DIY Decorating for Winter

When the weather changes from warm to cool, it changes the way that we feel about certain things.  Winter makes us want cozy, warm feelings around us.  The holidays make us feel thankful for friends and family.  This is the time of year that many people want to make their home seem cozier.  Use these tips to get ideas of how you can make your home seem warm and inviting for your visitors this winter.

1)  Use accents that encourage people to snuggle up.  Natural fibers are best, but you can throw in some faux fur as well.  Hand knitted afghans, floor pillows, and fluffy rugs are a good place to start.  You could put a down comforter in a big basket underneath your end tables so that people can easily get warm on cold winter nights.

2)  Stock your kitchen and fireplace with things that people enjoy during cold weather.  Specialty coffees and liqueurs are great for late night get-togethers.  Hot chocolate, peppermint sticks and marshmallows can be kept on hand for children.  You can make a s’mores supply basket that you keep near the fireplace.  Sticks to roast marshmallows, a popcorn popping tin, and other fireplace accessories can make your fireplace seem like a wonderful place to hang out and talk.  Bring your thickest mugs out of storage and have them handy for whenever the mood strikes.

3)  Lighting can really set the mood.  Use as many lamps as you can instead of big overhead lights.  Choose darker lamp shades that fill the room with warm colors of light.  Reds, oranges, and yellows are good choices for winter.  Another option would be to install dimmer switches on your regular lights.

4)  Decorate for the holidays.  Don’t stop at Christmas lights outside of your house.  Hang a fresh wreath or order a fresh evergreen table centerpiece with candles to fill the room with comforting light and a scent that puts everyone in the holiday spirit.

5)  Reserve time for simply hanging around and talking.  Invite friends and family or just hang out with your spouse.  Turn off cell phone ringers, radios and TV for the night.  Set up the room for social entertainment instead.  Card games and dice games are fun for people of all ages.  Board games and coloring books are great to keep around for entertaining kids.

6)  Make sure that your company always feels welcome.  Create the mood as soon as they come in the door.  The foyer area should be clear and ready for visitors.  A simple bench and rug will let people know that there is a place prepared for them to take off their wet winter boots and settle in.  A wall-mounted hanging bar stocked with a nice wood hanger or coat hanger will make them feel like you were totally prepared for their visit.  When you choose hangers, remember that wood hangers are the most inviting.  Regular clothes hangers will work, but wooden hangers and coat hangers will help your company’s coats keep their shape and you don’t risk the hangers breaking, causing your guests’ coats to end up on the floor.

Once your home is decorated for the season, you and your guests will feel closer and more content when the cold weather moves in.