Transitioning from Christmas to Winter Decor: An Interview with Wayfair

When the Christmas lights come down, and the festive sparkle fades, our homes can start to feel a bit… empty. But that in-between time? It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your space with cozy charm and winter style. In this exclusive interview with Wayfair, I’m sharing my favorite ideas for transitioning from Christmas to winter decor, simple, inviting touches that carry the season’s warmth well into the New Year.

Think soft textures, snowy whites, evergreen accents, and vintage finds that make winter decorating feel like a natural (and beautiful) next step.

Transitioning from Christmas to Winter Decor: A Q&A with Ann of Dabbling & Decorating

How Do You Incorporate Winter Decor Into Your Space Without It Feeling Too “Holiday”?

Ann: For me, transitioning from Christmas to winter decor is all about keeping things simple and natural. I don’t go overboard with holiday decorations in the first place, just a smaller Christmas tree, classic evergreen sprigs, and my favorite vintage ski lodge touches. That way, the shift into winter feels seamless.

Once the Christmas-specific pieces come down, I leave the greenery up until it naturally fades, then start bringing in seasonal elements like pinecones, winterberries, fresh clippings, or even the first tulips of the year. It’s a cozy refresh that feels wintery without screaming “holiday.”

Looking for ideas to do the same? These vintage winter decorating posts are packed with vintage charm, cozy textures, and easy inspiration to carry your home beautifully into the season:

Cozy Vintage Ski Lodge Decor: How I Transition from Christmas to Winter Style

Decorating with vintage ski lodge decor is one of my favorite ways to keep the cozy vibes going after the holidays. From wooden skis and snowshoes to old toboggans and wicker pack baskets, these nostalgic winter pieces stay out long after the tree comes down, just remove the holiday bows or ornaments, and they instantly feel more “January in the mountains” than “Christmas morning.”

This classic winter lodge look works both indoors and out, whether you’re styling a Vermont porch, a snowy entryway, or a vintage-inspired living room. I love it so much, I created an entire blog series dedicated to it. If you’re looking for more cozy winter decorating ideas, explore these posts next:

How to Use Christmas Wreaths as Winter Decor After the Holidays

One of my favorite winter decorating traditions at our coastal Maine home is reusing the three wreaths on our front door long after Christmas has passed. Once the holiday bows come down, these classic Christmas wreaths transition into winter decor with just a few simple tweaks.

Sometimes I’ll swap in coastal ribbons, vintage ice skates, or even soft pink accents for Valentine’s Day. It’s such an easy way to keep the entry feeling warm, welcoming, and seasonal without needing to start from scratch.

A Reversible Winter Quilt That Easily Transitions from Christmas to Cozy Cottage Style

This adorable reversible quilt set from Wayfair made our guest bedroom feel festive for Christmas, and it’s just as perfect for winter. Covered in a snowy wonderland of ice skaters, cottages, churches, and frosted trees, it brings all the charm of the season without being overly holiday-themed. The matching pillow shams complete the look, making it an easy transition from Christmas to winter decor.

Want to see the full winter bedroom look? Head over to this post: 5 Cozy Christmas Bedroom Swaps for a Guest-Ready Cottage Holiday Refresh.

What Holiday Decor Pieces Do You Reuse for Winter Decorating?

Ann: I love finding ways to reuse my favorite holiday decor well into winter. One of my favorite winter staples is a simple bare pine tree. I’ll prop it up on the porch, lean it against the side of the house, or nestle it near a fence. It brings a rustic charm that feels like a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie, and it works beautifully well beyond Christmas.

As I mentioned earlier, my vintage ski lodge decor easily transitions from holiday to winter. Old snowshoes, wooden skis, vintage sleds, and wicker pack baskets are timeless pieces here in New England. They’re not just seasonal, they’re part of our everyday style, even in the off-season. I love how they add character and that nostalgic, cozy winter vibe without feeling too holiday-heavy.

Coastal Blue and White Tablescape That Transitions from Christmas to Winter Decor

This beautiful blue and gray stoneware set from Wayfair was the starting point for a coastal holiday table setting filled with vintage charm. But what I love most? How easily it works for transitioning from Christmas to winter decor. With its soft hues and timeless style, this look feels festive in December and fresh well into the snowy months ahead.

See how I styled the full tablescape, complete with vintage touches, in this updated post: Coastal Tablescape Styling Tip, Mixing Vintage Charm with Modern Dinnerware, a collaboration with Wayfair.

A Christmas Mannequin That Transitions Seamlessly from Christmas to Winter Decor

This festive Christmas tree mannequin is too cute to take down after the holidays, so she’s staying up through Valentine’s Day! Styled with winter faux evergreens and a big pink bow, she adds warmth, whimsy, and a dash of eclectic charm to my craft room all winter long.

Après-Ski Style: Cozy Winter Decorating Ideas for Indoors and Out

After the holidays wind down, we lean into one of my favorite winter themes, après-ski style. It’s the perfect way to keep things festive without feeling overly Christmassy. Indoors, I love creating a relaxed après-ski table setting for casual gatherings between Christmas and New Year’s. Think vintage glassware, cozy textures, and comfort food served fireside.

Out on the porch, it’s all about blankets, candles, ice buckets, and warm drinks. You’ll find plenty of outdoor inspiration in my Après Ski Themed Party Ideas You’ll Love to Host This Winter, a guide filled with winter porch decorating ideas that keep the cozy going well into January and February.

Wayfair: What inspires your winter decor? i.e., a cozy log cabin decked in plaid or maybe an icy blue winter wonderland?

Ann: When it comes to transitioning from Christmas to winter decor, my biggest inspiration is right outside my window. Living in the snowy Green Mountains of Vermont, I’m surrounded by natural beauty all winter long, and that cozy, rustic backdrop shapes how I decorate indoors, too.

From soft sheepskins and heirloom quilts to layers of pillows and throws, I focus on creating a warm, lived-in space that feels like a hug after a day of skiing or snowshoeing. It’s all about comfort, charm, and letting the landscape inspire the season.

I like adding lots of sheepskins, quilts, pillows, and blankets to our chairs, bedding, and seating areas, creating an inviting, comfortable, and casual place to come home to and enjoy after a long day of skiing or snowshoeing. Learn more in my Cozy New England-Inspired Decorating: Seasonal Ideas from Our Vermont Mountain Views post.

Partnering with Wayfair: Vintage-Inspired Ideas for Transitioning from Christmas to Winter Decor

A heartfelt thank you to Wayfair for partnering with me this holiday season and inspiring so many cozy, creative ways to decorate our home. From festive guest bedrooms to vintage-inspired table settings, it’s been such a joy to share how I style modern pieces alongside my favorite thrifted and antique finds.

If you’d like to see more from this collaboration, below are the four posts that brought it all to life. Each one is filled with decorating ideas for transitioning from Christmas to winter decor, with plenty of cottage charm, vintage warmth, and New England inspiration sprinkled in.

Looking for more cozy ideas for transitioning from Christmas to winter decor?

If you loved these winter decorating tips and vintage-inspired ideas from my interview with Wayfair, there’s more where that came from! Subscribe to the blog to get my favorite seasonal styling tricks, thrifted finds, and vintage decor inspiration delivered straight to your inbox, because winter should feel just as warm and welcoming as the holidays.

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