Paint your door

This is an undeniably easy spruce up idea! Painting is the quickest way to transform your front door. My vote is for a fun color or, at the very least, something nice and glossy. Can’t wait to try it on my own front door. For real. I have glossy-front-door envy.

Helpful Tip: If your door currently has paint, make sure you strip off the paint first then sand it before putting on a new coat of paint. This gives your front door a smoother look once you’ve finished painting on the new coat.

New hardware (or spray paint your old hardware)

 
Talk about an instant update. The constant change in weather wears out the door hardware, but changing door knobs every time takes too much time and effort. For a quick fix, spray paint your door knob! This spruce up solution takes about five minutes and instantly changes your front door from grimy to posh.

Helpful Tip: Use an oil rubbed spray paint like the one used here to keep your door knob looking classy.
 

Door knocker

 
Speaking of new hardware, you can also go for some chic fun by attaching a door knocker! Adding a door knocker gives your front door an additional point of interest and brings a touch of vintage to your façade.

Switch out your door mat

 
Spring might have arrived late here in Michigan, but it just gave me a reason to pull out new door mats! Change the mat of your front door into something lively to truly welcome your guests into your house. Nothing says “come in!” better than a brightly patterned door mat.
 

Customize your house number

 
Again, an instant update. Also, so many styles to choose from. Cottage-y, modern, vintage, traditional, block, script. Need I say more? Make the front door really stand out with personalized house numbers – and you don’t need to do any heavy lifting! Another easy way to customize your house numbers is to take them down then coat them with the leftover spray paint from your door knob. Now, doesn’t that sound quick and easy?
 

Fun added touches

 
New mailbox

Our mailbox is curbside, so I can’t change mine. But, if you have a mailbox next to your front door, it’s another great way to add a fun, decorative touch.

Lighting

Add some lighting to your front door. It may be a bit more labor-intensive, but the difference it makes is huge.

Flowers and Wreaths

It’s springtime, so don’t forget to add some flowers! Potted flowers or floral wreaths are beautiful additions to any entryway. They are cheerful and welcoming, and add lots of color to your front door. You can also change them to match the season.

These are just a few ideas on how you can spruce up your front door. Do you have any suggestions? Feel free to share them!

But don’t you just love window seats? There is just something so comfortable and homey about them. Now, depending on which room your window seat is in, there are a lot of ways to use it. Here are some of my favorites:

In the Kitchen

Kitchens are often the entertaining hub of the home. Adding a window seat to a kitchen can help utilize the space beneath the window for guest seating. A thick, comfortable cushion will draw friends to the window seat and keep them out of the cook’s way. Don’t forget to put pillows for even more comfort and style!

Go a bit further with your décor and turn your window seat into a mini-bistro or dining nook. Make the most out of a long, narrow space by combining a window seat with a dining table.

You can use the drawers under a window seat for storing extra tableware or  cookware. A window seat is also the perfect way to camouflage unsightly radiators or exposed plumbing.

In the Family Room

Can you think of a better place to relax and read a book than in this cozy window seat? Except for sitting on the beach under an umbrella, of course!

Window seats are great for sipping hot chocolate on a cold winter day or just reading a book while the sunlight peeps through. The cozy design certainly adds charm to your family room while providing extra storage. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves flanking a window seat are great for displaying your favorite books and keepsakes.

Plus, if your window seat is big enough, you can turn it into a place to nap on a warm afternoon. Use a thick cushion to create a smooth, comfortable base and add sheer drapes for a little privacy.

In the Kid’s Room

A window seat can add a dash of playful style to a kid’s room. I mean, what child wouldn’t love this space?

But aside from making a dramatic improvement to a room’s overall design, window seats can also provide a cozy spot for children to do their homework or enjoy an after-school snack.

Your child can use the window seat as an additional seating area when friends come over. Or in this case, as a cozy bed

The built-in bookcases and drawers also allow for much-needed extra storage.

In the Office/Study

Who wouldn’t want an inspiring view while working or studying? If you’re strapped for space and don’t need more seating, turn your window seat into a desk instead. The window seat’s nooks and crannies naturally lend themselves to storing office supplies, while the addition of a lamp and bookshelves quickly transform the seat into a quiet workspace.

In the Mudroom

With all of the other rooms in the house attended to – the living room, bedroom, kitchen and study – let’s not forget the part of the house that makes the first impression on all your guests: the mudroom. A well-organized window seat, like the one pictured above, basically serves as a shoe rack and hallway closet, but is endlessly more appealing. Who knows, with a window seat in your mudroom, it may just become the most popular room in the house!

Do you have other uses for window seats?  Share with us!

I want my house to reflect the changes in the season as well: sunshine, spring flowers, open windows. It doesn’t take much to add some new life to your home. With four children, I am always looking for quick ways to ready my house for the new season. Here are a few ways you can easily decorate with a touch of spring:

Pillows

Switch out your pillows for an easy decorating style. I promise you, this quickly and dramatically changes the look of the room. If you have a couch or chair in a solid color, get pillows with a pattern that uses at least one color from your interiors to coincide with the rest of your décor.

Budget Tip: To save money, buy/switch out pillow covers instead of purchasing brand new pillows for each season.

Spring Throws and Linens

Switch out heavy flannel and afghans with light linens. Accentuate your couch and cushy chairs with fresh and airy throws with designs that have the same color scheme as your redressed pillows or couches.

