With April showers bringing May flowers, and the summer months on the horizon, spring has certainly sprung outdoors. But what about indoors? Have you welcomed the warmer weather and signs of new life into your home as well? Just as you’ve packed away your parkas and slipped into sandals, now is the time to put those blankets back in storage and let the blossoms bloom throughout your home.
Your garden may see an explosion of colour this spring and this is the time to emulate the beautiful hues in your home, as well. The trend towards bright, clear colours is currently finding its way into home décor for the coming months. Colours are brighter and happier this spring and summer with hot pinks and tangerine orange brightening up homes in many ways.
Pantone, the go-to authority on all things colour, named emerald green as the colour of 2013. It’s making its way into homes more often these days but only in accents and accessories. Monaco blue, a vibrant shade of navy and royal blue, is another ‘it’ colour for spring sure to bring some brightness either on its own or mixed with graphic prints.
Brighter hues, in shades of blue and green, seem to be setting the stage as they can be easily mixed with white to keep things neutral, paired with rustic elements to bring the outdoors in or combined with eclectic accent colours that keep rooms fun. Teal and turquoise are similar variations that scream spring this year. “It doesn’t take much of these colours to truly make a statement,” advises Lois North, president of Lois Interiors. “In a neutral room, a bit of colour goes a long way.”
If changing colours isn’t how you see yourself switching seasons, playful patterns might be more where your home is headed. Trending in stores and turning up in homes this coming season are plenty of patterns – from incorporating animals like elephants to generating computer-inspired designs – patterns provide the ability to show off your personality in big or small ways. “Bold geometric-patterned toss cushions and chevron patterned rugs are hot, hot, hot,” says Kim Anderson, principal of Home Reworks. From modern, painterly floral fabrics to 1940’s Hollywood noir styles, patterns are a current ‘must-have’ for the home.
As models walk down the runway adorned in stripes, designers have taken notice and incorporated the trend into home décor as well. Stripes of mellow yellows and navy blues are bringing movement into rooms and updating spaces without coming across as too bold or too trendy.
Other accents that provide an all-important update this season are natural wood elements and gold or antique brass accessories. Both provide a rich update to a room and allow for homeowners to play with their preferences and bring out their personalities.
If incorporating any of these trends is too much of a commitment just because the seasons have changed, there are many easy and affordable ways to brighten up your home for the spring and summer without having to repaint or reupholster.
A simple ‘spring cleaning’ can bring a sense of calm across a house as you de-clutter your space and reorganize or get rid of all that you’ve accumulated over the winter months. A clean house, with less clutter, will make your house feel fresher than ever before.
Bringing bouquets into the home is one of the easiest ways to welcome the warmer weather. Not only as a symbol of new life as you watch the beautiful blooms blossom but freshly-cut flowers can provide pops of colour that may be missing.
“I always buy potted hydrangeas and lilies in the spring and then plant them in my garden when they are finished blooming so they will come back next year,” Anderson says. “If you are fortunate enough to have a fruit tree in your yard, a large glass hurricane vase of blossom branches says spring like nothing else does.” Pick out florals and fruits in the brightest pinks and yellows – or even a classically clean white – and you’ll be feeling the sunshine even on the rainiest of days.
Changing up your pillows, dinnerware or placemats are other easy ways to wiggle your way out of any winter blues. Accessories offer the option to change your home’s decor depending on your mood and the opportunities become endless when you’re making small changes like adding a floral lampshade or putting up a patterned curtain.
“Changing home décor every season is a bit like trying to wear only what is on the latest fashion runway – it’s not practical to even try,” advises North. “However, like putting away a winter sweater as the weather warms up makes good sense, removing the living room area rug can lighten the look. A little furniture tweaking and adjusting the room layout will leave the room looking renewed and fresh.”
Spring is the time to revitalize and re-energize and your home should be no exception. With colour exploding into homes this spring and summer, brightening up your home – and being on trend – just got a whole lot easier.