Throw open those windows and throw yourself into refreshing your home

It is the season to spring into action, bring new life to rooms and freshen interiors with changes big and small. Let us help you...

Welcome to the spring edition of Beautiful Homes. From choosing a new conservatory to redesigning your kitchen, this supplement is bursting with ideas to excite and inspire.

Spring is in the air – and that means spring cleaning, refreshing your home after winter, injecting some new life through colour and accessories, and possibly splashing out on some new household purchases.

There’s something about the first flush of spring that makes us want to fling open windows and doors, empty out cluttered cupboards and clean everything from top to bottom. Those first rays of watery, spring sunshine highlight dusty surfaces and cobwebs lurking in dark corners, making the need for a spring clean seem even more of a necessity.

Splash out on some home improvements. With spring in the air, now is the perfect time to freshen up your interiors.

One of the easiest ways to make the shift from winter interiors to spring is by changing fabrics. Swap any heavy materials throughout the home, such as curtains or bed linen, for lighter alternatives, like linen. They will automatically create a softer feel throughout. Place fresh flowers in different rooms for an instant spring feel and scatter bright accessories such a vases, bowls and cushions. If you have big windows at home, open them up – take down heavy curtains or thick blinds and brighten up the room. If you are short on windows then don’t be afraid to use uplighters or floor lights to create space.

If you adore the home you live in but feel it’s getting a wee bit small for your needs, why not consider adding another room or converting a loft? There are many innovative and cost-effective methods of creating extra space to create your forever home.

Whatever the needs of your home, we’ll look at what’s hot for 2017 and give you ideas and inspiration.