Spring Home Tour
Happy Spring! I know it’s been about a million times milder this winter here in Texas than other parts of the world… And I’m still relishing the sunshine and warmth. I’m sure y’all are, too.
Since I kind of jumped the gun and shared a little teaser home tour last week in honor of our house being listed (we are moving for my husband’s job… exciting and sad all at the same time!), I thought I’d take a slightly different approach to today’s tour. Instead of a room by room tour (don’t worry, I have weeks worth of those now that our house is staged and listed… keep coming back for more), I thought I’d share 10 tips for freshening up your home for spring. They range from infinitely practical to wonderfully whimsical; and they’re easy, simple, and perfect for celebrating this warmer, brighter season. Enjoy!
1. Let in the light!
Do you have any doors or windows you can open? Clear the area and throw them wide, friends! Breathe the fresh, spring air and soak in the sunshine.
2. Put something green in every room.
Fresh is great, but if you’d like an affordable option that will last you for years, check out this diy eucalyptus wreath.
3. Be a little quirky.
I love using rain boots to hold seasonal decor, and these flowering branches are perfect for spring.
4. Clean your windows.
There’s nothing like pure, unadulterated sunlight to brighten your room and life!
5. Give your doors a fresh coat of paint (or at least a good cleaning).
Now that the winter slush is gone, freshen up your entries with a crisp, clean door. Since you’ll be spending more time outside, you’ll appreciate the effort.
Disclosure: A special thank you to Kirklands for a gift card towards the tufted storage bench.
6. Lighten things up.
I recently added this lovely tufted storage bench from Kirklands to our bedroom, and the ivory linen helps soften and brighten.
7. Pair darker pieces with bright, cheery accents.
I love this antique buffet that belonged to my great grandmother, but it is definitely on the heavy side, especially for spring. Adding a bright, oxidized-copper-look candlestick and a blue tinted demijohn adds a fun touch of aqua to cheer up the space.
8. Use fresh fruit.
Fresh flowers are wonderful, but I really have a thing for fresh fruit. The colors are just as lovely, and they get consumed (hopefully by myself and my children!). Healthy, beautiful… seems the perfect match.
9. Organize.
There’s a reason they call it “spring cleaning.” The added sunlight reveals the dust that has gathered through the winter, and all the heavier paraphernalia (like warm hats, gloves, blankets, etc.) is no longer needed. Clear it out! Make some space! Enjoy the simplicity of spring. You can find out more about our diy mud room unit here.
10. Put a little extra effort into your outdoor spaces.
Whether it’s a 3′ square stoop, a window box, or a big back patio (you can read the details about ours here), spring is the time to enjoy it. Add fresh annuals, wipe off the grime of winter, and get ready to rest in the beauty of nature.
I hope you found these helpful. Happy spring!
Beautiful! I love how light and airy your home is!
Thank you so much, Jennifer!
Just gorgeous, Rachel! What a fabulous line up of homes!!! Can’t wait to visit ever single one. Your home is light and bright and beautiful… and with three little ones too! You are amazing! Hugs, from StoneGable!
I’m so honored to be among them, Yvonne! And thank you so much; I admit that it is sometimes quite the challenge with the little ones. 😉 I so appreciate your sweet comment, though! xx
Everything looks great!
Thank you so much!
Hi can I please ask what colour you have for the external bricks?
It was a mix of browns and reds from a local brick yard at the time… But when I tried to recreate a similar look in our new home on our fireplace, I found something online. Here’s the post about it. I hope this helps!
Great advice (though I do not love dusting!)
Ha! Me neither, Alison!! That’s why I have to motivate myself by thinking happy Spring thoughts. 😉
Great tips, Rachel! Your home is so gorgeous!!!!
Thank you so much, Jen! And thank you for organizing this tour… I’m honored to be included! xx
As always, everything is stunning Rachel! I think you have the best house ever because of all that gorgeous light it gets!
Thank you so much, Jenna! I admit that it has taken me almost three years of living there to find enough light in some rooms, but others really are bathed in it. 🙂 I’ll be so sad to leave it!
Rachel, every space looks fabulous! You have such great light in your home! I was wondering about the window with the gray painted trim….would you paint all of the windows/trim that color? We have some painted white and others are still the hideous golden oak color. I love white after it is all said and done, but now I am wondering if gray wouldn’t be just as pretty (and easier to apply). I am not a patient person, so painting things white really can stress me out in a short amount of time. I was just looking for an alternative to white and was wondering your opinion. Thanks!
You are so kind, Michelle, thank you! I LOVE my gray window, but I did only paint the window, not all the trim in the room. It’s Dovetail by SW, by the way, if you’re interested. We actually had gray trim and white walls in our apartment in Paris, and I really loved it. I wanted to commemorate that when I painted this window, but I wasn’t up to painting all the trim (that was already white). I think a white room with gray trim is just gorgeous… I think Dear Lillie was the one who did that in her living room and then changed her mind and painted it all white again; you might go check her blog for some comparisons. If I were you, I’d try it in one room and see how you like it! Good luck!!
