15 ways to get your home ready for spring

Spring is almost in swing and you may be starting to climb out of your hibernation hole and blinking in the sun. When did it get so bright?? It’s been a long winter – we don’t know about you, but we’re ready to let spring ring! After a hard few months full of rain and burrowing into blankets until it all went away, it’s time to get your house in shape to welcome Spring with open arms! These 15 tips will help you get your home ready for spring.

Tip #1

SWITCH TO LIGHTER BEDDING. Spring is the time to switch to lighter bedding. Ditch the flannel sheets, thick duvets and wool blankets and opt for breezier cotton. Keep a light throw nearby in case the nights still get chilly! You can even switch up the look of your bedroom by trading out decorative pillows or changing up the colour of your bedding. Have one look for Autumn/Winter and one for Spring/Summer – this will keep things from getting boring!

Tip #2

CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSET. Once the warmer weather hits, it’s time to store those winter clothes and break out the t-shirts, shorts and springy dresses! Put your bulky sweaters and coats into airtight bags or bins and store them in the garage or another closet until Winter strikes again. This is also a great time to assess what you really wear and what you don’t. Be honest! If you haven’t worn something in months, donate it!

Tip #3

DECLUTTER EACH ROOM AND ORGANISE THE REST. This is one that might take a couple weeks to get through, but try going through each room in your home and getting rid of things you don’t use or like anymore. Donate things in good condition and toss the rest. Once everything is de-cluttered, go through again and organise what you have left. Group things and store them in boxes for later use or arrange them in ways that make sense so you can admire them or use them later!

Tip #4

CLEAR OUT EXPIRED ITEMS FROM THE FRIDGE AND THE PANTRY. Spring is a fantastic time to take a peek in your fridge and pantry and get rid of all those expired items. Once you have all of the expired offenders out of the way, reorganise both your fridge and your pantry, grouping like items together. For example, make sure all of your pastas and sauces are on one shelf, snacks on another, baking supplies on another, etc.

Tip #5

DEEP CLEAN THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS. Make your home sparkle and shine like the coming sun by giving your kitchen and your bathrooms a thorough deep clean. Pull back appliances, dust the tops of the cabinets, clean out your shower head, and dust the blinds. If you have kids and/or pets at home, be sure to use safe cleaning solutions! Nothing is quite as satisfying as sparkling bench tops and a pristine powder room.

Tip #6

REPLACE SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES. You are supposed to change the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year, so why not do it when you are getting your home ready for Spring! Replace the batteries and any units that don’t seem to be functioning properly. This could save your life one day, so make sure to not skip it!

Tip #7

HIGH PRESSURE WASH YOUR DRIVEWAY, DECK AND HOUSE. Winter can leave a lot of your home covered in gunk. Dirt, debris and who knows what else always seems to adhere it self to your deck, your driveway, the outside of your gutters and even the siding of your house. Yuck. Rent a high pressure cleaner on a nice day and go town on any place that could use a good wash down. The results will be stunning and give your house an instant facelift! Take this time to wash your cars, too. Might as well!

Tip #8

CLEAN OUT THE GUTTERS. If you live under or near a bunch of trees, and even if you don’t, your gutters will undoubtedly be full of random leaves by the time Winter has said goodbye. Spring is notorious for rain so make sure your gutters don’t overflow by taking some time to clean them out. If you don’t feel comfortable up on a ladder or you have a very tall house, hire a professional to take care of this for you!

Tip #9

GET A GREEN THUMB. One of our favourite things about getting your home ready for Spring is all of the beautiful flowers and foliage! Plant some seeds or store-bought blooms in pots inside and out or in flowerbeds for an instantly cheery look. If you love fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs, consider sowing some in planter boxes in your garden! Check the web for when to plant what and by the end of Summer you’ll be eating your very own homegrown salads!

Tip #10

CLEAN THE PATIO FURNITURE. Patio furniture is another one of those things that gets hit hard over the Winter. High pressure wash your set if it’s sturdy, otherwise wipe it down with some cleaners made for outdoor furniture. Once you have your table and chairs sparkling clean again, bring out your chair cushions and outdoor throw pillows to really punch up the colour and comfort! Lunch al fresco, anyone?

Tip #11

TIDY UP THE GARAGE. Over the Winter it’s easy to just toss things in the garage since it’s usually too cold in there to stay for more than 5 minutes. Take an afternoon and put everything back in it’s place. Invest in some shelving or wall brackets to get items up out of the way. Make sure you place all of your gardening and yard supplies within easy reach – you’ll be needing it!

Tip #12

CLEAN THE WINDOWS AND OPEN THEM UP. Spring is a great time to clean all of your windows inside and out with a little bit of Windex and paper towels or newspaper. While you’re at it, throw open your windows and air out your house. Nothing is as wonderful as breathing in the fresh air and having it permeate your home!

Tip #13

FIX ANYTHING THAT NEEDS FIXING. Stuff breaks. And in the Winter we can be too lazy for us to do anything about it. Take a little bit of time this Spring and assess what things around your house need fixing – make a list! Blown over fence boards, squeaky doors, or A/C unit – all of these things are great to take care of and get out of the way. Take the time to fix them now and then you can sit back and enjoy the sunshine!

Tip #14

CHANGE OUTDOOR BULBS. Clean all light fixtures, and replace burnt-out bulbs with energy-savings bulbs.

Tip#15

REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE FOR A FRESH LOOK! Try moving different decor pieces to another room or changing the configuration of your furniture. You’ll be surprised with how new everything looks once you mix it up a little bit. Throw in a bouquet of fresh flowers in a vase and you’ve gotten your home ready for Spring!