How to Use Minimalism in Your Winter Decorating With all the excess that typically comes bundled along with the holiday season, embracing minimalism in your winter decor can make for both a striking aesthetic and an excuse to break free from the festive madness.  Maybe you love the holidays but just don’t have the time or energy to cut down a tree, source some boughs of holly, and deck the halls yourself. Or, maybe you’d rather spend your time — and money —on decorations that can stay up beyond December. Here are a few ways you can use minimalism in your winter decorating this year to make an impact.

Engage the Senses

A big part of minimalism involves getting creative with ways to make a space interesting and interactive for yourself and guests alike. One effective way to do this is by engaging the five senses in unique ways. For example: For touch, try integrating plush fabrics into your furniture scheme in the form of knitted blankets or a velvety armchair that embodies everything cozy and comforting about winter. Alternatively, for your sense of hearing, queuing up some well-thought-out playlists (carols optional) can set the mood without much more than a smartphone and some speakers.  For smell, which some say is the sense most closely tied to memory, try integrating essential oils or high-quality candles that give off a festive aroma. And of course, you can always do some festive baking to satisfy everyone’s appetites!

Try a DIY Project

Still want some “stuff” this winter? Homemade may be the way to go. From homemade advent calendars made from little more than gift tags to wreaths made from foraged greenery, DIY decor is a low-budget, highly personalized solution that adapts well to a minimalist aesthetic. Some trendy minimalist concepts to keep in mind to inspire your DIY projects include geometric shapes, monochromatic color schemes, and using blank space to your advantage.

Rethink Classics

Just because you’re giving minimalism a go doesn’t mean you have to forego traditional winter decor completely. Ask yourself what you like about winter, and then brainstorm ways you can thoughtfully incorporate those aspects into your seasonal aesthetic. Are you a fan of retro winter sports? Think about finding some vintage snowshoes and hanging them on an otherwise blank, white wall to conjure up nostalgic memories (without all the clutter that so often accompanies it). Or maybe you have a soft spot for plaid. Try adding a couple of plaid pillows to your striking white sectional for a warming effect, or consider plaid cocktail napkins for all those holiday hors d'oeuvres. 

Out With the Old

Finally, if you really want to embrace minimalism, you might want to consider purging some of your old stuff. Forget spring cleaning: Winter, and the start of a new year, is the perfect time to move forward anew. Minimalism is all about narrowing life down to what you need — what truly matters.  That said, what minimalism is not is getting rid of everything. Getting minimalism right means making a few investments upfront to make sure the things you have do their job well and last a long time.  If you’re interested in scaling back and getting the most out of your belongings, then visit The Back Store for the perfect investment piece for your minimalist lifestyle.