Seasonal Switch-Up: Easy Spring Décor Swaps for a Fresh Look

With spring fast approaching us on March 19th it’s time to start thinking about how you want to refresh your home décor! Those of you who live somewhere with a true winter are the most excited about this coming change in seasons I’m certain. However, everyone can appreciate the anticipation of new life, fresh floral blooms and a season of rebirth.  

This month we’re going to focus on the practical ways that you can bring fresh life into your space and prep your outdoor living areas so that you can enjoy them as the weather warms up. So, let’s dive in!  

Remove the Winter Blues 

 We want to start off by carefully storing all your winter specific décor and soft good items so that they’ll be ready for next winter. This includes things like chunky winter blankets and any seasonal pillow covers that are of a winter color palette like deep blues, deep greens, deep golds, possibly any reds lingering from Christmas time, and anything with a winter pattern to it.  

Now, if you have pillow covers that aren’t seasonal specific and you love their everyday colors or patterns, then you do not have to hide them away! This is your home and your space to do what you love. Please always keep that in mind!  

It’s also time to put away winter themed décor like pinecones, any remaining cedar and pine greenery or Christmasy golden objects you may have left up.  

Quiet your spaces 

Once all the winter is put away, it’s time to do what Myquillin Smith, aka The Nester, calls quieting your space. This is a practice that is great in between each change of seasonal décor or when you feel the need to shake things up in any given room. It’s a simple practice that can make a big impact on how you view your space and choose to decorate it.  

Step one is to take down all non-permanent décor items, art, throw blankets, accent pillows, and pictures. Stash them for a few days in another part of your home and enjoy the quiet that is left in your nearly empty space.  

Sit with it for a few days and imagine something new. Imagine what it would look like to put that vase in a different location than normal and swap out what’s inside. Do you have something else in your home you can think of that would look good in there too? Don’t be afraid to experiment with options and maybe end up where you started. It’s helpful to see the options right before you.  

Some things may seem to fit in only one place when you have less room to work with, but I encourage you to think of unusual places that you can put items to create a unique moment. 

Now, before you put anything back into your space it’s time to start your spring deep cleaning routine. If you don’t have one, then check out Pinterest for options or ask your cleaner what they recommend if they don’t already have one established for you.  

Decorating by Seasons 

 Another lesson I’ve learned from Myquillin Smith is to decorate by season and not just by holiday. As a busy mom and professional I found it was too much effort and a bit stressful to keep decorating for all of the small holidays there are in a year. Instead, we decorate seasonally and only on the big holidays that mean the most to us; Christmas, Halloween because my kids love scary things, and we layer in some extra items for Easter.  

This makes my life much simpler and allows me to spend more time enjoying my space rather than constantly thinking about what’s coming next.  

This also means I have less things to take care of! With this more minimal approach to decorating, it’s easier to manage. I buy fewer items of higher quality and look for things that can be used throughout multiple seasons so I can get the most enjoyment out of them as possible.  

Staple Décor Items 

 It’s great to have some staple pieces that you can leave out for most of the year. These are base pieces that you can move around your home and utilize in various places depending on how you want to switch things up each season. When it’s time to buy a new piece of décor, these staple items provide valuable direction, find what fits into or alongside your staple pieces and you’ll have less guesswork on what to choose. 

Things like candlestick holders, trays, baskets, picture frames and pots can be great staple pieces. Lean into your design aesthetic with these items so they make sense all year round. Another staple item can be your throw blankets. Once the chunky and fuzzy ones are tucked away from winter and fall, pull out your lightweight cotton or linen ones to create an airier feel for spring and summer time.  

Seasonal Pieces for Spring  

 Now it’s time to look at what décor pieces really invoke the feeling of spring for us. Some can be very obvious while others are more subtle. Lean into whichever you prefer. A creative way to be a bit more subtle is to take a traditional piece, like a bunny rabbit or bird figurine and spray paint it gold or black to blend into your design aesthetic. You can also find some fun variations on the traditional figurine by looking up ones wearing glasses or striking a pose. It’s a subtle way to add character and can be a good laugh when a guest comes over and spots it for the first time.  

