THINK SPRING

... and freshen your home decor

After a few months of chilly temperatures, come spring, many homeowners are eager to throw open their windows and doors and breathe new life into their homes. Simple changes made now — even before the weather truly begins to warm up — can improve interior spaces and brighten the atmosphere of a home.

Go plant shopping. Research from NASA suggests adding at least one plant in your home per 100 square feet is efficient enough to clean air. Fresh foliage also makes a home feel warm and inviting.

Watering and misting plants introduces moisture into indoor air, which can make rooms overcome with dry air from heating systems feel more comfortable. Just be sure to avoid overwatering plants, which can lead to mould growth.

Swap out throw pillows. Accent pillows on beds and sofas are quick and inexpensive ways to add new bursts of colour to rooms. You may be able to make over a room’s entire colour scheme with new pillows.

Invest in pillows that you can switch with each season so your decor will never look tired or dull.

Clean existing light fixtures.

Another way to brighten the mood in a home is to periodically clean light fixtures to make sure they are working effectively. Spend time dusting them and cleaning off any accumulated debris.

If need be, switch out old lamp shades for newer ones that let more light shine through.

If inadequate lighting is a problem no matter how many lamps you have, consult with an electrician about installing more overhead and accent lighting.

Give rugs and floors a deep

cleaning. Recirculated air may be full of dust and other microscopic particles that end up blowing throughout your home. Also, it’s easy to track in dirt and other materials on your shoes that becomes embedded in carpeting.

At least once a year, rent or enlist the surfaces of carpet and upholstery cleaners to give floors a thorough cleaning. You may be surprised at how clean and fresh a home looks and smells once rugs and carpets are deep- cleaned.

You also can make a dry carpet cleaner using baking soda, corn starch and desired fresh herbs for fragrance. Sprinkle and then vacuum up after a few hours.

Colour co-ordinate bookshelves. Group all books with similarly coloured covers together for an eye- appealing look.

Simmer some homemade home deodorizer. In a large pot, boil water and some scented herbs, such as rosemary, citrus rinds, vanilla, or lavender. The aroma will waft through the home, creating a pleasing scent.

Invest in new window treatments. Lightweight draperies or new blinds or shades can transform the look of a room. Be sure to keep curtains and blinds open during the day to maximize the hours of sunlight. Homeowners can make some simple changes while they’re stuck indoors — and reap the benefits when the weather warms up again.

You may be able to make over a room’s entire colour scheme with new pillows. Invest in pillows that you can switch with each season ...

P H O T O C O U RT E S Y O F FA B R I C V I L L E , G A Z E T T E F I L E S Swapping out some throw pillows makes for a quick and relatively inexpensive way to add some new bursts of colour to a room.

P H O T O C O U RT E S Y O F C I L , G A Z E T T E F I L E S Cushions on the sofa pick up the colours of the wall and the back of the bookshelves, as well as the brightly painted coffee table and the accessories it holds.

C R E AT I V E ME T R O Fresh flowers and a brightly coloured cushion or two will help perk a room up for the spring season.

G A Z E T T E F I L E S V I NC E NZ O D ’A LT O, Nothing says springtime like a vase full of tulips.