Who wants to make like Will Smith and get springy with it?
Q: Hey guys. I’m so not in the mood to work this morning so I thought I’d ask you a question. With the seasons changing, what are some of your must haves for spring? Like, are there certain décor switches you make to get things feeling a little sunnier and fresher? Are there any tips you have or things people can do regardless of their color scheme or current décor that would instantly transform a room from winter to spring? Do you keep specific décor items on hand specifically for spring? Thanks! -Jennifer
There’s nothing better than when spring is finally in the air after a long cold winter. Heck, even when the weather is still on the chilly side and the grass hasn’t really greened up yet, it’s amazing what just a taste of almost-spring can do for the psyche. And when it comes to our decor, there’s nothing I like more than breathing a little fresh spring-like life into Casa Petersik. And there are tons of cheap and simple ways to do that- like a few vases of fresh flowers peppered around your home (you can even bringing in leafy or flowering branches from outside for a free spring pick-me-up).
Another easy spring switch is to introduce a few bright & happy pillows, throws, and even some lighter bedding (a cheerful spring-like duvet from Ikea can only set you back 12 or 14 bucks). And of course just putting away those heavy wool blankets and throwing open the windows to catch a warm breeze can really make your house feel fresher and lighter in a snap.
We don’t do anything that’s specifically Easter themed with bunnies or baskets full of that fake grass stuff, but we love the idea of introducing just two new punchy green, yellow or blue pillows (or any other happy spring color) in the place of more subtle or subdued pillows on your sofa or bed (and you can spend less than $14 for two of them at places like TJ Maxx and Home Goods). We also love the idea of a super cheap cake stand from Marshall’s or Target with a bunch of colorful lemons and limes (or oranges and bananas) on it in the kitchen to make your whole house feel like spring.
And beyond bringing in accessories in brighter and happier colors (like orange, yellow, lime, turquoise, fuschia, etc), crisp white accessories really feel springy – especially in the place of anything in the mocha, maroon, red, evergreen or burnt orange color family. So if you look around and see tabletop accessories in those tones, try switching them out for white lacquered boxes, clean white vases or even a green potted plant in a sleek white Ikea planter (they’re just $1!) for an instantly fresher display.
At the same token, any throws, pillows, bedding or even curtains in those deeper more wintery tones can be swapped out for something lighter and airier (and it doesn’t have to break the bank thanks to two-for-$9.99 white Ikea curtains and clearance duvets & shams from places like Marshall’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and of course Ikea).
And there are so many more small spring-y things you can do to add some simple freshness and style to your casa in honor of the impending warmer weather, so here are a few more ideas:
1. Bring home a ceramic bowl or two in a sunny springy color like lime, yellow, turquoise, orange, or fuschia and use ’em to corral your keys on the kitchen counter or pop a candle inside of them to create instant spring votives.
2. Toss a colorful scarf over the back of your home office chair or hang it on a hook in your mudroom:
3. Switch out a black and white portrait for something colorful and fun (Etsy has tons of lovely handmade art for cheap- like this deliciously spring-like print that we snagged for $12.50 for the nursery).
4. Fill a glass hurricanes or a clear cylinder vase with oranges & lemons or lemons & limes for an easy and festive springtime centerpiece:
5. Pick up three pretty white scalloped bowls (or loot your cabinets for something festive) and fill them with jelly beans. Set them out in a line down the center of your dining or coffee table for a sweet springy “runner” that look as good as it tastes.
6. Grab punchy patterned, floral or striped wrapping paper and use it to cover those ugly manilla folders on your home office desk. Heck you can even frame it as art or cover some cardboard shoe boxes for pretty storage bins that add to the spring ambiance.
7. Paint an old lamp base in a bright glossy hue and top it with a crisp white shade (if you don’t have one on hand you can pick one up at a yard sale or thrift store and use high-gloss spray paint for the makeover).
