Winter Valentine’s Decor in a Small Kitchen

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Valentine’s is almost here, but I’m not quite ready (yet) to switch out my décor from winter.  Let’s take a look at how to combine winter and Valentine’s décor in a small kitchen.

Here in ‘sunny’ So Cal, we are having a rainy season like we haven’t seen in years.  Frankly, I LOVE it, and so does most of my family!  This morning, my son and his family actually experienced 27 degrees in their neck of the woods!  Now that’s cold for So Cal!

With this chilly weather, I’m still enjoying the winter touches in my home. The cozy pillows, throws, and vignettes just don’t want to be put away… yet.  What about you?  Are you still enjoying the winter in your neighborhood?

WINTER VALENTINE’S DECOR IN A SMALL KITCHEN

However, I’m also hearing the sweet sounds of Valentine’s Day calling to me.  Without going overboard, I enjoy a little nod to the “season of sappy-ness”.  Even being single, giving my home a little splash of red sparks a joy in my heart that I think even Ms. Kondo could relate to. 😉

Adding special décor touches makes a small home even cozier, and makes a rental home or apartment feel like your own.  So, let me show you how I transition my tiny rental kitchen from winter to a bit of Valentine’s Day and still keep the coziness going.

If you want to get a jump-start for spring decor, you can take a look at this Spring Tour.

Keep It Simple

As the décor at My Wee Abode goes through the seasons, there is a realization that keeping it simple really does go a long way.

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchenThe open shelving and counters have a base of my everyday dishes, white soup tureens, pieces of white ironstone (pitchers and bowls), and miniature leaded glass windows.

Remember these tips for keeping your foundation décor simple:

  • neutral color palette (white is a wonderful catalyst for other pops of color)
  • practical items (such as everyday dishes) lend a ‘grounding’ to décor… keeps your home ‘real’
  • basic décor items that can be added to or moved around (white soup tureens can be used in so many ways, as well as ironstone bowls/pitchers)
  • basic items to set behind other items (such as the leaded glass windows or wood platters)

Add Seasonal Accessories That Can Easily Be Changed

Another aspect of keeping it simple is to use items that are elements of the season, but not “holiday-ish”.  As my friend, Yvonne from Stonegable says, you don’t want any ‘cross-holidation’ going on! 😉

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen open shelving with scale white pitchers pine cones and greeneryWinter décor can consist of:

  • greenery (faux and real, but I mostly use ‘good’ faux)
  • berries (rose gold, to stay away from cross-holidation)
  • cotton stems
  • warm colored votives or white pillar candles (again, not red)
  • little ceramic pine trees
  • dishes that may add another color (I always love blue for winter)
  • pine cones (start using them in fall and they go through winter!)

Transition to Valentine’s by Replacing with Similar Items

It doesn’t matter if you have a small or large kitchen, own a home or rent an apartment, these tips are the same!  You don’t have to go crazy and change EVERYTHING out (unless you want to). 😉  Just change out a few of the smaller items for some holiday-type decor!

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchenFor Valentine’s Day:

  • leave the pine cones and greenery, but replace the rose-gold berries with red berries.  I know what you’re thinking, but we ARE decorating for the ‘sappy’ holiday, so red berries look great!
  • take out the (navy) dishes and replace with some red ‘rustic’ hearts
  • change out the white/warm colored candles for red candles
  • remove the little white trees (or any elements you want to remove)
  • judiciously add additional elements of Valentine’s Day

You can see how I added touches of fall to my tiny kitchen HERE.

Finished Winter Valentine’s Décor in a Small Kitchen

When you keep it simple and just exchange a few decor items, transitioning from winter to Valentine’s Day can take all of 15 minutes!

Winter elements with rose gold beads, ceramic trees, and amber candles.

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchen

Switched out berries and candles for Valentine’s!

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchenAn ironstone bowl is home to greenery, pine cones, gold berries and a white candle for winter.

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchen with white bowl pine cones and candleAnd some navy blue dishes are nestled there, too!
winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen blue and white dishes with ceramic pine tree and pine cones on wood surfaceFor Valentine’s, the blue dishes, ceramic tree, gold berries, and white candle were replaced…

With some rustic hearts and linen bow (Hobby Lobby find, but I replaced the bow), red berries, and a red candle.
winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen red wooden hearts and bow wiht white bowl and red candle with greenery and berries on wood surfaceMore red berries were exchanged out of the cotton stems, red candles were placed in votive cups and…

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen open shelving with scale white pitchers pine cones and greeneryThis sweet little find from Walmart…

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen red silver galvanized hearts white pitcher on wooden surface“Chippy” is not usually my ‘thing’… but, don’t you think this is adorable for six bucks???

