Special cool-season décor makes homes feel warm and cozy during the colder months. Here are quick tips to make your home especially inviting during fall and winter.
Bedrooms
Make your bedrooms ready for the cooler months and the winter holidays by changing out comforters. Add colorful throw blankets and change your sheets to flannel ones for snuggling on cold, snowy days. The added warmth of electric blankets makes a nice addition as well. Placing a few extra pillows with seasonal vibes on the bed will make your fall and winter decor cheerful and inviting. Store extra bedding in bags during the off-season to protect it from dust.
Living rooms
Your fireplace is the perfect place to decorate for the seasons! Hang garlands of ribbons or raffia on your mantelpiece, or string lights in cool-season colors. Above the hearth, use a season-appropriate wreath as a focal point. If your fireplace is wood-burning, have stacks of kindling and other materials ready to warm the house on blustery days. Throw blankets in flannels, plaids, or other thick, fluffy textures encourage curling up next to the fire with a book. Have old sweaters? You can easily turn them into throw pillows, then place candles in seasonal scents around the room to stave off stale air.
Kitchens
Make your kitchen feel ready for holiday entertaining or just everyday meals by changing out your dishes. To keep your cost down, look to add just small plates and mugs in fall or winter color schemes, coordinating them with your own dishes. Swap out kitchen towels and pot holders or trivets for ones in appropriate colors. And put a centerpiece with seasonal blooms or branches on a counter, island or in the eat-in area.
Dining rooms
Ready your fall and winter décor for entertaining by changing out tablecloths, runners and other linens. Non-traditional colors like teals and deep purples with gold or silver will make your winter decor fresh and modern, while still retaining the holiday vibe. Use the length of your table to create a tablescape instead of a more typical centerpiece. In winter, look at craft stores for seasonal décor items like trains, reindeer, or sleighs; dollhouse-sized figures can add the human element. Frost miniature trees to make them look kissed with snow, then spread them out to resemble a winter wonderland scene. Or use clear bowls or vases and fill with pinecones, ornaments in your color scheme, or holly branches. Dress up your chandelier with bows and ribbons or other garlands, keeping them away from light bulbs. And to distinguish guests’ wine glasses, make or buy simple wine glass charms to go with your theme.
Beverages
Set up a hot chocolate bar during your fall or winter parties with mugs, peppermint and cinnamon sticks, and marshmallows. For more flavor options, have fresh mint leaves and vanilla, almond, and orange extracts available. Offer different types of cocoa in packets for guests to make themselves with hot water. Or make hot chocolate ahead of time in your slow cooker and let guests choose their mugs and toppings. Leave it set up all season for your family to enjoy.
Plants
Interior plants can keep your air purified during colder months when windows remain closed and will remove off-odors as well. Choose plants that provide colorful leaves or foliage. These will help bring life and vibrancy indoors while outside plants hibernate.