Winter Decorating Ideas to Make Your Home Feel Extra Cozy After Christmas

Christmas may be "the most wonderful time of the year," but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate all that the winter season brings in the months to follow. Tap into the season's sweeping feeling of cozy and calm by dressing your home with these winter decorating ideas. These gorgeous decorations — some easy winter crafts, some ready-made — highlight everything that makes the post-Christmas months merry and bright: the enchanting aroma of citrus and pine, warm nights cuddled up by the fire, frost-covered front lawns, and so much more.

Although most of the ideas stay away from traditional Christmas colors and embellishments, many can be arranged well before December 25 and stay up until we usher in the spring season. You can go big or small with these winter decorations — string fresh garland across your fireplace mantel, craft together a custom centerpiece to make family dinners feel extra-special, hang a winter wreath on your front door, make your living room feel as magical as a Hallmark Christmas movie with decorations galore, or all of the above. The more, the merrier ... right?

Clip an assortment of colorful mittens to a clothesline for something that's just as functional as it is eye-catching. Just make sure you keep it within reach, so that everyone can get a hold of their favorites.

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Wrap two embroidery hoops — one small, one large — with different shades of red thread, and then finish it off with fresh or faux pine branches and a medley of hand-painted pinecones.

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Bring winter straight to your dining room by lining the table runner with bottle brush trees, woodland creatures, and tiny houses.

Paper lanterns of all sizes, shapes, and colors dress up a wall of windows, providing a pretty backdrop for family photos.

These winter blooms really make a statement once they're potted in birch bark-covered planters. Scatter some pinecones and votive candles nearby to fill any empty space.

Forget red and green — this understated tablescape relies on muted tones, beaded decorations, and natural beauty (think: twigs and acorns).

Make even the smallest of spaces feel as bright and beautiful as the great doors by bringing the outside in. Spruce up fireplace mantels, bannisters, shelves, and wall mirrors with live greenery.

Even your bedroom could use a winter refresh: Keep it simple by dressing the bed with a plaid throw pillow and coordinating blanket.

If you do it right, then you can hang up your decorations before Christmas and leave 'em up all winter long. These wreaths, decked out with wooden beads and artificial pine branches, really shine on any blank wall, window, or door.

Warm up your home with tons of rustic charm, from buffalo plaid blankets to snow-covered tabletop trees. Round up a dozen or so bottle brush trees in an antique wooden box for an easy centerpiece.

Upgrade a bounty of decorative fruit — pears, grapes, apples, you name it — with a dusting of artificial snow, glittery or otherwise.

Trade garland and twinkle lights for this gorgeous wreath, embellished with large pinecones, fresh greens, and winter white flowers.

Not only do air-dried orange slices smell great, but they're a more affordable way to customize a standard garland. String it along a bannister, mantel, or shelf, depending on what look you're going for.

Even if your parties are smaller in scale, you can still make them feel as glamorous as ever with perfectly coordinated place settings, complete with coordinating plates, flatware, and decorative accents in varying heights.

Lean on fresh greens to bring the drama to the hearth of your home: the fireplace. For a bolder statement, sprinkle in a mix of pinecones, ribbons, and berries.

Stick a freshly-cut bough above your headboard to bring the warm and cozy feeling into your bedroom. Then it's up to you whether you want to add in spruce accents to the rest of your space.

Hot cocoa is the unofficial drink of the winter season — no questions asked. For the meantime, turn your coffee bar into a hot cocoa bar, so you can sip on the chocolatey-marshmallow goodness all season long.

Who says Christmas trees should be reserved for December 25? Not us. Place mini trees in galvanized planters and stick them outside your front door for a beautiful outdoor display.

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