Follow these tips on how to decorate after Christmas.
I remember the wonder and anticipation of Christmastime as a child. The holiday season definitely lasts from Thanksgiving through New Years.
It’s easy to see how, for many, the end of Christmas can be a let down—especially for those who don’t live for football!
With careful planning, our holiday décor can easily transition into winter. There are plenty of our popular holiday items work well in a cozy winter home decorating plan.
Many decorating styles, such as farmhouse,shabby chic, and rustic elegance incorporate these materials into homes year-round.
A few simple touches can complement such color and rustic themes already in use. Here are a few ideas on how to decorate after Christmas.
Subtle Color and Shine
Using white, neutrals, and some sparkle in your holiday aesthetic can be a good way to decorate after Christmas.
These colors resemble the snow-covered, crisp outdoor views from our windows this time of year.
Silver, pewter, and metallic objects reflect light and add elegance and interest to an otherwise quieter season.
Such elements can easily be in frames, trays, candleholders, baskets, pitchers, etc.
White twinkle lights, glass, and mirrored items—including trays, chargers, and other furnishings—can be added.
Crystal, glass, milk glass, and
ceramic items also bring elegance
and illuminate your space in the
shorter days.
Wildlife elements—think pheasant feathers, antlers, animal print fabrics and wildlife wall art—can be incorporated to decorate after Christmas.
Various options exist for wildlife representations in a variety of colors.
Rugs and dishes are great places to find these, as well as table runners, dish towels, and slipcovers.
Frosted Greenery
Incorporating nature into your winter scene offers additional creative opportunity. Bring the outdoors in! Carry those pine cones, wood slices, and snow-covered greenery into the new year. Spray them with a little faux snow or dust them with a bit of glitter shimmer for some extra glitz.
Flocked and frosted greenery is not just for December, and it turns out to be one of the easiest ways to decorate after Christmas and most elegant additions to your winter scheme.
Continue with the garland, wreaths, faux snow berry stems, and faux floral themes of the holiday season. Don’t put them away. Just add to them!
White peonies, roses, and hydrangeas work all year long—especially during winter. Don’t be afraid to keep red floral picks and stems in your arrangements. Consider holly, red roses, carnations,and other winter blooming flowers for arrangements. Greenery belongs in winter décor. Enjoy the pine and other evergreen out a while longer!
Layer Throughout
Winter is snuggle weather. Increase the fabric layers with the decrease in temps. Bring out more blankets and add fabrics. Soft and chunky knitted blankets and pillows help to cozy up a space quickly!
Making some small additions and changes to your holiday decorations can bring a fresh, inviting ambiance to any of the spaces within your home.
Simple extensions and alterations of your holiday home accessories will bring a welcomed change to your space.
What are your favorite winter items to decorate after Christmas with?
Where are your favorite spots to decorate after Christmas in your home?
Bring new life back into your home with these awesome paint brands.
Before we get started, please note this post uses affiliate links to my Amazon account. Please see my disclaimer for more information.
Projects and refinishing have been favorite creative outlets for me for many years.
Growing up, I was completely oblivious to the fact that all of the tools and resources I could imagine for DIY, were right there in my south Kansas City home.
If I could turn back the clock, I would, so I could learn how to use all of these tools and equipment.
Yet like the many tools, I didn’t learn to use them. If I could turn back the clock, I would, so I could learn how to use all of this equipment.
I could have been a ‘domestic diva” in the kitchen and garage! But, I am still working on that.
The first piece of furniture that I recall refinishing on my own was a garage sale dresser that I found for $20. I painted it white with purple sponge-painted drawers for my daughter, then a toddler.
Quality Paint Brands and Brushes
Rust-Oleum Paint and Primer Spray Paint is an easy update for those flea market iron/metal finds. Black can be used to update pieces for décor in multiple design styles.
Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint is another great product. This paint can be found in multiple colors such as rose-gold oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, aged copper, silver, etc. This product is suitable for wood, metal, plastic and masonry projects.
There is a reason people love chalk paint. It’s easy and forgiving. With no need to strip the finish or sand prior, chalk paint is tops in my book. Annie Sloan chalk paint was my first attempt with this product and remains on my preferable paint list.
It is recommended to use wax to protect it, which I am still trying to get used to. Yet, the thickness of chalk paints that contain clay, give a remarkably smooth application.
Some of my favorite chalk with clay brands are Wise Owl, and CeCe Caldwell. Generally, I only branch out with a new brand if I cannot find the paint or color I need easily. Sometimes it’s fun to mix a custom color from two within the same line.
Rust-Oleum Paint and Primer Spray Paint is an easy update for those flea market iron/metal finds. Black can be used to update pieces for décor in multiple design styles.
Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint is another great product.These can be found in multiple colors such as rose-gold oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, aged copper, silver, etc.
This product is suitable for wood, metal, plastic and masonry projects.A little investment in high quality products and supplies can make all the difference in the enjoyment and ultimate value of your chosen product.
Easy Stains and Poly Products
I bought a dresser for me and an armoire, now close to 100 years old. On these pieces, I first tried my hand at stain and discovered a product called Minwax Polyshades. The combination of stain and Polyurethane in one step, is easy.
That armoire still looks great 20 years later repurposed as the “coat closet” in my entryway. For final protective coats, I prefer Polyurethane for going over stains and water-based Polycryllic for protecting latex paints.
