Decorating and Design: Transitioning from Winter to Spring

Spring is such a great season to get out of the house and enjoy warmer weather, family, good friends and good food and a few fun outdoor activities.  I’ve heard from friends and readers alike that this winter has been rather mild most everywhere, however I think we are all ready to spend more time outside!  This is the time to think about how we will make that transition outdoors and to prepare our homes so we can begin enjoying them in the Spring, so here are five things to think about when transitioning your home from Winter to Spring.

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Color!
One of the easiest ways to break out of winter and to make a noticeable difference in our homes is by adding color.  This Spring brings many colors to choose from. My most frequent inspiration is found in nature.   Adding organic tones of nature in green and blues through flowers, pillows and even lighter, translucent accents, such as candle holders, brings in a fresh, clean feeling. For warmer, brighter pops of color, I enjoy incorporating yellows and saturated orange tones.

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Redesign Your Porch or Patio
Porches and patios are quite possibly one of the most underutilized part of the home.  Inviting our friends and family into these areas brings the art of gathering back to a pure, simple form, before our lives became filled with electronic devices and 12 hour work days.  Putting some thought into furnishing and accessorizing these areas can transform them into a true focal point and gathering place for friends and family alike.  To maximize the use of your porch or patio, begin by define the space,  perhaps by incorporating peripheral planters which will bring color and greenery throughout the season. An outdoor area rug also serves as an anchor and creates a welcoming conversation area.

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Patios usually command larger groups, thus the need for comfortable, versatile outdoor seating areas for eating and entertaining.  If you don’t have a patio cover, umbrellas area good idea, as the sun can be strong even in the Spring.  Of course, the fun really begins with the addition of table accents for serving, eating and drinking!

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Lighting
The correct use of outdoor lighting can truly revitalize any space and incorporating new lighting into an outdoor area allows us to enjoy our areas into the evening hours. Whether you are looking for soft, ambient light for a conversation area or brighter, direct light for dining, the correct lighting is important and of course, it should fit with your overall design concept.  There is a wide variety of lighting available from overhead chandeliers to table and floor lamps, as well as hurricane lamps.

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Bring the Indoors Outside
Indoor / outdoor living is one of the easiest ways to increase our usable square footage, which actually serves as an investment in our homes. And it generally doesn’t require a building permit!  Our outdoor spaces can truly be an extension of our indoor living areas, whether we need a place to work, a quiet place to relax or a vibrant area to gather friends together for a fun-filled evening.

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Transitioning from the inside to an outdoor space is made much easier when the spaces are cohesive and function together.  To achieve a cohesive feel and flow, it is important that indoor and outdoor spaces share similar elements, as the transition should be relatively seamless.

Implementing coordinating colors, textures, shapes and scale help tie the two living spaces together, which helps bring the outside world inside, refreshing your indoor living areas, while bringing your indoor style to the outdoor areas as well.

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The transition from Winter to Spring is a natural one and your indoor or outdoor spaces should be as well. Investing in a few quality improvements can help make the transition an easy one and implementing comfortable elements that are part of who you are and the lifestyle you lead will result in a beautiful, comfortable space for you to enjoy all season long!