Dealing With Post Christmas Bareness

So you are finally free and clear of garland, figurines and 2 foot snowmen, but as you come upstairs from lugging boxes to the basement you are overwhelmed with just how sparse your home now feels.  Sound familiar?  Christmas makes our homes feel extra cozy and beautiful….those boxes of ornaments and an 8 foot tree also tend to take up a ton of space, making the room feel so much fuller.

So what can you do in that time frame between holidays and full on spring?  Unless you are fortunate enough to have totes full of décor for just such a situation, here are some ways to help get thru the winter bareness:

• Move furniture around:  Mixing things up (even short term) can help a room feel more interesting
• House Plants:  Plants make a room feel alive….and are also fresh and geared for warmer weather!  Try a great little bonsai tree to perk things up.
• Incorporate white décor:  Over the holidays we tend to lean towards reds, golds, greens and darker colors….white will make a room feel crisp and fresh.
• Pops of fresh color:  a great new throw or pillow in a fresh color.
• Fresh flowers:  Think “spring is coming!”  Take down the poinsettia and go with a colorful bouquet on the table.
• Arrangements of fresh fruit:  Replace those nuts and chocolates on the plate with bananas, apples and oranges to add color and freshness.
• Get new candles….go for something a little less cinnamon/pine and a little more fresh.

There are so many ways to get yourself into the swing of a brand new year.  Adding a little freshness and color is a great way to begin enjoying the time as we trudge thru the last of the winter season.  A little sunshine in the room goes a long way this time of year!