Ahh spring. Seems like the season takes it’s time getting here. And then one day you look outside and the world has gone from dull and grey to bright and shiny! Finally, I can start replacing my wardrobe of heavy blacks, browns and greys with delicate whites, light neutrals and bright colors. This change in wardrobe always incites me to make some changes to my own home décor.
To freshen up your home for spring you don’t have to spend a lot. Here are some suggestions:
· Use fresh colors on your walls and furniture. Choose a color scheme. If you normally have a very neutral palette, think about making your walls soft blues or greens. You can also paint pieces of furniture in a bold tangerine or hot pink. If your rooms’ palette is typically darker you can still brighten up your space by taking the walls a lighter, neutral color. And don’t forget the trim. You can always go a little brighter. It will change the entire tone of the room.
· Embrace texture and pattern in your accessories. Take a queue from the new spring fashions, or look outside your windows and bring the colors and patterns in your home through new soft accessories. Floral patterns and lace fabrics, and nautical and safari themes in light cottons, silks, chiffons and linens pillows, throws and window coverings will lighten up darker and/or neutral space. Or add bright floral patterns to your dark stripes and plaids. You can achieve all of this with inexpensive fabrics and sheets. And if you are not a sewer you can use fabric tape and glue and grosgrain ribbons to cover up uneven edges. Also, make the move from ceramic to crystal and glass, either contemporary or traditional in your harder accessories. It brings sparkle to a room.
· Bring the outdoors in. Of course bringing in beautiful plants and flowers will cheer up any space. But you can take it even further. Replace a heavy wing-back chair with a rattan or wicker piece. Bring in garden accessories too. Pots and garden statues bring in an additional element of texture and makes rooms seem more interesting.
· Lighten up! Just like shedding layers of clothing, eliminating some of the clutter you’ve collected over the holidays and winter seasons can improve the feel and flow of your rooms. Everything should be clean and refreshing, light and tranquil. And repurpose your own pieces by moving them around. Take some of your furniture out of rooms and replace in different spots around the house. Take down some of your darker wall art and replace with cheerier pieces. Shop around your home. Just moving pieces around will bring in a new energy into your spaces.
Without spending too much money, you can give a fresh, spring look to your home. What a lovely thought!
BONUS – Many of these tips will also work in your closet!
