Spring is a time of renewal. Whether you're a person of faith who loves the Lenten season leading up to Easter and all that means spiritually or you simply enjoy the warming of the world and the blooming of flowers and trees, it can be hard not to want some kind of fresh start during this season.
Spring decorating is a great way to surround yourself with the symbolism of renewal and freshness. If you like to add lighter colors and spring-time decor to your space during the spring season, you're definitely not alone. In fact, even Mother Nature joins in, decorating the landscape outside in blooms and buds and new life of all kinds.
Older adults who have downsized from previous homes may wonder how they can best decorate in a smaller space. Whether you've made the move into a cozy cottage or townhouse or opted for an active lifestyle in independent or assisted living, there are plenty of options for adding seasonal touches to your space.
Use the tips below to add spring decor to your home, and then tweak them a little to do the same in other seasons.
Start with a wreath on the door of your home. While this doesn't decorate the inside of your place, it sets the tone for the kind of look and mood you enjoy every time you walk up to your house or apartment. It's a beautiful token you can enjoy as you unlock and open your door and one that creates a welcoming and inviting vibe for guests.
You can buy wreaths premade or make your own. Often, wreaths can be made with items you pick up at the Dollar Tree or other discount stores, making them inexpensive overall. And when you don't pay a ton for your door decor, you can change it out with every season if you want.
For those who live in small spaces, storing numerous wreaths to use throughout the year may be problematic. In that case, you might want to invest in a high-quality foundational wreath with a neutral design, such as one based on evergreen branches or white flowers. You can then update the wreath for each season by adding a different color ribbon or nesting appropriate ornaments and items into the hollow.
Spring options might include pastel or floral ribbons, extra flowers, Easter eggs or even figures (or stuffies) of baby animals.
Wall space is one of the best places to decorate when you don't have a lot of square footage. You can do a lot with wall art, small shelves and other items without impacting your walkways or taking up important room for practical pieces of furniture. Some ideas include:
• Hanging wreaths on your walls. You can use a large wreath as a focal point in a living or bedroom, and all the tips in the door wreath section above apply here too.
• Choose decor-centric calendars. Invest in a calendar you love with seasonal pictures for each month. Then your organizational area does double duty as decor.
• Swap out art in picture frames. Choose a frame you love and want to have in your home all year. Then just swap out what's inside to match the mood or theme of any season. One easy and inexpensive way to do this is to frame fabric swatches. You can create new color schemes or seasonal decor by picking out different fabrics.
• Hang a paper line. This is similar to a clothesline in that you can pin cards, bits of art and other things you enjoy looking at on the line. You run it along the wall, and you can buy premade options that incorporate clamps for pictures as well as fairy lights for a glowing ambiance. Then, you just change out the artwork and other items you're displaying to match the season.
A great way to bring spring or seasonal decor into your space is to swap out a few daily-use items. Choose a couple of swap items and get a storage bin that fits in a closet or under the bed. Keep items you aren't using in the bin and bring it out every few months to change up your space. Some great options for swapping include:
• Throw pillow covers. These are much easier to store than an entire throw pillow, and you can easily change them out every month if you want.
• Shower curtains. Shower curtains that can be laundered and folded to store away are a good option, and you can have a different one for every major holiday season.
• Hand towels. Hang a seasonal hand towel in the kitchen and bathroom for a tiny pop of new color.
Spring decorating doesn't have to be a huge ordeal. Just a few new touches in your home each year can help you enjoy the sense of renewal in the season.
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