It is April! Spring is here. Can you believe it?
Here in NE Iowa we had a cloudy, rainy March. I am so ready for spring sunshine and warmer weather. My girls are anticipating bike rides and playing in the garden. Until then, we are using bright and cheery decorations to welcome spring into our home.
We moved into our new home in September, so I am starting each new season with a very limited selection of decorations. Our old house was adorable and small, so there were very few places I could decorate without making the house feel cluttered.
Instead of buying all new decor, I am shopping my house and making DIY decorations to save money. As you can see, I chose two main colors to decorate for spring: sunny yellow and robins egg blue. These colors are repeated throughout the home in linens, flowers, fruit, and small decor. Everything else stayed neutral. This makes it super easy to reuse decorations each month and make it look new. Hopefully, I can slowly add new pieces to our home that will be loved for years to come, instead of hastily purchasing decorations just to fill space. (As you can see, we have enough kid toys to fill space as it is!)
Pinterest is a fabulous source for DIY projects, and is the first place I look when decorating. I found some printable bunnies and this adorable spring sign from Tatertots and Jello to add instant spring flair. I used frames I had on hand and can easily switch out the graphics when Easter is over.
Instead of buying decorations that can only be used one way, try purchasing items that can be used for multiple seasons, and in multiple ways. Plain candles are excellent, as are chalkboards, flowers or faux plants, and neutral decorations. Mason jars are very popular right now, and can be used in endless ways to decorate your home.
Have fun with your decorations, and don’t limit yourself to the original use of an item. One of my favorite decorations is the tea set in our living room. My girls play with it daily, so we leave it out as decor.
Look for decorations that can be moved to another room, and breath new life into the decor you have on hand. Use everyday items, such as books, plates, candles, chalkboards, mason jars and even linens in unexpected ways. I use placemats on my side tables to add seasonal color. Books are used to add height to the mantle display. A dining plate balances the color and adds texture.
In the dining room, an old wooden caddy is filled with real eggs and simple mason jars and votives for a natural, fresh look. I buy beautiful fresh eggs from a friend and use them all spring to decorate my home.
(Note: I only use the eggs for decorating, and do not consume if they have been left out for extended periods of time. Use you best judgement when decorating with perishable items. For more information on storing fresh eggs, here is an excellent article from The Prairie Homestead.)
I also love to use fresh fruit displayed on my countertop to add seasonal color. They cost less than fresh flowers and last just as long for decorating. (See the same placemats used in my kitchen to add pops of yellow?)
Move around pillows and throw blankets to add color and softness to spaces that would otherwise feel a bit cold. Look at each space in your home as an opportunity to decorate. A decoration doesn’t have to be just for display. Many everyday items can serve your family, and beautify your home.
How can you shop your house for seasonal decor?
