I finally packed up our Christmas decor which is always part thrilling and part depressing.

When I think about our January home I want it to still feel wintry and warm and inviting, let’s face it, winter has just begun. But I also crave some empty space, less clutter and simplicity.

Here are a few ways I try to strike that January balance.

1. Incorporate Textures

I Pull out those furs, suedes and chunky fabrics in November and don’t pack them up until spring. I’ve found that I have a higher, longer tolerance for light neutral fabrics instead of going with darks–come January, I want light and airy along with wintry and off white cozy fabrics work great for me.

2. Trade out some heavy woods for white and darks for light.

Just yesterday I put white dishes and light wood front and center on this hutch. I stored some of the darker wood and dark items away in the drawers. A ten minute change that freshened-up and lightened-up the display.

during Christmas

I know my rhythms well enough that I’ll add little touch of pink come spring, and pull out a few blue and white dishes in the summer. Then in the fall the wood and dark colors will make an appearance again until January.  None of it is seasonal decor–just service ware, vases and a few of my favorite things that nod to the season.

3. Add life with plants.

Once you dump those dried evergreens and the Christmas tree, your home might suddenly feel lifeless. Isn’t it funny how even dried up or fake greenery can still add life to your home?

Now it’s time to pull the plants front and center again.

During November and December I put a few of my large plants in the basement by a big window, and others get stacked on a tall armoire on our back porch. I like to focus on evergreen during Christmas.

Now that it’s January, I pull my plants back out to the forefront checking to see if they are still in good health. So far they all made it through being moved and now they are back in our main living spaces.

Now is a great time to evaluate if your home is missing some plants. Don’t worry if you aren’t a green thumb, neither am I. I’m willing to kill a few plants in order to find the varieties I can keep alive.

So far I’ve had good luck with :

Kangaroo Paw Fern (one of mine is 3 years old!) that’s the link to Amazon so you can see it but it’s way overpriced, you can get one for less than $15 from Lowe’s or Home Depot in the store but I couldn’t find them online. I also have a one year old Rabbit’s Foot Fern and Fiddle Leaf Figs (I ordered one from Home Depot last year and it’s doing great!)

Remember, if you buy a $12 plant and keep it alive for only 3 months, that’s $4 per month–$1 per week. Not bad to have some green in your home, learn what doesn’t work for you and, there’s a good chance you’ll keep it alive for much longer! I promise, plants are worth the risk of killing them!