Decorating & Design
March 22, 2021
80+ Of House & Home’s Best Spring Decorating Ideas
Spring is in the air… and in our homes! This season is all about a return to relaxed decorating, with breezy materials and soothing palettes filling our spaces. Click through for 80+ spring decorating ideas from the H&H archives to help your home blossom.
Paint your door. To create the illusion of an arched door (without the hefty price tag), homeowner Wendy Lau painted a semi-circle past the top of the door frame. She created a custom color by mixing a few hues together — you can get a similar look with Benjamin Moore’s Antique Glass.
Create your own mini nursery. “I spend a ton of time in here,” says Wendy of her plant-filled sunroom. She has collected over 100 plants, from tropical foliage to succulents — she even started propagating to grow her plant family even more. “I’m really under pressure to keep them alive now,” she says. “Plants are kind of like heirlooms for me.”
Add a colorful quilt. In Richard Ouellette and Maxime Vandal’s pool house, a sweet quilt that the couple found at an antique show in Knowlton, Quebec, ties all of the hues in the bedroom together.
Layer in the prints. The sitting room is equally as eye-catching with a slew of playful patterns, from the ikat fabric on the ottoman to the eclectic array of pillows. As long as they have a similar color scheme, you can’t go wrong!
Incorporate vintage art. In case you missed it, antique paintings have been popping up in modern homes a lot lately, and we love the juxtaposition of old and new. Here, a series of portraits feels extra unexpected set against a polka dot wallpaper.
Color code your books. Looking for an easy weekend update with maximum impact? Organize your book spines by their hue. It’s not only visually pleasing, but it makes finding your next read that much easier.
Give your laundry room some love. This hardworking area hadn’t been touched since the ’80s, so it needed a facelift. Moody blue cabinets, heated floors and savvy storage makes this laundry room functional and fashionable.
Decorate with leafy prints. Powder rooms are the perfect place to take a design risk (or two). Palm-patterned wallpaper feels more on-trend than theme-y when grounded with black tile and brass fixtures.
Give your staircase a makeover. Ali Budd is not one to shy away from bold design moves, and we can understand why! This candy-pink runner proves that a pop of electric color goes a long way.
Mix and match your dining chairs. To keep the custom 14-foot-long table from feeling flat, Ali chose the same style of seating but in different shades of pink, blue and periwinkle. How innovative!
Create a memorable first impression. This bold entryway may only be three by three feet, but that didn’t stop designer Cynthia Ferguson from taking the plunge with color. A front door is a great place to pull off saturated hues and striking wallpaper.
Try your hand at maximalism. “To be a true maximalist, you’re not trying to match patterns or colors,” says Cynthia. “You’re setting out with no rules other than more is more.” This zesty green family room is the perfect example!
Think outside of the box (and your own home). We can’t get enough of this cheerful 1970s camper named Poppy! Designer Reena Sotropa renovated this yellow family rig for just under $20,000. Think of all the scenic road trips and photo-ops!
Declutter your closet. If you’re lucky enough to have a shoe collection this covetable, why not show it off? Group pairs of similar styles and colors for a cohesive look that is easy on the eyes. Discover more closet organization ideas here.
Swathe your kitchen cabinets with sage. This sweet shade is a huge trend for spring, not only in our closets but in our homes, too. It’s a must-have in the kitchen when paired with rustic accents.
Go monochromatic. There is nothing more regal than the color purple, so designer Anne Hepfer created a harmonious look in this petite powder room using this calming hue. Touches of gold amp up the luxurious factor.
Invest in a vibrant tub chair (or two). Two sunny swivel chairs create a cozy reading nook in this colorful penthouse‘s principal bedroom. “I needed a pop of happiness,” says Anne.
Coordinate your pillow and drapery color. “I used the same drapery fabric in my first-ever published project in 2012 and [the homeowner] Adam had the same drapery made after seeing it,” says designer Joel Bray. Ochre enlivens the greyscale guest bedroom.
Give a blank wall architectural interest. Designer Allison Willson added molding and textured wallpaper to the foyer, giving the space a fresh look without a full-scale renovation.
Freshen up the living room. Update your throw pillows with more colorful fabric, switch out nubby winter blankets for lighter versions and fill a vase with fresh cut blooms.
Make a practical, stylish entrance. A hardworking bench in the foyer is a functional spot to keep backpacks, coats and boots organized and off the floor. Spice it up by swathing it in a color that speaks to you and your home — denim blue, anyone?
