A fresh start at home: Simple ways to welcome spring

There comes a point after winter when the things that made the house feel cosy start to feel a little heavy. The blanket on the lounge has had a good workout, the kitchen bench seems to have collected half the household, and a few brighter days make you want to open everything up.

A spring refresh can be as simple as putting away the heavier layers, bringing some flowers inside or changing the scent beside the kitchen sink. You can do plenty with what you already own, with a few thoughtful additions if you feel like something new.

Start with a small reset

Before adding anything, choose one area that would benefit from a little attention. Clear the dining table, sort the pile beside the front door or give the bedside table enough space for a book and a glass of water.

There is no need to turn it into a weekend-long spring clean. Washing the cushion covers, cleaning a window or packing away winter throws can make a room feel lighter without leaving you surrounded by the contents of every cupboard.

Try moving a lamp, swapping artwork between rooms or gathering a few favourite objects together on a shelf. When something has lived in the same spot for years, a new position can help you notice it again.

Change the scent of the season

Scent is one of my favourite ways to mark the change from winter to spring. I love the Euclove range for cleaning, but its room sprays would have to be among my favourite products.

During winter, I reach for the Signature spray because I like its crisp, clean smell. When the weather warms up, I swap to Citrus & Sage, which gives the house a brighter, fresher feeling. It is a small change, but one I enjoy whenever I walk into a room.

You can take the same approach with everyday products as they run out, choosing a different hand wash or laundry scent for the warmer months. I am loving Soapnut Republic’s Peppermint & Tea Tree Hand Soap, which brings that fresh feeling to an ordinary trip to the kitchen sink.

Give the sink a wipe, put out a clean hand towel and clear away the nearly empty bottles while you are there. Sometimes those little jobs make as much difference as the new product.

Bring something from the garden inside

Fresh flowers can change the feeling of a room, whether you have bought a bunch at the shops or cut a few stems from your garden. A single flower in a small vase on the bedside table can be just as lovely as a big arrangement.

Use a jug you already own, divide a bunch between a couple of smaller vessels or bring in some suitable garden greenery. Clearing a space for it also gives you a reason to deal with whatever has accumulated on the table.

Lighten the layers

As the days get warmer, wash and store the thick blankets and bring out lighter throws. If you have cushion covers or towels tucked away in a cupboard, try rotating those before buying anything.

A brighter towel in the bathroom or a colourful cushion on the lounge can give an otherwise familiar room a different feel. Choose colours you enjoy looking at, whether that is soft green, blue, pink or a cheerful yellow, rather than feeling you need to follow a seasonal decorating rule.

Keep the candlelight

My husband has long disliked scented candles, while they are one of my favourite things. I recently found the The Everlasting Candle Co, which gives me the candlelit atmosphere I love without a scent.

It uses reusable steel candles and the brand’s Pristine Oil rather than a conventional wax candle. I love the feeling it brings to the house, particularly when the table is cleared and there is time to sit down and enjoy the evening.

Refresh the morning routine

Spring can also be a good excuse to change how you use the house. Have breakfast outside on a mild morning, move your coffee to a sunny spot or clear the outdoor table so it is ready for lunch.

If you feel like a change from winter porridge, try yoghurt with fruit or a smoothie. The Cuisinart Kick Start Personal Juicer and Blender offers both juicing and blending for those who would use the two functions, while an existing blender may already do everything you need.

A comfortable place to sit, something fresh for breakfast and a little less clutter can be enough to make home feel ready for the warmer days ahead.