A Calm and Cozy Refresh in the Living Room

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January is a time of renewal, reflection, and resetting. After the busyness of the holidays, I craved a calm and cozy refresh for my living room.

But instead of packing away every trace of holiday decor, I incorporated a few festive elements into a fresh and tranquil new look. My secret? Introducing shades of blush and taupe and finding creative ways to use leftover Christmas decorations in an elegant, understated way.

A wooden table with a vase of pink leaves stands by a window. A cushioned chair with ornate wooden details is in the background. Natural light illuminates the scene.
A bright, airy kitchen with white cabinets, wooden dining table, and wicker chairs. Sunlight streams in through large windows, highlighting yellow flowers on the table and counter.
Make it Pretty

A Calm and Cozy Living Room Refresh: Embracing Blush in January

Vertical color stripes in light gray, beige, tan, pale pink, and off-white.

I am so excited to share how I gave my living room a serene refresh with the addition of blush and taupe accents and how I seamlessly carried over a few holiday pieces. This perfect winter color palette creates a cohesive, calm, and cozy refreshing space.

Why Blush? A Perfect Choice for January

A still life scene with lit candles, a bowl with pears and an onion, a large ceramic bowl, folded cloth, and a small flower on a light-colored surface embodies the serene essence of a winter color palette.

I saw this photo on the Benjamin Moore website and fell in love. It’s calm, serene, and elegant, and precisely what I want in my home this winter.

After the holiday season’s red, green, and gold overload, it felt like the perfect hue to create a peaceful retreat in my living room. Blush accents are versatile—they can be calm and crisp or warm and cozy, depending on how you pair them.

I leaned into blush and dusty tones for January, layering them with neutral shades like cream, beige, and white to create a tranquil winter palette.

Using Blush and Taupe to Transform a Space

Cozy living room with a lit fireplace, white sofa, and light wood floor. A large window illuminates the room. A table with pink flowers is positioned near the window.

One of the easiest and most impactful ways to introduce a new color into your living room is through accessories. Here’s how I incorporated blue into my space.

Pillow Covers

Living room with a beige sofa, assorted pillows, a wooden floor, and a small table with pink flowers. Large windows and light-colored walls create a bright, airy atmosphere.

I swapped out my holiday-themed pillow covers for ones in blush and taupe tones. A mix of solid toes, subtle patterns, and textured fabrics like velvet instantly transformed the look of my sofa. Pillow covers are an affordable and effortless way to change a room’s color palette without committing to larger, more permanent changes.

Cozy living room with a white couch, pink and beige pillows, a rug, and a bookshelf filled with decor and photos. A window and side table with a lamp are in the background.


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Ivory Embroidered Throw Pillow Covers, 2

Two rectangular, brown throw pillows with visible seams and a textured fabric are placed upright against each other.
2 Blush Pink Decorative Pillow Covers
Two pink textured throw pillows on a beige couch, with a leafy plant in the background.
2 Decorative Soft Chenille Throw Pillows
Two beige textured throw pillows on a light-colored couch with a leafy branch and sheer curtains in the background.
Taupe Grey Decorative Throw Pillow Covers
Two beige throw pillows with button accents on a white sofa, accompanied by a gray knitted blanket.
Set of 2 Ivory Square Pillow Covers
A beige textured throw pillow with a geometric pattern sits on a striped rug next to a matching woven blanket and a light-colored sofa.
Plush Cushion Cover

Throws

Cozy living room with a white sofa, pink blanket, lit fireplace, and a rustic coffee table. Large landscape painting above the mantel and a window letting in natural light.

A cozy blush throw draped over an armchair added warmth and reinforced the new color palette. I chose a knit style that complemented the wintery feel of the room.

Three folded beige knitted blankets stacked on top of each other.
Blush Cable Knit Throw Blankets
A folded, textured pink blanket with fringe tassels on one end.
PAVILIA Blush Pink Throw Blanket
A folded, beige woven blanket with a diamond pattern and fringed edges.
BATTILO HOME Blush Throw Blanket

Rugs

While I didn’t replace my rug this time, adding taupe or blush through these larger elements is another way to ground space in a specific color. If you want a bold statement, consider a patterned area rug with hints of blush or airy, light-filtering blue curtains. My dining room rug is the perfect color for this palette!