Declutter your home library. Group your books by color for a design moment that is artful yet organized. Not only is it visually pleasing, but it gives your bookshelf a more refined look.
Dust off the outdoor furniture. As it starts to warm up, why not take the relaxing outside? A sitting area on the porch is the perfect spot for morning coffee with a good book. A warm blanket is always handy for cooler weather.
Display fun finds. Tokens from past travels and adventures make for a unique way to stylize a coffee table. An array of materials and textures will bring visual interest to the tabletop.
Dress up your walls. Nothing screams spring more than florals. Pair a bolder wallpaper like this one with more subtle accessories — like a timeless dresser in a neutral hue — to really give it the attention it deserves.
Enjoy the view. Make the most of an expansive window and natural light by making it the hot spot for Sunday brunch.
Add fun accents. Give your living room a refreshed look by bringing in notice-me pieces, like vibrant throw pillows, statement lighting, soft drapery and a dreamy rug. Easy updates you can do in a weekend!
Light the fire pit. Muskoka style chairs are an essential for any outdoor lounge area. In the evenings, light up the fire bowl to create a cozy ambiance all season long.
Bring blooms inside. As flowers start coming back to life in the garden, clip a selection of your favorite blooms (like these Instagram-worthy hydrangeas) for your interior.
Add contrast to a space. Rustic wood accessories, like this raw entryway table and woven basket, adds a beachy vibe to a more modern space. Even the family dog approves!
Dress up your powder room. A California-cool wallpaper adds a bold statement to a petite powder room, while keeping a serene, surfer feel.
Mix in outdoor motifs. A flock of wall-mounted birds and garden clippings on the coffee table add a dash of outdoor inspiration indoors. Warm up the room with soft wooden details.
Style with a centerpiece. A sculptural vase full of fresh foliage is the only thing you need to decorate an eating area. Simple wood and woven chairs and a round marble table is minimalism at its finest.
Add hooks. Storage tip: hanging straw hats on simple hooks are a creative way to stay organized, while also doubling as wall art!
Create a cozy corner. Window seating is an ideal reading nook with its abundance of natural light. Strategically-placed shelving is both a backrest and extra storage space for knick knacks and pottery.
Jazz up your entryway with wallpaper. Set the tone for the whole house by adding a whimsical spotted wallpaper that feels equally cool and casual.
Create a vignette with fresh cut flowers. Homeowner Anne Côté picked wildflowers from her backyard and set them atop her dining table for a modest yet lovely display.
Showcase foraged finds. Set in a shadowbox, a piece of driftwood, sprig of lavender and mossy bird’s nest make for a seasonal tabletop display.
Frame a piece of floral fabric. Set against a clean white backdrop, this painterly print invigorates homeowner Tamara Taggart’s dining room.
Cheer up your space with yellow. This sunny shade is scattered throughout homeowner Arren Williams’ yard to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Don’t shy away from chintz. Plain white walls keep chintz-covered sofas from feeling outdated or overwhelming. A bouquet of roses on the coffee table nod to their pattern.
Display flowers in a cool, kitschy vase. A bouquet of flowers set in a woodland pottery piece makes for an unexpected — yet undeniably sweet — decorating moment.
Let nature inspire your decor. A sculptural wooden branch lamp gives this masculine sitting area storied appeal.
Showcase color in unexpected places. An ombré effect on stair risers are eye-catching and fun. White walls allow for a quiet transition from deep teal to light blue.
Wow with wallpaper. A pretty peony- and butterfly-print wallpaper keeps this young girl’s bedroom blooming year-round.
DIY a herb garden. A hanging herb garden is an easy way to add life to a bland patio or small balcony. Learn how to make this DIY: Vertical Garden Planter.
Give windows a whimsical treatment. Beautify a standard roller blind by covering it with a patterned fabric, then echo the pattern on the drapes for a fresh feel. Learn how to do this project.
Make an ombré floral centerpiece. Arrange flowers of various shades in a long, rectangular vase (or multiple small vases) and set them off with a tablecloth in a contrasting color for a simple and stunning display.
Set out a fruit bowl. Fill a bowl with fresh fruit and place it on a countertop or table for easy snacking and a burst of juicy color.
Bring life to minimalist spaces with a leafy centerpiece. A single clipped branch stands out against this dining room’s neutral palette.
Create a woodsy scene. The meandering branches of this hand-painted mural bring the magical feeling of a forest indoors.