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen red silver galvanized hearts white pitcher on wooden surfaceThat keyhole, though!

I’m definitely loving this bit of ‘love’ in my tiny kitchen.
winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchen

So much you can do to make a small apartment a special home! (Oh, and see those marble-look countertops… you’ll never guess what material they are …Find out the secret HERE.)winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen white dishes on open shelving in a kitchen

Do you add touches of Valentine’s Day to your home?  I’d love to hear how you do it!  Your comments and ideas inspire me, just as I hope My Wee Abode inspires YOU!

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PIN IT FOR LATER!

winter-valentine-decor-small-kitchen open shelving with scale white pitchers pine cones and greenery

 

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72 Comments

  1. Julie, where did you find that adorable keyhole heart? I would love to buy one to add to my Valentine collection. It’s too cute!

    1. Hi, Raylene… thanks for asking! I got the keyhole heart from Walmart, in the seasonal decor aisle. I checked online and can’t find anything similar, but maybe you can run on over and check to see if they still have some! 😉 Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs!

  2. You’ve done a beautiful job decorating your little kitchen. I can relate so well. Years ago I lived in an efficiency apartment in which the only interior walls were around the tiny bathroom. Your 2 burner hot plate brings back a lot of memories. At that time, microwaves were just coming out and were HUGE, so presented a whole set of problems about where to put them. Toaster ovens weren’t popular yet and landlords frowned on any improvements such as shelving on the walls. I’m an old lady now and have lived in larger places since then, but could stand to downsize and would be happy doing just what you’ve done – find a small place and make the best of what you have. That’s what “home” is all about.

    1. Hey, Pat… I’ve never heard of an efficiency apartment. I’m gonna go Google it! Love my burner, as apartments that a 400sf or less in So Cal cannot have built-ins. Makes it a challenge, but I have not missed my built-ins at all. And my toaster oven is a smart oven, so it bakes really well! Downsizing has its challenges, but as you know, they are often fun! Making a house a home is definitely a wonderful part of life. 😉 Hugs!

    1. Simple can speak volumes, right, Elaine? Thank you for the sweet compliment… hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  3. Hi Julie,
    I love all your tips for seasonal decorating in a small home. You just can’t overstate the power of white – so simple and the perfect backdrop for any arrangement. I really like your white dinnerware. I can’t believe you bought the distressed “keyhole” at WalMart – so did I! What an unexpected thing to find at Walmart amid all the plastic and tinsel Valentine stuff. It fell right into my cart! Really enjoying your blog. Have a great weekend,
    Cheryl

    1. Thanks for the sweet words, Cheryl! Too funny that you bought the same heart… I LOVE it so much, and it was so affordable! You have a great weekend, too!

  4. Love the chippy heart find! I think I’m always so desperate for spring and sunshine that I hope right from Christmas to spring decorating! It’s nice to get ideas for a smoother transition. 🙂

    1. I totally understand that…. I’m going to be jumping into spring décor almost immediately now. LOL! #bloggerlife Have a great weekend, sweet friend!

  5. Hi, Julie! I love your tips for decorating for the holidays and seasons in a small space and by making little changes to one’s decor. It’s amazing how such little changes can have such a large impact! I’ve been focusing on decorating small areas in my home – like a DIY curio box and a tiered tray – and find it to be so gratifying and stress free!

    1. Yes. Your curio box has had some seasonal changes this year. SO fun! Simple definitely helps with the stress levels! Hugs and hearts, Lauren!

  6. You have added the perfect Valentine’s touches to your space Julie without doing to much. I love your kitchen shelves and enjoy seeing how they transition through the seasons. I typically only add a few touches here and there and did even less this year.

    1. Thanks, Sonya! This is the first time I have added Valentine touches to my home. It was very fun! Hugs, dear friend… hope you are feeling better!

    1. Oh, thanks, Michelle. You think the heart could stay? I sure love it enough to keep it up there for a while! And you reminded me that I should link my countertop post in this one. Thanks, blogging buddy!

  7. Great advice Julie. I love that chippy heart with the keyhole. We are starting to think about downsizing and I know your blog will be so helpful when we do. Pinning it for the future.

    1. I think that heart is a fave! Wish I had a link for people to buy online, but, alas, it was only in-store. Thanks for the pin, sweet friend!