A beige and taupe patterned area rug with intricate floral and geometric designs.
Loloi Teagan Collection 7′-11″ x 10′-6″ Area Rug in Ivory/Sand
A close-up view of a multicolored woven rug with abstract patterns in shades of orange, brown, and cream on a dark wooden floor.
Loloi Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines Millie Collection MIE-02 Sky/Gold
Light blue curtains hang on a wooden rod above a window. Below are fabric swatches in various colors, including beige, brown, blue, and green tones. A partial view of a framed mirror is on the right.
Greyish Blue Linen Curtains 45 Inches Long

Art and Decor

A living room features a wall-mounted abstract painting and a bar cart with glassware. A decorative bowl with colored leaves is on the table in the foreground.

I swapped out the art on my Frame TVs for pieces featuring blush and taupe tones. Additionally, I added taupe vases and glassware to my coffee table and shelves. These small touches tied the room together beautifully.

Samsung The Frame TV displaying artwork with trees and snow, alongside a close-up of its frame design with floral image detail.

Samsung Frame TV 65″ QLED Quantum HDR Smart TV

Gold picture frame with a corner detail displayed in front of a landscape painting of a field and trees in bloom.

Deco TV Frame for Samsung Frame TV, Pale Gold Bezel

A Samsung "The Frame" TV displaying a painting of blossoming almond branches on a turquoise background.

Samsung 55-Inch Frame TV

Incorporating Holiday Decor in January

Glass jars filled with pink and silver ornaments are placed on a wooden table beside a decorative tree by a window.

Let’s talk about those silver trees and vintage Christmas balls! While many people pack away all their holiday decorations come January, I’ve found that some pieces can transition seamlessly into winter decor.

Silver Trees

My collection of silver Christmas trees looked too stunning to hide away, so I grouped them together on my counter sidebar. Paired with a simple faux floral arrangement, they felt less like holiday decor and more like a winter wonderland centerpiece.

Vintage Christmas Balls

I repurposed my vintage ornaments in a glass bowl on the sidebar table. Their subtle shimmer added a touch of elegance without feeling overly festive. You could also hang a few ornaments on bare branches for a minimalist winter arrangement.

Garlands and Greenery

Evergreen garlands can stay out well into winter. You could pair them with white blush eucalyptus for a fresh, January-friendly look. Consider swapping out red berries for pinecones or dried orange slices to make the greenery feel more seasonal than holiday-specific.

Three glass jars filled with pastel marshmallows, colorful jelly beans, and assorted jelly beans, each with a lid.
Glass Apothecary Jars w/Lids, Set of 3
Six pink glass ornaments with metallic tops and loop hooks, reflecting light and showing some imperfections, arranged against a white background.
Serene Spaces Living Set of 6 Rose Pink Mercury Glass Ball Ornament
Three glass jars with lids filled with colorful jelly beans, blue and pink candy, and foil-wrapped chocolate eggs.
Small Glass Apothecary Jars, Set of 3

Other Ways to Incorporate Holiday Decor in January

A cozy sofa with five decorative pillows, including a standout rust-colored one, sits in a well-lit living room with a large window and elegant decor. A floral bowl is on the coffee table.

Candles and Lighting

Keep those twinkling fairy lights and candles out to brighten the shorter winter days. Switch to neutral or blush-toned candles to complement your refreshed palette.

Textured Fabrics

Cozy blankets and faux fur throws that were part of your holiday decor can transition seamlessly into January. Stick to neutral tones or those that match your new color scheme.

A set of 12 battery-operated string lights arranged in rows. Adjacent images display various decorative uses, including bottles, wreaths, and holiday settings.
12 Pack Fairy Lights
A set of six twisted taper candles in shades of pink, displayed both upright and in a box.
4 PCS Pink Gradient Color Tapers
A brass candelabra with lit candles is surrounded by small vases and candle holders on a white surface against a neutral wall.
Creative Co-Op Hand-Forged Metal Candelabra

Favorite Collectibles

Ornate rug beneath a white table holding a decorative bowl with flowers, a worn book, and patterned paper.
A decorative bowl with a string of artificial roses and green leaves placed inside, viewed from above.
A beige and gold vintage beaded purse with butterfly and floral designs rests on a wooden surface.


Vintage items, such as my needlepoint purse and metal flowers, are perfect decor for a room. Group them on tables or use them on bookshelves.

