Spring Interiors: Refresh Without a Full Redesign
As spring arrives, there's a quiet shift—not just outside in the garden, but inside our homes too. The longer days, the return of light, the gentle hum of nature waking up again—it’s a natural time to open the windows, shake off winter, and invite a new energy in.I’ve noticed our habits changing slightly, more time outside means easier access is needed to different things; suncream, the beach towels and picnic blankets, so a good clear out and organise can be helpful to reset your home for success over the coming months.
Refreshing your home for the new season doesn’t need to involve big budgets, builders, or hours on a stepladder. In fact, some of the most effective changes are also the most accessible and easy to achieve (particularly on a bank holiday weekend)!
In this blog, I’m sharing thoughtful, design-led ideas that will help you update your space without starting from scratch. Whether you live in a period property, a coastal cottage, or a Victorian townhouse, these tips will work in harmony with your home’s character—adding freshness without fuss. I always find after a little shake up I love our home even more, remember the saying ‘a change is as good as a holiday?’ Let’s get a lift from our home and lifestyle…..
1. Start with a Seasonal Reset
Before you bring anything new in, take a moment to pause and clear out what no longer serves the space. You don’t have to go full Marie Kondo, but a light declutter of surfaces, shelves and the odd forgotten drawer can work wonders.
Remove any dried foliage or heavy winter greenery and store for autumn.
Pack away heavy throws, rich-coloured cushions, or scented candles that feel too wintery.
Give rooms a good clean, especially windows and mirrors—clean glass makes a huge difference to how light flows around a space.
This simple reset is like a blank canvas for your spring styling.
2. Switch Out Your Textiles for Lighter Layers
Swapping textiles is one of the most impactful things you can do without even lifting a paintbrush. Heavy wools, velvet cushions, chunky knits—they all serve us beautifully in winter. But as we shift into spring, lighter textures bring a sense of air and movement. You can still layer lighter textiles so you have a cosy stash for the evenings.
Suggestions:
Replace thick throws with cotton or linen versions in lighter, neutral tones.
Introduce cushions in breathable fabrics—look for subtle patterns like stripes, faded florals, or block prints in soft pastels or sun-washed hues which are popular in Spring.
If your rug feels too heavy for the season, consider rolling it up and letting bare floorboards or a lighter rug take over for a few months.
Design tip: Even changing just the cushions and one throw on a sofa can make a space feel like it’s had a mini makeover. I know some clients who I’ve worked with who make a season switch and love the lift it gives them.
3. Refresh Your Colour Accents
A full repaint isn’t always practical, sustainable—or necessary. Instead, think about how you can add pops of seasonal colour through accessories and artwork.
This spring, look to nature-inspired shades:
Soft olive and sage greens
Buttery yellows
Sky blue and chalky denim
Blush pinks and dusky rose
Earthy neutrals like clay, sand, and taupe
Introduce these colours subtly: a ceramic vase, a new lamp shade, cushions, table linen or a light bedspread. Group items together for more impact—such as a vignette of books, a candle and a small floral stem in the same colour family. Did you know you should move your favourite artwork? Changing location makes sure your eyes clock it and you appreciate it, so maybe you can make a few changes with what’s hanging on the walls too?
4. Bring Nature In (It Doesn’t Have to Be Real!)
Bringing the outside in is a cornerstone of spring styling, and it doesn’t need to mean houseplants in every corner (unless that’s your thing). I love picking up a fresh bunch of flowers, they make such a difference on a table. I'm excited to be starting my flower deliveries again now we have a kitchen!
A few ways to work with greenery:
A vase of tulips, daffodils or blossom stems on the dining table
An olive tree or fig in a woven basket in a bare corner
A trailing pothos or ivy plant on a shelf
A potted herb on the kitchen windowsill - pretty and tasty!
If you don’t fancy real plants, there are wonderful faux alternatives available now. Just make sure you choose realistic shapes and mix them with other natural textures—like jute, rattan or stone—to make them feel grounded and believable.
