Try these easy cleaning, organizing, design and décor tips to give your living space a spring lift
Robin Williams said, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party.’”
The longer days, warmer temperatures and blooming flowers are all certainly things to celebrate. After a season of cozy hibernation, spring brings renewed energy.
The world increases in vibrancy—from the colors in our gardens and the songs of the birds to the freshness of the breeze. The heavy coats and hats can get put away as the days of bundling up are on the way out.
In addition to our wardrobes, we often make changes in our homes during this season of rebirth. Spring cleaning is front of mind for many as we throw open the windows and work through our spaces, giving everything a good wipe down and freshening up.
Along with the spring clean, there are many ways to give our surroundings a spruce up, breathing new life into each room without a complete overhaul.
Organizing goes hand in hand with cleaning, allowing us to reduce clutter and increase functionality. Design updates that don’t require intense remodeling or expense, as well as updated accessories that bring in the vitality of the season, can make a space feel renewed.
Try these cleaning, organizing, design and décor tips to give your living space—and your mind—a refresh.
Cleaning and Organizing
Edit
Review the items in your main living spaces and remove items that are either no longer needed, in disrepair or have not been used for several months (or more).
· Items still in good condition can be donated—many organizations will pick up larger volumes of donations.
Store
Pack and store winter season items (holiday decor, heavier blankets).
· Use clear plastic bins with lids for visibility of the items and protection from moisture.
· Store like items or themed items together to minimize the search later.
· Labeling the bins with general contents is also helpful for finding specific items.
· If you have limited attic or closet space, bins and containers are available in sizes to fit under beds or in more vertical oriented spaces.
· It is good to clean washable items (such as blankets) before storing.
Clean
There are many approaches to the spring clean. Find the one that works for you, whether it’s one room at a time or like items together (such as windows or furniture).
· If you are a checklist person, spring cleaning checklists can be helpful for creating a cleaning order and schedule.
· Cleaning products that are non-toxic to pets are available and are just as effective.
· This is the time to move the furniture, pull out the refrigerator, and dive into all the nooks and crannies.
Easy Design Updates
Windows
· Rotate heavier window treatments out (save them for next year, of course).
· Bring in linen curtain panels or natural woven shades in your main living areas.
· Try textured sheers or light filtering fabrics for windows in more shaded areas of the home.
Furnishings
· Small Projects Swap out an area rug for one with a brighter pattern, that has at least two colors of your overall palette to stay connected to the general design.
· Try a new furniture arrangement in your living room or den.
· Introduce a new lamp, perhaps with a glass or glazed finish.
Small Projects
· Paint one room with a fresh, light color.
· Add wallpaper in a fun pattern or texture to one feature wall (peel and stick options are available that are easy to remove).
· Refinish a side table in a bold accent color.
Décor Refreshes
Accents
· Bring in new throw pillows in various patterns for visual texture and interest.
· Incorporate a few framed photographs of spring scenes or florals into your wall art.
· Update bath and kitchen towels with lightweight organic cotton versions for absorbency and quick drying as the temperatures (and humidity) go up.
· Trade heavier bedding for lightweight and ultra soft coverlets.
· Try a floral-patterned dessert plate along with solid color dinnerware for a fresh place setting.
Greenery
· Lean in to bringing the spring energy indoors with floral arrangements (real or faux).
· Add a few hanging plants over a window or two for texture and color.
· With real floral arrangements and plants, be mindful of using pet-safe flowers and greens if there are furry friends in your home.
Scent
· Bring in a fresh scent with candles or diffusers – floral and citrus scents are both wonderful for the season.
Spring has a significant effect on all of us, for many different reasons. For me, my favorite elements of spring are the way the air feels, and the abundance of flowers both cultivated and wild. What is your favorite element of spring? Explore ways to bring that into your home to celebrate the season for the party that it is.
About the Author: Jaime Simpson is an interior designer and the owner of Creative and Curated, LLC. She has been in the industry for 20 years and loves all things design. Jaime also creates mixed media artwork and nature photography, teaches and choreographs ballet, thinks cats are amazing, and grabs every moment at the beach that she can.”
Learn more at creativendcurated.com.
Jaime Simpson
Jaime Simpson is an interior designer and the owner of Creative and Curated, LLC. She has been in the industry for 20 years, loves all things design, creates mixed media artwork and nature photography, teaches and choreographs ballet.Learn more at creativeandcurated.com.