Your home is so beautiful and so fresh like a gorgeous Spring day…..
Oh, Shirley, thank you!! xx
Everything looks so beautiful, Rachel! These are such great tips! I can’t wait to open the doors and windows here in MA… though it may be a little while still 😉
Oh dear, Nina, it was 85 degrees here today!! I hope you get some warm sunshine soon, my friend. 😉 And thank you!
Everything looks gorgeous, and these are great tips!
Thank you so much, Erin! xx
Beautiful – all of it!! I love that DIY eucalyptus wreath. Definitely pinning that for a future project (like tomorrow..). 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad, Shelby. Thank you! I hope you love the wreath. 🙂
Rachel…..your home is absolutely lovely! I love it!❤️
Thank you so much, Daune! xx
Love your decorating! Did you paint your exterior brick? What color is it? We are planning on painting ours this summer.
Thank you so much, Sue Ann! We had it painted a few months after we moved in (almost three years ago), and I love it, too! 🙂 It’s Ellie Gray by Sherwin Williams.
LOVE all these bright and beautiful photographs!!! Your home looks great!!
Thank you so much, Charlotte!! xx
I enjoyed your home tour with morning coffee. What a wonderful way to start the day. Your home will likely sell in a New York minute since it is so very lovely. I look forward to seeing how you updo your new place. Best to you, Susie
You are so kind, Susie, thank you!!
it’s all so fresh and crisp Rachel, I love it! and that grey window trim against the light wall is *wonderful*. I would be very tempted to do that throughout the house 🙂
Thank you so much, Cynthia! I’ve always wanted to do that in a whole room…. Maybe in this next house. 🙂
Great tips Rachel- your house is looking incredible! I bet it will be snapped up in no-time at all. Hard to leave though, now that you have it so perfect!
Oh Krista, it will be so hard… Thank you for your sweet comment! xx
Lovely! That was a 4-pin blog! Well done! 😀
I do get so many ideas for my home and my mom’s new home from you. Thank you for sharing.
4-pins – I’m honored!! 🙂 Thanks so much, Terri.
I know you must be sad to leave your gorgeous home – but try to focus on all of the beautiful memories you will make with your family in you new home. Have moved many times myself I know it can be hard! Your pictures and home are beautiful – and your next home will be too! Pinned! Hugs – Heather
Such a good encouragement, Heather. Thank you!! Big hugs to you, my friend. 🙂
Love your style! I am so ready for spring too! We are having great weather here in Ca. and I have already done some painting to lighten things up inside. Now I need to get to work on the outside! I am visiting from Moonlight an Mason Jars today.
Good for you, Pamela! So glad you’re enjoying spring already. 🙂 Thank you so much for coming by!! xx
I love how bright and airy your home is! Gorgeous 🙂
Thank you so much, Christine!
I just cannot get over that kitchen…gorgeous tour, Rachel?
Thank you so much, April!! xx
Great tips! I have to admit – this Wisconsin girl is jealous of your mild Texas winter, haha! So fun begin on this Spring Home Tour with you – loved your ideas and inspiration! (PS. We’re kitchen light pendant twins – woot.)
You must have great taste!! 😉 Thanks so much for your sweet comment. For what it’s worth, I’d die for a white Christmas sometime. I guess the grass is always greener…
I love every.single.photo! Such a beautiful color palette and attention to detail. And your photography is incredible. You’re so talented!
Oh, Jenna Sue, you are so kind. Thank you!!!
Your kitchen is gorgeous, Rachel. And your whole house of course. I know you’ll make the next house just as gorgeous.
Hugs, Jamie
You’re a doll, Jamie! xx
All that sunlight in your home is so beautiful, Rachel. And that kitchen… I just can’t get over it! So happy to be part of this home tour with you! 🙂
Thank you so much, Liz! xx
I love your approach to the spring home tour!! So fun and fresh, and totally enjoyed all your tips 🙂 XO
Thank you so much, Bre! xx
Delightful ideas! Pinned and shared.
Thank you so much, Donna!
Gorgeous! Love it! So fresh, inviting & springy! I just started getting my house spring ready which is what I need since we are in the midst of a kitchen reno! I’m new to the blogger community but excited to share my journey too 🙂
-Kayla ( sheekndivine.blogspot.com)
You are so kind, Kayla, thank you! And congratulations on your new blog and welcome to the community!! Oh, and big big hugs to you as you go through your kitchen reno – I feel for you, friend!!
What kind of brick was used on your steps?
It was a 50/50 combo of a “red” and a “brown” mix from a local brick yard. 🙂 You can see more on the project here. Hope this helps!
I love the back step and patio that connects to the covered porch. How can I see more pictures of that area and how the porch ties in with the uncovered patio area? Thank you for sharing your beautiful home!
Thank you so much! You can see more on that project here. I hope this helps!