Spring Fling
Summer is filled with blue skies, sun kissed skin, long days, (and if you’re lucky), a much needed getaway.
Autumn is a stunner with burnt orange and ochre leaves, warm and cozy evenings, and a welcome reprieve from the sweltering days of summer.
Wintertime is all about gathering together with family and friends, celebrating, and indulging in too many sweet treats.
But there’s just something about spring that makes me feel so alive, refreshed, and steeped in the hope of new possibilities.
It may sound basic as hell, but I’m not ashamed to say that spring is my absolute favorite time of the year.
With the season upon us, I thought I’d take the opportunity to talk a little bit about the spring home. And discuss a few ways in which you can harness the fresh energy and usher in the new season.
CLEAN
GET FRESH
One of the best and least expensive ways to transform your home.
Boo! I know. But you knew it was coming.
Cleaning is truly one of the best ways to revitalize your home after the winter months. I mean, there’s a reason why spring cleaning is a thing.
The best part is, it’s free! That is, unless you are blessed with a cleaning service- goals for sure!
It may sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. My suggestion is to work in small “chunks” and take your time- we ain’t runnin’ any marathons here.
I like to add one task on with my normal weekly cleaning.
Cleaning baseboards, windows, mirrors, doors, walls, and slipcovers are all great to add into the rotation and refresh your space.
Spring is also a great time to clean out washers, dryers, dust ceiling fans, and clean out the fridge (my least favorite- yuck).
I also like to clean up my computer desktop by deleting, organizing, and moving all those files and pics that are just sitting on the computer and cluttering up the space.
This may all sound like too much, especially if you’re not the biggest cleaner, but just remember that you don’t have to do all the things, especially not all at once!
Spread it out over time to avoid overwhelm.
Try: If you live in a place that the weather is already warming up, open up those windows. Clear out that old, stale air from months of closed windows, and let some fresh air flow through your space!
2. DECLUTTER/ORGANIZE
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PLACE
Please hear me when I tell you that you don’t have Kondo your condo. BUT- clearing out, getting rid of, or replacing old and dilapidated items helps to usher in a new fresh season.
I know, boo again.
Look, I’m not asking all my maximalist, cottage core, clutter core people (well maybe clutter core…btw are we just sticking “core” at the end of everything now?) to get rid of all your stuff.
BUT, I do advocate for a space that you can actually walk through without barriers and actually find your shit.
Spring is a great time to take a step back and look at what you have and decide on if you still need something in your space or closet.
Call it sparking joy if you want to. Just take the time to go through and clear out what is not needed, loved, or in bad shape.
I have trouble getting rid of things too in fear that I may one day need it again. But trust me, you can toss that sock your big toe is poking out of.
And who cares if you love that vintage pink leopard print Betsey Johnson bag so much if you can’t even fucking find it?
Again, just chunk the decluttering and organizing process out and go through things a little at a time. Don’t be me 5 years ago, go on a bender and get rid of everything only to be left with two tops, a pair of pants, and one chair because nuh-thing sparked any stupid joy…
Be easy on yourself. If you’re not sure and have the space, set things aside in a box or at the back of your closet (I turn hangers around in the closet to signify an item of clothing I’m thinking of getting rid of). Just be sure to set a time limit on when to return to decide whether to keep something or let. it. go.
In the kitchen, decanting things like pastas, cereals, grains, and beans (there is an argument against doing this for spices) into pretty bottles and jars always makes me feel like I’ve actually got my life (and my space) together.
But if you’re someone who can’t keep up with it over time, it might end up making you feel like shit. So be honest with yourself and figure out a system that is going to work for you and makes you feel good.
Because nobody really cares the way the inside of your pantry looks…just as long as they can find the chips.
Try: Clearing out the pantry or cupboards. You are not going to use those packets of hot sauce from Taco Bell you saved 2 years ago, Brenda! So just get rid of them. Take a little time to rearrange things so they make sense to YOU. Make your stuff easy to find, access, and see.
3. PAINT
THE STROKES
You’ve heard it a 1000 times before, but that’s cause it’s true. Paint is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to change up your space.
The $30 dollar (ok, maybe $75 ,these days) makeover in a can.
Let me tell you, paint is an amazing way to liven up/ change/ transform your space.
So ask yourself if it’s time fro a refresh.
Maybe it’s time to brighten up with a fresh white, try a trending beige, or add a lick of bold burgandy.
Whatever you fancy, freshly painted walls can be a total game changer.
And don’t forget places like hallways, nooks, and bathrooms. Sometimes smaller spaces can give you that quick and easy color fix without feeling like too daunting of a task.
If you are renting and can’t paint the walls, buy an oversize canvas at the craft store to paint and add some color to your walls. Or get a generic piece of art from HomeGoods or Target. Paint over it- you don’t have to be an artist- just paint some abstract strokes or shapes if you’re into a modern or contemporary style.
Try: Repainting your front door a bold or funky color to add to your curb appeal. Or paint your 5th wall (the much neglected ceiling) a different color for a fun and interesting way to make a space feel new. Also, try painting the baseboards something besides standard white or paint them the same color as your walls for a modern touch.
4. PLANTS + FLOWERS
PLANT ONE ON ME
Whether real or faux, adding plants and flowers is a sure fire way to “spring up” your home.
Nothing says spring like plants and flowers! There’s just something about them that totally revive and invigorate your home.
