Stripping the decked halls in early January can leave our workspaces feeling a bit gloomy. But with a few simple touches (and no clutter), we can create a new sense of cheer.
The days and weeks between New Years and early spring can feel a bit drab. It’s too early for spring decor, but packing up our holiday items can leave our spaces feeling empty and barren.
We may be tempted to fill our workspaces with more clutter in an attempt to make things feel less desolate. But as blogger, author, and decorator Myquillyn Smith shares in her latest book, Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year, it is perfectly okay to let a room “breathe” every now and then. Clearing out our holiday decor can be a great chance to reset our workspaces—whether they are at home or in an office building—and start fresh. Not to mention, winter is a time with a lot of natural beauty and invitation to comfort, coziness, and warmth, and we can embrace these elements in our workspaces.
Here are a few ways to keep your workspace beautiful and cheery even after you’ve tossed out the last Christmas garland.
01. Give it a deep clean.
Before you do anything else, take some time to scour your workspace so it feels extra fresh for the New Year. Once you’ve packed up your holiday decor, take the chance to organize your desk and purge those extra papers that have been piling up. Throw away any dead plants, give your space a good dusting, and sanitize all of your surfaces. Throw open a window (if you have one!) to air out the room a bit, even if only for a few minutes.
02. Don’t ditch all the holiday cheer.
Some holiday decor isn’t overtly Christmasy, but rather, wintery. For instance, live evergreens, mercury glass, and twinkle lights can look just as magical in January as they did in early December—but they won’t leave you with that itchy, why-am-I-still-seeing-candy-canes-after-New-Years feeling that might be triggered by neglected, stale Christmas decor. Feel free to leave up any decor that still feels fresh and timely, and only pack away items that scream “Christmas.” This will help you transition more gradually from the holidays to early spring, making the in-between time feel less desolate and barren.
03. Layer in live plants.
One of the best replacements for cheery holiday trimmings is tons of fresh greens. Invest in a high-quality potted tree for your workspace, like a fiddle leaf fig, lemon tree, or ficus. If you struggle to keep plants alive, consider succulents—some of the most low-maintenance live items out there—or everlasting topiaries. Adding greenery to your space will make it feel lively and fresh without creating needless clutter.
04. Stock up on fresh scents.
Once you’ve packed away your evergreen-scented candles, stock up on some fresher, lighter scents, like cotton, linen, or lemon. If your office doesn’t allow you to burn a candle, even just setting an unlit candle on your desk will still make a difference. Alternatively, you can consider purchasing a diffuser that will dispense a fresh, subtle scent.
05. Keep it cozy with heavy throws.
One of the best parts of winter is the opportunity to cozy up and get comfortable, especially as you’re settling in to a full workday. If you telework, you can take advantage of comfortable work-from-home attire like cardigans and slippers. But if you work in an office and still need to dress professionally, invest in a heavy knitted or faux fur throw in a dark neutral or jewel tone. Not only will it look cute draped over your office chair (making your office appear more inviting), it can keep you warm if your office maintenance crew tends to get frugal with the heat.
