Ask Erin: Easy Ways to Re-Style Your Home for Spring

article by Erin Sharplin Love, [email protected]

I’m not sure about you, dear readers, but I am oh so ready for the clearer, brighter and longer days that spring brings with it! Unfortunately, these last few weeks of winter can often feel like the longest. To lessen the weariness of seemingly endless cold nights and gray days, you can use that lag time to plan how you will re-style your home, giving it new life for the warmer seasons ahead. By following a few of my tips below, you will infuse your home with a breath of fresh air, brighten it up with pops of color (spring isn’t all about pastel decor!), and give it a little pick-me-up — without spending a fortune:

Add Pops of Color
Spring is the perfect time to play with color! You can change the entire look and feel of a room by incorporating new pillows into the décor, but be sure they are varying in shape and size, too. Also, remember that all of your pillows don’t have to be a solid color. Mix and match patterns and prints as you would in an outfit. And, don’t leave your bedroom out! After all, it deserves a little love, too!

Move Your Furniture
How long has your furniture been in its current position? I suggest changing the placement of your furniture at least once a year. Yes, you will most likely have to revisit a previous arrangement at some point, but by then, it will seem new again! For instance, you will save your floor from wear and tear by changing the flow of traffic, and you will be able to clean under each piece of furniture as you move it. An added bonus is the surge of inspiration that comes with a new and/or clean slate.

Bring the Outdoors In
The sky, earth, water and other outdoor elements make us feel refreshed and calm. Take advantage of spring’s new blooms and growing greenery by incorporating them into your home. As a professional organizer and home stylist, I think every room comes alive with the addition of a pretty floral arrangement, plant or bowl of fruit. You could also use shells, branches and rocks.

Restyle Your Bookshelves and Table Centerpieces
You can restyle your bookshelves by simply rearranging items you already have, or you can even consider trading décor pieces from other rooms to get the fresh new look you crave. I like to stack books and then top them with a pretty item, for instance. The idea is to break up the straight line of books on each shelf. For your table centerpieces, I suggest changing them to fit the upcoming holiday. For instance, check Pinterest for some St. Patty’s Day centerpieces, or you could go ahead and decorate for Easter!

Declutter and Update Flat Surfaces
In other words, clear the clutter from your kitchen counter and bedside table to start. Replace the kitchen clutter with a pretty tray or basket that contains your most used items, such as salt and pepper shakers, your favorite cookbook, olive oil and cooking utensils. Your bedside table would look great with a tray that holds hand lotion, your current book selection, reading glasses and a carafe of water.

Warm the Area with a Rug
Like my first tip, adding a rug to an area will change the look and feel of a room immediately. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to take advantage of this tip, either! Switch rugs from one room to another or new rugs can be purchased fairly inexpensively from stores such as Target, Fred’s and Family Dollar. As with pillows, don’t feel as though you have to stick with a solid color. Look for different prints and textures that fit your style and aesthetic.

The great part of following my tips for refreshing your home for spring is that you can get your spring cleaning done at the same time! As always, I’m here if you have any questions or need a bit more inspiration!