Simple Tips to Transition from Winter to Spring Home Decor (on a budget)

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Tired of winter yet? Even if it’s cold outside, you can start refreshing your home. Check out my favorite ways to transition from winter to spring home decor on a budget.  These early spring decorating ideas can help you start prepping your home with a clean slate for a full spring refresh!

As soon as Valentine’s Day is over, my brain does an automatic switch to transition from winter to spring decor!  At least, I start thinking about it.  Then, that automatically leads to starting a few switches here and there.  Literally, I can hardly help myself!  Anyone else?!

Oh good. I’m not alone!

Besides, my favorite Florida oak tree by our driveway blooms the most vibrant new leaves in February and it’s my yearly reminder…Florida style…that spring is here.

At the same time, I’m not necessarily anxious or ready to replace the hearts with bunnies and the pine cones with bursts of bright flowers.  Today, I want to chat about a few simple ways that I love to make a more subtle transition from wintery decor to what I’ll call “early spring decor.”  That being said, Easter seems really early this year so the bunnies may hop out sooner rather than later!

Hopefully it will give you inspiration too.  Then, it can help you as you look for ways to keep your home feeling fresh and hopeful through the last weeks of winter!  It’s a good way to beat those winter blues.

(Unless, of course, you live in Florida and you’re enjoying winter, knowing the warm weather…okay, scorching weather…of summer is coming! 😂)

As with any seasonal transition, early spring decor is much more about how the space feels than the actual objects and home decor accessories.  Actually, I am not really bringing in thematic early spring decor pieces at all.  Instead, I am working on creating a different feeling with very subtle spring touches.  That’s the goal anyway!

This is the perfect time to start styling and see if we can achieve that early spring decor feeling and help us love our homes all over again!

Then again, if you ARE ready to bust out all of the spring decor, don’t worry!  I have my favorite spring home decor blog posts linked at the end for you so you can get started!

 

stems coming out of a large cream vase

How do you transition from winter to spring decor?

Here are 6 basic ways that I transition from winter to spring decor.  We will look at specific examples, tips, and ideas throughout this post.

  1. Go room by room, declutter, reorganize, and deep clean.  (January-February are my favorite months for this.)
  2. Change greenery from winter greens to lighter greenery and plants.
  3. Incorporate a few florals or live plants, whether fresh greenery or fresh flowers.
  4. Add a pop of color with thrifted art or home decor accessories.
  5. Use lighter fabrics and lighten the textures and layers around your home.
  6. Add floral and fruity scents around our home for a fresh smell.

When should I switch from winter to spring decor?

People ask these kinds of questions a lot and my main answer is always the same.  You should enjoy your home decor in whatever way best suits you and your family.  Just because you “always wait until March 1st to decorate for spring” doesn’t mean that you can’t start now if you’re feeling the need to break up those winter blues!

However, this is a common question and a fair one for sure.  While there may be some who cling to the long evenings, snowy drifts, and “hot cocoa and a good book” kind of winter days, I think it is probably safe to say that by the middle of February, most of us are starting to look forward to spring.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question.  However, for me, I love to start doing some early transition from winter to spring decor around the middle of February.  

You can browse some of my favorite spring home decor, HERE, curated on my storefront!

I always think it is important to not rush the current season, whether it’s the weather season or a season of life.

However, growing up in Kansas, I definitely remember how the muddy snow in the ditches just didn’t have the same appeal by the time the middle to end of February rolled around.  Now that I live in Florida, we definitely aren’t rushing these gorgeous winter months.  There is a reason that the snowbirds flock to Florida for January through April!

Before I can really enjoy the spring decor, I feel a lot better once deep spring cleaning has taken place.  Rather than just making everything look fresh on the surface, there is something to say for opening everything up and cleaning out the back corners of the closets, cabinets, and drawers.  Then, you can truly enjoy a refreshed home.

However, it does take time for that full refresh to happen.  Here, at least, it’s a multi-week process.  We try to get a little bit done here and there.  If you’re at home most of the time, you would be able to get that deep cleaning done a lot faster than us!

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve been working like crazy on the kids’ rooms and closets over the last week.  I just got so behind during the holiday and winter season so I’m paying for it now.  There are a few more spots that still need my attention but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Is February too early to decorate for spring?

To me, I think February is a perfect month to start the process of transitioning from winter to spring decor.  Since there is really more involved than just decorating, it is a great month to get started on some of that behind-the-scenes stuff.

You can browse some of my favorite things we use around our home for storage and organization HERE!

Of course, if a fresh plant or vase of faux flowers appear in the process, that’s okay too!  (wink, wink!)

 

beautiful spring arrangement in ironstone vase as a table centerpiece

How can I spruce up my house for spring?

