Spring Decorating: Emma Reddington Shares Clever Ways To Breathe New Life Into Your Home
H&H’s Deputy Editor Emma Reddington shares clever ways to breathe new life into your home with wallpaper, paint and fabric.
Get inspired below!
Below the Bar
Give your white kitchen a buoyant hit of colour and pattern with an easy weekend upgrade. Simply apply botanical peel and stick wallpaper to your island to add an unexpected layer of personality, and instantly change the feel of the room.
Up and Over
Spark your toddler’s imagination. Rather than papering all four walls, extend the pattern up a single nursery wall and across the ceiling. The effect flips around a room’s dimensions and gives it a bold, design-forward edge.
Lemon Fresh
Transform a mudroom into a big design moment. Lively citrus themed wallpaper and a lemon yellow blind and seat cushion are colourful counterpoints to the glossy white cabinets. Decorative throw pillows and wicker baskets are lighthearted finishing touches.
Closet Confessions
Plain wood closet doors can be made more interesting by replacing the upper half with glass panels backed in gathered fabric. This simple textile update hides away everyday items while adding a soft layer that relaxes the room’s aesthetic.
Making Waves
Add a touch of softness to your bathroom with a two-tone, scalloped-edge shower curtain. While there are many beautiful off-the-shelf versions, a custom shower curtain will fit the dimensions and palette of your space perfectly. If you’re a sewer, you can easily make a two-tone curtain and add wide rickrack trim.
Soft Landings
Make a bold first impression in an entry by layering elements in different colours and prints. A curvy upholstered bench in a checkered pattern mirrors the wallpaper’s tones while dark wainscotting and a black iron ceiling fixture offer balance. Then, add a pop of colour with art and throw pillows!
Layered Luxury
Bedscaping is one of H&H’s top trends for 2026. Here, a combo of prints found on the throw pillows, skirted table, upholstered headboard, quilt, plus the fabric lampshade and wallpaper are a master class in mixing patterns.
Monochromatic Magic
Elevate the mundane by giving functional elements a high-design finish. Painted wall-mounted drying racks in a verdant green perfectly match the cabinets below for a seamless, built-in look that energizes the laundry room.
Seating in Style
Sometimes, a bit of paint is all it takes to shift a room’s entire mood. In this casual breakfast area, the dining chairs were painted teal blue and paired with a wicker bench and delicate floral wallpaper.
Two-Tone Transition
Tap into your home’s original architectural gems — like a stained glass window — to curate a paint palette that feels intentional. Here, the wainscotting is painted in two different hues inspired by colours in the glass. The playful pink wallpaper in the vestibule serves as a tonal bridge between the entry and interior space.
Stepped-Up Colour
Turn your staircase into something special by leaving the treads stripped and unstained, then painting out the stringer, spindles and handrail in complementary shades. Here, the dynamic use of paint draws the eye toward the peekaboo powder room tucked beneath the stairs that’s awash in its own mix of patterns and hues.