With spring comes renewal, so why not start the season with an interior update?
As brighter days beckon, consider making some alterations at home to reflect the move from winter into spring. Whether you want to add in a few pretty accessories or embark on a more significant overhaul, now is a great time to revitalise your rooms.
A clean start
Begin with a grand clear-out and a deep clean. Organisation is vital: make things go more smoothly by setting out boxes or bags labelled ‘repair’, ‘give away’, ‘long-term storage’, ‘rubbish’ and so on, and work through one room at a time. Then get to grips with the cleaning, working from top to bottom, for example, dusting the cornices before vacuuming the floor. Include light fittings, high-up shelves, door frames, windows – the lot!
Pale and simple
If you’re thinking of buying new furniture, replace dark, heavy-looking items with pale timbers such as birch, beech or ash. Painted or lime-washed pieces fit this aesthetic, too, and choose simple, slender designs on tapering legs. The more floor that’s visible, the bigger the room feels. It’s an interior designer’s trick that really works. Think of Scandinavian influences, Japanese minimalism and even a modern-rustic look, and avoid fussy detailing.
Fresh colours
As springtime approaches, you’ll want to rethink your colour scheme, replacing the deep, rich hues of winter in favour of pale, soft shades that reflect the burgeoning natural world. Vibrant green, daffodil yellow, hyacinth blue and snowdrop white are very obviously spring-like, but you may also want to consider a more subtle approach. This might include blush pink, creamy ochre, muted terracotta or Pantone’s colour of the year, ‘mocha mousse’, a rich yet soft brown evoking comfort and indulgence.
Natural materials and textures
The way a space feels is as important as the way it looks, and including a variety of interesting textures within a room will add an element of comfort and style. For spring, incorporate natural materials that feel fresh, light and organic, from smooth ceramic to lightweight linen or nubbly woven rattan. If you can, swap heavy, insulating curtains for lighter alternatives such as breezy linen or cotton in pale colours, and replace velvet or thick wool cushions, throws or bedcovers, too.
You may wish to invest in some breathable organic cotton or linen sheets – how about a charming spriggy floral or modest stripe pattern? Similarly, swap in woven sisal or jute rugs instead of ones featuring a thick, heavy pile.
Brighter lighting
Ensure your artificial lighting is soft and ambient. Add small lamps on side tables or shelves, spreading the glow around the room and avoiding the harsher illumination from a central pendant. A smart light bulb or two will enable you to create the mood of your choice via voice control or your smartphone. If you are thinking about replacing any shades, now is a good time to look at delicate paper, translucent glass or woven rattan examples. Hang up some string lights (they’re not just for Christmas!) and light the odd candle, too. If it has a fresh, spring-like fragrance, even better.
Spring accessories
Emphasise a connection to the natural, outdoor world after months of snuggling up inside, and include a few well-placed accessories in floral colours. As a finishing touch, add wall art in simple frames depicting floral or leafy patterns, botanical motifs or nature-inspired designs, and arrange displays of fresh greenery and flowers in pastel-coloured glass or ceramic vases.