Go a step further by replacing your tablecloths and napkins with ones that complement your new color motif. You can also “spring-ify” your bedroom by changing your sheets and duvet covers. Use pastel-colored linens for your bedroom for a fresh vibe.

Fresh flowers

Spring redecorating is never complete without fresh flowers. Flowers make me happy, especially since I don’t have to worry about paying big bucks to have them in my home.

What I do is buy inexpensive grocery store flowers then fill little bud vases with them. Carnations, often the forgotten flower, are a great choice. They are affordable and have a long shelf life. Buy carnations in the same color for a stylish, unifying spring décor accent in every room.

Wreaths

Wreaths are for more than just Christmas! Spring wreaths are perfect above your mantel or by your door. An unadorned wreath is great, but you can also add in small flowers like baby’s breath to enhance its springtime feel. For a finishing touch, find a ribbon that goes with your color scheme and wrap it around the wreath.

Create a spring-inspired home with just a few touches! What are your favorite spring decorating accents?

Keep it Simple

The key to beautifying your kitchen space is to take a minimalist approach: keep it clean and simple! This style works well with traditional and modern spaces and it’s a great idea for small kitchens in medium-sized homes. Simplify with a uniform color scheme for your plates, cups, cooking utensils, and even cabinets. White is my personal favorite! Apply a fresh coat of paint on your walls and cupboards. Display all your white plates and culinary tools in one space and hide the colorful ones. The simplicity not only is pleasing to the eyes but also looks clean and exudes subtle elegance.

Wide glass windows also work wonders for the kitchen. Take off your curtains and allow natural light to stream into the room. Big windows also make your kitchen seem less stuffy.

Take big windows a bit further by installing a skylight. I love a bright kitchen and skylights are a great way to add light to your enclosed space! They’re also a good source of task lighting for your cooking preparations and culinary experiments.

To save space and prevent any clutter in your room, try keeping your plates inside drawers. Don’t forget to throw out the things you don’t need anymore as well.

Make it Rustic

Another alternative for your kitchen is to infuse it with a bit of rustic charm. A timeless and well-loved idea, this will surely be appreciated by guests and loved ones.

Instead of using the dining room, why don’t you use the kitchen for breakfasts, brunches, and lunches? Adding a farm table and some chairs maximizes your space. These table and chairs also bring a warm, natural touch to your kitchen. Soon, your kitchen will become more than a place to prepare meals, but a room where you and your family can spend time together.

Installing cost-effective wooden shelves give you extra room for ingredients, serving ware, and plates. I love the idea of stacking up the dishes to take full advantage of space. The shelves also add a vintage touch to your kitchen and are great storage options.

Simple fixtures such as a wooden dish holder or a knife rack also make a difference and bring a cottage feel to your cooking spaces.

Redecorate your kitchen with these simple but wonderful ideas and take a step closer to the kitchen of your dreams.

Paint your porch

Photo from molajen via flickr. CC BY 2.0

A fresh coat of paint immediately rejuvenates your porch. When choosing paint colors, pick out pale hues to create a relaxing atmosphere for your home.

You don’t need to paint your entire porch; just focus on one area, such as the floor, ceiling, or porch rails. A newly painted porch adds a burst of color and signals the coming of spring.

Bring out your wooden furniture

Photo from sonjalovas via flickr. CC BY 2.0

Cold winter days are over (woo-hoo!), so dust off your wooden furniture and place it on your porch for a comfortable sitting area. Having furniture on your porch makes for an inviting atmosphere that family and friends can enjoy. Wooden furniture is also easier to clean.

The furniture you use depends on the size of your porch. If your porch is big enough, you may place a side table and a couch or a love seat. For small porches, a couple of stools are perfect. A rocking chair or a porch swing is also a lovely addition to your porch.

Take out your throw pillows

Photo from Wickerfurniture via flickr. CC BY 2.0

No spring porch is complete without a couple of throw pillows! Throw pillows create a comfortable ambiance on your porch and make your guests feel welcome to linger outside.

Choose bright-colored throw pillows. Orange, a deep shade of blue, pale yellow, and violet hues are good choices. Pillow covers with patterns also add character to your porch. Having pillows outside refine your sitting area and bring a warm look to your porch.

Don’t forget the flowers

Photo from QuotableKidney via flickr. CC BY 2.0

Flowers are an affordable way to create a fresh look for your home. Blooms also make your porch an extension of your front yard or garden.

Clean the exterior of a pot (or several pots) of flowers before placing them on your porch. The ideal place for your flower pots are on the porch steps, at a corner, or near your porch table.

Place rugs

Photo from Wickerfurniture via flickr. CC BY 2.0

You can also use rugs as accents in lieu of fresh paint. Place your rug on your chosen space before placing your furniture on top of it. This gives your sitting area a definite point of attention.

Make sure that your outdoor rug is at least stain-resistant since the porch gets a lot of foot traffic. The color should complement your theme and the size shouldn’t overwhelm your porch space.

Add lanterns as accents

Photo from brad.coy via flickr. CC BY 2.0

Lanterns are the perfect accessories to complete your spring porch! Lovely candle lanterns add ambient lighting to your porch. With these super cute and affordable accents, after-dinner coffees out on the porch are more relaxing and subdued.

You can make your own lanterns by putting votive candles inside mason jars, tying a rope around the neck of the jar, and hanging the lanterns above your sitting area.

Make your porch spring-ready with these decorating ideas. Do you have any spring decorating tips to share?