Daylight Savings is a great opportunity to spruce up your house and bring nature inside your home. Courtesy/Suzette Fox
By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos
This weekend Daylight Savings Time begins. Yay! My favorite time of year! When spring’s breezes (or gusty winds – depending where you live) inspire you to embrace the new season, use these decorating ideas to freshen up your home.
Spring Cleaning
There are few rites of spring more satisfying than the annual cleaning. For many people, however, the pleasure comes only after the work is finished. It may never become effortless, but you can make the project more manageable.
Today, there are many checklists on the Internet for spring cleaning. Don’t forget to test your emergency systems in your home – home alarm, smoke fire alarm, fire extinguisher, and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working properly.
Shut the Front Door!
Your front door should be inviting. It not only serves as the entrance to your house, but also sets the stage for what guests will find inside.
It is the focal point of your exterior and crucial to curb appeal. Sweep entryway floors, brush away the cobwebs of winter, wash windows and polish any metal.
Spring is a great time to rethink your door color. Why not add a pop of color? Try painting your front door a pretty, vibrant color that compliments your home’s exterior and contrasts with the façade of your home.
The paint on the body of your home should be a neutral with a pop of color at the front door. Popular door colors include red or orange, cobalt blue, and turquoise. Add a springtime wreath and you’re set.
Replace an old welcome mat with a new one. A fresh, clean, bright mat welcomes family and visitors alike. They don’t cost much and are very functional for keeping dirt out of your house.
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Entryway
Continue the springtime theme with freshly painted white walls and fresh tulips. In fact, think nature. Gather nature’s gifts and place them in simple containers around the house. Spring branches, pebbles, shells, or spring flowers will bring freshness to any room.
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Kitchen/Dining room
No matter if you have a separate dining room or just a zone in the kitchen – just bring some fresh spring air in! The simplest decoration is a bunch of fresh flowers but if you want to really bring spring spirit in, just add some color!
Orange, sunny yellow, red, pink or fashionable emerald green – some bright furniture, curtains, a tablecloth and accessories will make your dining space cheerful and glowing!
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Bathrooms
Lighten it up. Make the bathroom lighter and brighter by switching out a darker shower curtain and darker towels for white or lighter colored ones. A crisp, white shower curtain can give the room a cleaner, more open and airy feeling.
Choose white or pastel colored towels with simple floral accents. Swap out the rugs and bath mats for new white ones, as well. If your bathroom has a window, use sheer curtains with blinds for privacy. Let the natural light flow in, as well as the fresh air.
Add natural touches to use as decor such as hanging a small wreath made out of fresh greens and flowers. It’s a simple way to add decor that provides a delicate, beautiful look, as well as a fresh scent. Another option is to hang a framed print depicting spring flowers or a cheerful landscape.
Simplify your style by keeping clutter to a minimum. Bring in storage solutions like small, simple baskets to keep items such as extra towels and personal care products tucked away.
Keep the vanity counter cleared off, with the exception of a fresh floral arrangement. By simplifying and hiding away clutter, you’ll be able to let a few select decor items become the focus.
The less items you have out in the open, the more spacious, minimal, and clean the bathroom is going to feel.
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Switch Out Bedding
Nothing drastically changes the vibe of a bedroom like a new set of bedding. Strip flannel sheets and go for cool, silky, high-thread count cottons. Change out winter comforters, bed skirts, duvets or pillow shams for others in light colored shimmering silks or cottons.
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Living Rooms
Replace couch accent pillows with ones that are light, bright or pastel. Remove blanket throws from over the couch. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, remove wood, clean it out and make an arrangement of shells, driftwood and interesting rocks placed in front of a vintage mirror.
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Creamy Curtains
It’s time to switch out the dark and heavy drapes for something light and airy. You’ll be surprised by the brightening power of pale curtains. Open the windows, take in the view and breathe the amazing spring aromas in!
Office Décor
If you work at home and spend a lot of time in your home office, add a spring touch to it. The best idea is fresh plants and flowers; put some bright accessories like vases onto the windowsill and your work desk. If you are ready for big changes to enjoy spring, then paint your walls a pastel color, change out your artwork or try colored furniture.
Courtesy/Suzette Fox
Springtime is an inspiring season for many homeowners. It’s all about easy switch-ups that shake off the winter chill and add instant cheer. Now that your clocks have moved forward, it’s time your home does, too.
Visit my Facebook page and while you’re there say hi to me at facebook.com/SuzetteFoxInteriorDesign and inquire about my interior design services on my website www.suzettefoxinteriors.com.