  1. First tip: start by deep cleaning and decluttering.  I like to go room by room, drawer by drawer, and through the bathroom and kitchen cabinets too.  So far this year, I haven’t gotten to all of the rooms yet.  Sometimes our spring cleaning stretches into summer, just to be honest, but the main thing is that we get it done, no matter the season!
  2. Secondly, wash slipcovers, flip mattresses, and launder curtains.  You’ll start feeling better and your home will too!  If time is a struggle, consider hiring some help to get these big tasks completed.
  3. Next, pack up winter greenery and for sure, any Christmas trees for the new season.  If you’re like me, you left out a little winter greenery after Christmas.  Now, it’s time to pack that up until next year!
  4. Pack up any winter accessories, such as pine cones.
  5. Also, if your weather allows, pack up heavier textures around your home.  This could include heavy blankets, extra layers of winter bedding, chunky knit throws, and chunky knit throw pillows, to name a few.  However, if it is still really cold where you live, you can save this step for transitioning to summer or later in the spring.
  6. Lighten up the color palette around your home.  We are going to chat about this in more detail below!
  7. Bring in fresh accents such as scents, live plants, and fresh flowers for the dining room table.
  8. Lighten up the amount of decor, in general.  This is the season where I start lessening the decor from the abundance I enjoy using for fall and winter.  Pack away some of the “extra” decor.
  9. I like to start removing a few of the reflective finishes around my home, such as brass, silver, and mercury glass with lighter elements.  You don’t need to take all of them out, but I do like to use less of it for the spring and summer.

Note: most of these are things that you will do before you really start decorating.  See why I like to start in February?!

Just by going through this list, you’ve really created a fresh look to make your room feel completely ready with a clean slate for the new season.  The only things left to do will be to simply add in some spring decorations whenever you are ready.

 

5 Ways You Can Easily Transition from Winter to Spring Decor On a Budget

Tip #1 to transition from winter to spring home decor:

How do you make your house cozy in the spring?

Once the cleaning and decluttering are done, it is time to think about decorating.  Just because I am packing up winter decor doesn’t mean that I don’t want our home to still feel cozy! One of the first things I do to keep the cozy vibes for this time of year but still transition from winter to spring decor is to swap out my greenery.

I can’t claim to be a plant lady or expert or anything of the sort.  But I can proudly say that I’ve kept quite a few plants alive for a couple of years now.  I love how big and full they are and how it fills my spaces with life.  Live plants are one of the easiest ways to keep a cozy style in your spaces for the warmer weather of spring.

Of course, plant babies and small potted faux plants are also perfect to tuck into vignettes here and there!  Those little touches of greenery immediately transform a vignette from a winter style to spring by literally bringing new life to a room.

image of a small faux tree styled in a large basket next to a white couch

Whether faux or real, I love to dress up my plants by putting them in vintage vessels.  It makes them look unique and also gives more character to vignettes.  Vintage chamber pots…completely washed and bleached, of course 😉…are one of my favorite things to use for plants.  The size and shape are usually a perfect fit.

I’ve linked a few more pretty ones HERE, HERE, and HERE for you!

closeup of a beautiful plant in an ironstone chamber pot

For live plants, pothos are my favorite because, well, they are just easy!  I do have a fiddle leaf fig that I’ve kept alive for a year now and is growing beautifully.  It is currently in my classroom but I might bring it home to enjoy!

pothos plant in an ironstone planter styled with a large mirror and frame
ficus stems inside a beautiful amber bottle styled on a white apothecary
faux plant styled in a large woven basket

Bring in floral touches for early spring decor

Floral patterns are a growing trend in design elements right now, in everything from wallpaper to bright throw pillows to bedding and even sofas!  You don’t have to be an interior designer to realize that the floral patterns from the 90s are coming back around in the best way possible!

Whether or not you are a fan of the 90s decor, you can bring in some subtle touches of early spring decor by adding simple floral elements!  (But hey, if you want the wallpaper or area rug, this is the year to go for it!)

During transitional times into early spring decor, I like to use florals literally by keeping fresh floral arrangements on the kitchen island, side table in the living room, or on my night stand.

They don’t need to be expensive.  In fact, simple, inexpensive grocery store flowers are perfect!  You can find my favorite ways to make grocery store flowers look special over on this post!

fresh flowers styled in different clear jars

While I love my neutral spaces, you can really do a lot with pattern and texture in a space.  I love throw pillows like this one that bring that floral design, but in a very simple and neutral way.

It will be great to layer with some spring color as we get into the season, but also gives that subtle touch for early spring decor.  This is also a pretty one and a great price too!

I was ready to start breaking up my winter whites a little, so I added this throw pillow to my sectional.  Even though it’s still basically neutral, it adds that floral element in a modern, vintage-inspired, simple way!  Try adding these solid neutrals, too, for easy layering.

