Give Your Home a Refresh This Spring

Allie Kleinman | Organized by Allie

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining (sometimes), and flowers are blooming – signs of spring are everywhere… except around your house. Give your home a refresh this spring with some small and easy updates, all sure to leave a big impact on the overall look/feel of your house. Below are three of my favorite go-to’s that I implement around my house when the seasons start to change…

1)   Change out pillows and/or throws in your living area for an instant refresh. I have a set of pillows (and a throw) that are more oriented for Fall/Winter with darker and more earthy tones, as well as a set for Spring/Summer that are brighter, with colorful patterns. The same can go for your bedroom – swap in different throw pillows or change the duvets from one bedroom to another. Limit yourself to one set for Spring/Summer and for Fall/Winter; by the time it’s time to change, it will feel new again. Organizing tip: store seasonal décor like pillows and blankets in unused plastic mattress/duvet bags or plastic storage bins that can slide under the bed or be placed on a shelf. (Example here)

2)   Buy an air plant, succulent, or orchid. These plants require little maintenance and they don’t take up a lot of space. Plus, you can watch it thrive and grow over the course of the season(s) and they’ll also add a nice pop of color to any room. Just make sure you understand how to properly care for the plant (i.e. keeping plant in sunny spot versus not). Organizing tip: once the plant reaches its end (sad but it will likely come to this eventually) use the original planter for storage. Depending on its size, it can be used for desktop organization of pens/markers/scissors, for make-up brushes, or for a new future plant. (Example here)

3)   Try making your own natural cleaner! This is a great way to eliminate toxic chemicals from your everyday life. I make a very basic general cleaner with one part vinegar, one part baking soda and water (with an addition of lavender essential oil for a light scent). However, there are hundreds of different variations you could make – with fun ingredients like grapefruit or lemon – for numerous uses around the house. Real Simple offers some great DIY solutions. For those interested in taking natural cleaning to the next level, I recommend reading “The Naturally Clean Home” by Karyn Siegel-Maier. Organizing tip: Store relevant cleaners in the particular room it’s used in (tile cleaner in bathroom, for example). If you do decide to make your own cleaner, invest in some fun spray bottles and make your own labels to add a touch of your personality. (Example here)

Let me know which swaps you decide to make around your house this spring by commenting in the section below. Happy spring loves!

*About the Author: Allie is a dear friend of mine, and one of the hardest working people I know! She just launched her business ‘Organized by Allie’ and I am so excited to watch her dreams come to life! A Midwestern gal at heart (now based in LA) — Allie is about to change the way we organize. Stay tuned for more! Happy Spring! XX

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