Decorating can seem difficult. There are a million different options of what to hang on the wall, how to decorate a shelf, and what to use as a centerpiece on the table. This post covers stylish and simple ways to decorate for spring, mostly using nature and items you (probably) already have in your home!
While I love shopping for new home decor, I have learned that first shopping my own home, moving items around that I already own, and looking to nature for cues about how to decorate is more satisfying. More importantly, it also prevents my home from filling up with seasonal items that I have to store for 9-10 months out of the year (major WIN). Following these steps is typically enough to make my rooms feel fresh without spending much (or any) money.
It is helpful to think about a color scheme before beginning this process. Spring is wide open with possibilities because almost any color combination will work! This year, I am feeling a pull towards YELLOW and GREEN. Choosing one or two colors will help you stay focused as you decorate for spring.
Learning Target: You will learn simple ideas about using items you (probably) already have in your home to decorate for spring. You will look to nature for cues and inspiration, instead of buying the latest and greatest seasonal decor from stores.
5 Stylish & Smart Ways to Decorate for Spring
1. Use plants
Plants are the absolute PERFECT decor for Spring. They look fantastic year-round, but especially in the Spring because a lot of plants will show new growth! The green hues scream Spring, they look great with any style decor and any color scheme. While plants do not like to be moved around too much, sometimes I will move a plant to a new location for a different look. If you do this, make sure the lighting is still what will make the plant happy.
Every plant deserves a pretty container, so make sure to put all of your plants in a basket or decorative pot! This elevates the style and gives your plants a major presence in a room. In the Spring, I especially like the look of woven materials such as rattan. If you have a basket in your home you can repurpose for your plant, go ahead and borrow it! Just changing up the plant pot/basket can feel like “new”.
A pretty plant can even be the centerpiece on your table. Maybe you have a plant that typically sits in a corner, but you can dust it off, put it in a pretty basket, and you now have a “new” Spring centerpiece!
If you do need a new basket/plant pot for Spring, here are some options I either own or have seen and like:
Bamboo Planter │ Ceramic Plant Pot with Stand │ Cane Woven Basket
2. Shop your home for items within your color scheme
After choosing a color scheme, go around your home and look for items of that color. I first look for bowls, baskets, books, prints, and picture frames. This year, I am using mostly yellow and green in my Spring decor. After shopping my own home, I rounded up a few books which have yellow and green spines, a pretty yellow bowl from the kitchen, and a few plants that were upstairs under a grow light.
For instance, you can stack a few books together and put a plant or candle on top – easy and stylish! Another example is to stand a couple of books up next to a couple of books laid down, and put a decorative object or plant on the books. If you have any corbels or bookends, stand one (or two) next to a stack of books. Instant Spring decor that didn’t cost you anything!
You could always go one step further and paint a picture frame or vase if you are not finding enough colored items in your home. A few colored items will go a long way, and you always want to include plenty of neutrals to balance out the color. Above all, have fun and don’t overthink it! That is the best part of decorating – make it personal, unique, and fun!
–> Tip: Place a mirror behind your plants on a shelf for added interest and dimension. This one had been hanging on our wall and I like the look of it behind my plants!
3. Refresh your pillows & throws
After a long Winter (especially this year) our throw pillows and blankets can be in rough shape. First, see if any of your pillows look too “wintery” and put them away. If any are light, neutral, or part of your color scheme, you can keep them out. This is a great time to wash the pillows if they are covers, or do any necessary stain removal. If you have an old pillow (or cover) that you do not like, it is okay to thank it for its service and say goodbye. Your next fall-self will thank you.
Blankets that are heavy and “wintery” can also be washed and stored. I like to keep out a couple of light throws year-round. We use them a lot, and I like how they look draped on the back of a chair or couch.
When it comes to pillows, there are so many options it can be very overwhelming. A classic trio that will always work is one solid, one textured, one print. At least one of the pillows should be a neutral color. When choosing pillows, try to think about if they can be used at least half of the year. This means avoiding pillows that say “Happy Easter” or have a bunny on them. They are cute for sure, but I know I end up regretting those purchases because they are in storage most of the year.
Here are a few options if you are in need of a new pillow or two:
White & Yellow Textured Lumbar │ White Tufted Square │ Round Blue Mandala
Ombre Rainbow │ Fringe Pillow Covers │ Floral Print
4. Freshen up your doormat/rugs
When the snow is finally gone, the boots are put away, and we are ready to welcome Spring, our doormats can look pretty sad. They do a lot of hard work all Winter, and are in need of a good cleaning or replacement.
Some doormats can be washed, spot treated, or cleaned to look close to new. Ruggable even started selling machine washable doormats! We have a Ruggable rug in our mudroom and I really like it. While the price tag is much higher than I have ever paid for a doormat, they do offer discount codes, and knowing I can wash it over and over again is appealing.
Layering Doormats
If you are in need of a new doormat, it looks really nice when two are layered together. I have noticed that stores are even selling them this way, which is helpful because it takes the guesswork out of sizing when you can lay them on the floor and try them out on the spot!
For example, this is a set that was on a shelf together at Target. The yellow buffalo check is really pretty, looks like Spring, but not too-Springy where it would need to be put away for the other seasons. The first picture is going to be a better option because you can leave it out all year if you want to! Anything “too holiday” like the second picture will have to be stored most of the year. It is cute, but I definitely don’t want to store and switch out multiple rugs throughout the year.
–> Tip: The larger of the two doormats should be approximately the width of your door AND any sidelights you may have. Additionally, the mat on top should be a few inches smaller in both width and height. This will ensure you don’t have too dinky of a doormat. 🙂
Here are a few options in case you need a new doormat:
Hello Doormat │ Striped Tufted Doormat │ Welcome Doormat (washable)
Keep Smiling Doormat │ Leopard Welcome Doormat │ Potted Cactus Doormat
Layering options:
Yellow Rug (Reversible) │ Green Buffalo Check Rug │ Black & White Check Rug
5. Buy a fresh floral bouquet
Last but certainly not least, a bouquet of beautiful flowers or greens is a great way to decorate for Spring! Go ahead and pick up a bundle or two while you are at the grocery store. Trim the stems before submerging them in water, and arrange them into a pretty bouquet.
A floral bouquet is perfect for your dining table, console, on your island, or even in the bathroom! Make sure to check the water level and give your bouquet fresh water at least once a week. Many flowers will last several weeks if they are given the proper care.
I think a bouquet of white tulips in a pretty container is tough to beat. So pretty!
This mixed floral bouquet is from Costco and the vase is Studio McGee at Target.
This post covered five simple and stylish ideas about how to decorate for Spring. By using plants, flowers, and items you already own, you can create a unique and fresh look in your home. Spring feels like a new beginning and refreshing our pillows, throws, and doormats helps greet the season with style.
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