Decorate Your Home for Spring Easily and Cheaply

With little money and little effort, you can change the effect of your home to suit the season. With spring on our heels, here are a few ideas to help you make changes that will compliment the upcoming warm weather.

Some decorations just don't belong in the house during the spring and summer. Area rugs in dark, bold colors are perfect when it's snowing outside, but in the summer they can make a room seem smaller and hotter. Roll them up and replace them with rugs in cooler colors or don't replace them at all. Either way, it will help to lighten up the room. Another not so summery decoration is heavy drapery. If this is what you have, consider trading in the bulk for some sheers and a valance. A pair of sheers blowing in the wind of an open window can create quite an effect.

If you're a fan of fake flowers, now would be the time to try some real ones instead. Spring is a signal of new growth and life so put the fake flowers in the attic and replace them with beautiful green plants or brightly colored flowers. It will add a burst of color and life to any room.

Spring equals cleaning. Now is the time to clean out drawer, closets, etc. Doing so will provide a sense of relief and will allow you to enjoy the new warmer weather even more. Never be afraid to throw out unneeded items that are only taking up space. Creating more space will not only help you feel more organized, but it will also make your space feel bigger and brighter... adding to the charm of spring.

People tend to use fireplaces as focal points when decorating living areas. If only for spring and summer, rethink this. It draws attention to the fireplace which is associated with staying warm and cozy in the cold weather. Instead, try using a window or just rearrange the furniture so it isn't surrounding the fireplace.

Throw in some bursts of spring and summer colors. You can do wonder with some paint, flowers, and a couple of throw pillows. Don't be afraid to use the brighter colors, such as hot pink. Also, light blues and greens are great colors for adding a spring touch. Don't feel like you have to paint your whole house. An accent wall here and there will do the trick nicely.

Don't forget the outside. If your funds are limited, there are still plenty of ways to liven up the outside. A colorful flower wreath on a door, flower pots with flowers in a variety of colors will add plenty of spring to your outside area. Make sure to clean up too. Often times, the leftovers of winter include dried leaves, salt, and other debris on walkways and porches. Breaking out the broom and cleaning these areas will make a big difference even before the flowers bloom.

There's a simple question I ask myself when choosing what I am going to use to decorate for spring. Does it remind me of spring? If the answer is yes, more than likely it is a safe choice. Keep your choices light and airy and your sure to create a space that is spring friendly.