Simple Winter Decor with Paperwhites, Maidenhair Ferns and Foraged Twigs

I’m joining a few friends today to talk about winter as a quieter decorating season. During the holidays where every surface is layered with garlands and decorations, I crave clean and simple.

Winter doesn’t need a full refresh, just a shift with more breathing room using what I already have rather than buying new. Simply let winter be winter. I’m leaning into natural textures, and letting a few winter elements do the work feels just right.

Use ordinary tin cans with delicate Maidenhair ferns

One of my favorite things to use are simple tin cans repurposed as planters. There’s something I love about the contrast between a humble container and a delicate maidenhair fern. The cans don’t need to be hidden or dressed up — they’re part of the charm.

Add branches to the ferns to represent winter in the garden

To give things a more wintery look, I like to bring in a few foraged twigs from the garden. Bare branches have such beautiful lines this time of year, and they pair especially well with softer greens. A small handful clipped and placed in a jar or tucked alongside a plant adds height and structure, and reminds me that winter has its own quiet beauty.

Paperwhites are blooming in January

This is also the season when paperwhites bloom. I often forget how special they feel until they’re back in the house again. Their simple shape and subtle fragrance don’t need much. I’m using my Bergs Pottery from Terrain on vintage French plates and lined them on the dining room table. I planted them on November 22nd, and they are starting to bloom.

Add bowls of citrus for color in winter

For a touch of color, I almost always reach for winter citrus. Oranges, lemons, or clementines piled onto a plate or shallow bowl bring warmth without feeling decorative. They’re practical, and they add that little lift of color that winter rooms sometimes need.

Add a new collection to your coffee table

After the holidays, things do feel a little empty. January is the perfect time to display a collection you’ve been hiding in a drawer. For example, we’ve been collecting coasters from our favorite bistros and cafes in France over the last few years, and I thought now is the time to add them to a vintage silver bowl, along with a little glass tray of Euros.

What I love most about decorating this way is how flexible it is. Things move around easily — a tin can planter might start in the kitchen and end up on a bedside table, branches can be swapped out, citrus gets used and replenished. Nothing feels permanent or overthought.

Winter doesn’t ask for much. A bit of green, something gathered from outdoors, and a few everyday items already in the house can make a space feel intentional and comforting. Sometimes the simplest touches are the ones that feel the most right.

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