Bringing Spring Inside

Trying to shake the mid winter blues? Spring may be weeks away, but you can bring some spring inside. Try painting one wall, a bright color to compliment a rug or a new piece of furniture. Neutral colors are fine for most of the walls, but adding a little color can perk a whole room up.

Think spring cleaning, before spring. Reorganize your closets and clean out your kitchen cabinets. Get a pile together for the Goodwill, and make a list of things that you want to get once the white sales and kitchen gadget sales start. If you made a New Year's resolution to eat healthier now is the time to invest in healthy eating cook books and maybe even a juicer. If you start now maybe you can treat yourself to some new clothes in a smaller size when spring really arrives.

You do not need a complete home makeover to cheer up a bland room. Consider accessories. Visit your local dollar store and frame some of the great photos you took over the holidays. Buy a new throw and some bright cheery throw pillows. Blues and greens are hot this
spring and you can be a head of the curve. Replacing old dented lamp shades and de-cluttering shelves can give a room a revitalized feel.

Lighten up your windows. Replace heavy drapes with light sheer coverings to let the sun in. Is your furniture too dark? Try slip covers and cover a dark wood dining table with a brightly colored damask cloth. If you display dishes change them out if you can. Add a bit of color with brightly designed dishes from the dollar or second hand store.

Sometimes putting away knick knacks and just clearing away the excess can really open a room up. Instead of four pillows on your bed , use two really bright ones. Take up a large area rug and replace it with a smaller lighter colored one. Rearrange furniture to give you nice open spaces and give the room a less cramped feel. Think light,airy,and bright when you are revamping your home for the first sunny days of Spring.

The easiet way to keep some of your Spring cleaning and decorating done early is to have a game plan. Use some of your kids snow days to really sit down and ask them what changes they would make in their rooms. Find out if the dog has been chewing on their comforter or they spilled water color paint on their rug. This way you can get an idea what linens you will be replacing once the white sales start.