Easy Spring Refreshments for Home | Virginia Coastal Magazine

Try these easy cleaning, organizing, design and decorating tips to give your living space a spring boost.

Robin Williams said: "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's celebrate'."

Longer days, warmer temperatures, and blooming flowers are certainly things to celebrate. After a cozy hibernation, spring brings new energy.

The world is gaining vitality, from the colors of our gardens and the songs of birds to the freshness of the breeze. Heavy coats and hats can be put away when the days of bundling are over.

In addition to our closets, we often make changes to our homes during this time of rebirth. Spring cleaning is a priority for many as we open the windows and work on our spaces, cleaning and refreshing everything.

In addition to spring cleaning, there are many ways to freshen up our surroundings and breathe new life into any room without requiring a complete renovation.

Order goes hand in hand with cleanliness, allowing us to reduce clutter and increase functionality. Design updates that don't require extensive remodeling or spending can give a room a fresh feel, along with updated accessories that emphasize the vibrancy of the season.

Try these cleaning, organizing, design and decorating tips to refresh your living space and your mind.

Photo by Lianna Pevar Photography

Cleaning and organization

to change
Go through the items in your main rooms and remove any items that are no longer needed, are in disrepair, or have not been used for several months (or longer).

· Items that are still in good condition can be donated - many organizations will collect larger donations.

Save
Pack and store items for the winter season (Christmas decorations, heavier blankets).

· Use clear plastic containers with lids to ensure visibility of items and protect them from moisture.
· Save similar or on-topic articles together to minimize searching later.
· Labeling containers with general contents is also useful 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 spaces.
· It's a good idea to clean washable items (e.g. blankets) before putting them away.

do housework
There are many approaches to spring cleaning. Find the solution that works best for you, whether it's one room at a time or multiple objects (e.g. windows or furniture).

· If you are a checklist expert, spring cleaning checklists can be helpful in creating a job and cleaning schedule.
· There are non-toxic and equally effective cleaning products for animals.
· It's time to rearrange the furniture, take out the fridge and rummage in every corner.

Simple design updates

Window
· Remove heavier curtains (save them for next year, of course).
· Add linen curtains or natural fabric blinds to your main rooms.
· Try using textured, sheer, or light-filtering fabrics for windows in shadier areas of the home.

Furniture
· Small Projects Replace a rug with one with a lighter pattern that includes at least two colors from your overall palette to stay consistent with the overall design.
· Try a new furniture arrangement in your living room or study.
· Introduce a new light fixture, perhaps with a crystal or glaze finish.

Small projects
· Paint a room a fresh, light color.
· Apply wallpaper to a wall with a fun pattern or texture (easy-to-remove peel and stick options available).
· Refresh a side table with an eye-catching color.

Refresh the decoration

Accents
· Bring new pillows with different patterns for texture and visual interest.
· Incorporate some framed photos of spring scenes or flowers into your wall art.
· Update bath and kitchen towels with lightweight organic cotton versions for added absorbency and quick drying when temperatures (and humidity) rise.
· Swap heavier bedding for lightweight, super-soft blankets.
· Try a floral dessert plate with solid colored tableware for a fresh vibe.

Green
· Consider bringing spring energy into the home with floral arrangements (real or artificial).
· Hang some hanging plants over a window or two to add texture and color.
· For real floral arrangements and plants, be sure to use pet-friendly flowers and greenery if you have four-legged friends in your home.

Fragrance
· Add a fresh aroma with candles or diffusers: Floral and citrus aromas are wonderful for the season.

Spring has a big impact on all of us for many different reasons. For me, the feeling of fresh air and the abundance of cultivated and wild flowers are the most beautiful moments of spring. What is your favorite part of spring? Explore ways to bring this into your home to celebrate the season and the holidays it represents.

About the Author: Jaime Simpson is an interior designer and owner of Creative and Curated, LLC. She has been in the industry for 20 years and loves everything design related. Jaime also creates mixed media artwork and nature photography, teaches and choreographs ballet, loves cats, and captures every beach moment she can.

Learn more at creativendcurated.com .

Jaime Simpson

Jaime Simpson is an interior designer and owner of Creative and Curated, LLC. She has been in the industry for 20 years, loves everything related to design, creates artwork in mixed media and nature photography, teaches and choreographs ballet. Learn more at creativeandcurated.com .

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