Budget Decorator: 14 Ways to Invigorate Your Home for Spring

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Spring is the perfect time to give your home a fresh new look without spending a fortune. As the temperatures warm up and nature comes back to life, it’s only natural to want to infuse your living space with renewal. Whether you’re looking to completely transform a room or just make some simple updates, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to invigorate your home for spring.

Clear Out the Clutter

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give your home a lift is by clearing out clutter. Go through each room and get rid of things you no longer need or want. Donate unused items, have a garage sale, or recycle anything you can. Removing excess stuff will instantly make your home look and feel more spacious and serene.

Tips for decluttering:

Start with one area at a time. Don’t attempt to clear out the whole house in one go.
Be ruthless. If you haven’t used it in over a year, donate or toss it.
Organize as you go. Sort items into “keep”, “donate”, “recycle” and “trash” piles.
Store off-season items. Pack away winter coats, holiday decorations, etc.
Give yourself a time limit for each space. This prevents you from getting bogged down.
Maintain as you go. Regularly purge items so clutter doesn’t build up again.

Rearrange and Refresh Furniture

Shifting around your existing furniture is an easy “change” that costs nothing. Switch up the layout in a room or move pieces to different rooms for a fresh perspective. Toss pillows, throws and accessories can also be rotated around to give rooms new life.

Here are some furniture rearranging tips:

Move your sofa and chairs to a different wall or position. Even a few feet can make a dramatic difference.
Change up the seating arrangement and angle of furniture in your living room or family room.
Swap out accent pieces like side tables, ottomans and bench seats between rooms.
Reorganize furniture placements to better suit how you use each space.
Add a pop of color or new texture with pillows, throws and area rugs.
Play with the height and style of lamps, decor items and plant stands.

Update With strategic Painting

Painting is an affordable way to make a major impact in any room. You don’t have to paint an entire space – sometimes just one accent wall in a complementary color can give the whole room a lift.

Budget-friendly painting ideas:

Add an accent wall behind a bed, sofa, fireplace or shelving unit.
Paint inside closets or cabinetry interiors for a punch of color whenever you open the doors.
Use paint to create focal points like frame molding, wall panels or faux wainscoting.
Paint fronts of cabinets, bookshelves, console tables or dressers in a bold hue.
Use paint to turn window frames, ceiling beams, banisters, doors or built-ins into an accent.
Freshen up kitchens and bathrooms by painting cabinets, drawers, mirrors and trim.

Display Fresh Flowers and Greenery

One of the simplest ways to usher in spring is with fresh flowers and greenery. Pick up inexpensive bunches from the grocery store or farmer’s market and place them in vases around your home. For longer-lasting blooms, opt for spring favorites like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and ranunculus.

Ideas for spring floral displays:

Mass flowers of a single variety together in one large vase for impact.

-Scatter smaller arrangements throughout your home – on consoles, countertops, shelves and tabletops.

Clip branches from flowering trees and bushes like forsythia, quince and cherry blossoms.
Refresh your entryway by placing cut flowers or plants on console tables, shelves or the floor.
Float flowering branches in glass vases or pitcher-style vessels.
Combine clipped greens like ferns or ivy with colorful spring blooms.

Display Art, Photos and Treasures

Rehanging artwork and photographs is a no-cost way to give your walls a fresh look, especially if some have been up for years. Try rotating pieces between rooms or update gallery walls and collages with new additions. Displaying personal treasures, collections and travel mementos can also make your space feel more personally inviting.

Tips for curating stylish displays:

Rehang artwork in new spots – over furniture, down hallways or clustered in arrangements.
Take photos out of hiding and display them in creative ways – pinboards, floating shelves, strips of frames.
Make use of blank walls, staircases, hallways, door fronts and mantels for extra display space.
Arrange collections by color, shape, theme or styling to make them feel cohesive and purposeful.
Add interest with a mix of frames, from modern geometric to classic vintage styles.
Refresh dusty shelves and bookcases by decluttering and arranging books vertically, horizontally and diagonally.

Upgrade Lighting and Electronics

Lighting and lamps are often overlooked as an easy way to make a room feel fresh and current. Replace outdated fixtures or dingy shades with sleek new lamps, pendants and sconces. This is also a great time to get rid of old electronics and upgrade to the latest smart home technology.

Ideas for lighting upgrades:

Install stylish drum, globe or cone-shaped pendants above kitchen islands and dining tables.
Replace dated flush-mount ceiling lights with updated semi-flush or pendant options.
Swap out old floor and table lamps for modern metallic, ceramic or glass base options.
Add adjustable task lamps to bedside tables and desks to direct bright light where you need it.
Use smart bulbs and home automation devices to control lighting with your voice or devices.
Install dimmer switches to create customizable ambient lighting throughout your home.

