The way we live can have enormous impact on how we feel, and while cosy-ing up for winter brings us comfort and security, heavy layers and clutter can bring us down as the weather warms. At this time of year, nothing makes me happier than pottering around the house, making the rooms feel fresh and airy. Somehow it lightens my mood and helps me to feel confident and organised. With spring upon us, here are some of my favourite ways to refresh the house in a flash!
Find your Happy Place at Home by Tara Dennis
Clear the clutter! Don’t tackle everything at once, it’s just too overwhelming. I like to start with a drawer or a messy corner that will deliver big impact for very little effort. You could re-arrange your shelves, coffee table or mantle with displays that reflect the season. A good trick to lighten things up is to pack away some of your books and magazines, and replace these with a few candles and vase of flowers. Mirrors and glass reflect light into darker corners, and can make a space appear larger. Mix these in with organic shapes and textures, such as shells and fresh greenery from the garden to carry the outdoors in.
A cross-breeze through the house clears stuffy air and can be achieved simply by opening a window and door on opposite sides of the room. A diffuser in the hall can be instantly uplifting and will spread your favourite scent through the house. For spring, I can’t go past ‘Fresh Linen’ and ‘Cotton Flower & Freesia’.
Now is the time to pack awayheavy blankets and throws from the bedroom and living areas, and replace them with lightweight throws in neutral colours. Roll bulky rugs away to lift the space instantly and replace thick curtains with light gauzy fabrics to let the light and a breeze in.
Add brightness and colour quickly and easily with accessories. Scatter cushions and throws are an affordable way to lift a tired old sofa, while a new vase filled with fresh flowers can be a welcome addition to any room in the house.
Reinvigorate well-used areas, like the kitchen and bathroom, by giving them a deep clean and replacing old hand towels with soft, fluffy new ones. A pretty new hand soap always makes a difference near the sink, my current favourites are ‘Pear & Lime’ hand wash in the kitchen, while my go-to for the bathroom is the divine ‘Cotton Flower & Freesia’.
Although the days are becoming warmer, spring evenings can still carry a chill in the air. Make the transition from winter to spring with candles or wax melts. The warm glow from the flame will reflect the best of winter, while a nice floral scent embodies spring. Nothing says spring more than the heady smell of jasmine, so for me, ‘Jasmine & Magnolia’ is the perfect choice for relaxing evenings spent at home enjoying the freshness of the new season.