Six Simple Ways to Freshen Up Your Home for Spring

Spring has arrived in Houston! With the warmer weather and sunlight streaming in, I find myself feeling antsy to change things up in my house. Everything is suddenly too dark and too heavy. But before I give in to the urge to throw out the old and start completely over with all new stuff, I try making just a few subtle, budget-friendly changes to help me freshen up my home for spring and see it in a new light. I don’t actually need all new stuff, I just need to remember and encourage the coziness and comforts that are already here.

Here are a few of my simple recommendations for cozying and brightening up your home this spring.

Corral Clutter

Note that I did not say to get rid of your clutter. I have no grand expectations of a spring cleaning in my home every year- though if you’re feeling it, please, go forth and declutter. I’ve come to accept that clutter is a part of my home with three kids and current season of life. But I do try to corral the stuff, especially when it’s getting out of hand. A messy pile of random legos found on the floor, school papers, and remote controls? Just put it in a tray or basket and now it looks like it belongs and has a place. Keys, wallets, sunglasses, and abandoned loose change? Pop it into a nice bowl in your entryway. Ahh that’s better.

tray of book, candle, remotes, and a small plant

Let in Natural Light

This is the tiniest little change that will make a huge difference: open those blinds. I don’t just mean tilt them to let more light in, I mean pull the string and lift them alllll the way up. Let’s see through those windows and bring the natural light in! This makes a world of difference immediately. Yeah, you might want to close them when it gets dark, but just the simple act of opening them in the morning and closing them at night will make your home feel brighter and more open. It can make rooms look bigger and can even affect your mood, health, and sleep! You may even discover you actually don’t even need the blinds at all anymore on windows that have privacy and shade. If you’re not closing them at night, just get rid of them completely!

living room with natural light

Turn off the Overhead Lights

We have an old 90s ceiling fan with a light kit in our living room and no recessed lighting. But I have several lamps usually on and the shades open all day long. Everyone in my house knows we don’t turn on the overhead light unless we’re digging around for the remote control or someone lost a contact lens. Even then I’d rather use the flashlight on my phone and keep that overhead light off. Who needs that harsh lighting from above? It does nothing for your complexion or your mood. I’ve never felt cozy in a space where I feel like I’m in an operating room. Turn off those overhead lights!

bookshelf with plant on top

Bring the Outdoors In

I know not everyone has a green thumb but just one or two living and growing things can really change the look and feel of your entire space. My favorite plants are low maintenance and grow like crazy, trailing down a bookcase or across a window sill. And the good news is they’re pretty cheap! But if you’re really interested in stepping up your plant game, I highly recommend the app Planta. I log in all my houseplants and then I get reminders of when to water each one. It’s pretty much a no-brainer and I love the satisfaction of checking off the plants as I water them (my fellow enneagram ones will relate!). Fresh flowers can be really beautiful too of course, but even just clippings from a tree or an unruly bush can look amazing in a vase on your table or mantle.

room with bookshelf, couch, and lamp

Consider Style for the Everyday Necessities

There are some things we just need to have out to keep our homes running and useful. Things like soap dispensers, dish towels, dog beds, coasters. They’re constantly being used and hiding them away gets annoying. So why not make them cute as you freshen up your home for spring? Consider style, pattern, and your favorite colors when purchasing these items. It may cost a few extra dollars but it will be money well spent when you have to look at it every single day. I love this bubble up dish brush from Grove Collaborative. They also have nice refillable glass soap dispensers. These dish towels from Anthropologie are oh so cute. 

Remember All Five Senses

How a space feels is not about having the perfect decor and everything looking pristine and photo-ready. There are so many other ways to cultivate ambiance in your home without having to make it look like it came straight out of an episode of Fixer Upper. Play music, light scented candles, or diffuse oils. Use cleaning spray and hand soap that smells good to you. Invest in cozy blankets and pillows. Being thoughtful about these seemingly small details will affect the atmosphere of your home even more than having the latest trendy paint color or an expensive new light fixture.

Natural light, greenery, and cleaning supplies corralled to a cake stand can even bring some beauty to a dirty window and a sink full of dishes!

kitchen sink

What are you doing to freshen up your home for spring? Have any ideas to add?


 

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Bethany Dufilho
Bethany, the daughter of an army chaplain and a special education teacher, grew up moving every 2-3 years. She considers herself an introvert who had to learn how to make friends quickly! She met her Houstonian husband, Paul, in college and they married in 2004. They first settled just north of Houston, where she earned her master's degree at Sam Houston State in School Psychology. After working in public education for a couple of years, she decided to stay home full time with their children, Charlie {2008}, Norah {2010}, and Will {2013}. The family moved to Katy in 2012, where they’ve been ever since. She loves decorating and even had her own small business for a while. She also loves to read, binge-watch old TV shows, talk politics and enneagram, and will not turn down a cup of strong coffee or a good conversation with a friend.

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