Add Mirrors for Light and Space

Mirrors instantly make spaces feel larger and brighter, while adding light, depth and visual interest. Use mirrors of varying shapes and sizes alone or in groupings to magnify and reflect light. Strategically placed mirrors can make small rooms appear more spacious.

Creative ways to hang mirrors:

Lean floor mirrors against walls in entryways, dining rooms and bedrooms.
Arrange different sized round mirrors in unique asymmetrical configurations.
Flank windows, fireplaces or bedroom headboards with matching mirrors.
Add small circular mirrors to accent walls for an eclectic texture.
Hang an oversized mirror above a sofa, console or sideboard toexpand the room.
Place mirrors directly across from windows so they can reflect more natural light.

Refresh Walls with Colorful Accents

Painting full walls can be daunting, but there are easy DIY ways to add pops of color without the commitment. Use washi tape, removable wallpaper or peel-and-stick tile backsplashes as the base for creating fun geometric patterns and colorful designs. These can be switched out any time for an instant refresh.

Ideas for colorful accents:

Create chevron stripes, vertical blocks or diagonal stripes using washi tape directly on walls.
Use removable wallpaper to make covered panels behind beds, on closets or drawers.
Install a peel-and-stick backsplash with bold shapes and colors to refresh kitchens or bathrooms.
Use painter’s tape to make geometric shapes like triangles, circles or diamonds and then paint inside the outline.
Apply colorful contact paper to dressers, desks, shelving or drawers for an instant upgrade.
Use stencils and paint to add playful prints, shapes and patterns to plain walls.

Update Cabinets with Chic Hardware

Replacing tired cabinet hardware is one of the easiest ways to update the look of your kitchen or bathrooms. Dress up cabinets and drawers with new knobs, pulls, handles and hinges for an instant facelift. Go for a unified look throughout or mix and match hardware for an eclectic vibe.

Tips for upgrading cabinets:

Replace dated plastic or solid metal handles with sleek brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze or matte black hardware.
Swap plain cabinet knobs for crystal, faceted, nautical rope or hammered metal options.
Choose new hinges in eye-catching shapes, materials or colors to complement cabinet updates.
Mix up knobs and pulls in complementary metals, like bronze, pewter, silver, copper and chrome.
Accent cabinets with funky hardware like geometric shapes, animal figures or crystal accents.
Spray paint existing hardware with metallic finishes like gold, rose gold, chrome or bronze.

Style Shelves and Bookcases

Bookshelves and wall shelving are the perfect blank canvases for displaying all your favorite items in fun, creative ways. Style shelves with greenery, books, color coordinated items, artwork, accessories and collections. Make it meaningful by only showcasing pieces you love that tell a story or represent your personality and passions.

Tips for styling shelves:

Layer books horizontally, vertically and diagonally to create visual interest. Mix in bookends.
Intersperse books with framed photos, art, baskets and decorative boxes.
Group items by color like white pottery, blue glassware or metallic accents.
Display treasures from nature like stones, seashells, coral and driftwood.
Incorporate small indoor plants, succulents, air plants or trailing vines.
Add warmth with textiles – folded blankets, colorful baskets, woven wall hangings.

Update Window Treatments

New curtains, blinds and shades can instantly transform the look of a room. Flimsy, dated or worn window treatments make spaces feel tired and dull. Replace them with stylish new options that better complement your room’s decor. Choose light, natural fabrics to embrace the springtime sunshine streaming in.

Window treatment update ideas:

Hang casual linen or cotton curtains in earth tones or soft pastels for texture and warmth.
Add privacy and insulation with wood blinds in bleached, natural or stained finishes.
Install solar shades to block heat and glare while still allowing in light.
Layer sheers or panels with blinds and curtains to achieve your ideal light filtering.
Display functional shutters in an open position as a decorative accent beside windows.
Dress up windows with trim like welt cord, fringe, tassels, ruffles or contrast welting.

Infuse Nature with Houseplants

No spring refresh is complete without new greenery! Bring the outdoors inside by styling rooms with lush, vibrant houseplants. Not only will they improve your home’s air quality, but also simply make space feel more alive. Go for varieties that purify air like ferns, peace lilies, bamboo or orchids.

