously our dining rug, now in the snug; it’s easy to move and brings color and pattern without overwhelming the space.
Faux hydrangeas — a simple way to bring floral texture when fresh flowers aren’t available.
Bring hope and joy into winter with small, thoughtful changes.
Our entry felt bare after the holidays, so instead of leaving it empty we added a few cheerful touches: tulips by the brass door knocker, a striped pot holding an orchid on the entry table, and a lighter lamp to brighten the corner. The result feels welcoming and fresh.
A solid brass door knocker adds charm and function. It’s timeless and makes seasonal decorating simple — add a wreath when you want it, or leave it clean for a lighter look.
Use color and pattern to refresh the kitchen.
Dishes are one of my favorite collections. I swap plates and bowls seasonally, clean the shelves, and combine patterns and colors in new ways. They don’t have to match exactly — the key is that they play well together.
Green-and-white dishes feel springlike and cheerful; botanical or patterned sets layered together add personality. I’m currently refreshing shelves to move us from winter to spring with ease.
Use everyday items in new ways. For example, a striped planter that usually holds plants looks adorable in the kitchen used to store wooden spoons. Small shifts like that bring whimsy and function at once.
Make practical changes that feel intentional.
The new year inspires decluttering and reorganizing with purpose. Attractive storage pieces like a lidded laundry basket or a wicker trunk are practical and versatile — they move from room to room and keep things tidy while adding texture.
We moved a dresser back into a bedroom this week as part of our refresh. I’ll share that full update another day, but already the space feels renewed and inviting.
Create spaces that delight and bring peace.
If the bleak winter mood doesn’t inspire you, choose to bring in the feeling that does — whether that’s the first bulbs of spring, a sunny day, or the joy of tulips. Visualize what you want and let that guide your choices.
Every time we enter our refreshed room now we feel delighted. Fresh paint, new pattern combinations, rearranged furniture, and a few carefully chosen pieces make it feel like the room we want it to be.
I’ll share more updates soon. Happy January!
More Wayfair finds to refresh your home: