Easy & Elegant Early Spring Home Refresh
Hello and welcome! I'm Dia, an interior designer and home stylist who loves sharing decorating tips and ideas to help you create a home that's both elegant and functional. Today, I'm taking you along as I decorate my space and make simple changes that instantly shift the vibe from cozy winter to light and bright for the warmer months.
If you're like me and don’t always have the time for a full makeover, don’t worry! Simple, intentional changes can make a huge impact. Instead of starting from scratch, I like to refresh my home little by little, keeping what I love and swapping out a few things to update the look.
Kitchen refresh
I’m starting in the kitchen, where even small tweaks make a big difference. Here's what the stove area looked like during the winter—dark and cozy.
Now, a few easy swaps bring in a fresh spring vibe:
- Remove darker accessories: First, I remove the darker winter accessories but keep my wooden cutting boards in place.
- Swap pot colors: I swapped the black pot holding my plant for a pale-colored vessel to brighten things up.
- Incorporate functional pieces: I added a marble mortar and pestle to complement the pot without being too matchy. A candle base with a candle adds to the light, airy feel.
- Repeating similar tones: To achieve a cohesive look, I repeat similar tones throughout but mix materials, heights, and textures for visual interest.
On the other side of the stove, I mirror the colors with a wooden riser, wooden fruit bowl, and off-white ceramic accents.
Island & sink area refresh
For the island sink area, I swapped out my amber glass items and dark florals for a lighter, fresher look.
I kept the same tray, which blends nicely with my countertop and lets the accessories stand out.
A low drinking glass with a diamond-cut design makes the perfect planter for a small greenery piece.
I added a fluted clear glass dish soap dispenser. It’s a small change, but it makes a big impact!
Long counter by dining table
I had framed prints of our backyard's last snowfall during winter, but for spring, I’m swapping them out with lighter, nature-inspired images. I also switched my dark winter vase and muted stems for a bright green artificial plant in a neutral-tone pot.
Replacing my darker base, I added a quartz set, whose beautiful cream and beige tones blend perfectly with my decor.
To give my candle more presence and tie in the brass snuffer, I’m using a gold-trimmed drink coaster as a base.
Disguising the electrical outlet
A fun trick I use to disguise the electrical outlet is placing a decorative tray over it, secured with Museum wax. But for spring, I wanted a fresh approach, so I used a small command hook to hang a gold-framed print.
Dining table refresh
I kept my neutral runner to tone down the black table and switched out pillow covers for lighter fabrics—linen, cotton, and woven materials in beige, pale green, and soft stripes. To brighten up the wall, I swapped back to light-colored mats in my DIY artwork frames. I reused my winter eucalyptus stems but added delicate white flowers in a chunky vessel.
Entryway styling
In the entryway, I was inspired by early spring and decided to add a new piece above my small console. A framed print of bare branches inspired by a tree I recently admired in our backyard was incorporated into the console arrangement. On the table, I placed a tall artificial orchid to connect the console with the canvas. A botanical watercolor painting by my sister adds a personal touch.
Living room updates
In the living room, I’m using an olive green pillow as a backdrop to add contrast to my lighter pillows. I swapped out thick, heavier winter fabrics for linen, cotton, and woven textures in pale green, beige, and cream. I also added a lightweight throw blanket for myself and a heavier knit one for my husband.
For the coffee table, I added a tall cylinder vase with muted stems and delicate white flowers, stacked two books in complementary colors, and topped them with a zeolite stone for an organic touch. A simple earthen dish and candle add warmth and height variation, while a suede and crocodile-textured taupe box keeps remotes neatly hidden.
Media console update
On the media console, I grouped three marble candle holders as sculptural elements and placed a white marble tray with a handcrafted pottery piece on the other side. These raku-fired ceramic pieces, created by throwing horsehair during the firing process, have a distinct coloration and look so unique.
New addition—custom sofa table
Finally, I added a custom-made waterfall inverted bevel edge console behind my sectional. This piece was crafted by talented local woodworkers to my exact design and dimensions. For styling, I kept it simple to let the wood grain shine, adding a stack of bone inlay boxes, low vases, and a marble tray with a candle.
Small, simple changes like swapping out pillow covers and decorative accents can totally transform a space without a full makeover.
Thanks for spending time with me today, and I hope this tutorial gave you some inspiration for your own early spring refresh. Let me know in the comments what the first thing you'll be changing in preparation for the season is! I’d love to hear your ideas.
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