Add interest underfoot with a colorful rug. A saturated orange rug was a bold choice for this pattern-filled living room, but one with huge payoff. “Blue and orange… is a luxe, sophisticated combination,” says designer Jennifer Worts.
Incorporate pops of pink. Homeowners Brett Sherlock and James Booty introduced this quintessential spring hue into their sitting area with a tall vase of taffy-colored blooms.
Cultivate an indoor garden. These good-looking lanterns double as a mini nursery: plants start indoors, then are carried outside to grow.
Pair white and blue. This classic color combo will bring a breezy feel to your space.
Bring in juicy color and pattern. Homeowner and designer Laurence Martocq energized her cottage living room with layers of bright pink and orange accents.
Welcome wicker. Wicker furniture’s relaxed look makes it a seasonal favorite. In this outdoor dining area, antique wicker chairs are the perfect accompaniment for a laid-back meal.
Refresh a kitchen with colorful cabinets. Designer and homeowner Michael Penney embraced his kitchen’s kitschy bones by painting the cabinets a pale blue hue. Carrera countertops give the look integrity.
Choose lighting with an airy feel. A set of rice paper pendants float like clouds in this breezy cottage entryway.
Use stripes to make a serious space feel more playful. A striped runner injects color and life into this all-white kitchen.
DIY a drawer garden. Watching flowers bud is one of the greatest joys of spring. To see how designer Joel Bray transformed an unused drawer into a mini garden table perfect for holding houseplants, click here.
Use bench seating to maximize garden views. Low-slung bench seating sets the stage for casual get togethers and won’t block budding garden vistas.
Play up artwork with flowers. A vase of forsythia is a cheeky nod to the standout art piece in designer Bobbie Burgers’ kitchen, amplifying the work’s sunny hue.
Layer quiet pattern. To ensure that this principal bedroom felt serene, the homeowners opted for wallpaper in a muted color and print.
Refresh old furniture with paint. To make this antique console feel fresh again, homeowners Sara and Michael Penney painted it a vibrant teal.
Let kids create their own spring-inspired art. Designer Bobbie Burgers’ daughter, Annaka, crafted colorful origami butterflies and affixed them to the wall above her desk as a dynamic art piece.
Store seasonal sports gear in style. Sports equipment often comes in odd shapes and sizes; keep gear like tennis racquets neatly corralled and accessible in bright canvas bins, like these easy-to-make units.
Use primary colors to enliven an entrance. An energetic, yellow-painted front door and tall cyan blue chair are both statement-making and welcoming.
Display mason jars in unconventional ways. Homeowner Kelly Anderson’s New Brunswick home celebrates a return to simplicity, and her unique light fixture is no exception. Suspended above the dining table, a quintet of mason jars shine beautifully when lit.
Use your garden’s bounty as art. H&H design editors Morgan Michener and Stacey Smithers placed these blooming hyacinths on a black background, snapped a photo, then had it blown up for a one-of-a-kind piece.
Paint a spring mural. Hand-painted murals of potted tulips give this foyer an artistic edge. To DIY your own, download the template here.
Lighten up your linens. Trade your heavy duvet for layers of lighter blankets and throws, like in this principal bedroom.
Welcome birds back after a long winter. Birdcage pendants by Mathieu Challières introduce an element of wit and whimsy into this hardworking kitchen.
Hang an African Juju hat on the wall. In search of an expected way to decorate with florals? Consider a Juju hat: their flower-like shape mimics the look of a blooming flower.
Think inside the box. In outdoor spaces with a small footprint or no grass, introduce nature by planting a tree within a steel container.
Decorate utilitarian spaces. When topped with a stack of books and pretty plants, a drab radiator transforms into a mini indoor garden.
Customize a plain chair. H&H design editor Sally Armstrong transformed a mundane seat into a personalized memento of a family vacation in Maine with a photo decal technique. Discover how she did it here.
Recreate the look of an ivy-covered cottage indoors. A trailing plant can be trained to grow up the side of a window, maturing into a romantic, natural frame.
Display potted kitchen herbs in pretty tea tins. Tins brimming with plant life welcome color and aroma to a windowsill or kitchen shelf.
Display decorative ceramics. In a kitchen with open shelving, serveware kept on display are often a highlight. Against a white backsplash, small bowls with flowery motifs add color and pattern.
Say yes to florals. A large-scale floral pattern on these bedsheets add to this bedroom’s casual spring vibe.