Throw pillows are a budget-friendly way to refresh a space and they are a great way to add that little touch of early spring with floral design!

neutral floral throw pillow styled on a white couch

What are the best faux flowers for spring?

I will be honest and admit that I am super picky about my faux florals.  However, I’ll let you in on my secrets, right here and now!  While all of these faux florals are not the very most budget-friendly, they are all really reasonably priced.

Best of all, I have and love using all of them.  They are very realistic.  I especially love pairing them with fresh greenery to make them look even more realistic!

faux tulips styled in a glass jar as part of a tablescape
beautiful floral arrangement of both faux and fresh flowers

Use a splash of color for early spring decor!

I know, I know.  You’re thinking who has taken Robyn and what have they done with her.

Color?

Now my version of adding a splash of color may still feel totally neutral to some people, but it’s all in scale and relativity, right?! 😂

This beautiful vintage pillow made from a Turkish rug inspired me last year.  My friends at Rose and Grace Market carry such beautiful pillows in their shop and the little touch of light blue is making me smile!

It is a great mix with layered neutrals, so I get that touch of color while still keeping the calm aesthetic that I try to create in our home.

This year, I am really loving some of the earth tones mixed with my neutrals.  It’s a perfect opportunity for some subtle color!

Here are a few spring favorite pillows with just a touch of color:

 

two beautiful spring prints on pillow covers styled on a cozy white couch

Here is a round up of some favorite ways to add color with art to transition from winter to spring decor:

For now, I’ll leave you with my gallery wall from last year.  Stay tuned!  I’m working on the newest version this week to share with you soon!

beautiful view of Audubon gallery wall
side view of a beautiful gallery wall of different Audubon images hung in unique vintage frames

Texture can help you transition to early spring decor!

Depending on where you live, early spring decor very likely still needs to include some really cozy elements for the cold days!  Even living in Florida, we keep throw blankets laying around year round.

beautiful throw blanket styled on a cozy striped chair with a throw pillow

As I start transitioning away from winter decor, however, taking out even a few of the heavier fabrics and replacing them with some lighter textures can really change the look.  The best part is that small changes can have a huge impact on the entire room!

While I may leave a chunky throw blanket for cool Friday night movies, I’ll replace the thick, chunky knit throw pillows with some cotton and linen fabrics that feel a little lighter.

No matter, the season, however, layers can help your home stay cozy.  Which pieces and fabrics you layer will depend on your personal preference and even geographical location!

To start lightening things up, I’ll link a couple of favorite spring throw blankets HERE and HERE.  I love that you could leave these throughout the summer as well!

THIS light-weight throw blanket is my very favorite and I use it all the time.  In fact, I’ll probably order a second one so I don’t have to keep moving it around the house with me!

I also lighten up my throw pillows by switching the chunky knits for linen and vintage hemp pillows like THIS and THIS.  These fabrics feel cozy in the cooler months and cool in the warm months!

Of course, I love the vintage look and they also layer perfectly with any colored pillows you choose to bring in.

 

 

beautiful neutral vintage throw pillows styled on a cozy white couch

Scents set the season for your home too!

The last thing I want to make sure and share is a very effective way to bring in the new season without a stitch of cleaning or decorating!

Every season has its own scents and when I’m ready to transition away from winter decor, it’s time to put away the fresh pine and cedar scents from the holiday decor and pull out something fresh!

My favorite scent for spring and summer is the Volcano scent from Capri Blue.  If you love shopping at Anthropologie, you already know this signature scent!  I love the light and freshness of the scent without being too flowery or fruity!

In fact, I even have our Pura diffusers set to get our home smelling fresh and wonderful before we even get home from school each day!

In my classroom, I use the Volcano essential oil and it is just so calming.  The parents even comment how good our classroom smells!  That is a big win for a classroom full of little people!

a pura diffuser plugged into the wall

When we are going to be home for awhile, I like to light my favorite candle in my kitchen too!  Something about the scent and the candlelight just help create such a welcoming environment, even on a busy day!

Practical Tip:  I also keep THIS candle warmer lamp on the kitchen counter.  It provides a soft light and helps our home smell amazing.  I especially love that it is dimmable and has a timer so you don’t even have to remember to turn it off!

Whatever your preferred scent is, don’t underestimate how changing the scent of your home can help transition your home to the next season!

On a side note: I even use the Capri Blue Volcano hand cream and it is my very, very favorite!!!  You can find it HERE!

cozy volcano candle burning in the kitchen

Even though the first day of spring may feel like a long time away, it will be here before we know it!  If you’re looking for an easy way to beat some of those winter blues, I hope making some simple changes around your home to transition to early spring decor will help your home feel fresh!

I have had a great time sharing with you and I hope I’ve been able to spark a few ideas for a fresh start with today’s post!  Have fun!

small arrangements in clear glass bottles down the middle of a white table

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterestand Facebook!  

Blessings,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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