Whilst it remains chilly outside, why not get ahead and start revamping the inside of your home for the spring season now? We can guarantee spring decorating is a lot more fun than spring cleaning.
From energy-influencing shades to mood-boosting lighting, it couldn't be easier to give your home a new feel. Keep reading to discover our top tips for giving your home a spring refresh.
When you think of spring, what (pardon the pun) springs to mind? We bet it's fresh blooming flowers and blue skies. Leaving behind the grey rainy days of winter, spring sees colour re-emerge around us, and the perfect way to make the most of this is by embracing beautiful shades that bolster and mood and make us feel re-energised.
Martin Waller, the founder of global design brand, Andrew Martin, says: 'Never make the mistake of thinking your home is finished, it evolves as life unfolds.
'The use of yellow can create a mellow and uplifting interior all at the same time. It transports us back to long, sun-drenched days in the Mediterranean and brightens us up on gloomy days. It works brilliantly alongside blues, teals, greens, and reds, and for crisp freshness – pair with white.'
Similarly, Shiza Shahid, co-founder of Our Place, suggests opting for an energising colour palette: 'I gravitate towards greens, pinks, and blues in spring, colours that evoke freshness, spring, and vibrancy!'
She also recommends trying this out with brightly coloured tablescapes: 'Spring is a great time for gathering and hosting, so you want your table to feel welcoming.'
ANYDAY by John Lewis Stoneware Mugs, Set of 4, 340ml, Yellow
Getting organised is by far the most satisfying way to refresh your home for spring. Plus, it can also make you feel mentally refreshed and ready to tackle the year ahead.
'Clear busy worktops, deal with paperwork and allocate a home for all your Christmas gifts (and donate anything you don’t want to a favourite charity),' says Suzanne Roynon, an interior therapist at Interiors Therapy. 'If you imagine your dream home it’s unlikely to have piles of stuff lying around, so commit to treating your current home as if you were already living in the home of your dreams.'
For a storage solution that doesn't take up too much valuable floor space, think vertically, rather than horizontally. Designs with tiered shelves are a brilliant choice because they offer ample storage and a place to display ornaments and trinkets. Alternatively, invest in concealed storage - such as baskets - to keep clutter tucked well out of sight.
John Lewis Slouchy Seagrass Square Storage Basket, Natural/Terracotta
Grey, gloomy days aren't confined to the winter months (April showers are an unwelcome reminder of this), so bringing life to your home through lighting is essential. You can't rely upon the Sun, after all.
Suzanne suggests: 'A good place to start is by checking all lights and lamps have working bulbs – a blown bulb represents feeling run-down or exhausted. If you always feel low during the dark winter months, invest in an anti-SAD (seasonal affective disorder) light box which emits a blue-white light which mimics daylight and boosts your mood.'
Niki Wright, co-founder of lighting design studio lights&lamps agrees: 'Illuminating a dull corner with a table or floor lamp or washing a dark wall with a well-placed wall light can make a huge difference to the energy and feel of a room.’
It's also important to have lighting that adapts to the ever-changing nature of daylight and the way we want to feel during the day: active and awake during the day, cosy and relaxed as the night draws in. Rather than relying solely on your ceiling light, vary your lighting source so can adjust them to suit your needs - even candles can play their part.
Marlena Kaminska, a designer at Value Lights, advises: 'With the increase in natural light during spring, replace overhead lighting with smaller, more subtle options. Layer up lighting using table and floor lamps to spread a bright, ambient glow throughout your home.
'On a design note, switch out your dark, heavy lamp shades for lighter fixtures. Rattan and wicker pendants work particularly well for inviting in a breezy and fresh feel to your home.'
Industville Brooklyn 7 Inch Glass Globe Pendant
