13 Winter Decorating Ideas

Written by
Michelle Ullman
Michelle Ullman has written hundreds of articles on home decor since 2011. She's a self-taught decor expert who contributes to several publications.
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Michelle Ullman
Updated 12/23/20
Christmas decoration on background white wall
Maya23K / Getty Images

When Old Man Winter is howling outside, it's time to add a dose of cheer to your home. Luckily, it's easy to decorate for winter. The key is to use natural elements, touches of greenery, a bit of shine, and the soothing hue of winter white.

Here are 13 winter decor ideas to help inspire you.

  • 01 of 13

    Highlight the Fireplace

    white fireplace with fire and candles on the mantle

    The Lily Pad Cottage

    This lovely living room featured on The Lily Pad Cottage is an example of winter decorating done right. If you have a fireplace, that's a prime spot to highlight during the colder months. And if you don't, you still can decorate with lots of candles like those on this mantel and table. While deep, rich colors are traditionally used for winter decor, this space keeps everything light and bright. But the armchairs pulled close to the fire still evoke a cozy feel.

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  • 02 of 13

    DIY a Tea Light Log

    DIY tea light log above a fireplace

    Home Stories A to Z

    A fun way to cheer up your winter living room is by adding a touch of romantic glow. Home Stories A to Z has a great tutorial for making a tea light log. You don't need any fancy supplies—just a dry log or branch trimming, a set of tea light candles, and a drill. You can substitute battery-operated faux flames for traditional candles if you prefer.

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  • 03 of 13

    Decorate the Fireplace Mantel

    winter mantle with DIY decor

    Hymns and Verses

    If you're lucky enough to have a fireplace mantel, make it the star of your winter design scheme. Jazz up your mantel with candles, a garland of faux snowballs, a bit of winter greenery, or some artwork. Hymns and Verses has even more creative ideas that will turn your mantel into a celebration of all things winter.

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  • 04 of 13

    Make a Simple Winter Centerpiece

    winter centerpiece with pinecones and branches

    Home Stories A to Z

    The best winter tablescapes utilize a variety of natural elements. Home Stories A to Z features a gorgeous example of a silver urn filled with a shed deer antler, small pine cones, a few clippings of greenery, and a couple of sprigs of winter-blooming flowers. Though simple in design, the finished product is unique and impressive.

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  • 05 of 13

    Add Easy Winter Details

    winter living room with small evergreen topiaries

    Brandi Sawyer

    Brandi Sawyer of Nest of Bliss shows how simple it is to add a touch of winter decor to a favorite space. All it takes is a grouping of snowflake ornaments, candles, and a few miniature potted firs. The result is simple, inexpensive, and beautiful.

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  • 06 of 13

    DIY a Winter-Themed Pallet Box

    DIY wood pallet box with winter decor

    House by Hoff

    If you like mason jars and rustic wood, consider combining the two for an easy and unusual piece of winter decor. House by Hoff shows you how to turn reclaimed wood from an old pallet into a rustic box. Add mason jars decorated with twine and small chalkboard pendants, and then finish the display with fir sprigs. Use this box to spice up any surface, including your dining table, coffee table, mantel, or bedroom dresser.

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  • 07 of 13

    Decorate Your Front Door for Winter

    hanging basket with branches on a front door

    DIY Inspired

    Wreaths and door hangings are a classic way to celebrate every season. This winter wreath basket tutorial from DIY Inspired shows you how to create one that will last through the winter holidays and beyond. It's easy to customize this basket and use whatever decorative elements you have on hand. Once winter is over, switch up the basket contents with dried flowers to have a new look for spring. 

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  • 08 of 13

    Play Up Winter Greenery Outside

    three wreaths on a front door

    The Bungalow Blog

    There may not be a lot of colorful annual flowers blooming during the winter, but that's no reason to leave your front entry bare. Instead, take a note from The Bungalow Blog. Fill planters with cut greenery, fir branches, interesting twigs, and a few small pine cones. Add a triple row of faux greenery wreaths, and now you have an entryway that welcomes guests and fills you with joy whenever you step into your house.

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  • 09 of 13

    Add a Wintery Touch to Your Foyer

    foyer decorated for winter

    Bless'er House

    Set the scene for guests and residents alike by staging your foyer for winter. Bless'er House does an excellent job of creating a welcoming, wintery first impression. Spread faux or real fir branches along an entry bench or table, hang a greenery wreath, add a few winter-blooming bulbs and birch branches, and finish the scene with an ice skate and winter throw. Voila! Your entryway is now an elegant winter wonderland. Of course, you can easily tailor the elements to use what you have on hand.

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  • 10 of 13

    Craft Faux Snowballs

    DIY decorative snowballs

    Makoodle

    You can use these DIY "snowballs" in many ways around your home. Fill a basket with them, add a few to your mantelpiece, set some in planters, scatter a handful along your dining table, and more. If you'd like to make your own snowballs, the Makoodle tutorial is a great place to start. 

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  • 11 of 13

    Create a Winter Vignette

    pinecones and candles on a coffee table for winter decor

    StoneGable

    Decorate a coffee table, side table, hutch, or buffet with a winter scene like this one from StoneGable. A rustic, wooden tray is filled with mercury glass candlesticks, a planter filled with faux greenery, pine cones in a small ceramic basket, and white pillar candles for a wintery, peaceful, and beautiful vignette.

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  • 12 of 13

    Add Touches of Greenery Indoors

    small evergreen with burlap around base on a table

    At the Picket Fence

    If you like to keep things simple but still want to add some winter flair to a room, you can't go wrong with this easy idea from At the Picket Fence. Set small fir clippings bound at the base with burlap anywhere you'd like to display a touch of winter life, color, and texture. It's easy, effective, and elegant.

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  • 13 of 13

    Make a Sweater Wreath

    DIY sweater wreath

    StoneGable

    Warm up your front door with a unique and sustainable wreath made from old sweaters, a straw or foam wreath, and a few pine cones. Pick up several sweaters in colors of your choice from a local thrift shop, cut them into strips, and then wind the strips around the wreath for a festive finish. You'll find complete directions at StoneGable.