• Originally published February 3, 2010 at midnight, updated February 3, 2010 at 4:10 p.m.

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Lots of house projects are initiated in the spring and summer months and we just try to soldier through the colder months of winter.

But if the winter weather has you weary, why not try making a few decorating changes around the house?

A few well-placed changes can revamp your rooms and freshen your home's look - and make you feel revitalized.

Add seating

Bedroom seating is often overlooked. By adding a bench or a comfy reading chair, the bedroom will feel more inviting and exude hotel-room charm.

Corral coats

In the winter, coats have a way of dispersing themselves over every chair, rail and banister. Buy an old-fashioned coat rack or hall tree and those coats will corral themselves, making the whole house seem neater.

Mantel makeover

Try a new look on your fireplace mantel and take down that solitary picture or mirror. Make an arrangement on the wall with a variety of photographs or prints. By keeping the frames all the same color, the wall will look updated, but unified.

Another idea? Add tile. Sheets of small tiles can be applied to the wall for an inexpensive and contemporary lift.

Raised curtains

Rather than hanging curtains at the height of the window openings, purchase extra-long panels and hang them four to six inches below the ceiling.

Hanging curtains this way gives curtains extra designer appeal and makes the whole room seem larger. Velvet panels feel extra luxurious and warm.

Recover

Sometimes, it's not necessary to recover a complete piece of furniture and a partial recover will do the trick. If the back cushions on a sofa are fine, but the seat cushions are worn, buy a contrasting fabric and have the seats remade. Your sofa will look stylish, trendy and updated with the contrasting fabrics.

True blue

For decades, blue was the decorating color of choice. But in the last 20 years, green has usurped blue's appeal and has overrun the decorating world.

However, blue is always a comforting, relaxing color - and it's in style again. If you want to freshen up your space and make it feel cozy and comfortable, blue is the go-to color.

Adding blue accents may be all it takes. Or splash some blue paint on an accent wall or throw a collection of blue throw pillows on a bed or sofa.

A new light

Replacing old, tired lamps is a fast and easy way to make a change in a room. Ginger jar and ceramic lamps were everywhere in the '70s and '80s and they're making their way back into living rooms and bedrooms again.

Gone from high style is the sterile metal lamp in favor of the chubby ceramic lamp.

Pick one up in a cheery color to brighten your room.

Add a cozy touch

Make life more enjoyable by adding a teapot or single coffee maker and selection of coffees and teas to your bedroom or office.

Select a pretty tray and add a hot water pot or coffee maker and some pretty mugs, apothecary jars of chocolates and assorted teas and some dainty tea cookies.

For a winter afternoon of reading or a touch of luxury in the home office, a tray of specialty teas and coffees will make you feel cozy, luxurious and pampered.

Hint

For a wonderful selection of coat racks and hall trees, be sure to check out Target online. Target has an excellent selection of hall trees in a variety of styles. Look for them at http://tinyurl.com/yhj4gja.

Kathryn Weber is a home and decorating columnist and publishes the Red Lotus Letter feng shui E-zine. For more information or questions, e-mail katie@redlotusletter.com or write to her at P.O. Box 531, Cuero, TX 77954. Please include your e-mail address or a self-addressed, stamped envelope for a reply.

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