8. A bold table runner (or two) can add so much color to your entire kitchen or dining area. Top them with simple white vases or bowls to keep things from feeling too crazy:
9. Find some inexpensive botanical prints (like this) and frame them in any space for an effortless dose of nature (bonus: you don’t even have to water them).
10. Little ceramic birds like these would add freshness to any console or side table:
11. Grab a canvas from an art store and some 99 cent paint to create a showstopping abstract art piece (like this) for above your sofa or bed.
12. Whip up an upholstered headboard in a fun punchy hue (lime green? coral? sky blue?). Here’s a step by step tutorial for you.
13. Paint the inside of any lamp shade a spring-like color so it subtly shines through when it’s on (soft pink always makes for a flattering glow).
14. Line your drawers for a fun dose of pattern and hue whenever you open them (here’s how).
15. Hit up the fabric store for a yard or two of fabric to make your own cheap and simple table runner.
16. Save old wine bottles, remove their labels (here’s how), grab a few vases in a second color and display them all en masse on a tray:
17. Keep all of your bedding the same but swap out your pillow cases for something bright (teal? lime? daffodil yellow? rose?) so you wake up happy and energized.
18. Grab some bright outdoor pillows and planters to punch up your porch or patio (we got all these from Home Depot on the cheap):
19. Toss a brightly colored tray on your coffee table or ottoman (filled with anything from hardcover books to glossy magazines) for a nice dose of cheerful saturation.
20. Soft colored blooms grouped in a similarly toned vase always looks chic without much arrangement effort at all:
21. Hang breezy white sheers or soft fluttery curtains on any window (again, they’re super cheap at Ikea or you could make your own) for an instantly softer and lighter effect.
22. Take the paper covers off your hardcover books to reveal their colorful spines (we found that some of ours were coral, turquoise, lime green, and even pink paisley) and display them in a stack on an ottoman, side table, coffee table, or console table.
23. Cloth napkins in a bold hue look casual and fun on a dining table with some hand snipped leafy branches from outside (read: free) in a clear vase:
So those are just a few ideas to add a little spring sparkle just in time for warmer weather. From spray paint to wrapping paper and beyond, there’s no limit to the cheap-o changes that you can introduce for some festive flowers-are-blooming-and-birds-are-chirping ambiance. And we’d love to hear what you guys do to usher in the season of buds and bumble bees. Any spring decorating traditions or projects that you’re itching to take on? Do tell.
I love bringing green, leafy plants indoors! I usually always pick up a couple to put inside when we get the new flowers and plants for outside… I was planning on doing just that this weekend, but we were blanketed with an inch and a half of snow (in TEXAS) this weekend!!
I just replaced my heavy brown drapes with sheer drapes found at the Christmas Tree Shops…my question is…they keep sliding closed in the middle…any tips/tricks on how to prevent that from happening? Thank you!
Hmm, is your rod level? It seems funny that both sides of the curtain panels are gravitating towards the middle of the rod. Maybe you can use a hidden clothespin or safety pin or even one of those office binder clips to pinch them from behind (so you can’t see ’em) to keep them open. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I haven’t done many Springy things to my home yet. But I do need major ideas. Love adding the flowers in!
This might sound strange, but I love to just open up ALL the windows. Just let the light and cold fresh air come in and give the place a rebirth. Am I crazy for doing this?
No way, you’re definitely not crazy! We’ve already thrown open all the windows a few times in the past few weeks, and it’s amazing how fresh it can make a house feel. Plus it’s F-R-E-E!
xo,
s
Oh. Em. Gee. Where did you get that print that’s on your dining-area wall behind the table in the shot with the cupcakes? It’s awesome — I’d love something like that for my kitchen, which is kind of apple-pear green.
Hey Michelle,
We snagged that print on the cheap from allposters.com. We’re not sure if they still have it (and we don’t remember the name or the photographer’s name) but perhaps searching through their kitchen art category, or seeking out still life shots of lemons and oil will help you find it. Happy hunting…
xo,
s
I think it is level…it is happening on both windows so i tend to think it is the panels themselves. Thank you for your tips I am going to try it out! Love your blog!