For art and soft goods such as pillow covers, throw blankets or maybe even curtains (if you feel so inclined) look for botanical patterns with florals, leaves and birds. Look for items in the pastel family or if you don’t love colors that soft, move up a step or two on the color swatches and stick to the softer hues. Use a nice warm neutral color with a creamy base. Grab inspiration from what’s happening right outside your doors or check out my Pinterest board dedicated to color combos!  

Bring in warmth for all year with wicker & rattan baskets. The earthy feel of it can enhance your fresh spring décor vibes. Along the same lines, find some wood beaded ropes and tassels to lay on an entry table tray or drape across some books on your coffee table. Bring in natural elements like these anywhere you can. 

Bring on the Greenery 

 Having real greenery is always a great idea because of the many health and mental benefits that come from them. However, please don’t feel bad if it’s simply not realistic for you to keep something else alive in your home. It could add stress more than peace and we don’t want that! We want your home to work for you, so if fresh flowers once a week at the kitchen table is the longest you can keep something green alive, enjoy it! Don’t berate yourself for the need for low-maintenance décor.  

If you can, clip some flowers from your gardens, yard, nearby fields, or a friend's house (who has given you permission). Head to your local farmers market or grocery store and see what’s blooming there that makes you smile. Bring some fresh colors and scents into your space to make an ordinary evening feel special.  

If you need to go with faux plants because your thumb is decidedly not green or you don’t get enough sunlight in certain areas of the home, then invest in a good faux plant. You want it to look realistic from most angles. If it’s something you only use seasonally, then store it neatly so you can continue to enjoy it for years to come.  

Indoor/Outdoor Living 

 Now that the weather is warming up nicely, it’s the perfect time to crack open your windows and doors to let in the fresh spring breeze and floral scents of nature. No extra work required here (hopefully)! 

You’ll want to clean up and refresh your outdoor seating area, so you and guests are ready to enjoy the space with ease. Dedicate a weekend (maybe two) at the start of the season to clean everything up or hire someone to handle it for you.  

Think about your landscaping, does it need some fresh flowers or just a good trim? Does your outdoor deck or patio need any repairs before it’s constantly used? How about a fresh coat of paint? Think of all of these foundational items before you start to decorate, otherwise you could be doubling your workload. 

Now for the fun part of decorating! Think about the seating – is it still in good condition? How do your pillows look? Swap their covers for botanical prints to bring that easy spring vibe to your space. Spruce up your table with either wood oil or a tablecloth. Place some lanterns or twinkly lights around the perimeter of your patio and yard. Is your outdoor rug still in good condition or in need of a refresh?  

Really focus on making sure people will feel cozy relaxing out here.Then enjoy your space by eating regular dinners outside on the patio, nothing fancy or formal is needed to enjoy all that your home & yard has to offer you. 

You’re Ready for Spring 

 And there you have it! It takes time and thought to transition from one season to the next and there’s a beauty to slowing your pace and appreciating the change. When we start out by decluttering, cleaning and quieting our spaces, we get a truly fresh look at our homes. It invites us to appreciate parts of it again and get creative.  

Focus on bringing nature in, we want to do that year-round, but it’s especially fitting in spring when the focus is on new life popping up in nature. Look for the softer colors, warm neutral tones, botanical prints and plenty of greenery. Have fun with your more standard decorating options and create a moment of pleasure for you and your guests with something out of the ordinary. The ultimate goal is to create fresh beauty in your space. 

If you think all of this sounds great, but you have no time to accomplish it or you’re struggling to find a vision for your space, then schedule a Discovery Call with me today on my website. I’m here to help you refresh your home with spring décor! It can be as easy as that! 

Until next time friends, find a way to create beauty today.