When Spring arrives, we plant flowers and ready our yards for a (much needed) season of warmer weather and outdoor fun…
For me, this time of breathing new life into the exterior of our homes also brings a desire to change things up indoors as well.
You too? I thought so…and it’s easier and more affordable than you may think!
We all know that decorating can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. While it’s hard to resist the allure of the season’s new must-haves and latest trends from places like Target and Home Goods, before I buy, I try shopping my home first.
So, how exactly do you shop your home?
There are many ways to do it, and endless possibilities when you work with what you already own, so there’s no wrong answer. Refreshing your home can mean finding the hidden treasures that you may have forgotten you had. It is a time to rearrange, reorganize, de-clutter, and minimize.
It is also a great time to figure out what you truly love, to help you discover your style and curate a home that truly represents you.
The items that don’t make the cut can be donated or passed on to someone who will 
appreciate and love them. Places like Habitat for Humanity Restore, the Salvation Army, or any place that takes charitable donations of household items will help them find new homes. As a bonus, you’ll regain storage space and lose some of the stress you may have caused by some of the clutter that may be weighing you down.
There are countless ways to shop your home to refresh it for the new season, so I’ll just share a few.
Start simple.
You can revitalize a space by simply rearranging furniture. Clear out all of your decor (knick-knacks, candles, books, and any other decorative elements) until you are left with just your anchoring pieces (large furniture, area rugs, etc.). Once you’ve done this, think about how to best utilize the existing furniture that you have so that the space feels new, or has better function. Move things around until you find a configuration that you like.
Then, bring things back in slowly.
Go room by room and find the pieces that bring you joy, serve a purpose, or re-discover items that you have stored away or forgotten about. Bring them back with intention and play around with different vignettes and arrangements. You’ll be amazed at how changing up a room can make you feel.
Paint works wonders.
If you have leftover paint lying around from a past project, try giving an old, tired piece of furniture new life by painting it. Or change a room by changing its color.
We are currently working on a few home improvement projects since we’ve found ourselves at home more (who am I kidding? I’m a homebody at heart).
Among these projects is refreshing our sunroom. While we did swap out the old, tired light fixtures and fan (that I sourced affordably without sacrificing function and style), a couple of coats of fresh paint and some old-fashioned elbow grease did incredible things. Not only is the space functional (it served as a catch-all for years), but I can honestly say it looks great!
I was planning on buying this stylish wooden wall-mounted coat hanger to hang in there. Much to my dismay, I found it sold out online. So instead, I spray-painted the one I already had on hand with some black paint and it looks brand new.
Think outside the box with paint. Freshen up an old basket by adding stripes, change the color of a vase or ceramic planter that doesn’t fit in with the rest of your decor. It’s a great project to get the kids involved with as well, as it allows them to lend a hand in personalizing their room/home.
Re-purpose your furniture and other household items.
Dressers don’t just belong in bedrooms. Depending on their size and shape, they are a great addition to an entry-way (plus they double as storage for hiding items you don’t want sitting out…think shoes, hats, and gloves in the winter, and so on), as a potting table, or anywhere in your home.
We have an old wine rack/buffet that is currently serving several purposes in our family room. It has become the holder of our TV stand, stores our art supplies…and, of course, is still a holder of wine bottles.
Have a collection of small baskets or pretty plates, platters or trays? Try hanging them on the walls as non-traditional art (this trend is very popular right now). I have a small grouping above my desk and I love it.
Endless possibilities. Endless configurations.
Small updates can provide a big impact…
Swap out your art (or hang some!). Print new pictures for your existing frames, or purchase prints that can be shipped or printed through digital download. Two of my favorite online sources for beautiful, and affordable prints, are Juniper Home and BFF Print Shop. An alternative, and free option (and something that you are more likely to have on hand), is framing pages from old books.
With everything going on right now, most don’t have it in their budget for big projects. But, if you do buy a few new things, here are some budget-friendly ideas to consider:
-
- Throw pillow covers. I love pillows. Swapping out your pillow covers with each new season is a great way to change things up and brighten a space without a huge commitment.
- Throw blankets. What goes better with new pillows? Pack away your heavier blankets, and drape a beautiful, lightweight blanket on a couch, chair, or ottoman.
- Paint. Buy a few gallons of paint (if you don’t already have some on hand) for the walls, a piece of furniture, a mirror, the list goes on…(a lot of paint companies will even deliver it to your doorstep or have curbside pick-up right now).
- Hardware. Swap out the hardware on your cabinets or a dresser. Instant update!
- Houseplants. Bring the outdoors in and enjoy the beauty of the season inside your home as well. As a bonus it will brighten your mood, purify your air, and you can enjoy them year-round. You can even add some greenery by clipping branches or flowers from your yard.
Your home should reflect your personality and style.
Our homes are representations of who we are and what makes us happy. That looks different to everyone, so have fun with it. Displaying a collection, hanging art, painting a room, or simply rearranging furniture are easy ways to express that style. Plus, you don’t need a big commitment or renovation budget (especially if your style isn’t necessarily what’s “on-trend.”). In the end, it’s great for adding your touch to your home without affecting your home’s resale value…but that’s a post for another day.
These ideas only scratch the surface, but hopefully, this has given you some inspiration to begin working with the things that you already love about your home and viewing them with a fresh set of eyes to liven up your space. Refreshing your home truly has endless possibilities, and I hope that this has provided you with a place to start.
What ways have you breathed new life or purpose to things that you already have on hand?