Good luck!
xo,
s
Great Spring ideas!!
Hey! I would love to know what plants you have in your backyard. We are about to kill our entire yard, re-sod, and plant all new everything! We bought the house with a very sad yard and have been waiting for quite a while for spring to come around. I’d love to hear your favorite yard plants that have served you well spring-winter.
We have azaleas around most of the perimeter of the backyard (which look great in the spring when they flower and stay pretty green through the winter (at least in Richmond’s climate). We also have a lot of boxwoods (evergreen bushes that look good year round). Then around our patio we have catmint and other soft and feathery plants (which look better spring through fall). Here’s a post about that little patio garden: https://www.younghouselove.com/growth-chart/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Great post!! Thanks for all the wonderful tips!
I went to Micheals a week 1/2 ago and they have a ton of cute spring decor on sale for 50% off. White ceramic birds, green birds, and some other cute things like small brid baths. I found a few cute things. I thought you might like to check it out! :O)
Thanks for the tip! We’ll have to slip by.
xo,
s
oh sherry…so many awesome ideas! many we’ve adopted too…
but i must admit i’m quite the sucker for a very egg-tastic centerpiece at casacullen…but your white birdies are totally easter appro and chic as can be! love those lil’ guys :)
we might totally opt for a bright headboard in our guest room so i’ll be scanning over that tutorial in the coming weeks!
cheers to wonderful spring season to all 4 of you (yes, i count beans & hairy babies too!)
http://www.casacullen.com
Love this post. It will be helpful for me. What kind of plants do you have shown and where did you get that cake stand. Where can I find more modern looking vases and cake stands that are inexpensive. I live in the Raleigh area?
Hey Libby,
The plant in that white pot is a Burro Tail (they’re super easy care plants and we got ours at Home Depot). As for the cake stand it came from Marshall’s. You can find a bunch of inexpensive modern looking vases and cake stands at places like Marshall’s, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, World Market, Ikea, and even Target. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Love all the springy ideas. It’s raining here too, and I can’t wait for the grass to be green again!
Candy, sounds like your curtain rod doesn’t have enough support. You should be able to find a bracket for the middle of your rods at a store like Home Depot or Lowes. :-)
Jenny
http://www.wordsonwendhurst.com
I have definitely been making my house more “springy” by switching out decor and cleaning the house from top to bottom. My hubby and I also stopped by goodwill (I have never been there, but heard there can be fabulous finds) and I found 2 small white flower-shaped cermanic bowls that were originally from target!! I am super pumped to use them and they are perfect for this time of year!
I love your blog! It’s the first design blog I’ve ever come across in my many years of being addicted that I feel I can actually incorporate the tips into my home. I am, like most people I know, on a strict budget these days and when I go and look at other blogs posting items around $400 it’s so discouraging. It makes me feel as if I’ll never get my home looking the way I want it to because I can’t spend much. But you changed all that. Thank you so much for giving practical, budget friendly tips for us “real” folks. ;) Your blog is greatly appreciated (not to mention very addictive)!
Love from Nashville, TN!
Tara
Hi Sherry! I love the paper liners you added to the drawer of your baby’s dresser. I was wondering..can you basically use anything as long as its paper? EX: wallpaper, newspaper and so on? Thanks in advance for any tips you have on this!
Yup, as long as it’s paper you should be just fine with the Mod Podge approach (although some wallpaper is especially thick or even made from fabric in which case wallpaper paste might work better). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
What an insanely useful and inspiring post! Can’t wait to try some of these things out at home.
Hey Sherry,
GREAT post! You are just bursting with ideas! Thank you:)
A little off topic, but seeing your stacks of magazines has me wondering what your favorite magazines are (home decor or otherwise)?
