It’s that time of year when winter feels like it might just hang around forever. Warm days and long walks in the park still seem a lifetime away. Believe it or not, those days will be here before we know it and what better way to start welcoming them than by adding a little springtime to your home’s décor?
Buy Yourself some Flowers
What says spring better than flowers? Do yourself (and your living room and kitchen and dining room) a favor and fill a few vases with some early spring flowers in bright, sunny tones.
Tulips are always an early favorite and are usually available in a variety of colors. These breezy buds don’t have to look like an Easter basket, though: choose colors that complement your décor and arrange handfuls of them in clear vases around your home. Resist the urge to add lots of greenery, and be sure to let the stems show for a clean, elegant look.
Can’t afford the real thing or just hate the maintenance that comes with fresh flowers? Hit up your local craft store to find an armful of silk flowers. The good news here is you’ll have a lot to choose from like bright blue hydrangeas or colorful Gerbera daises. Use the same concept suggested for the real thing and no one will be any the wiser.
Bring the Outside In
While you’re busy bringing a little of the outdoors inside, why not incorporate a piece outdoor furniture into your sitting room’s repertoire? Bring inside a piece normally found outdoors like wicker rocker or a teak end table. Add a pillow or other items that make it look like it fits in the room and soon you’ll have a slightly rustic, eye-catching object that makes the room feel seasonal. Don’t forget to add outdoor area rugs!
Create a centerpiece using other outside items like seashells or rocks from your garden. These found objects will look great mixed in with a few candles and will help pull together your room’s current look and the springtime feel brought on by your outdoor furniture.
Ditch the Drab and Dark
This is also a great time to play with or freshen up your home’s textiles. Starting in the living room, change out deep or bold-colored throw pillows for bright pops of teal, florals, or preppy madras prints.
The same goes for area rugs. Roll up anything dark that’s been a recent place to wipe off snowy boots and bring in lighter tones. Since spring makes us all feel a little giddy, seize the opportunity to have fun with your throw rugs and try something new like this funky blue paisley pattern.
If you use slipcovers, nothing will change the look of a room like swapping out wintertime darks for brighter or more neutral tones. Not only will the change literally “air-out” your furniture, but it will also give you a lot more freedom to play with the other colors in your room.
In the bedroom, put away the fluffy down comforters you spent winter’s darkest hours hiding under and swap them out for shabby chic quilts and chenille throws. Trade in dark linens and sheets for bright florals and patterns. Remember those flowers we talked about earlier? They’d look great on your night table!
And don’t forget those window treatments. What’s spent a whole season covering up the dark and dreary can be taken down and put away until summer fades. For now, let your sheers filter all that glorious sunlight or add a pair of lightweight panels in a breezy print.
Defrost your Entryway
Finally, once you’ve spruced up the inside, head out to give your entryway a once over. There will be plenty of time as the weather warms to tackle all of your outdoor garden projects. The aim for now is to get your front and back doorways looking a little more springtime ready.
Wash down your walls and door’s exterior. Touch up any paint that winter’s harsh winds have done a number on. Clean off your exterior lighting and repair screens that have become worn or gotten off track. Add a simple wreath or sign to your door and you’re done.