How to Refresh Your Home With a Spring Makeover

If you live in a cold weather region, you’ve likely been stuck inside for several months. But now that spring is officially here, it’s time to give your home a seasonal refresh. To make space for spring decor, you may need to clear out some of your winter-related items like chunky throw blankets, seasonal linens and any lingering holiday decorations. If you don’t have enough room in your basement or attic, you can store them in plastic containers and place them in a self-storage unit until you need them again later this year. To ensure fragile items are properly stored, wrap them in bubble wrap or padding and place them carefully in labeled boxes.

With the days getting longer and new life blooming everywhere, why not embark on some serious spring cleaning? Start by dividing your belongings into piles to keep, donate or discard — also known as the Three Pile Method. Next, sell or donate the items you no longer need. Once you’ve freed up some extra space in your home, you can use eco-friendly cleaning sprays, sponges, squeegees and more to make your home sparkle. Consider following a spring cleaning guide to make sure you leave no stone unturned, from mopping to reorganizing drawers to cleaning windows.

As new leaves and fresh flowers make the world feel new again, why not bring those colors indoors to refresh your living quarters? One of the easiest ways to bring the outdoors in is to place flower arrangements (think tulips, lupines, poppies and other spring blooms) into your home. You can even try your hand at making your own bouquets. Brighten up the rest of the space by swapping out dark-colored pillows and heavy winter throws for airy alternatives in light hues like sky blue, pastel pink or yellow. Setting out dried wildflower wall hangings, floral branches, artwork and other spring decor can add additional pops of color and vibrancy throughout your home.

Spring is the perfect time to fire up your grill and make burgers, hotdogs and other food for your friends and family. Start by sweeping away any dirt, cobwebs or debris that has accumulated in the winter months. Next, bring your patio furniture, grill and other items out of your storage unit or uncover them for seasonal use. Clean outdoor furnishings like pillows and umbrellas by using a solution of three parts water to one part white vinegar to freshen them up and remove any odor. Remember that sprucing up your outdoor space doesn’t need to break the bank. From adding a water fountain to constructing a hardscape, there are plenty of affordable design ideas that will make your space look high-end for a fraction of the cost. By following these tips, you can turn even the most basic of spaces into an entertaining dream.

If you’re ready for a challenge beyond just keeping your house plants alive, why not grow some spring garden plants on your balcony? You can plant tulips (or other spring sensations like daffodils, hyacinths or zinnias) in planters, flower beds or containers. You can also repot some of your plants outside (just make sure there’s adequate sunlight for them). For a more functional alternative, consider planting herbs, lettuce and other spring vegetables so you can simply pop outside to grab whatever you need for dinner. If you’re not sure what to plant in spring, you can start with seasonal staples like peas, kale, broccoli, carrots or radishes.

Rearranging your furniture is a simple way to make the space look new without spending any extra money. Start by playing around with different furniture layouts to see which one strikes your fancy. You can use a free online tool like Floorplanner or 3Dream to digitally move the furniture into different places so you can figure out what you like best without breaking a sweat. Consider moving couches and chairs closer to the walls to open up your living space, centering furniture around a focal point (like a fireplace or windows) or adding mirrors to create the illusion of a more spacious room. Once you’ve experimented with various layout options, make sure that the flow of the room is still functional. You want to strike the sweet spot between switching up the look without messing with the accessibility and functionality of the room.

While summer is a great time for more serious and involving landscaping projects and renovations, spring is perfect for lighter home improvement tasks. Here are some projects to consider:

• Cleaning Gutters/Roof: Remove large debris like leaves by hand and use a gutter scoop to remove smaller debris. Next, use a garden hose or pressure washer to get rid of persistent grime buildup. Finally, check the downspouts to ensure they are not clogged.
• Landscaping: Start by completing any hardscaping tasks (like building a retaining wall, creating structures like a gazebo or fire pit or adding a new pathway). Next, texturize the lawn by adding a variety of materials such as grasses, plants, mulch and gravel. Remember that flowers, art sculptures and outdoor furniture also go a long way in adding more pizzazz to the space.
• Repainting: Repainting your interior walls a new color is a great way to take advantage of the brightness of the new season. (If you don’t live in a rainy area, you might even want to give the exterior a fresh paint job.)
• Install Energy-Efficient Lighting: Replacing outdated lighting fixtures with energy-efficient LED lights can brighten your home while reducing electricity consumption. Consider installing smart light bulbs that can be controlled via smartphone, allowing you to adjust the lighting to suit different times of the day and save energy when rooms are not in use.
• Upgrade Your HVAC System: Before the heat of summer sets in, spring is a great time to service or upgrade your HVAC system. Ensuring your air conditioning is efficient can lead to significant energy savings and improve indoor air quality. Consider adding a smart thermostat for better temperature control and additional savings.

For more home organization tips, check out the SmartStop blog. From decluttering tips to self-storage hacks, we have all the tips you need to complete a spring home refresh and help welcome in the new season. Happy spring!