Using the Polyurethane on latex will turn your project yellow (especially frustrating when you have applied over white paint). Most of the time, I use two or three coats of this and apply with a sponge brush.
It begins to dry quickly so working fast with a thick coating is advised and after each brush stroke, returning to that spot and lightly and slowly, dragging the brush keeps those air bubbles diminished.
Using this allows you to simply dust your furniture with a dry soft cloth in the future without using any wax or chemicals. This works really well for protecting your treasures from bumps and scratches.
Though most of the paints and stains I use to refinish do not require prep sanding, it is very important to sand smooth between coats. This covers the brush stroke and improves the look noticeably.
For smaller pieces, I prefer sanding blocks and on larger pieces of furniture, I use an electric palm sander. This investment saves a lot of time. A variety sand paper and blocks in the various grit sizes should be kept on hand.
For just the clear coat over paints and stain, I prefer to use sponge brushes. If I can find these in packs of several in various sizes, that is a bonus.
For first and second coats of paint, the cheaper brushes will often suffice. Sanding in between coats with a fine sandpaper will smooth out the roughness and brush marks anyway.
I use small craft paintbrushes (think watercolor or acrylic type brushes) for touch ups, tiny carved details, correcting out of control distressing, lettering and for painting baseboards and trim in the house.
A package of detail brushes in various sizes and brush shapes can be found easily in discount and craft stores.
What are some of your favorite paint brands and products? Let us know in the comments below or send us an email! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more!
Illuminate your home with these festive ideas for the fall season. Please note this post contains affiliate links. You can view my disclaimer for more information.
The beauty of the fall season is upon us! Decorating for my favorite season brings with it new opportunities for creativity.
The fall season is simply… cozy. From the warm ciders and lattes to “sweater weather” and the brilliant colors of the foliage, I just love the fall season.
Clearly, neutral colors work well for bringing the feeling of autumn into your home. Yet, muted colors and whites work too! Start with the colors that inspire and attract you to them.
The things that grab your attention and bring you happiness when you see them, are likely to make you smile whenever you look at them in your home.
From What to Where
Be creative with where you choose to embellish this season. Of course the typical tabletops, mantles and doors are always places for sprucing up.
Why limit yourself to these? Use your creativity in choosing what to decorate.
I have provided a list of my favorite spots to spruce up below.
Consider the existing décor and color theme of your space. Answering a few questions before you begin, or before you shop, can keep you focused and on the right track.
Start with what you want your space to feel like, before settling on where to enhance your space. Do you want a contrasting pop of color? Maybe choosing opposite colors on the color wheel will be the perfect place to start.
Are you adorning a master bedroom or office area and want the new design elements to blend in rather than stand out? Are you trying to complement other vintage décor, traditional or contemporary? Is there an overall theme you wish to stay within?
Whatever you’re your overall intended outcomes may be, there are beautiful and creative seasonal pieces to be found. Once you have chosen these, its time to choose the best spots in your home to place them.
Pillows, throws and garlands are some of my favorite additions to furniture this time of year. Plaids, chunky yarn, burlap and fleece are some of my favorites to cozy up my favorite lounging spots.
Changing out fabrics in window coverings also offers a simply way to change up the look. Garlands are lovely choices for mantles, fireplace screens, chandeliers, bookshelf tops, headboards, foot boards and draped across large mirrors.
Swags hanging from wall sconces, wall hooks or door knobs can give charm and beauty to an otherwise plain and overlooked piece of hardware. Opportunities to embellish your most lived in spaces are practically endless.
Where are your favorite backdrops to display your favorite things for the fall season? Do you have a favorite fall color palette, pattern or style?
What colors or flowers inspire you the most during the fall season? Please share some of them with us in the comments or send us an email!
Pumpkin spice up your autumn decorations with these fabulous fall ideas for the home.
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There are so many awesome things about the season of autumn! For as long as I can remember, I have loved this season the best. It might be because my birthday often falls on the first day of this lovely season.
However, September 22nd ends up being the last day of summer instead. Either way, it is fitting that I was born on this day, as I do not like hot weather — and it certainly doesn’t like me!
Fall is wonderful for all of the senses. The tastes of caramel apples, apple cider, maple syrup and the flavors and scents of fragrant cinnamon, pumpkin spice and pecan pie are delish!
Dream up your ideal classroom design and have it ready for that first day back.
Plan and Create Your Ideal Classroom Design
Getting Your Ideal Classroom Design Back To School Ready
How is August already halfway through? It seems like I was just packing up my classroom and driving carloads of school stuff home (again and again).
Summer is ending and school will soon begin. For most teachers, it is probably exciting, as well as sad and exhausting. No more weekday afternoon naps, sleeping late and lounging by the pool.
Hopefully, you haven’t been working all summer and not able to relax and lounge! Back to school for teachers means unpacking, purchasing new items, a lot of trainings and meetings.
Classroom Decoration Ideas to Cozy Up Your Teacher Desk Area
Hey educators! Ready or not, the kids are on their way and it’s time to start thinking about some classroom decoration ideas you want to try this year!
In a previous post, I reviewed some tips on how to start getting your classroom ready. I also addressed the importance of not spending a lot on this space.
The exception might be, if you are very strict about enforcing the “No Trespassing Rule” behind your desk area. If this is the case, you might want to spend a bit more on your personal items and not leave valuable or breakable items in this area.
Are you adorning a master bedroom or office area and want the new design elements to blend in rather than stand out? Are you trying to complement other 
