Just as the Christmas décor is boxed up and put away until next year, I start to see photos and videos reminding me that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I’ve been enjoying the clean counters and empty corners after months of seeing all my beloved Christmas treasures in every room. If you’re like me, and you’re ready for a break from visual overload, you will find these tips for simple Valentine’s Day décor helpful.
Today I’m sharing four ways that you can affordably decorate for Valentine’s Day without cluttering your space or overwhelming your senses.
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Color
The easiest way to decorate for Valentine’s Day without spending a lot of money on décor is to introduce everyday items in typical Valentine’s colors. I like to “shop” my house for anything red, pink, or white.
Once you’ve gathered items you already own in Valentine’s colors, you can create little vignettes throughout your home that subtly nod to Valentine’s Day without being over the top or spending a lot of money. Here are a few examples of creating simple Valentine’s Day décor by shopping your house for color:
- A stack of red books with a pink candle
- A pink photo frame next to your child’s red baby shoes
- A stack of red and white transferware plates tied with pink velvet or lace ribbon
Using items you already own and love in Valentine’s Day colors is an easy way to decorate without a big shopping trip for junk you’ll only use once.
Pattern
Often patterns in table linens, decorative pillows, and bed linens can be used for multiple seasons and holidays. If you are shopping for Valentine’s Day décor items, and you want to be able to use them in various ways, here are a few patterns worth looking for:
- Red and white gingham
- Red ticking stripe
- Pink or red florals
A red and white gingham tablecloth can be reused for 4th of July or a game-day tailgate. Red ticking stripe fabric can also be used in Christmas vignettes. Keep in mind which fabrics and patterns can be used in a variety of ways throughout the year.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking for fabric that can be used in a variety of ways, steer clear of anything with hearts on it.
Easy Swaps
One of the easiest ways to update your décor for different holidays and seasons is to have a few things that get swapped out seasonally.
In my living room, I invested in some nice down pillows. Instead of buying new throw pillows each season, I simply swap out the pillow covers in a seasonally festive color.
In the fall I used pillow covers in a rusted pumpkin color. During Christmas I used a pine green color. I recently swapped out my pillow covers for a light pink color that will work well for both Valentine’s Day and Easter. Pillow covers are much easier to store than full sized pillows, and they cost a lot less.
Another idea to easily swap out décor is to use a coordinating set of small picture frames. I found a beautiful set of four gold gallery frames for my mantel. For Valentine’s Day, I can either use images from a vintage children’s book or vintage Valentine’s Day cards in each frame. For Easter, I will easily swap these out for little rabbit or egg pictures.
Pro Tip: If the images are thin enough, they can be stored behind each other in frame. Otherwise, just keep an envelope of images in a drawer to easily reuse and swap out.
Use Fresh Flowers or Fruit
If you’re overwhelmed by how many bins for holiday decorations you have, and you truly want to decorate with something that won’t take up any storage space, then I recommend using fresh flowers and fruit.
Pink and red carnations, along with some baby’s breath, clearly signal that you’re decorating for Valentine’s Day. Dragon fruit and strawberries also look lovely on a counter near Valentine’s Day.
Don’t be afraid to browse your local produce section to see what you can use in your home this year.
Pro Tip: A vintage berry bowl or red transferware filled with red produce is beautiful at this time of year. Elevate it even further as décor by placing the bowl on top of a vintage silver tray.
Seasonal Decorating, Simplified
It’s easy to feel burned out when every season calls for a full overhaul. Allowing your home to rest, with less clutter and décor, often makes it easier to imagine what comes next.
Whether your reason is to save money or storage space, live more sustainably, or give your home a rest, I hope you find these ideas for Valentine’s Day décor helpful.
This year Belle Antiquarian has plans to bring you new, creative ideas for home décor, gardening, Southern recipes, and travel. Be sure to use the box below to subscribe to our latest articles. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LTK.
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