It’s almost time!! Like we are literally soooo close to Spring. I can smell it. I can feel it. I can hear those birdies. And it brings me so much joy! I have to admit, I kind-of get in a little funk this time of year. Do you get that way too?? We want to spend time outside and start bringing out the outdoor furniture. But we aren’t sure if the next morning it will all be covered in snow! So rather than focusing too much outside (yet!). I thought I would share seven things I did this weekend to invite spring into our home! Easy things you can do too, without spending a lot of money. Seven ways to welcome Spring inside your home!
I am also joining Marty from A Stroll Thru Life and 30 bloggers to share our homes decorated for Spring! Lots of inspiration. If you came over from Southern Hospitality I am honored to have you here! Rhonda is a talented blogger, who is always fun to see what she is up to.
Oh, and if you are new here- this is us! My name is actually Brooke (my oldest baby is Ella Grace). We are a family of five living in an 1100 square foot cape in Connecticut. Our little cape is a short walk to our local beach and about an hour train ride into New York City! We picked location over square footage and haven’t regretted it one second. Thanks for being here!
7 ways to Welcome Spring Inside-
1. Rotate your sofa cushions and clean them!
Rather than thinking you need a new sofa, fluff it! If you just buy new throw pillows and never take he time to rotate your cushions you are missing a big opportunity to extend the life of your sofa! And to make your sofa feel fresh and new. I actually do this several times a month. Flip the cushions around, both the seat and back cushions. And if you have an upholstery cleaner, now is the time to clean the cushions. I use THIS upholstery cleaner ( THIS plant based cleaner).
2. Put away the heavy wool throws and pillows-
Just how you pack away your sweaters after winter, do the same with your throws and pillows! And now is a good time to decide if you really love them. Are you a little sad to see them being packed away? Then keep them safe in a protective bag in storage or under a bed. Or if you are happy to see them go, then maybe it is time to donate them rather then hanging onto them all year.
I love those throws, but they a little heavy for Spring and Summer. I put out thinner throws that I took off our blanket ladder and now just don’t have any on the blanket ladder- which is a nice change. And that is the point. Change.
I did change-out my “bookend pillows” that were on this sofa. They were a gray color, which looked great but a little dark. So instead I covered my inserts with THESE brighter white pillows. Another thing you could do is change out your curtain panels to something light. I personally have a lot of light in this room and the dark curtain panels add much needed depth. I believe every room needs some black- just like every face looks great with eyelashes and eyebrows! Contrast.
3. Pretend it is “Floor Day”-
I worked in a design firm for 16 years that also had a 6,000 square foot retail space. Every Friday we would take off the sold pieces of furniture and then bring in new and refresh all the old product. It might be out of habit. But I still do “floor days” at my home. I think everyone should! Well, maybe not every Friday. But at least, every season change. Take things away and move them to a new space. Just like Marie Kondo suggests- take everything out then put back only things that bring you JOY!
I did this to our kitchen banquet on Saturday. I took out all the pillows that were on our banquet that had gotten all jumbled- just like what can happen at a store. Things got moved from other rooms that were not meant to be there. Random stuff on the table, messy pillows, messy chalkboard and probably crumbs all over the floor. Below is the before….
And this is the AFTER my little “floor day”-
I kept with my vision- bright and fresh! I wanted the space to feel and look like spring. THESE black chairs can go upstairs to replace where the white chairs were (up to a desk and in Ella’s LEGO room). THESE white dining chairs make such a difference. Along with the all white pillows. (Large white 24″ pillows HERE /// White with back tassels and stripes HERE //// White with black lines HERE).
I moved the pillows from our kitchen banquet up to our family room! Every room got a little refresh, just by using what I had. And you might notice I moved my art around too! Really makes you think twice before you buy something. I always ask the question “can this go multiple places in my home?”
4. Freshen up your stack of coffee table books-
This is is such a simple act and change. But trust me. It will be just the thing to help you visualize Spring! If you have little kids around ask them to gather up all the books that remind them of Spring and Summer. Or you could just put out a couple new coffee table books that are different from what was there before. Something you hope to read with the new season. I like to keep our coffee table REAL. Meaning I don’t decorate it. I have a plant and books and maybe one artistic object or candle (battery operated works too!)
Create a cozy place to be and they will come. This is the reason we do all of this. The reason we fluff and move things. In hopes of creating a joyful, inspired space for loved ones.
5. Clear off surfaces and simplify-
Sometimes the best thing to do is let your space breath. For instance I really like to keep our entry piece simple because it is the spot where everything get’s dumped. If you have a spot like that, then keep the space simple. Also I do like to balance out my decor. For example, our piano has a styled home decor and also our sofa has a lot of pillows, so I balance all that busy with a simple entry piece. Maybe just a lamp and plant.
6. Adopt a plant
Are you sick of my talking about plants? Never! Maybe you buy a fresh mini pine tree at Christmas, or sunflowers in the fall. Spring is for shamrock plants (or called Oxalis). Or look for a Pilea plant! Keep your dining table or kitchen table simple for Spring. A plant will do just fine. That way you can see the faces you are eating dinner with!