And because of your interesting post about paring down beauty products are switching to more organic all natural, I finally ditched the aluminum-laced anti-persperant & bought Tom’s of Maine. Just wondering a good scent is to use? I’m finding mine a little strong!
Thank you…keep up the great work!
Andrea
Hey Andrea,
Here’s a post about our favorite glossy reads: https://www.younghouselove.com/get-a-read/
And as for the Tom’s Of Maine, we actually buy the unscented kind. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I always feel when you clean the windows after a long winter, it really brightens up your home. Or sweeping your porch off from the dead leaves. Trader Joes also had dafodils on sale for $1.50 and I bought a couple bunches to add to a couple rooms. Sure helped!
I agree with Tara who commented above! I have only lived in my house for 3 months and I don’t have any rooms finished yet, so when I get discouraged, I see your blog and get my motivation back! Thanks! :) Maybe by next year I can do the spring update to my house! Can’t wait!
Aw thanks guys. You’re making us blush. We’re so glad you’re inspired to spruce up your spaces! Happy decorating!
xo,
s
Thanks sooo much for the obvious time and effort you put into this post! It is much appreciated. :)
It’s amazing what a little sunshine and a warm breeze can do for one’s mental health! Gotta love it!
I am in the “just moved” camp but wanted to add an idea that I’m going to try once things are in order…. Like you, I take the dust jackets off my books. They’re all going on a large bookshlef (once I paint it following your tutorial!). To keep them looking unified, I want to cover the books with sheets of vellum. I saw this idea somewhere, it’s not my own! But that way, a hint of the color shows through. I think that’s very spring-y and fresh.
I think your house is adorable and I love the way you pointed out all the nice spring-y qualities! myself, I just love opening the windows and bringing in loads of flowers :)
sherry, do you have any idea how many times a week you use the word “Punchy?” I’d never heard anyone use it before I started reading this blog, lol.
Hey Jen,
It’s probably up there with “do tell”, “eye-candy” and “amazing.” Anyone care to keep count?
xo,
s
I think my favorite spring element is opening up the windows. I’ve also recently realized they could use a good cleaning, which I’m sure will brighten up the space. That spring breeze though, it’s wonderful!
Love this post! I’m so happy to be able to finally “sping” things up around the house!
yay thanks for answering my question about spring decor! This past saturday’s weather has me itching to do a little switcheroo. For things that you switch out to really only use during certain seasons (like bedding, drapes and table linens), where do you store those? I know you have a “genious” decor cabinet where you store like bowls and vase fillers, etc. But the other items are much larger. Do you actually have a basket or box for each season that you bust out (similar to probably xmas decor)? I’m slowly developing my seasonal decor (although my husband does not understand why you need seasonal decor…he wants us to finish our everyday decor LOL).
We actually just pop the winter blankets that we keep by the sofa in the winter months into one of the large linen closet baskets in our bathroom when spring comes around. And we store any not-in-current-rotation pillows on the concealed shelf above our laundry nook. We also have a ton of storage containers in the basement but we’re minimalists when it comes to having extra stuff around… so we don’t switch out our curtains or our bedding even though we toss that idea out in this post. I think since we gravitate towards all things light and airy, our house has more of a spring and summer vibe year round. So it’s less about switching out any dark winter tones like burgundy, forest green, and burnt orange since we gravitate towards light greens and blues and whites all the time anyway. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I’m in love with your site! It seems like you guys always know what the next question is going to be and get to it before I can ask! (Thanks for that, btw.) I, too, want to “lighten up” for spring/summer, but I’m feeling challenged because I’m not sure where to go color-wise. The current curtains in our living room are a heavy, burgundy velvet…beautiful but in need of a change. Our couch is a taupe-ish color, and our area rug (wool) is mostly also, so that’s out. Is there a color tutorial on this website somewhere for the color-challenged? :) I just am not sure what my options are, color wise – what would look “good” without clashing. Thanks for all you do, guys!
