image:marco menaguzzi

1.   It is all about de-cluttering … possibly even a spring clean.  The first hint of colour again in the garden is usually enough to get you going.

2.   Bring spring inside with bulbs planted into pretty containers … vases filled with bunches of freshly picked daffodils or branches of blossom.

3.   Cast off those woollen throw rugs and replace with cotton knits … think faded chintzes, a softer or neutral palette of linens, cottons and canvas.

4.   Loose covers give a lighter feel to furniture with winter weight fabrics. The solution is to have two sets of loose covers … winter and summer.

5.   Buy a new set of crisp white bedlinen or at the very least new pillow slips to smarten up the bedroom.

6.   Longer daylight hours and spring sunshine mean entertaining … plan a meal around new season produce. Smarten up the outdoor furniture and make or purchase a new outdoor cloth.

7.   Apply the less is more principle … spring is all about fresh air rather than cosiness. A more dramatic move might be to remove curtains so you can enjoy the view.

8.   Stand back and look at your rooms with a fresh eye.  A change in accent colour can lighten your look … simply change cushion covers, tablecloths and other decorative items. Group items with similar colours.

9.   Splash out on new towels and bath mat in fresh spring colours or even better white on white. New tea towels in checks and stripes will give the kitchen a new lease of life.

10.   Think about a change of room fragrance and scented candles.