Designers' Favorite Low-Cost Ways to Refresh Your Home for Spring

Want an easy, affordable update to your home for spring? Designers share their best tips for giving your space a design refresh with the change of seasons.

By: Felicia Feaster

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Try a Spring Reboot

With so many of us spending time indoors, it's the perfect time for a spring design refresh to add a new perspective and lighter, brighter tones to your home. Read on for designer tips on affordable ways to bring a new look to your indoor spaces.

Use Wallpaper to Bring a Playful Accent to Interior Spaces for Spring

“For a bit of a fun, off-the-wall idea, wallpaper under countertops and inside cabinets," says Marlaina Teich of New York-based Marlaina Teich Designs. "For a kitchen in the Hamptons, we wallpapered underneath the kitchen island with a chevron pattern, then continued the motif through the cabinets with glass fronts for a playful poppy accent.”

Bring In — or Keep Out — Spring Light With Shades

“I love incorporating motorization into window shades as it gives you the ability to use them often and adjust them based on the many changes of springtime light in your space," says James Brewer, a design consultant for Stoneside Blinds & Shades. "I recommend motorizing your transitional shades — they are very versatile and look beautiful when the sun is shining through, ultimately creating a wonderful pattern of light in any space.”

Books Add Personality to a Home

“Books, books, and more books. They add such a wonderful romance and poetry to a room. No pun intended," says Lance Thomas of Louisiana-based Thomas Guy Interiors.

Refresh Your Bedding for Spring

“With the first signs of spring I like to refresh my bedroom, starting with the bedding. The winter quilt folded at the foot of my bed is replaced with a light and soft throw and decadent decorative pillows are replaced with soft linen and airy textures,” says Mel Bean of Tulsa-based Mel Bean Interiors.

Pantry Organizing and Spring Cleaning

“Spring cleaning is a thing," says Mary Patton of Houston-based Mary Patton Design. "I highly recommend cleaning out and organizing your pantry, fridge and cabinets. Once that’s done, invest in a vintage wooden dough bowl (options available on Mary Patton Design) to display apples, or limes (which can be used for cocktails!) and a glass vase to display blooming branches that can be swapped out weekly.”

Learn More: How to Organize and Optimize Your Fridge

Add Fresh Flowers to Your Design Scheme

“Investing in a pretty vase and making a commitment to fresh flowers is a great way to refresh your space for spring. Even if you are Insta-carting, you can have inexpensive flowers delivered from the store and it can add a whole new vibe to your interiors for the change of season. It’s affordable, too,” says Mary Patton.

Swap Out Living Room Accessories for Spring

“With spring approaching, I like to swap out my accessories for lighter, colorful options," says Mel Bean. "Neutral and moody coffee table books are swapped with vibrant art books, dark textured bowls are replaced with chunks of amethyst, selenite and translucent resin pieces."

Rethink Your Scent for Spring

“Somewhat surprisingly, my favorite spring upgrade that makes the most impact on the way I experience a room is scent," says designer Mel Bean. "I do like to change it up throughout spring for a continual sense of renewal. Some of my favorites on my rotation are Capri Blue’s Volcano diffuser, Votivo's Saint Germain Lavender candle, or a fresh eucalyptus diffuser.”

Learn More: Make Your Home Smell Just Like Your Favorite Hotel With These Scented Products

Try a Spring Exterior Upgrade

“Focus on an exterior upgrade for curb appeal," says Marlaina Teich. "A few quick tips to modernize your home's exterior include: a fresh coat of paint and hardware on windows and doors. The popular exterior color palettes we're seeing are leaning into the modern farmhouse trend. They're clean, crisp, and cool: lots of black and white. For homes closer to the ocean, you can't go wrong with a seafoam green or light blue trim. A coat of bright white paint works well to highlight a home's architectural features like brick walkways or fences and railings. It's also a great choice to stay lighter and brighter when painting a home for resale value.”

Outdoor Lighting Is a Springtime Mood Booster

“Outdoor-rated decorative lighting is a great way to make those outdoor patio areas feel more like interior living spaces," says designer Lance Thomas.

From: LGB Interiors

Lighten and Brighten Your Bedroom Accessories

“Changing up accessories is a simple and accessible way to upgrade your bedroom for spring," says designer Mel Bean. "Some years ago, I added accessories in a neutral color palette of various textures: think antiqued mirror picture frames with black and white photography, mixed metal accessories and grasscloth boxes. Other years I will choose accessories with a muted rainbow of colors to transform the space entirely. Books in soft greens, blues, oranges, painterly vases and color photographs reflect this color scheme.”

Swap Out Rugs and Even Mirrors for a Fresh Spring Look

“Color and texture are key," says Kate Hart, Philadelphia-area interior designer of Kate Hart Home. "I like to add a bright new area rug or pattered runner to anchor a space, and I look to create a focal point with a framed mirror. I especially love the affordable MirrorMate DIY frame kits to transform a room.”

Boost Your Mood With New Spring Treats

“For bathrooms, purchase a new candle and bath salts in a beautiful glass vessel. A single flower displayed in a regular glass or Mason jar can also brighten your bathroom,” says Mary Patton.

Do a Spring Swap of Your Hardware

“Layer in the bling by upgrading hardware like drawer pulls and knobs and curtain rod finials. I love hardware, it's like the jewelry of the room — that final touch that can add a little glamour. It makes all the difference in transforming the look,” says Marlaina Teich.

Designers' Favorite Low-Cost Ways to Refresh Your Home for Spring

Related To:

Shop This Look

Try a Spring Reboot

Use Wallpaper to Bring a Playful Accent to Interior Spaces for Spring

Bring In — or Keep Out — Spring Light With Shades

Books Add Personality to a Home

Refresh Your Bedding for Spring

Pantry Organizing and Spring Cleaning

Add Fresh Flowers to Your Design Scheme

Swap Out Living Room Accessories for Spring

Rethink Your Scent for Spring

Try a Spring Exterior Upgrade

Outdoor Lighting Is a Springtime Mood Booster

Lighten and Brighten Your Bedroom Accessories

Swap Out Rugs and Even Mirrors for a Fresh Spring Look

Boost Your Mood With New Spring Treats

Do a Spring Swap of Your Hardware

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