Decorating is one of the best things that comes with owning your own home. If you recently purchased a house, you might be thinking of ways to get your home winter ready, especially if you plan on hosting for the holidays. While decorating is quite fun, it can also be overwhelming, especially if you are starting from scratch. Up here and Kelowna, where our winters are snowy and bright, choosing decorations to compliment the cold weather conditions is going to make you feel cozy and comfortable during the next few months. Here are a few of our favorite winter design tips. Cozy Lighting During the winter months, there are fewer hours of daylight. Having good yet ambient lighting is key to making your home cozy during the winter season. With lighting, there are plenty of ways to get creative, especially in the winter. For the inside, install fun pendants with adjustable brightness or add a floor lamp into living spaces. This will give you the option to add or decrease the level of brightness in the rooms. If you’re feeling especially festive, string lights can add nice pops of light if they are installed nicely. For the outside, string lights are a favorite for holiday decorations. Something a little less holiday-specific would be spotlights to illuminate your home and wall sconces to add some extra brightness. Consider visiting a local lighting showroom for more inspiration. Warm Blankets and Pillows Soft and warm blankets are a must for those brisk nights, and they can really tie a room together if placed correctly. Choose blankets or throws in darker tones and match them with the color scheme of your home. Pick out a few pillows to match and place them on couches, chairs, and beds to give your spaces a cozy appearance that will make you want to snuggle up all winter long! Outdoor Fire Pit Outdoor fire pits have been becoming increasingly popular, and for good reasons. They provide a nice warm spot for people to gather around on chilly nights. Because people have been finding ways to gather outdoors instead of inside due to COVID-19, fire pits have become a hit, especially for people who are buying a home. This winter season, consider installing a fire pit outside and purchasing some chairs to place around it. Wreaths and Garlands Wreaths and garlands are a very popular winter decoration, and they aren’t just holiday specific. These pieces add a natural touch to homes and give a pretty and earthy appearance. You can purchase a door wreath at a store or, if you’re crafty, you can put together your own. Wreaths made with natural materials, like branches and pinecones, are a classic, but don't be afraid to get creative. Winter garland is an easy way to add some winter charm to any room. You can go the artificial route or the natural route depending on preference. Drape it around bannisters or hang it around door frames. There are plenty of ways to get creative with this winter decoration. Winter decorating will be fun and easy with some of the ideas mentioned above. Remember to choose pieces that fit your own style and that will incorporate well with your current decorating scheme and have fun with it! You’ll be warm and cozy all winter long.