    1. I’m with you, Pam. I love the big tall ones I have, and I have a dear friend that picks up other large ones for me at her mountain cabin. Woot!

  8. Julie these little red touches are so sweet and add just the right note to the winter decor. Now I might even buckle and add a bit of red to my otherwise neutral decor. Love that little heart with the keyhole.

  9. Julie, your kitchen is the sweetest! I love all the white touches you have, especially the ironstone! I am a bit of an ironstone-enthusiast myself ;).

    1. Yes, I’ve seen some of your ironstone! LOVE! 😉 Thanks for the sweet words, my friend! Have enjoyed watching your IG stories lately. 😉

    1. Thanks Benita! And thanks for hosting Celebrate Your Story! Hope you are linking up at Homestyle Gathering, too! 😉

  10. I love using natural elements in my decorating so this post was perfect for me. I’ve pinned it to me Valentine’s decorating board for future reference. I also added a link to your ‘Homestyle Gathering’ (thanks again for the invite). There are so many great ideas there I’ll be pinning all day lol 🙂

    1. Thank you, Kim! You let me know if you ever find ironstone that you have to pass up! I just may ask you to send it to me! (There isn’t much here in So Cal).

  11. What a great post, Julie! Such great tips here for how easy it can be to switch out the holiday decor to work for winter and/or Valentine’s Day. I want that chippy heart from Wallmart!

    1. Isn’t that heart amazing?! I LOVE it! Wonder if they have anything else as cute this year? *runs to Walmart*

  12. When I finished reading this post the first thing out of my mouth was… Okay, let’s start scrolling past aaaaallllll of the comments just so I can tell her I love what she did and I was cracking up at Yvonne’s new word – cross holidation! Your touches of red with the winter look fantastic. I’ve never thought to do that. And I love all the Valentine’s decor you found. It’s been a while since I’ve been in Hobby Lobby or Walmart. Guess I need to go! Pinned

    1. Hehe… it’s always fun when you have a post that gets lots of comments, right? (You get this ALL the time, girl!) And, I miss Yvonne’s quick sense of humor on the podcast. Looking forward to a few small projects for Valentine’s. 🙂

  13. “Cross-holidation” – hehe. That’s funny, but so true!

    I never really paid much attention in previous years, but in putting away my Christmas decor, I realized so many of the same pieces work for Winter decorating, and even into Valentine’s. I decided to just put it all away to have an empty, fresh start, but definitely going to take advantage next year.

    1. Definitely! I love how pine trees, pine cones, and even snowy items with some sparkle look great for winter decor! Thanks for sharing, Alexandra!

  14. Hi! I found you via the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. I love the way you style your open shelving! These are very helpful tips, I’m always finding that it’s a bit of a letdown after all the Christmas decor goes away :-(. And the quote about “cross-holidation” made me laugh 😀
    Thanks!
    Becca

    1. Oh, so glad you found MWA via the WW link party! We also have a link party on Tuesday-Friday.. .Tuesday Turn About. We’d love for you to join us! Also, my BBB and I are celebrating 3 years of blogging with a TWO giveaways. Be sure to enter! (It’s on my home page!)

  15. Such beautiful styling, Julie, and fabulous pictures too! I love the white base of dishes and the idea of changing up a few things to make a whole new look! And I love your shelf brackets – those are great looking!

    1. Thanks, Janet… I love the shelf brackets, too! However, I’m learning that they do not like to hold a lot of weight! I’m in the process of rethinking the configuration. 🙂

  16. Super simple and lovely…you did a beautiful job! Valentine’s Day is one of those tricky holidays for me to decorate for because I don’t really want to have my whole house be in pinks if you know what I mean. Subtle and simple is the way to go. Thanks for sharing!!

    1. I agree… a little bit of red goes a long way for me! 😉 You’ll see what I mean at tomorrow’s Pinterest Challenge. 😉

  17. Julie – You have such a talent for making these little spaces shine! I love how you incorporated winter AND Valentine’s Day decor into your kitchen. I think your kitchen loves it too. Thank you for entering the Home Imagined link party!

    1. Thanks so much, Anna. It’s fun to decorate a kitchen a bit… I need to do my current kitchen, but I SO hate the cabinets… worse than my last MWA! 😉

  18. I love winter decor. Right after Christmas I put my blues out. I love it because I can leave it up until the end of March, then spring comes out. I love your winter decor your display is so pretty.
    Thank you bunches for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.

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