When most people think about spring cleaning, they picture decluttering closets or organizing drawers. While those tasks are certainly satisfying, designers often approach spring a little differently.
For us, spring is less about deep cleaning and more about resetting how a home feels. After a long winter, it’s the perfect time to lighten things up, edit what’s in your space, and introduce a few natural elements that make your home feel fresh again.
The good news? These small changes can make a surprisingly big difference.
Here are five simple ways designers refresh a home every spring
1. Edit Your Surfaces
Coffee tables, nightstands, and consoles tend to slowly collect objects throughout the year. By spring, these areas can start to feel a little crowded without us even noticing.
One of the easiest resets is simply editing what’s on display.
Clear the surface completely and then add back only a few intentional pieces. Designers often aim for three to five objects, focusing on items that are meaningful, useful, or beautiful.
This small edit instantly makes a space feel calmer and more intentional.
2. Rotate Your Textiles
Spring is the perfect time to lighten up the layers in your home.
Heavy winter throws, darker textiles, and thicker fabrics can make a space feel cozy during colder months, but swapping them out for lighter textures helps a room feel brighter and more seasonal.
Try introducing:
Linen or cotton pillow covers
Lightweight throws
Softer neutral tones
Airy textures that reflect more light
These changes are simple but can dramatically shift the overall mood of a space
3. Restyle Your Shelves
Shelves are another area that benefit from a seasonal refresh.
Designers often restyle shelves throughout the year to keep spaces feeling curated rather than cluttered. The key is creating balance by mixing materials, heights, and personal objects.
When styling shelves, try incorporating:
Books stacked horizontally and vertically
Natural materials like wood, ceramic, or stone
A meaningful object or personal photo
A sculptural piece that adds visual interest
Some open space to let the display breathe
The goal is for shelves to feel collected and thoughtful, not overly filled.
4. Refresh Your Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in how a home feels, yet it’s one of the most overlooked elements during a seasonal refresh.
Over time, dust can accumulate on fixtures and bulbs, subtly dimming the light in your space. A quick cleaning can instantly brighten a room.
Spring is also a great time to reconsider how you use lighting throughout your home. Instead of relying only on overhead fixtures, try layering in more lamps to create warmth and depth.
Small lighting adjustments can completely transform the atmosphere of a room.
5. Bring in Something Living
One of the easiest ways to make a home feel fresh again is by introducing something natural.
Designers often use greenery or branches to add life and movement to a space. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes a simple vase with a few olive branches or eucalyptus stems is enough to shift the entire feel of a room.
Other easy options include:
-
Fresh greenery in the kitchen
-
Herbs on a windowsill
-
Seasonal branches in a large vase
-
Natural textures like woven baskets or stone bowls
These small touches connect your home to the outdoors and naturally bring a sense of calm to a space
A Few Spring Styling Favourites
If you’re looking for an easy way to refresh your home this season, a few thoughtfully chosen pieces can go a long way. Linen textiles, ceramic vessels, natural wood accents, and greenery are some of the items designers reach for again and again in spring.
I’ve shared a few of my personal spring styling favourites that work beautifully in warm, neutral homes. You can explore them through my LTK shop if you’re looking for inspiration. If you need more help with
.
Spring is the perfect opportunity to step back and look at your home with fresh eyes.
A few small edits such as clearing surfaces, swapping textiles, restyling shelves, or adding greenery, can completely shift how a space feels. And sometimes, those subtle changes are exactly what a home needs after a long winter.
Thoughtfully styling a home is one of the many ways we help clients create spaces that feel both beautiful and functional. At Ashley Brett Design, we work with homeowners to design warm, intentional interiors that reflect their lifestyle.
