Sharing Simple, Designer-Approved Tips for Transitioning from Christmas to Winter Decor
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. As much as I’m always a little sad to see it end, there’s something incredibly refreshing about the start of a new year. It’s the perfect time for reflection, fresh goals, and resetting our space. It’s also the ideal moment to pack away the Christmas decor and embrace a cozy winter home.
After we put all of our Christmas decorations away, our house instantly felt a little empty, and those post-holiday winter blues started to creep in. After all the magic of the season, it’s easy to think, “What’s next?” If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Today, I’m sharing my simple approach to decorating after Christmas, so you can refresh your space while still enjoying some of your favorite cozy décor pieces.
4 Steps to Transition from Christmas to Winter Decor
1. Remove all the Red
Removing the red is the most impactful first step in transitioning from Christmas to winter decor. Red is visually and emotionally tied to the holidays, so removing it immediately signals a seasonal shift.
As designers, we think in terms of color stories, and once red is gone, the space instantly feels calmer, more refined, and intentionally styled for winter rather than the holidays.
Because I lean heavily into a neutral palette year-round, Christmas is the only time red makes an appearance in my home. Taking it away allows my foundational tones, woods, creams, soft blacks, and muted metals to shine again, creating a cozy but elevated winter look.
2. Purge / Organize / Simplify
After Christmas, I always shift into editing mode, because winter styling is all about restraint. Less truly is more this time of year. Once all the red is removed, I go a step further and pull out anything that clearly reads as “Christmas-only.” This includes signage, ornaments, nativity scenes, and novelty holiday pieces that don’t translate into winter styling.
This seasonal reset is the perfect opportunity to organize and declutter with intention. If an item didn’t get used this year or no longer fits your current style, it’s time to let it go. Sell it, donate it, or gift it, but don’t store it out of habit. A fresh edit creates visual calm, makes room for what you truly love, and sets the foundation for a clean, intentional start to the new year.
3. Leave out the Winter Greens
Evergreens are one of my favorite decor elements to carry through the winter season. Pine sprigs, garlands, wreaths, and even small trees add life, texture, and a natural softness to a space, without feeling tied to Christmas when styled intentionally.
The key is keeping greens out is no lights, no ornaments, no overt holiday styling, just clean, natural texture. This allows them to read as seasonal rather than festive. Flocked trees can be trickier; they tend to lean more Christmas-specific, so I personally prefer to pack those away and save them for next year.
4. Keep it Neutral and Cozy
Winter is the perfect season to lean into texture, and this is where knit pillows, faux fur, and chunky woven throws truly shine. These softer layers instantly warm up a space visually and physically, adding depth, comfort, and that inviting “stay awhile” feeling. Cozy is always my favorite design direction, and winter gives us full permission to embrace it.
To keep things elevated and not overly monochromatic, I like to introduce subtle color through textiles. Adding green can give you that pop of color. Green acts as a winter neutral in my book; it adds richness without overpowering the space. Paired with a soft neutral foundation, it keeps the room feeling fresh, clean, and intentionally styled all season long.
As much as I love Christmas, it always feels good to get back to a normal routine and get the house back in order. I hope these simple tips make it easy for you to transition your own home from Christmas to winter. I would love to hear when you’re taking your decor down or if you have any tips on making the transition. Let me know in the comments.
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What to Read Next:
10 Ways to Make Your Home Cozy for Winter
DIY Farmhouse Style Drop Cloth Curtains- 2 Ways
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