5. Restyle Key Surfaces
Spring is a great time to refresh your styling on those everyday surfaces—your coffee table, kitchen island, bedside table or hallway console. It doesn’t need to be overdone. Just a few curated pieces that you love can shift the entire mood of a space, and remember make it practical. I shared a few controversial opinions on interior design, including styling, in a blog, maybe worth a quick read if you’re in a styling phase of your home improvements.
Try this formula:
One grounding item (a tray, a stack of books you’re reading, or a linen runner)
One decorative object (a candle, sculpture, or vintage pot)
One living or natural element (a plant, floral stem, or seasonal bowl of fruit)
Optional: one practical item (a pretty bowl for chocolates, a ceramic jug, or stylish storage box)
Move pieces around your home—styling doesn’t mean buying something new. Sometimes, a piece feels fresh simply because it’s in a different room. In my first home which was very cohesive, and a bit boring now I look back, I used to have a big change around every few months, something I got used to doing as a child with a small bedroom who wanted it to be different time and time again!
6. Consider the Power of Lighting
With longer daylight hours, natural light becomes more important than ever. Give your windows a little love—clean glass, tie back heavy curtains, and let the outside views become part of your interior again.
In the evenings, shift to softer, more ambient light:
Table lamps instead of overhead
Light, gauzy lampshades
Pale linen pendants that glow gently
Think of your lighting as part of the décor. Updating a lampshade or choosing a fresh bulb colour temperature (try a warmer 2700k in bedrooms or reading corners) can make a big difference in mood. There’s a few helpful blogs on lighting which I’ve posted, check out Layered Lighting and How To Choose The Right Light for more pointers.
7. Rework Your Layout for Flow
It’s amazing what a slight shift in layout can do for your home’s flow. Spring is a brilliant time to re-evaluate:
Could the sofa angle be better towards the garden or French doors?
Would pulling an armchair closer to a window create a brighter reading spot? Somewhere calm to sit and have your morning cup of coffee?
Could you open up a view through the hallway or entry space with a repositioned console?
Move things around—even just slightly—and see what feels better. You might be surprised by what opens up. This weekend I moved the oldest thing in our house, my great aunts bookcase, and restacked it with all my To Be Read books and positioned an accent chair prepared with a cushion and blanket. It’s unlikely to be its permanent location, and is more temporary until buying more furniture is a priority, but the little shift has made me smile.
8. Create a Seasonal Styling Moment
Instead of trying to “spring-ify” the whole house, focus on one or two small areas that can really shine. A little seasonal moment—styled intentionally—can bring a lot of joy.
Here are a few ideas:
A guest room styled with fresh white bedding, sprigs of greenery, and a jug of flowers
A bathroom shelf with new towels, a linen robe, and a scented candle
A kitchen corner with a cutting board, bowl of lemons, and a new mug or jug
These little touches make your home feel loved, lived in, and thoughtfully cared for.
9. Work With, Not Against, Your Home’s Personality
Whether your home is a contemporary new build or a charming 19th-century cottage, the key to a successful seasonal refresh is working in harmony with your existing features.
If your palette is already neutral, lean into it with natural textures and soft pastels
If your home features strong architectural details, highlight them with fresh light and colour contrasts
If you have period details like panelling or fireplaces, style these simply to let them speak
A refresh is not about changing your home’s identity—it’s about giving it a seasonal edit that feels relevant, calm and connected to the world outside.
10. Need Help Bringing It All Together?
Sometimes, the smallest changes are the hardest to make because there are so many choices. Which pastel works with your current wall colour? Does that ceramic vase clash with your rug? How do you tie it all together without buying loads of new stuff?
This is exactly the kind of decision-making I help with inside The Renovation Room Membership.
Members get access to:
Monthly guides and moodboards
Step-by-step designer created templates
My personal advice on your space
Ideas for working with what you already own
It’s like having a designer in your back pocket—without the full-scale commitment.
Final Thought
Refreshing your home for spring doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about intention, not reinvention. You don’t have to redecorate the whole house—you just need a few shifts to breathe in the light, the calm, and the sense of something new.
I hope this has inspired you to find a few joyful updates that make your home feel lighter, brighter, and beautifully “you” this season.