Although there are plenty of strategies you can use to freshen up your home after the long winter months, redecorating it is a whole different ballgame. Yes, changing your soft furnishings, displaying spring flowers more prominently, or updating the contents of your linen cupboard are all good spring interior design ideas—but you’ll need to plan a bit more for a redecoration project. So, what should you focus on most when decorating your home in the spring? Read on to find out more.
When spring first arrives, you may notice how much more natural light your windows receive from the sun outside. Even before the clocks change, the sunlight will begin reaching farther and deeper into your home as it rises higher and higher in the sky with each passing day. As a result, this can highlight imperfections on your walls. In fact, any dull colours that might have looked fine under artificial lighting in winter may need to be reconsidered.
If so, choose light, spring-like colours that will allow the available light in your reception rooms and bedrooms to bounce around. Typically, creams and off-whites work best. Light tones with just a touch—not too much—of spicy yellow or natural green tend to make rooms feel bigger and more inviting in spring. It doesn’t matter whether you paint your walls or hang new wallpaper, as long as you opt for brighter, lighter tonal qualities.
Remember that rearranging your wall art can also refresh newly decorated walls. Don’t just change the background colour—look for new arrangements of pictures and artwork to give your space an updated look at low cost.
Because the weather is a bit warmer in spring, touching up exterior paintwork is also a good idea. If you plan to paint masonry or wooden window frames outside, it’s wise to check the weather forecast first, as you’ll need at least 24 hours of dry weather to allow your paintwork to dry without streaking.
Even if the weather is still a little unpredictable, there are plenty of things you can do to redecorate your home’s exterior without worrying about rain. One great idea that will make your home feel more welcoming to visitors is to create your own spring wreath. These look beautiful when hung on front doors. There are many colour palettes to choose from, using the natural materials available in spring—peaches, pinks, lavenders, greens, whites, and yellows. Making a spring wreath from early-blooming plants like clematis, myrtle, tulips, or narcissi isn’t just a great decorating idea, but also a fun and creative activity you’re sure to enjoy.
In winter, heavy curtains and throws have their place. Creating a snug and cosy atmosphere is the aim of many interior styles during the colder months. However, once temperatures begin to rise, living rooms and family rooms filled with throws, rugs, and fabric-based wall hangings can start to feel a little cluttered.
That doesn’t mean you need to remove all textiles when redecorating for spring. Just opt for those with the lightest textures and colour palettes. Thick blankets can be replaced with a few decorative cushions on your sofa, for example. Consider rolling up your heavy winter rug until next autumn, and let natural floorboards or tiles take centre stage. If you have thick curtains or heavy Roman blinds, consider switching to something lighter, like Venetian blinds or a set of translucent, gossamer curtains.
Even if you’re not replacing your bathroom suite, spring is a great time to update the look of bathrooms and en-suites. During winter, you’ve likely kept your windows closed, which means the moisture that naturally builds up in bathrooms may not have escaped as efficiently, no matter how good your extractor fan is. So, removing and reapplying grout between tiles is a smart idea. Also, check your trim and sealant and replace any that have started to discolour.
Similarly, give your taps and other fixtures a thorough spring clean. Especially in hard water areas, limescale can make bathrooms look unsightly. If your limescale removal efforts don’t produce the results you want, be prepared to replace mixer taps, plugs, and shower heads. Consider giving your walls a fresh coat of waterproof paint to help your bathroom look clean and functional. Another key area to focus on is the flooring. Warped laminates may need replacing, or you might have vinyl starting to curl. If so, it’s usually best to replace the flooring entirely. Doing so can make it feel as though you’ve completely updated your bathroom—without needing to renovate everything.