Spring is only days away and I for one can not wait! I am not a fan of winter at all. I loathe the cold and can not wait to see the back of chilly mornings.
Regardless of whether you like the hot or the cold, there is no denying that Spring generates a feeling of refresh and regeneration. The flowers come out, the air starts getting warmer and it’s time to remove the blankets and shake off the winter chills.
I really look forward to Spring for another reason as well. As soon as Spring rolls around it brings about the perfect opportunity to give your home a good ole Spring clean. This is particularly important if you are planning on listing your house for sale. Spring is an ideal time for a house sale.
Whether you are selling or staying, there are some quick, easy and affordable ways to refresh your home and have it sparkling at it’s best for Spring.
10 ways to freshen up your house this spring:
1. Clean
There is nothing like a good old fashioned scrubbing to give your house a new lease of life. This can include getting up close and personal with some of the more neglected items that are often overlooked in the day to day cleaning. This can include windows, gutters and even those rarely used draws and cupboards that seem to attract junk and clutter.
2. Declutter
Decluttering goes hand in hand with cleaning. As you’re cleaning, clear out all the old, unwanted, unused, broken and unnecessary items in the home. This is a perfect way to freshen up your space ready for Spring. Clutter has a nasty habit of creeping up on you and multiplying while you’re not looking, so now is a great time to clear it out. If you are super keen to offload a lot of unwanted clutter, then you should definitely check out the Konmari method.
3. Clear the air
Decluttering also has the magical effect of making you get into every nook and cranny of every space and move stuff around. This in turns moves the air and allows stagnant and stale air to move and clear. We ourselves, know how much better we feel when we get up and move around. It’s the same with the air. You could even go as far as using a sage smudge stick to help clear the air and move any bad or old energy that has been overstaying its welcome.
4. Paint
Is your home looking a little tired? A tad outdated perhaps? Spring is a perfect time to revisit the colours in your home and consider giving your spaces, both inside and out, a new coat of paint and a new colour. Paint is an inexpensive way to give you home a new lease on life. And even if you choose to stay with the same colour scheme, a fresh coat of paint will make all the difference.
5. Repair
No doubt in your cleaning and clearing frenzy you’ll uncover some maintenance issues or items that don’t work or are a little worn and are in need of repair. Some of these items you make just choose to ditch and replace. While others it may be worth the time to repair. Either way, Spring is the perfect time to make those repairs and return everything to perfect working order.
6. Spruce up your entrance
Everyone knows that first impressions count, right? And giving your front door and front entry way a little attention, both inside and out will make all the difference to your home’s first impression. I always tell clients to look at their home from across the street as if you were visiting. Ask yourself, how does the entrance to your home feel? Is it warm and inviting? Cold and hostile? Or somewhere in between. It may just be the case of giving your front door a repaint or making a clearer path to your front door. Even adding a few plants could make all the difference. This is particularly important if you are planning to sell this Spring.
7. Consider the decor
Next to painting, changing up your decor can also give you home a refreshed feel. Buying some new cushions or a new scatter rug is a quick and inexpensive way to change the look and feel of a space. Even some new wall prints can give your home a new lease on life. For some fresh, modern touches to your home check out Hart:LDN who have some gorgeous home decor items.
8. A quick hardware fix
Besides soft furnishings and decor, hardware can be the next thing that really dates a house. This can include light fittings, and door & cabinet handles. Although the cost could start adding up if you have a lot to change, consider giving any outdated handles on your cabinets and doors a refresh and replace with a new modern ones.
9. Move the furniture
My youngest son loves loves loves to move his bedroom furniture around (he’s a designer in the making). And every time he changes the furniture, it gives his room a new fresh feel. You know what they say, a change is a good as a holiday, and sometimes all it takes is a change of furniture. Take a look at the flow of your spaces and consider moving your furniture around to give your room better flow or to simply give it a new fresh look and feel. Even swapping out some furniture pieces, such as a coffee table or chair with another piece you already have in another room, can make all the difference to the feel of a room. If you are planning to sell your home, try removing some larger furniture pieces completely to give your home a spacious feel.
10. Attack the garden
Nothing says Spring to me like the smell of freshly mowed lawn. Love it! And now is the perfect time to not only declutter and clean your house but also to also declutter and clean out your garden. Clear away all the weeds, plant some fresh new plants and finish off with some fresh mulch. Perfect.
Even if you only tackle a few items on this list, I have no doubt that it will make a huge difference to you and your home. Share in the comments below what you love most about Spring and what you do to freshen up your home for spring.
Until next time…
Chicks and Mortar – Building property confidence
