It’s that time of the year again, where we swap out our brightly colored summer accessories for cozier hues and textures, and we’re welcoming it with open arms. When December rolls around, it seems that we always discover what our true décor staples are that work year-round, and which pieces are more seasonal that can be swapped in and out throughout the year. If you’ve never done a little seasonal décor makeover like we have, then don’t fret—we’re giving you the low-down right here on the blog today. The idea of transitioning your home from the warmer months into chilly winter can seem daunting, but trust us when we say it doesn’t have to be.
If your idea of cozying up your space is simply tossing a fuzzy throw blanket over the end of your couch, then by all means, start there! But if you’re looking for a few tips and tricks past the throw-blanket-toss to really cozy up your space for winter, then keep scrolling for our sage advice—all with the help of some side-by-side comparisons of our favorite summery spaces and their more cozy counterparts…
## Make Your Art Seasonally Appropriate
We’ll be honest here. We’re the first ones to say “Yes, please!” to a sunny print at any time of the year (case in point: our favorite après beach wrapping paper), but we also love that winter brings a special excuse to pull out those snowy prints that have been sitting in storage. There’s just something about those slopes that make us feel like we’re kicking our feet up in a Swiss chalet somewhere…
## Cleanse Your (Color) Palette
If you haven’t been making small changes to your color palette over the course of the seasons already, now is the time to do it. While brights are amazing during the summer and pastels shine in the spring, opting for a palette with pops of deep jewel tones during the winter can create a seriously magical and warm space. There’s technically no right or wrong color scheme during the winter, but we love the combination of uber-rich hues mixed with natural accents during the colder months.
## Makeover Your Mantle
When winter comes around, the fireplace is one of those places in the house that deserves a little TLC. Swap out your beachy trinkets, sandy prints, and palm fronds for winter greenery like pine, fir, spruce, and eucalyptus (just to name a few). A simple garland goes a long way during the winter (even if you’re having a sunny California Christmas like us!), and you can easily add cozy touches to your setup as the winter rolls on.
## Let the Texture Do the Talking
Rattan chairs and palm leaf pillows are a favorite of ours during the summer, but we like to shift the focus to cozier textures for our seating arrangement during the winter. Draping faux furs and woven blankets over your accent chairs basically screams “cozy.” Bottom line? Bringing in textures like furs, wool, velvet, and the like can have a big impact—especially when all you’re wanting is a place to cuddle up when the weather is cold outside.
## Layer Up
When the chill hits, not only do we layer up when putting together our outfits, but we also love layering rugs and pillows for an extra cozy look in our space. A bright, minimalist style is fine by us when the weather is warm, but during the winter, we’re definitely okay with the motto “more is more.” (Don’t you agree?)
**How do you cozy up your space for the winter?**
Give us all the snow-clad prints and warm décor details, please. Want to recreate these winter looks? Start your shopping right here…
Xx Team GM
Photos: Jessi Burrone for GrayMalin.com, Sophie Elkus, MA Allen Interiors, noninoni kids, Amy Havins, Camille Styles, Mrs. Lilien, Amber Lancaster, Helen Owen