Tips for styling with plants:

Cluster several small plants together on stands, shelves and tabletops.
Hang trailing vines or air plants in macrame or twig hangers.
Place large statement plants like fiddle leaf figs or palms in corners.
Refresh bathrooms and kitchens with succulents, ferns and herbs.
Display a grouping of coordinating ceramic planters on the floor or mounted to walls.
Add height and a natural element with tall bamboo, trees or cacti.

Update Throw Pillows and Blankets

Toss pillows, throws and blankets are easy ways to change up the look of living spaces and bedrooms. Swap out last season’s pillows for fresh new patterns, textures and spring color palettes. Roll up wintry knit throws and replace them with lightweight quilts, duvets and bedspreads.

Ideas for new throw pillows and blankets:

Choose floral, paisley or medallion prints in vibrant spring hues.
Add texture with cable knit blankets and fuzzy pillows in neutral tones.
Incorporate natural elements like raffia, bamboo or linen textures.
Layer cushions in complementary colors and coordinating prints and patterns.
Freshen up patio furniture with weather-resistant outdoor pillows and throws.
Roll pillows neatly and display them standing up against chair backs or headboards.
Fold colorful quilts at the foot of beds or draped over arm chairs and couches.

Give Bathrooms a Mini Makeover

Bathrooms take a beating, so spring is the perfect time to give yours a quick mini makeover. With some simple DIY upgrades, you can make this space look and feel brand new without spending a fortune. Focus on high-impact changes that make the most difference.

Budget bathroom refresh ideas:

Replace outdated light fixtures above vanities with new slender, horizontal fixtures.
Add a fresh coat of paint in a light, airy color to make the space feel more open.
Switch out old shower heads and faucets for updated low-flow, high-pressure options.
Install new hand and bath towels in lighter hues along with coordinating accent rugs.
Organize cabinets and drawers and remove any clutter that’s accumulated over the year.
Display fresh flowers, plants, candles and coordinating accessories for a spa-like feel.
Apply peel-and-stick tiles or removable wallpaper above bathtubs as a colorful accent.

Update Entryways and Mudrooms

As the first spaces you see when entering a home, entryways and mudrooms deserve some special attention. Make over these high-traffic zones with organization solutions, new lighting, storage additions and decorative touches that are both beautiful and functional.

Entryway refresh ideas:

Paint or wallpaper an accent wall in a bold, welcoming color.
Define the space with a stylish area rug in natural fiber like jute or sisal.
Add a storage bench or coat hooks to keep outerwear organized.
Style console tables or shelving with seasonal decor like spring wreaths and floral arrangements.
Improve lighting with pendant fixtures, wall sconces or table lamps.
Keep keys, bags and shoes organized with trays, baskets, shelves or cabinets.
Freshen up floors using natural finishes like stone, tile, hardwood or linoleum.

Air Out Household Fabrics

From couches to curtains, bedding to bath towels, your home’s fabrics accumulate odors, dust and pollutants over time. As you open windows to let in fresh spring air, be sure to air out household linens as well. If possible, machine or hand wash items and line dry them in the sun and breeze to naturally eliminate odors.

Tips for freshening up home fabrics:

Wash or dry clean all blankets, quilts, duvet covers, pillow shams and mattress pads.
Launder couch slipcovers and cushion covers, even if they appear clean.
Clean area rugs thoroughly outside if possible and let dry in the sunshine.
Remove curtains, drapes and sheers and machine wash on a gentle cycle or have professionally cleaned.
Toss throw pillow inserts in the dryer with clean tennis balls to fluff and refresh.
Add 1/2 cup baking soda to laundry cycles for an extra deodorizing boost.
Allow fresh, line-dried linens to finish airing outside for an hour before bringing indoors.

Deep Clean from Ceiling to Floor

Nothing feels better than a spotless, sparkling home in springtime! Roll up your sleeves and spend time deep cleaning from top to bottom – scrub ceilings and walls, vacuum against baseboards, wash windows and dust ceiling fans. Purge kitchens and bathrooms by clearing out expired items and scrubbing cabinets, appliances, sinks and fixtures.

Tips for a thorough deep clean:

Use a microfiber mop and natural cleaner for shiny hardwood or tile floors.
Vacuum and dust ceiling fans, vents, moldings, blinds and baseboards thoroughly.
Clean window treatments like drapes, curtains and shades.
Wipe down walls, light switches and door knobs to remove fingerprints and grime.
Deep clean appliances inside and out – refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, coffee makers.
Scrub bathroom and kitchen sinks, showers, tubs, toilets and tile grout until sparkling.
Organize cabinets and drawers and get rid of expired food items and old products you don’t need.