Sunlit Sanctuary: Crafting a Brighter Home Atmosphere for Spring

The days are growing longer, and the sun is shining brighter. Let all of that energy spark the creativity in you this season. Here's a list of fresh ideas to inspire you to bring the spring atmosphere from the outdoors inside your home.

Go for a color change

Spring is a time of change. One of the most dramatic and simple ways to brighten your home is with a little paint. Begin at your entryway, and reimagine your front door in a unique, bold color like hunter green or burnt orange. Continue into the foyer or living area, and consider an inviting color that will continue your new entryway's look.

Add new decor pieces such as throw rugs, cushions, or glassware to coordinate with your new color scheme.

Brighten up with textiles

New textiles in bright spring colors will help lift the mood of any room. Choose cushions in spring-themed designs for your sofa and chairs. Add blankets, bedspreads, and linens in spring colors such as a sunny yellow or robin's egg blue in the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Textiles aren't limited to cushions and linens. Try changing your lampshades to a translucent cotton or linen material for a fresh new look.

Have your home's exterior cleaned

Most people have a spring cleaning ritual for the indoors, but what about the exterior? The dirt and grime that accumulate over the winter will make the outside of your home look tired. Having your home's exterior pressure washed will give it an instant face-lift to match the new attitude that springtime brings. You'll also be eliminating any damaging mold and mildew that grew over the winter.

Clean the windows

Cleaning your windows — all of them — inside and out until they sparkle should be at the top of your spring cleaning list. That's because dull, dirty windows will obscure your view of the world outside and the beauty of the changing season. Letting more natural light into your home will lift your mood and make you more productive.

In addition to cleaning them, open your windows to let the fresh spring air into your space for healthier indoor air.

Rearrange the furniture

You'd be surprised at the difference rearranging the furniture in a room can make. You'll probably need to move it around for spring cleaning anyway, so try positioning it differently. Perhaps the sofa would look better on the other side of the room. Or maybe the side table in the living room will look better in the foyer.

Extend your kitchen with an herb garden

Spring is a time for new growth. Celebrate it with an herb garden planted in a sunny window or a sunny spot just outside your kitchen. If your small garden is outdoors, you may even be able to plant a few easy-to-grow vegetables like carrots and radishes. Your garden will be both pretty and practical since you can incorporate herbs and vegetables in your cooking all summer long.

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