11 Quick and Easy Ways to Unlock Your Home for Spring
Blow off the cobwebs of winter and breathe new life into your interiors with these simple styling ideas
Ashling Kwok
21 September 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor, Content Writer, Editor & Author based in Sydney - www.ashlingkwok.com
Houzz Australia Contributor, Content Writer, Editor & Author based in Sydney - ... More
There’s something about spring – as soon as the weather starts warming up, so too does the urge to cast off the wintry textures in our home and replace them with breezy fabrics and sunny colours. But where to start? Fortunately, a few simple tweaks is all it takes to get your home spring-ready. Our panel of experts shows you how.
1. Rearrange your furniture
Moving furniture into new positions is a quick, no-cost way to overhaul a tired living room.
Small changes can often yield the biggest results. Try moving the sofas into a new position or placing your coffee table at a different angle; swap a second sofa for a pair of armchairs you might have in another room; or replace a large coffee table with a cosy ottoman or a trio of funky side tables.
Expert Eye: 7 Ways to Arrange a Living Room for Conversation
Moving furniture into new positions is a quick, no-cost way to overhaul a tired living room.
Small changes can often yield the biggest results. Try moving the sofas into a new position or placing your coffee table at a different angle; swap a second sofa for a pair of armchairs you might have in another room; or replace a large coffee table with a cosy ottoman or a trio of funky side tables.
Expert Eye: 7 Ways to Arrange a Living Room for Conversation
2. Bring nature inside
Foliage and flowers will make a room feel fresh and energised, and can be used for so much more than just a table centrepiece.
A sculptural, floor-standing plant is a great choice, says Justine Wilson, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors Property Styling. “Floor-standing indoor plants look amazing and are a great way to fill empty spaces or dead corners. Ficus trees and finger palms are two of my favourites.”
If you are looking to create an arrangement for the dining or coffee table, native flora will give you a stunning, contemporary look. “Try wattle, banksia and rich foliage,” she says. “Or, for a more feminine look, consider peonies or David Austin roses in a simple glass vessel.”
Foliage and flowers will make a room feel fresh and energised, and can be used for so much more than just a table centrepiece.
A sculptural, floor-standing plant is a great choice, says Justine Wilson, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors Property Styling. “Floor-standing indoor plants look amazing and are a great way to fill empty spaces or dead corners. Ficus trees and finger palms are two of my favourites.”
If you are looking to create an arrangement for the dining or coffee table, native flora will give you a stunning, contemporary look. “Try wattle, banksia and rich foliage,” she says. “Or, for a more feminine look, consider peonies or David Austin roses in a simple glass vessel.”
3. Let light in
Longer days mean more natural light – which is good news for your interiors as there’s no better way to make the area feel bright and inviting. Maximise the amount of light filtering into your home by swapping thick, heavy curtains for sheer fabrics such as linen, lightweight cotton and synthetic, says Wilson. “These will all allow the light to flood in, while sheers also float beautifully in the spring wind.”
You might also consider window treatment styles that allow you to control the amount of light in a room, she says. “Window treatment trends have shifted from block-out roller blinds and timber shutters to white plantation shutters and semi-sheer or sunscreen blinds that allow you to control exactly how much light enters a room,” says Wilson.
Longer days mean more natural light – which is good news for your interiors as there’s no better way to make the area feel bright and inviting. Maximise the amount of light filtering into your home by swapping thick, heavy curtains for sheer fabrics such as linen, lightweight cotton and synthetic, says Wilson. “These will all allow the light to flood in, while sheers also float beautifully in the spring wind.”
You might also consider window treatment styles that allow you to control the amount of light in a room, she says. “Window treatment trends have shifted from block-out roller blinds and timber shutters to white plantation shutters and semi-sheer or sunscreen blinds that allow you to control exactly how much light enters a room,” says Wilson.
4. Add new soft furnishings
Lighten up your interior without busting the budget by swapping textured, wintry cushions and throws on the bed and sofas for lighter ones in soft, natural materials, advises Amy Stead, director at Amazema Interiors. “Bright prints on cotton, linen or silk are ideal for spring and summer,” she says.
Meanwhile, Wilson favours a coastal palette for the hotter season. “Earthy tones for throws and cushions speak of spring and have a warm, beachy vibe. Pastels and neon tones are also popular, particularly blush pink, chartreuse and soft blue.”
10 Styling Turnarounds for Dead Corners
Lighten up your interior without busting the budget by swapping textured, wintry cushions and throws on the bed and sofas for lighter ones in soft, natural materials, advises Amy Stead, director at Amazema Interiors. “Bright prints on cotton, linen or silk are ideal for spring and summer,” she says.
Meanwhile, Wilson favours a coastal palette for the hotter season. “Earthy tones for throws and cushions speak of spring and have a warm, beachy vibe. Pastels and neon tones are also popular, particularly blush pink, chartreuse and soft blue.”
10 Styling Turnarounds for Dead Corners
5. Rejig artwork
New artwork can completely alter a room’s mood and doesn’t have to cost you the earth – you’ll find all manner of prints online and in-store to suit a variety of budgets.
But if your budget doesn’t stretch to new pieces, consider swapping around the artwork you already own to give your home a fresh, new look. Moving pieces from one room to another or creating an entirely new wall layout can be surprisingly effective, says Wilson.
