Smart, Space-Saving Seasonal Swaps for your Home
December 03, 2023
Smart, space-saving seasonal swaps for your home
Special to At Home in the Northwest
"As the seasons shift, there is something wonderfully grounding about spaces that reflect the changes happening outside. They help us keep in sync with the passing days and moods tinted by the weather.
After a brisk walk, entering a room bathed in warm light and filled with rich textures acknowledges the seasonal experience and is more welcoming for it.
“It’s so important to make these small changes from season to season,” says Becky Ducsik, principal designer of the Phinery in Phinney Ridge.
“It reinvigorates us and gives us an emotional uplift,” says Ducsik.
Kirsten Conner, founder of Kirsten Conner Interior Design, agrees that seasonal decorating’s benefits go beyond an external spruce-up.
“I think on some level, decorating is a coping mechanism for humans, but especially for Seattleites and people in the northern hemisphere at this time of year,” she says. “You’ve got to embrace it by celebrating it. For a lot of people, the easiest way to do that is in your home.”
But there’s the question of space. It’s fun to go all-in on seasonal holidays, but storing all those accessories in the offseason can be a challenge. That’s where these smart tips come in to help your home shift between seasons seamlessly, without having to sacrifice a closet for storage.
“You want to make minimal changes to make a big impact,” says Ducsik. “I never buy anything that is so ‘holiday’ I can’t keep it around January through February.”
Winter cues
What elements help cue the feel of a winter wonderland? Warm whites, jewel tones, sparkle and layers of wool, plaid, fur and basketry help conjure.
For Ducsik, winter makes her think of metallics, solstice greenery, pine cones and neutral textures.
It’s no surprise that winter brings out our nesting instincts, says Chris Simons, owner of Redmond’s Calm Living home décor and furniture store.
“In the summertime, I want the doors open, but in the winter, I want that fire element,” says Simons. “It’s warmer colors and textures, wrapping in a fuzzy blanket and lighting that scented candle.”
High-impact spaces
To dole out your decorating dollar and storage space efficiently, Conner recommends choosing spots with the strongest sightline in the room, either placed at eye level or make a natural focal point. Examples include the front door, mantle, archways, stair banisters, central tables or kitchen islands and windows. If an art piece or mirror dominates the wall, why not swathe it in greenery or lights, too?
Make an entrance
Start your seasonal ode at the doorstep with a wreath, says Ducsik. A grapevine, manzanita or eucalyptus wreath makes a year-round framework for temporal additions like holly sprigs in December, followed by forsythia or pussy willows in March. Another option is to simply swap out a large bow in different hues, says Conner.
In outdoor pots, red dogwood stems and evergreen boughs bring structure, while violas, pansies and ornamental kale add unflinching color, shrugging off light frosts.
You can also change your usual doormat for a wintry one or just layer a thin mat atop the original.
Pump up the cozy
Just as with our clothing, warm-weather furnishing fabrics tend to be lighter in texture — think linens and woven cotton.
As frost crystallizes on the windows, velvet, silk, wool, faux fur and tweeds come to the fore inside. Designers say the more texture, the better — layer it on with throws, pillows and rugs.
Ducsik recommends swapping out the covers over pillow inserts rather than storing full pillows. Conner favors inviting winter warmth into your bedroom with a huggable set of flannel sheets.
For indoor rugs, rather than moving all the furniture, you can pop a fuzzy rug over your cotton or sisal rug until the robins start singing. Ruggable rugs, available online, are swappable mats built to switch on a dime.
Small items can make a big impact while being easy to store. Dishtowels, bath hand towels and table runners are all great examples, our experts agreed.
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