With your color scheme we think stark white curtains might be a bit jarring, so go for something cream, tan or even soft mocha (very light, like cafe au lait). Also choosing a fabric that’s lighter (sheers, thin cotton, even linen) will definitely make it feel fresh and springy in there. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I started on the spring decor for the house this past weekend (after doing a huge cleaning out the two weekends prior; thanks for the inspiration!) and of course it had to turn cold again today! Boo! But, I like to decorate seasonally so what I’ve done is use the same pillow forms and just switch out the covers themselves. It takes less room to store just the covers and it doesn’t take all that long to switch them out. I do have spring/summer throws and swap those out with the winter ones each fall – they are stored in a basket in the ‘holiday’ decorations closet. Then I love to keep my large dining room table decorated and rotate the ‘table scapes’ in there as well. My husband thinks I could open a store with all my dishes but I love changing them out about every other month to give things a fresh look. Between that and so me fresh flowers and open windows, it goes a long way to making the house seem fresh as spring too!
We do have a few bunnies and eggs around our house for Easter. It may not be my favorite design element, but with 2 boys (4 and 1.5) the Easter Bunny ranks right up there next to Santa. Just wait, you may find yourself with those things in your home in a few years! :-)
Thanks for all of the wonderful Spring suggestions!
We are all about visualizing warmer weather at home. It helps that we live in Florida. We just installed a beach-cottagey drying rack [http://pachamamahouse.blogspot.com/2010/03/hey-nice-rack.html] to get ready for the upcoming months of beach towels & swimwear…feels like spring already at our house!
You guys are so great – such wonderful ideas and so many of them don’t cost a thing – which is exactly what I needed right now! I clicked on the link for the print you purchased for the nursery – I just absolutely adore it – I am going to check right now to see if there is a boy version!
Hi guys!!
I <3 spring! I wish I can say my husband and I cleaned over the weekend..but it's just me that cleaned over the weekend..spring cleaning! =) I actually got some inspirations through your blog within our decor. Here is my blog =0) im sure you'll see some resemblance!
http://yvonnetran.wordpress.com/
Thanks so much Sherry. I need easy plants-I practically look at them and they die. Thanks for all your hard work.
Libby
The concept of switching decor out seasonally was a new concept for me until I started reading your blog. I think it helps to approach your whole house and just see what you can change easily and cheaply. For my spring home makeover, I painted a small canvas for the mantle (like 2 dollars from Walmart), recovered a large storage box with some Ikea wrapping paper ($1 and I already had it) and wrapping some thrift store frames in jute from the dollar tree. So easy and I can’t quit bragging to my husband about how cheap!
Hi there!
I spruced up my house for spring with some homemade pillow covers and taking away a bunch of clutter!
We recently had my daughters birthday party at our house and I noticed how dark our fireplace looks (a big black whole in the backgound)in the photos. I am toying with the idea of painting it white…what do you think?? The are some pics of it on my blog http://www.lilymagnolia.com
I would love your help!!
Go for it! We love a crisp white painted fireplace. In fact here’s a tutorial for you: https://www.younghouselove.com/how-to-paint-a-brick-fireplace/
Good luck!
xo,
s
I absolutely LOVE your blog and your ideas! Now if only you could come over and decorate my house for me.
What a great post! We just recently redid our front patio and added more potted plants to the house to make it feel more springy.
Hi Sherry! I think you must live in my brain (although actually, I could use you a bit more in there now that I think about it…). I too am addicted to those little white Ikea planters. I’m also currently planning my wedding (July 31), and have been saving green glass bottles to use as vases for months! Thanks for the tutorial about removing the labels, by the way.
I’ve been undertaking a massive spring cleaning/reorganizing project in the house, and took your advice on the Mrs. Meyers products. I bought the geranium scented cleaner, and it smells so spring-y it’s been encouraging me to clean more!
