Want to start curating a ‘seasonal capsule decor’ collection that changes with the season, keeps you inspired, and has you spending less? This post is the perfect quick-start guide with some simple ideas to get you started today!
How I Discovered I was a ‘Seasonal Capsule Decor Girl’
A seasonal capsule decor is a play on the term ‘‘capsule wardrobe.’ A capsule wardrobe refers to a small collection of clothing that you own, that you love, and that you pull out to wear with each changing season.
When I first encountered the idea of a ‘capsule wardrobe’ some years ago, I thought: practical, less costly, but quite possibly a bit boring?
As I went down the rabbit hole of YouTube (as I often do), I discovered a few fashion bloggers who changed my mind about the whole thing.
Watching each season as they packed up their wardrobe to pull out the next season’s clothing, seeing the excitement at ‘getting to wear’ their favourites – which they hadn’t worn in 6-8 months – and then adding one or two new purchases to their collection.
It made me think how very wrong I was.
It also made me realize that I was a ‘seasonal capsule decor ’ girl in the making.
Over time I had been curating my own seasonal decor favourites.
I soon began organizing these same pieces into seasonal storage, labeling them ‘fall’ or ‘Christmas.’
And then, each year, I would pull out those boxes ready to enjoy my decor once again.
Why Start A ‘Seasonal’ Capsule Decor Collection?
For me, it means spending just a little bit less, enjoying what I have a little bit more, and always excited to decorate.
Does that speak to you?
Okay, let’s try a game of True or False:
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You have done your fair share of seasonal decor hauls – so much fun! – and yet you STILL reach for the same 3 or 4 accessories each season: T or F
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Sometimes you find decor items stored away that still have the price tag or sticker on them (you know who you are): T or F
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You have been known to buy items in the CLEARANCE section that you’ve never EVER displayed in your home: T or F (come on now, be honest 😉 )
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You are known to say that you need to buy ‘a few more pieces’ for that holiday home display, knowing full well that there are at least 2 full boxes of accessories still boxed up in the basement: T or F (been there, done that!)
If you can relate to ANY of these, you are probably a closet ‘Seasonal Capsule Decor’ enthusiast in the making 🙂
How To Start Curating Your Seasonal Capsule Decor
Okay, so where do you start?
First, let’s be clear: there are NO HARD RULES.
Instead, this is a self-discovery guide to YOUR STYLE that will help you hone your seasonal decor collection.
I’ve broken it down into two key phases: Phase 1, Decluttering and Phase 2, Refining Things.
Okay, let’s review:
PHASE 1: DECLUTTERING
Step 1: Declutter & Donate
This is when you rummage through your decor, keep what you love, and donate what you don’t.
BTW: You’re always going to be in the process of refining your style. But, hopefully, your collection will reduce in size and increase in quality over time.
Step 2: Store & Label
This is when you can store your favourite seasonal decor into boxes or bins.
Don’t forget to label!
Clearly mark each box as ‘Christmas,’ ‘Spring,’ ‘Summer’ and ‘Fall,’ etc.
You can even get a little fancy and add a list of items on the outside of that bin or box.
My seasonal-specific decor is organized into two primary seasons: Christmas and Fall. For me, these are the only two seasons in which my decor is quite distinctly different from any other home decor pieces.
This is all my fall decor in storage:
This is my Christmas decor:
If the thought of itemizing your boxes’ contents is overwhelming, just start by marking the seasons for now. You can always return to that box when you are pulling it out for the next season and make your list then.
PHASE TWO: REFINING THINGS
STEPS
Step 1: Establish Your Decorating Zones
With each season, I like to sprinkle decor in the 3 most visible areas of my home.
- Front Porch
- Entryway
- Great Room (includes our living room, kitchen, and dining room in one open-concept space)
Your decorating zones may look similar or quite different than mine. You may also enjoy adding seasonal decor to your bedrooms or bathrooms. It’s totally up to you.
Step 2: Establish Your Decor Needs in Each Zone
Within each zone, establish at least ONE key area you like to decorate within that zone AND your key decor needs there.
As a reference, here is how I’ve done this in my own home:
ZONE: Front Porch
KEY AREA: Front Door
DECOR: Foliage/Natural Elements
Here is our front door decorated for fall (left) and Christmas (right):
(For a closer look, see: Fall Porch Ideas & Decor Finds and Nature-Inspired Christmas Home Tour)
ZONE: Entryway
KEY AREA(S): Bench Wall (+ Buffet Table)
DECOR: Natural Elements + Vase/Planter
We recently purchased a long bench for our entryway that I am excited to use for various seasonal vignettes. Here is my first crack at decorating around it for Christmas using greenery as the main feature (and greenery on the buffet table in a planter, opposite the bench):
(Take the full Nature-Inspired Christmas Home Tour)
And here is that same entry (a few years back) decorated for fall using my go-to decor elements: foliage/natural elements + vase accentuated with varying seasonal embellishments.
ZONE: Great Room (Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen)
*Since our Great Room is one large open-concept space, I have it divided into 3 ‘mini zones’:
MINI-ZONES: Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen
KEY AREAS: Coffee Table, Dining Table & Buffet, Kitchen Island
DECOR: Natural Elements / Vases or Bowls / Trays or Books
Here are side-by-side photos of each mini-zone reflecting the seasons: fall and Christmas. Can you spot my go-to decor items for each?
Living Room (Coffee Table): Fall (left) and Christmas (right).
Dining Room (Dining Table & Buffet): Fall (left) and Christmas (right).
Kitchen (kitchen island): Fall (left) and Christmas (right).
I hope you’ve noticed a pattern above. I use the same types of items in my home decor:
Natural Elements (to reflect the seasons)
Vases / Bowls (to display or accent those natural elements)
Trays / Books (to corral or elevate my decor)
These 3 are the triumvirate of my personal decorating approach (did I say, triumvirate? – sheesh!). It’s a VERY SIMPLE style formula that makes selecting decor, and styling it, so incredibly easy, season after season.
These are the BASICS that help me display my favourite seasonal items, year after year.
Having the same types of decor makes it easy to put together a look for the season. It also means I can move things around in fresh and interesting ways and know exactly how I can display them, without much fuss.
That’s not to say that I don’t love adding other unique accessories (as this blog can attest to) or fun new finds to embellish my seasonal pieces.
What it does mean is that over time, I can edit what I have and, hopefully, hang onto those pieces that have stood the test of time.
Lovely readers, that’s just about it!
I really want to inspire you to curate and refine your seasonal decor into a capsule that you can keep and cherish, season after season.
Happy decorating 🙂
Need a little motivation to get started decluttering your home?
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