How to Brighten Your Home in the Depths of Winter

Winter isn’t just cold—it’s dark. With less daylight and more time spent indoors, our homes have to work overtime to keep us feeling energized, inspired, and cozy. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your entire space to make it feel fresh again. At ALT Design Studio, we believe that small shifts can bring big energy—especially during the long Iowa winters.

Start with the Simplest Fix: Clean & Clear.
Decluttering might not be the most glamorous part of design, but it’s magic. Removing excess visual weight and giving your surfaces a reset instantly makes a space feel brighter. Once you’ve cleared the clutter, it’s the perfect time to bring in a few low-light houseplants. They don’t just add a splash of green—they breathe life (literally) into a room.

Play With Reflection.
Light is precious this time of year. To maximize it, consider mirrors and reflective accents. A table mirror, metallic shelf styling, or even a gold tray can bounce natural light around your home and make your space feel more open. Bonus: these pieces look just as good after the snow melts.

Design Lighting That Glows—Not Glares.
Our lighting advice stays consistent year-round, but in winter, it really earns its keep. ALT always recommends layering lighting at multiple heights: floor lamps, table lamps, and even shelf or sconce lighting. Warmer bulb tones (think soft white, not stark blue) help create that cozy, lived-in feel, even when it’s 5 PM and pitch black outside.

Texture, Color & Style Swaps
Bouclé, chenille, and rich woods or rattan instantly warm up a room. Not sure about color? Don’t worry about chasing seasonal trends—just find tones that match your home’s personality. Bold shades = playful. Earthy tones = grounded. Either way, ALT helps you make it yours.

Embrace the Fresh Start
Instead of rushing to redecorate post-holidays, we encourage clients to pause. Enjoy the clarity that comes after the tree comes down. Then refresh intentionally—whether it’s new throw pillows, a framed art swap, or a tiny DIY you’ve been putting off.

New Transformations: How Small Design Shifts Create Big Before-and-After Moments

When most people think of a home transformation, they imagine gutting a kitchen or ripping out tile. But some of the most impactful changes happen with small shifts: opening a wall, adjusting a floor plan, rethinking lighting, or layering in personality with furniture that finally feels like you.

At ALT, we believe transformation doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be intentional. Whether we’re helping you phase a remodel over time or giving your home a full glow-up, we start by listening to how you want to live in your space and then build from there.

Here’s how we make transformation feel a little less overwhelming—and a lot more exciting:

The Power of One Big Change

One of our recent before-and-after moments? A kitchen transformation that didn’t require a full demo. The layout stayed, but we removed a wall between the kitchen and dining area to create a more open, livable flow. Adding counter seating and extra cabinetry gave this longtime client the entertaining-friendly kitchen she’d always wanted—without changing the entire footprint.

When You Know You Need Change… But Don’t Know Where to Start

Start with a vibe. Seriously. We ask clients to share a few words, photos, or reference points that describe how they want their home to feel. From there, we help identify what’s working, what’s not, and how to bridge the gap between the two.

Design Updates That Don’t Break the Bank

Want major impact on a modest budget? Two easy places to start: paint and lighting.
Paint (especially on walls, trim, and ceilings) can completely shift a room’s mood. And swapping dated light fixtures for more modern, sculptural styles is an easy win—both visually and functionally.

Helping Clients Find Their Style (Without Copying Pinterest)

If you're stuck between styles, we help you spot the patterns you already love—and translate them into something that works for you. It’s not about jumping on trends; it’s about building a space that fits your lifestyle now and adapts as you evolve.

Design Paralysis? We’ve Been There.

One furnishing client had lived in their home for 12 years and never fully “moved in.” The furniture was mismatched, the walls were bare, and they didn’t know where to begin. We helped transform their living and sitting rooms into spaces that felt current, calm, and tailored—with updated paint, bold soft seating, and even framed wallpaper to warm up their tall ceilings.

How We Tackle Phased Transformations

If you're not ready to do everything at once, we’ll help you map out a phased plan. It’s not just about picking paint colors—it’s about designing a sequence that makes sense for your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. From finish selections to furniture sourcing to contractor coordination, we keep the big picture in mind so that each phase flows into the next.

Our Favorite Part? The Moment It All Clicks.

Design isn’t just about pillows and paint. It’s about creating a space that finally feels right. We love watching clients go from stressed and overwhelmed to excited and inspired—because they can finally see their home as a place to breathe again.

If you’ve been sitting on a project for months (or years), don’t wait until it’s “the right time.” Let’s talk about what transformation could look like for you—even if it starts small.

ALT’s Take on Holiday Hosting and Seasonal Design

The holidays are here—but that doesn’t mean your house has to look like a department store display. At ALT, we believe in meaningful seasonal styling that feels natural, livable, and totally your own. Here are our favorite ways to prep your space for hosting and memory-making (without sacrificing your sanity).

It’s Not About More—It’s About Meaning
Instead of rushing to make your home look like Pinterest, pause to reflect on why you’re decorating. Hosting should be joyful—not stressful. Choose pieces that hold a story, like a handmade ornament or a family heirloom, instead of the latest big-box trend. Less truly is more.

Avoid the Cheesy, Embrace the Personal
Highly stylized inspo photos may look pretty, but they’re rarely practical. Your home should function—which means decorations that make sense for your lifestyle. A curious cat? Maybe skip the glitter garland. Our rule: If it doesn’t bring you joy or function, it doesn’t need to stay.  Hot tip: skip the box stores, and go shopping through your generational decor- think Grandma’s house and your aunt’s iconic candle stick collection.

Simple Seasonal Swaps with Big Impact
You don’t need a full redesign. Swap in cozy throw pillows, vases of winter stems, and holiday prints in your existing frames. Change the scent in your diffuser—nostalgia is powerful. A little texture and a few story-driven pieces go a long way.

Guest Room Glow-Up
Our guest room go-to? Layers. Pillows, blankets, and soft lighting (lamps or overhead dimmers) create instant warmth. It doesn’t take much to make a visitor feel welcome.

Not a Fan of Red & Green? Good.
ALT loves nontraditional palettes that still feel festive—think retro mid-century colors like pinks, oranges, and blues. When holiday décor matches your existing color scheme, it feels intentional, not overwhelming.

Gift Like a Designer
Two foolproof gifts: A beautiful coffee table book on design and a great-smelling diffuser. Both are useful, stylish, and work year-round.

Our Favorite Holiday Tradition?
Jordynn adds one handmade ornament to the tree each year—often from a local artist or market. It’s a small moment that carries big meaning. (And it’s kid-friendly!)