After The Decorations Come Down: Creating A Cozy Winter Home
Simple, calming decor that makes our home feel warm, lived-in, and peaceful once the holidays are over
Guys — I did a thing this past weekend.
I took our Christmas decor down and packed it away. That might not sound like much, but for the girl who usually leaves her tree up until March (because I always needed the extra coziness — emotionally too), this was a big shift.
My husband came downstairs like 😳 “WOAH. What changed?”
And honestly, I hadn’t even put it into words yet.
It’s not quite spring, but internally, I felt this deep sense of gratitude for the season we just came out of — and for last year as a whole. It was one of my most accomplished years, especially for Ambyr Things… but even more so for me.
So when the urge to clear everything hit, I knew it wasn’t about productivity or starting the year off strong. It was about making room.
I once read that when you’re praying, believing, and moving toward what’s next, one of the first signs is feeling overwhelmed by your environment. And after journaling Friday morning, that’s exactly what I felt — not comfort anymore, but clutter.
All of this to say: wherever you are right now, be there. Linger if you need to. Move if you’re ready. There’s no rush.
Energy matters. And I hope this post — along with a little home inspo — invites you to honor the season you’re in, without jumping ahead. What’s next will come in due time.
So, without further ado… here’s what a few corners of our in-between home look like now 👇🏾
The Living Room
If you saw any of my holiday videos on IG, then you’ll know that there were lights and garland everywhere!
Also, I had a nutcracker and a total of 8 trees up (varying sizes, of course).
My goal for the in-between season was to remove all of the holiday decor, see what’s left, and bring more lightness into the room.
Often times, many people might delay removing the decor in fear that a “coldness” will be left in the house afterwards.
I over-stand this…this was me for many years, but not this time.
What changed is that I stopped decorating for seasons, and established a baseline that felt calm, cozy, but a bit elevated too.
This way, when holidays come, I’m only adding complementary elements of that season - not changing the baseline of how our house is decorated.
To accomplish this vibe, I leaned into what we already had: a base of neutrals, cozy fabrics that felt luxe but were affordable, washable linens (hello toddler life), large windows, the fireplace, and faux greenery.
The room still gives cozy while also being the perfect landing spot for the seasonal lull before spring.
My favorites:
Our couch - We bought it a few years ago and the best part is that the covers are completely washable. It’s a chenille fabric with 23'“ deep cushions that pull you in every time.
Throw pillows - When purchasing, buy the size and amount you need. Then, as the seasons change, purchase pillow covers, not new pillows, and rotate them out. This option is more budget-friendly and the covers store much neater than a stack of pillows.
Faux greenery - I was perusing through the store a while ago and fell in love with these Turning Fig Leaf Stems. I can’t explain it but they don’t feel like any one season, rather, something in between. So these felt perfect for now.
The Entry Table
Our entry is split into two parts, and this table area sits on one side.
My goal here was to declutter and let it feel a little bare — decorated only with pieces that feel intentional.
I actually prefer it this way because of how the entry flows into the rest of the house. Nothing competes. Everything feels like it belongs.
I once read that the entry is the eyes of your home — it should quietly tell people what to expect as they walk in. With that in mind, I wanted the large mirror and wall sconces to do most of the heavy lifting.
From there, I stripped everything back.
All traces of holiday came down, and I kept just the essentials: a stone vase with faux greenery, an empty stone bowl (which doubles as a catch-all), and a small fire pit stacked on two decor books.
Easy. Calm. Intentional.
The greenery is what still feels a little in-between to me — not winter, not spring — and I actually love that. It’s large and makes a statement, but the softer color keeps the space light and open. Paired with the bold black mirror, it feels perfectly balanced.
My favorite view is catching a glimpse of the living room reflected in the entry mirror. It’s such a small moment, but it makes the whole space feel connected — like everything is quietly settling into place.
Bedside
You guys, this is my favorite nook in our entire house.
This corner is where I journal, turn on the humidifier, and binge watch all of my shows while wearing a robe + face mask.
It’s my version of hotel-cozy — a vibe that reminds me of the excitement and relaxation of our favorite hotels.
The vibe is simple, elevated and calm. Nothing cluttered, nothing that can’t be cleaned.
Comfort everywhere.
There’s space for my phone, water bottle, a few books, and usually a few of Weston’s sippy cups end up there 😁
The mattress is layered with (from bottom to top) :
Mattress topper for ultimate softness
A soft waffle weave blanket
2 layers of THE BEST Hotel Collection - Down Alternative pillows that NEVER go flat…3 years and counting!
1 set of white pillowcases
1 set of pillowcases that match the comforter
My rule with bedding is I need to be able to make the bed in 5 minutes or less. Anything that prolongs this gets tossed. That simple.
Side note: For the full hotel vibe, I add a few drops of this Ritz Carlton-inspired essential oil to the diffuser. Soooo accurate and it makes us feel like we’re on vacation constantly!
Before you go…
I hope you enjoyed seeing how we’re living between this January — spring transition.
Home feels calm with elevated and reassuring touches at every corner.
Soon it’ll be the next season and I’ll fold in tons of florals, patterns, and decor.
For now, we’re just going to stay here a while 🤎.
With Love,
Ambyr
