Before and After: Cozy Winter Living Room

Before, this living room was awash in neutrals but full of furnishings with good shapes. Warm colors, new carpeting, winter-inspired accents, and a fresh arrangement will make this the ideal spot to cozy up on chilly winter days.

The inspiration for this winter redo is the vintage ski poster over the fireplace. The golden wall color echoes the yellow hues in the poster. Red, orange, and black are also pulled from the poster to create the room's color palette, shown clearly in the carpet tiles. Vintage skis and winter clothing are used as accents throughout the room. These elements add warmth and texture and create the perfect space to snuggle up on a cold day.

A quick way to add warmth to a room is to swap sheer curtains for heavy draperies. For an inexpensive alternative to pricey, heavy-weight window treatments, attach a twin blanket to a wooden rod with large safety pins. Or sew a rod pocket across the top for a less rustic look.

Carpet tiles are an easy way to change the look of a room -- just rearrange them. Here, the tiles are arranged in color rows that mimic the lines of the vintage ski poster that inspired the living room's winter makeover. The large leather ottoman is replaced by a smaller round coffee table, which lets the carpet pattern take center stage. For an added touch of winter, a wooden bowl filled with pine needles rests on the table.

To give the room even more wintry charm, the bookcase was rearranged to include cold-weather elements. Existing photos were swapped for photos featuring winter scenes. Another simple way to add a touch of winter is to fill empty vases with winterberries. All the books on display are hardcover, which creates a cozy library feel.

Swap out accessories for a quick seasonal update. Our bookcase gets a new look with wintry items such as a bare-branch bowl and ski-theme family photos.

Cozy pillows are an easy way to update a space for winter. For this colorful bolster, sew two winter scarves into a long tube, stuff with batting, and secure the ends with rubber bands.

Mimic the look of expensive embroidered state pillows by sewing together inexpensive dish towels with designs featuring ski towns or mountainous states.

The nook off the living room is transformed into a sitting area that's perfect for reading a book or drinking a cup of cocoa. Red chairs add a splash of seasonal color. Cream-color carpet tiles bring warmth to the space.

Personalize your space with mementoes from childhood. A child's hat and mittens mounted in a shadow box create a seasonal conversation piece.

A glass-topped bistro table is the perfect canvas for seasonal artwork. Postcards with vintage designs winterize the table, while red-painted chairs and a vase filled with winterberries add bold color.

Images cut from a calendar look pricey when placed in frames with large mats. Pair these images with vintage skis for three-dimensional wall art.

For the fall makeover, this living room was dressed in a warm palette of cocoa, rust, and gold. Accents that add texture, such as plush pillows, wool throws, an upholstered side chair, and burlap curtains, give the room a cozy feel without a lot of effort.

A bright color palette, fresh accents, and a new furniture arrangement give this living room a look that's ready for spring.