I’ve also swapped out all the dark red in the living room for shades of green (I want to reuse some of those pretty bottles after the wedding, after all), and it’s definitely looking springier in there. I think it may be a permanent change.
I have three kids and my house is filled with family pictures from the best photographer ever! I always keep two pictures in each frame that I switch every Spring and Fall. The spring pictures are full of sundresses, flowers and soft colors while the fall picture have bold oranges and reds, wool sweaters and cozy backgrounds. It is an easy way for a subtle change in color and mood without spending a lot of money.
This year we planted Casablanca lilies in some terra cotta pots to put in our dining room. Luckily we’re taking a break from the North East in two weeks and heading to Florida to visit my parents. Hopefully we’ll find some interesting things to decorate with while we’re there. At the very least – we’ll have some gorgeous photographs of the ocean and family to frame when we get home.
We’re also planting a balcony garden when we get back. It will be full of veggies, herbs and flowers. Every year on the Vernal Equinox (Ostara) it’s an old Pagan tradition to start the year’s crops. We started with the lilies since they are a special bloom for the both of us and it’s still a little too cold in NY to start seeds outside.
Fun article! I just de-wintered my house this past weekend. I started by changing out my wheat-colored silk dupioni curtains in the living room and replacing them with light ivory-colored linen/cotton blend curtains. It is AMAZING what a difference that made as far as lightening things up. Basically, I use my living room rug as a guide…it has rust, wheat, and ivory tones in it. In the fall & winter I emphasize more of the wheat tones and in Spring/Summer I try to lighten everything up and focus more on the ivory tones. New light throw pillows, and a cherry blossom branch in a tall, clear glass vase and things are feeling more springy and light. Next I need to get to work on my mantel…always the tricky part!
Hmm, I tend to get more fresh flowers around the house and switch out pillow covers to more springy fabrics but the same decor colors-ie instead of white velvet, I put in white satin. I might try adding a punchy pillowcase to the bedroom for fun.
wow I’m surprised at how many people actually switch out their pillow covers around the house for the different seasons. I never knew it was such a popular thing to do…I need to get with it :-)
As for plants and flowers, do you have recommendations on ones that do well in the house? Esp flowers. I love the idea of having fresh flowers or greenery around the house, but haven’t found ones that seem to last very long :(
Hey Jennifer F,
We have had good luck with carnations, alstroemerias, daisies, and lilies. They seem to last a while and they’re all relatively affordable too. Remember to cut the stems on an angle and swtich out their water every week or so. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I absolutely adore spring, though for some reason right now my design obsessions are skipping right over spring flowers and going straight for summer-y seashells. I hope you don’t mind, but the clamshell fruit bowl in your kitchen inspired an entire blog post (actually poll slash call-to-arms) for me today. Thanks for the continued inspiration!
Hi Sherry (sorry so late!),
I was thinking about doing some spring-ifying this week. Our living/dining area in our condo is painted a light tan (we call it chocolate milk) with an espresso accent wall and dark wood. We have red accents (mirrors on the wall, leather chairs, a rug with a red border) that we can’t change, so what do you suggest? During the winter I decorated our floating shelves with red and white vases, berries, etc. Was thinking about switching the red for turquoise. Is that too much with what’s already there? Any other color suggestions?
Thanks!
You read my mind. I was about to suggest light and airy tons of turquoise and soft aqua. It’ll look amazing!
xo,
s
I have a darling idea for a “Keepsake for a Baby” idea with pictures and
what to use. Sorry I am not to savvy on how to E-mail it to you (if you
are interested). I would love for you to see it! Do you accept ideas such
as this?
Thanks very much!
Pam
Hey Pam,
Check out the button on our sidebar with the words “click here to contact the youngsters” for a way to email us. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I love the wall color in the first picture, the one with the TV and the lime colored throw. Can you please pass on the name.
That’s Eloquent Ivory by Glidden. Hope it helps!
xo,
s