PS- one of the easiest plants to keep alive and look gorgeous hanging from a shelf is a philodendron. I added one to our kitchen shelves for Spring and it just so happy there with the indirect bright sun.
7. Make it smell like Spring!
Are you still burning or diffusing the Christmas Spirit candles or oils? Time to make your senses aware that spring is coming and we want to welcome it! I personally love diffusing lime, grapefruit, orange or really anything citrus says SPRING or rather SMELLS spring! If you love candles I suggest doing your research and finding candles that are free of perfumes, non- petroleum-based candles because they are more likely to emit toxic fumes. Healthier options exist! Vegetable-based candles that are non-scented, non-pigmented, and free of dyes. Choose 100% pure beeswax with no artificial colors, 100% cotton wick, fragrance-free or 100% pure essential oils, buy candles made in the USA. I have omitted candles from our home for many reasons- (I do love a battery operated candle). Instead I have a diffuser in every room (you can read more about oils and that diffuser I love HERE).
Keep on reading for more Spring Inspiration! Start with A Stroll Thru Life and pop back tomorrow to Inspiration For Moms to continue the Spring Tour!
You can shop our home HERE
Spring Home Tour-
Monday
A Stroll Thru Life, Setting For Four, Cuckoo4Design, Pink Peppermint Design, Southern Hospitality, Nesting With Grace
Tuesday
Inspiration For Moms , Decor To Adore, House By Hoff , ZDesign At Home , Duke Manor Farm, Remodelando La Casa
Wednesday
Our Southern Home , The Chronicles Of Home, Monica Wants It, Follow The Yellow Brick Home, Hymns & Verses , Thrifty & Chic
Thursday
11 Magnolia Lane , Thistlewood Farms , Clean & Scentsible, Seeking Lavender Lane, Sincerely Marie Designs, Haneens Haven
Friday
Our Fifth House, Decorating Delirium, White Arrow Homes, Life On Cedar Lane, Modern Glam, Far Above Rubies
Hi there-I found you through Rhoda and am so glad I did. What a great and, even better, what a beautiful family. I am your newest follower and will stick you on my sidebar (I read from there).
Looking at your home gives me hope as we prepare to downsize from a really big house. We are retiring and it has been hard wrapping my mind around the fact that we don’t need the big house anymore. You make a small home feel warm and welcoming and it is really lovely.
I hope you have a really great week- Hugs- Diana
welcome Diana!! Thank you for coming over and for staying! I hope to inspire!
Such awesome tips! Love your home!
This post just made me so motivated and inspired. Great way to start the day/ week. Thank you. I’m sooooo ready for spring. 😁
Love all of it! Thanks for all of your tips.
Love touring your home! And awesome tips to put in practice now.
Gorgeous Spring tips! Love your pillows and throws – beautiful texture! xo Heather
I love how you move things around from room to room. I do that all the time, it just makes everything looks new and fresh. Your home is always such an inviting place to visit. I appreciate all your decor tips you always share too. Thanks so much for joining us on the 2019 Spring Home Tour.
I just did a spring refresh in my home yesterday and it felt great, and I purchased nothing! I rearranged my living room, swapped out throw pillow covers with brighter, more spring-friendly ones, and brought out a few colorful accessories. It made all the difference in the world! Small things that make me happy!
Simplicity – in how you decorate and what you are sharing today. I, too, ‘shop around’ my home and it can be exciting to see how a room can transform with a few simple changes or enhancements of moving things you already have from one room to another. New look with no money spent – love it!!
Love your guide to updating your home for spring. Easy updates that make such a huge difference. Love all that you did! xoxo
I always love peeking into your home, Brooke. We have been in 1400sf for almost two years and there are so many things I love about small space living, but it can be hard to minimize–this post helps! I know most of the world considers our square footage really large, but we downsized from 4000sf so it was a challenge. It’s always fun touring with you–happy spring!
I just love everything you do, Brooke! Thanks for the tips!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Such wonderful tips! I adore your family photo. So happy to be sharing this tour with you.
Love all your tips and your home! Beautiful family you got there too! 🙂
Love all of it!
Do you still have a coupon code for The Sill? My dearest friend’s bday is coming up and I’d love to gift her with the prayer plant! Thanks!
I saw one that was “plantsmakepeoplehappy” but might not be active…
hey girl- great tips! so cool!
I love how bright it looks with the white chairs! Also, where did you get that light fixture? I’m a huge fan of the hexagon.
Thanks! You can find the light here- https://rstyle.me/n/ct86v3b5qwf
Such a beautiful home! Lovely being on tour with you!
Great tips for revitalizing our homes for spring! I love that you have created new looks with different pillow choices and how your plants brighten up the kitchen banquette. Also love that you are diffusing natural oils! Time to break out the lemon, orange and rosemary oils over here!
So glad to join you for the Spring Home Tours. Happy Spring!
Thank you!!!
Such great tips, friend! Your home is so warm and welcoming!
Your home is so cute – I love it. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the tips.
Love all these tips and the idea of a “Floor Day” is such a great idea!! Thanks for all the inspiration! Love all your colors and styling! Fun to tour with you!