New artwork can completely alter a room’s mood and doesn’t have to cost you the earth – you’ll find all manner of prints online and in-store to suit a variety of budgets.
But if your budget doesn’t stretch to new pieces, consider swapping around the artwork you already own to give your home a fresh, new look. Moving pieces from one room to another or creating an entirely new wall layout can be surprisingly effective, says Wilson.
6. Swap your rugs
Pack away those heavy, thick rugs that have kept you warm all winter and replace with natural-fibre rugs. “Swapping plush, heavy rugs for light sisal or jute rugs will instantly create a relaxing spring vibe,” says Wilson.
You could also consider removing some of your rugs altogether to create a more spacious, open feeling in your home.
See more stunning living rooms
Pack away those heavy, thick rugs that have kept you warm all winter and replace with natural-fibre rugs. “Swapping plush, heavy rugs for light sisal or jute rugs will instantly create a relaxing spring vibe,” says Wilson.
You could also consider removing some of your rugs altogether to create a more spacious, open feeling in your home.
See more stunning living rooms
7. Update your displays
Give surfaces a thorough declutter and create a few eye-catching vignettes in key spots around your home, such as the hallway console and coffee table. Displaying spring blossoms in coloured glass vases in soft blues or greys or in textured ceramic vessels is one of Wilson’s favourite display techniques.
“Create an attractive focal point by adding in a stack of design books, a coral chunk or another pretty vase in a different shape and colour,” she says. “The trick is to play with different heights and textures until it looks balanced. Placing your blossom arrangement in front of a mirror on a hall console will create even more impact as the arrangement will be reflected.”
Give surfaces a thorough declutter and create a few eye-catching vignettes in key spots around your home, such as the hallway console and coffee table. Displaying spring blossoms in coloured glass vases in soft blues or greys or in textured ceramic vessels is one of Wilson’s favourite display techniques.
“Create an attractive focal point by adding in a stack of design books, a coral chunk or another pretty vase in a different shape and colour,” she says. “The trick is to play with different heights and textures until it looks balanced. Placing your blossom arrangement in front of a mirror on a hall console will create even more impact as the arrangement will be reflected.”
8. Colour your walls
While it’s probably more time-consuming than the other updates mentioned here when you factor in prep and drying time, repainting your walls is one of the most affordable and effective ways to update a room.
“Soft, greenish-greys are predicted to be popular in 2018 as they provide the perfect base to experiment with many of the bolder brights coming through,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour expert. “Expect to see darker colours and striking hues being used in small doses to add drama to the home.”
While it’s probably more time-consuming than the other updates mentioned here when you factor in prep and drying time, repainting your walls is one of the most affordable and effective ways to update a room.
“Soft, greenish-greys are predicted to be popular in 2018 as they provide the perfect base to experiment with many of the bolder brights coming through,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour expert. “Expect to see darker colours and striking hues being used in small doses to add drama to the home.”
9. Create dramatic accents
Keen to introduce some of this season’s playful brights into your home, such as soft mint or pink, but uncertain where to begin? Consider painting a small area such as shelving or a storage nook, suggests Lucena-Orr, such as shelving or the inside edge of a door frame or wall. “Nothing transforms faster than colour and the more intense, the stronger the transformation.” The beauty of paint, she says, is that if you change your mind down the track you can simply paint over it.
Keen to introduce some of this season’s playful brights into your home, such as soft mint or pink, but uncertain where to begin? Consider painting a small area such as shelving or a storage nook, suggests Lucena-Orr, such as shelving or the inside edge of a door frame or wall. “Nothing transforms faster than colour and the more intense, the stronger the transformation.” The beauty of paint, she says, is that if you change your mind down the track you can simply paint over it.
10. Refresh your bedding
Replace heavy bedlinen with lighter linens or cottons that are breathable and will help keep you cool on those searing summer nights.
When it comes to colour, Wilson suggests soft pastels and muted earthy shades such as wheat, taupe and charcoal. Consider mixing up the two for a complex, considered look, says Stead.
Replace heavy bedlinen with lighter linens or cottons that are breathable and will help keep you cool on those searing summer nights.
When it comes to colour, Wilson suggests soft pastels and muted earthy shades such as wheat, taupe and charcoal. Consider mixing up the two for a complex, considered look, says Stead.
11. Introduce spring scents
Splash out on one or two new scented candles for your home – they will fill your home with wonderful aromas and signal the arrival of spring. Citrus, lavender, gardenia and jasmine are all popular choices for the season.
Display them carefully for maximum impact. “I like to group a floral display with scented candles and another decorative item to create a cluster of three to give visual interest,” says Wilson.
Splash out on one or two new scented candles for your home – they will fill your home with wonderful aromas and signal the arrival of spring. Citrus, lavender, gardenia and jasmine are all popular choices for the season.
Display them carefully for maximum impact. “I like to group a floral display with scented candles and another decorative item to create a cluster of three to give visual interest,” says Wilson.
Tell us
How do you plan to update your home for spring? Tell us in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more seasonal decorating stories
How do you plan to update your home for spring? Tell us in the Comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to like, bookmark or share this story. Join the conversation.
More
Read more seasonal decorating stories
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Switch rugs, change bedding wardrobe, change curtains and swap pictures over - and all of a sudden its light and fresh in here!
Hahaha was so funny/satisfying seeing all the random things I do put into a logical article! :D