Rectangular beige tray with a marbled texture and smooth edges, viewed from an angle against a white background.
Creative Co-Op Matte Marbled Resin Tray, Blush Pink
White scalloped ceramic bowl with vertical ribbed pattern, placed on a wooden surface.

Fluted Marble Decorative Bowl

A box containing an assortment of artificial flowers, including roses and peonies, in shades of pink, cream, and mauve, with green leaves and small white berries.
Blush Champagne Artificial Flowers

Table Settings

If you have holiday-themed tableware in subtle patterns or colors, consider using it as part of your winter dining setup. Pair with neutral linens for a sophisticated look.

Creating a Cozy Atmosphere

A cozy living room with a cream sofa, orange cushions, and light wooden furniture. Sunlight filters through tall windows, highlighting decorative vases and a painting above the fireplace.

In addition to the color refresh and seasonal decor, I focused on making my living room as cozy as possible. Here are a few tricks I used:

Layering Textures:
Mixing textures like soft velvets, chunky knits, and smooth ceramics added depth and warmth to the room. This combination not only felt inviting but also visually balanced the space.

Ambient Lighting:
You could add a few more table lamps with warm-toned bulbs to create soft pools of light around the room. This complemented the fairy lights and candles for a layered lighting effect.

Books and Personal Touches:
Stacks of coffee table books in coordinating taupe tones doubled as decor and reading material. I also added framed family photos and a small vase of fresh flowers for a personal touch.

Scented Elements:
A lightly scented candle in a winter fragrance, like cedarwood or vanilla, completes the cozy atmosphere.

Pink velvet-bordered picture frame with a floral illustration inside. Frame stands on a black easel back.
Isaac Jacobs 4×6 Pink Velvet Picture Frame
Amazon Basics 60W dimmable soft white LED light bulb in front of packaging, featuring compatibility with Alexa and energy-saving details.
Amazon Basics Smart A19 LED Light Bulb, Dimmable Soft White
A hand holding a bundle of pink eucalyptus stems with round leaves.
34” Faux Eucalyptus Stems
A white ceramic utensil holder with a smooth, glossy finish.
Utensil Crock/Vase
A lit soy candle labeled No. 50 balsam and cedarwood, with details about its cotton wick, slow burning, 255g weight, handcrafted by Lulu Candles in the USA.
Lulu Candles | Balsam & Cedarwood
Stack of books with titles including "MH at 100," "Simply Living," and "Sculptures," featuring covers with minimalist design and art images.
Moncur Home Decorative Coffee Table Books

Tips for Your Own January Refresh

Cozy living room with a beige sofa, white sideboard, and a coffee table. The table has a bowl, wooden box, and a piece of driftwood. Sunlight filters through a window in the background.

If you’re feeling inspired to refresh your living room, here are some steps to get started:

Declutter:
Start by removing anything that feels too “holiday” or doesn’t fit your vision for January. This will give you a clean slate to work with.

Choose a Color Palette:
Pick one or two new accent colors to introduce. Blue, white, and silver are perfect for winter, but warm tones like rust or mustard can work beautifully, too.

Repurpose and Rearrange:
Look at what you already have and think of new ways to use it. Moving furniture or decor can make a big difference without spending a dime.

Invest in Key Pieces:
Minor updates like new pillow covers, a throw blanket, or a vase can have a significant impact without breaking the bank.

Add Seasonal Touches:
Incorporate natural elements, candles, or subtle hints of leftover holiday decor to create a cozy, wintery vibe.

Final Thoughts

A beige sofa adorned with two patterned pillows and an orange pillow is in front of a large window. A decorative bowl sits on the coffee table in front.

Refreshing my living room this January brought me so much joy. Adding blush accents, the subtle use of holiday decor, and the emphasis on creating a calm, cozy atmosphere transformed the space into a true retreat.

It’s incredible how small changes, like swapping pillow covers or repurposing vintage ornaments, can breathe new life into a room.

If you want to beat the post-holiday blues, I highly recommend giving your living room a little love. Whether you choose blush and taupe like I did or another color that speaks to you, the process is both creative and therapeutic. Here’s to a calm and cozy start to the year!

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Collage of blush-toned home decor items including pillows, blankets, vases, frames, and more, with text: "Amazon Home Blush Decor.
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