I love real plants and flowers, but if you feel like you have a black thumb, there are some really good faux options out there (see Afloral above).
And, I’m not suggesting that you go all all Plant Core (is that a thing?) and make your space look like a jungle.
In fact, being a former plant hoarder myself, I don’t really encourage it. That being said, I think bringing some nature into your home in the form of plants is important to make a space feel fresh and alive.
Personally, I’m really into the look of a few larger scale and sculptural plants at the moment, instead of having tons of little plants everywhere… but you do you, boo.
If you already have plants in your home, spring is a great time to give your green buddies some extra love and care. Dust and clean off their leaves, fertilize, trim, and repot, if needed.
Now onto flowers… flowers are just pretty and in my opinion, a bit more elevated than plants.
They can be pricy though, so if you have access to some flowers or stems outside (don’t go cutting in other people’s yard, Brenda), that’s a great way to get some florals on the cheap.
Since I’m not near a great flower mart, I just get mine from the good ol’ grocery store. I make my own arrangements or keep it simple with one type of flower. Nothing special, but displaying them throughout my home elevates the look and makes me feel like a million bucks.
To keep flowers looking good and last longer, refresh the water in the vase everyday (I like to throw the old water out in my garden not to waste). Also, remove and old, dying, or spent flowers to keep your bouquet looking fresh and tip top.
Try: Getting a large bowl and a flower frog (get one here) to set your floral arrangement in a modern Japanese Ikebana-like style.
5. HOME FRAGRANCE
50 SCENTS
Smells are very personal and can be divisive, but what you smell like and like to smell are a big part of who you and your home are. Scent accordingly.
The way your home smells is a big part of what makes your home, well… your home. It can also signal what time of year we are in.
Warm vanilla, spices, and fresh pine (as lovely as they are), are smells typically associated with the colder winter months. So when springtime hits, its’s time to switch up to lighter, fresher scents.
Cherry blossom, lilac, lavender, fresh cut grass, rain, herbs, green apple, lemon, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, and fresh clean laundry are all aromatic notes that just smell like spring and liven up your home.
Look for candles (typically soy are vegan, but not always), essential oils, and non-toxic room sprays and reed diffusers to bring in some fresh spring scents. And fyi, just cleaning you place (see number 1) helps to make your space smell good and fresh too.
Try: Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying a new scent. You may end up hating it, but you just may love it too…
6. DE-LAYER/ SWITCH OUT LINENS, PILLOWS, AND THROWS
SWITCH IT UP
Changing materials, textures, patterns, and colors can take your home from winter to spring in 0 to 60.
Are you still rockin’ those reindeer pillows? Yeah babes, it’s time to give it up and say goodbye for now.
Depending on where you’re at (some places get snow well into April), it may also be time to start removing some layers and switching out heavier feeling (and looking) fabrics for lighter, fresher ones.
Look, Imma always have decorative pillows and throws on my couch and bed, but I still like to lighten it up a bit in the spring and summer. That means changing decorative pillow covers (that’s why I advocate for inserts so you can easily swap out styles) and throws from heavier materials like faux fur, heavy knits, and velvets to lighter linens and cottons.
Switching out patterns (like plaids for a thin stripe) and bringing in some lighter colors like white, beige, taupe, or softer greens, blues, and corals are some other ways to freshen up your space.
There’s no one size fits all for spring style or decor, but making some simple swaps and changes can really help to make your home feel brand spankin’ new.
Try: Switching out heavier cotton and flannel bed sheets for lighter linen ones. They aren’t necessarily cheap, but I personally feel they’re a good investment and worthy of adding to your sheet rotation for the spring and summer. Linen screams fresh, easy, and relaxed- and bonus, they help to keep you cool while sleeping too.
BONUS
JUST FIX IT
It’s the little things… most of the time…that we try to avoid.
Usually, they don’t take much time or effort, but we just decide to turn a blind eye to them for whatever reason. Chipped paint, loose door handles, dead plants in the yard…it’s time to handle that.
Whether you have a “honey” to-do or don’t… just take a little time and finally nip it in the bud. Trust me, you’ll feel 10 times better and wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
SOMETHING NEW
Feeling a little bored rocking the same ol’ style? Well, maybe it’s time to try something new.
Tired of being a hardcore minimilist? Over farm house? (god, please say yes).
Well, try introducing a new style to your home!
Maybe it’s time to incorporate a little traditional style… or maybe some Japandi…
Whatever.
Just don’t limit yourself or feel like your beholden to one style. Try something new, you just might be surprised how much you like it.
And that goes for color too.
As I mentioned above in the paint section, bringing in a fresh new color is one of the easiest ways to change up your space. So if you’ve been on that vanilla-girl-aesthetic-ish for the last three years, maybe try adding some color to your world… I mean, it never hurt anybody.
Or maybe you’re the reverse and fresh monochromatic space would be a big fresh change.
Listen- this is not a call to change who you are or what you truly like, if it doesn’t feel right.
However, I think it can be important to try new things once in a while- and yes, this coming to you from a Taurus sun/ Virgo rising girlie who notoriously hates change.
It can be good.
Change can spark new ideas or realizations in your life. Change can help us to figure out what we really do like and want and what we don’t.
Besides, it’s just paint Brenda. You can always paint it back later…
What makes you feel all fresh and brand new again? Share your spring rituals in the comments!
