Ten Ways to Freshen Your Home For Spring

The weather outside is no longer frightful. So go ahead and bring the spirit of spring indoors.

At the first hint of spring, I'm ready with the appropriate wardrobe -- out with the bulky sweaters, in with the gauzy dresses. Next up? The same transformation in my home. Who's with me? Chunky cable knit throws and heavy velvet pillows just feel so December. I'm ready for breezy linens, sweet colors and a clean slate. Here, 10 things you can do to get your home geared up for spring.

1. Pump up the florals. Snip flowers from your garden (or buy them at a local market) and bring them indoors.

MAKE DO: The easiest, breeziest way: Put them on display in one of your trusty vases and let the flowers do the talking.

DO MORE: Place them in fun, non-traditional vessels: Candy-colored glass pitchers, footed bowls, even a mug. Check out some fresh ideas over at House Beautiful.

2. Lighten things up. Dark wood can start to feel heavy -- consider transforming pictures frames, chairs, mirrors, even a trunk at the foot of your bed with a fresh coat of paint.

MAKE DO: Go lighter. But, err on the side of caution and assume that come next winter, you may feel that pastel shades are so April. Instead, play with brighter neutrals like light brown, cream and white. These colors are more versatile and less likely to cause painter's remorse.

DO MORE: If you love a good home decor project, give dark pieces a new life with pastel paint (and a few coats of lacquer, if you're feeling really feisty). Fear of baby pinks and lavenders? Check our guide from a reformed pastel-phobe. Keep in mind, painting dark wood a lighter shade can take a lot of work and patience, do your research first.

3. Cheer up your prints. Sure, we're mad for plaid and need our tweed, but give those heavy textures a break while sunny patterns take the spotlight. Infuse your home with electric chevrons, brilliant ikats, even pineapples or other get-happy Palm Beach prints. (Get a preppy primer here).

MAKE DO: Change your pillow covers or curtains. Create instant-artwork by framing a colorful fabric swatch. Replace plain bathroom towels with something more fun like polka dots or something fresh and colorful like these pale blue and green bath towels (only $22!).

DO MORE: If your spring fever shows no sign of peaking and you want something more impactful, you might want to slipcover your sofa. One affordable brand we recommend is Sure Fit. You won't blow a ton of cash and they have endless varieties.


4. Swap out gallery. Display your most seasonally-appropriate shots.

MAKE DO: Tack some get-happy springtime gallery on your fridge. Your niece in a swimming pool? Perfect. Your family at a cloudless picnic? Bring it on. That beach-front cottage you rented ages ago...you get the idea. Keep those family portraits from last Christmas at bay until its time to hunker down again for winter.

DO MORE: Swap out the gallery hanging in frames and replace them with more recent shots. Seeing the same gallery day after day can start to feel stale. Freshen up your display with more recent pics or some oldies but goodies that you haven't seen in a while. As an added bonus, consider hanging them in your bedroom or bathroom. The first things you see each day can help put you in a refreshed mindset.

5. Re-set your table. Lend a pop to your tabletop.

MAKE DO: Affordable, colorful and (best of all) tough to break, melamine tableware is easy to love. The two seen here (at left) are from Target's Liberty of London collection -- perhaps obvious from their pink floral motifs. Some of our favorites can be found at Uncommon Goods and Crate and Barrel.

DO MORE: Birds, flowers, cheerful David Hicks-esque geometrics are an easy addition to the table for a fresh spring look. So bring colorful coordinating table linens and some whimsical characters to your table. These friendly, gotta-love-em accessories from Anthropologie (below, not melamine) are the perfect (and affordable) accessories. You can also complement with glassware in fun colors, bright, fresh place mats and cool linen napkins.



6. Break out the sweets. Who can object to some extra sweetness in a room?

MAKE DO: Bust out the brightest candy you can find. Jelly beans, rainbow-sprinkled candy, pastel-colored chocolates...they all look fantastic on display in charming sorbet cups or little metallic dishes. It's a fast and inexpensive way to add color. Kids will love it, guests will love it -- who are we kidding, you will love it too.

DO MORE: If you like to bake -- or just like to have yummy baked-goods in the house, consider putting them on a pretty display. A beautiful, domed cake-stand is the perfect pedestal to woo guests and family members with delicious treats. We love this cake stand from Williams Sonoma or this super-sweet Strawberry-Patterned cake stand from Sur La Table.

7. Goodbye heavy blankets! Hello light and airy linens.

MAKE DO: Pack up the hefty comforter you've been hibernating under and store it in the closet along with your puffy jackets and scarves (preferably after a good washing or dry cleaning). Worried it will take up too much space? Vacuum seal those bags to keep them flat and out of sight.

DO MORE: Update your sleeping quarters with some summery linens. A lovely white duvet cover can brighten and update a room without feeling too "springy". Cotton is excellent for breathability. This West Elm duvet is simple yet has textural pintucks for added style.

8. Add some sparkle and light.

MAKE DO: It's as simple as repurposing a statement necklace as a curtain tie, or displaying a light-catching crystal piece on your coffee table. We're not saying you should bedazzle your sofa, but a light throw with metallic accents can bring a shimmer that really makes the room.

DO MORE: It's the easiest way to add some light and sparkle to your home -- mirrors. Except we recommend you go all out and create a display of mirrors either on the wall, resting on a mantel or a shelf. The idea is to create more natural light by positioning this display near or around a window that gets a good deal of daylight. You don't have to go overboard. Just a few well-positioned mirrors could do the trick. Etsy is a great place to find collections of small-scale (and affordable) mirrors.

9. Spring cleaning. It won't just make your house tidier, it'll make your floors shine, your upholstery lint-free, and your clutter -- well, either out of sight, or at least artfully arranged. Doesn't that just shout spring? Bonus: It might even make you happier.

MAKE DO: Tackle the things you come face-to-face with on a daily basis -- the bathroom, your closet and drawers, the kitchen. Get rid of dust bunnies, organize your dresses and shoes, spray and wipe countertops, scrub the tub and toilet.

DO MORE: You know the spring-cleaning drill and like it or not, the Full Monty includes floors, windows, curtains, bed linens, the fridge, the stove and on, and on. Some clever cleaning tips are always helpful and should you choose to accept this mission, you will feel so good when it's done.

10. Decorate with dresses or even swimsuits!

MAKE DO: You know that feeling you get when you catch a peek of your favorite sundress? Why waste it in the back of your closet? Hang a floral frock in your entryway or living room. Call it art. Call it a day.

DO MORE: Frame a favorite piece of clothing or accessory. One of our all-time favorite pieces of art can be found at Petrie Point Design when retro swimsuits are framed and sold as pieces art. They are lovely, one-of-a-kind creations and as a result can be quite pricey. You don't have to splurge to get the look. Frame one of your own favorite items -- maybe your first-born's first swimsuit or something equally nostalgic.

Petrie Point Designs

What springtime rituals do you have in your home?
Tell us: on Facebook, Twitter or in our comments below

For more spring-bound tips, read on:
-Interiors Get Spring Fever
-Instant Updates For Spring