Ways to refresh your space for spring that are simple and nurturing
My 3.5 year old son stroking the freshly planted colourful spring flowers near his Kindergarten
Here, in the Northern Hemisphere, spring appears to have arrived for good (after the second winter we experienced following a "fake spring" a few weeks ago). The sun is out, the temperatures are slowly rising, the breeze is fresh and no longer icy - there is possibility.
Whenever spring rolls around, I normally feel inspired to do some "spring cleaning". To peel back the layers of clutter and dust that have accumulated over winter and carve out a fresh start.
But this year I (as well as most people, I imagine) have an additional weight of tiredness - sure, I still have that spark, that desire to freshen things up, to embrace the sun, fun, and possibilities - but this past year has been tough.
I think back to last spring and I remember my poor, aching, slowly recovering postpartum body, the fog of exhaustion I was living through after multiple wake ups every night, carting my newborn baby in the Ergo while navigating my 2.5 year old on his tricycle, trying to keep them both out of the apartment as long as possible so that my husband could do some work, my fears about the whole pandemic situation, my feelings of complete isolation, and my disappointments over what we missed out on....I think I still have (a lot of) trauma associated with that time.
The rest of the year didn't help either: Germany, along with many countries around the globe, has been in and out of various forms of lockdown. We have in fact been in lockdown since the beginning of November (yes, that's almost 5 months!) and there's not only no sign of it ending, but there's threat of even harsher restrictions.
I don't mean to be a complete Debbie Downer, but, it's been tough.
This year of all years I think we all need a little spring reset.
This year of all years we must not over-do it (we're not trying to burn ourselves out here). Instead, we must follow the most simple paths possible to achieve the biggest reward. Because we all need something good right now.
My simple bucket of cleaning supplies (including baking soda and vinegar) but we’re not really going to be discussing cleaning in detail here. This is spring “refreshment”, different to spring “cleaning”!
So in this article, we're going to explore some ways to do a simple spring refreshment of your space or environment.
I use the word "refreshment" on purpose because I think it has a nice quality to it and these ideas will encompass things that go well-beyond just "cleaning", but instead will also speak to organising, creating a place that feels good to you and, perhaps even, improving your life.
Everything will be: Minimal effort, minimal time required, and minimal cost - emphasis on simple! Let's go!
Air out
If you live in Germany, you've probably been doing this all winter. There is a German practice called "lüften" (to air out). This is steeped in German culture and it's even written into German rental contracts! I had never really thought to do it back in Australia, with airy, rattling windows and doors always letting in drafts. But, it turns out that many German buildings are so highly insulated that there is no natural exchange of air and the inside air eventually turns "bad". In the most extreme form, you're instructed to open up all your windows wide for at least 5 mins, twice a day (even in winter!), allowing air to be exchanged and preventing the build-up of humid air, which leads to mould (it sure does; learnt that the hard way). You can read more about this phenomenon here and here.
Okay, that was a little aside - but, whether you're living in Germany or not, one of the simplest ways to refresh your environment is to open all your windows, let the old air out, and bring the new in.
Introduce sound
“Frühling” (Spring) Playlist on Apple music
This brings me to my next point, which concerns sound. I think if we're considering how to best refresh our environment, we should remember all our senses. Our perception of our space isn't just what we see, but also what we hear.
If you've already opened up your windows, then you're probably now aware of the different sounds that are entering your space: the chirping of birds, the buzzing of insects, the trees swishing in the breeze.
Another way to refresh your soundscape is to introduce artificial sounds that match the season:
I always listen to Christmas songs throughout December to get me in the mood for the season, but maybe we could also apply this to other seasons as well? What music makes you feel spring-like? If you don't have an answer, head to your favourite music provider and put on a spring playlist - see this one on Apple and this one on Spotify.
Or, if music is not your thing, it could be some nature sounds that you enjoy, or poetry being read aloud, a calming audiobook...whatever takes your fancy. But I would recommend something that you haven't been listening to recently - the point is to differentiate this time from the winter that has just preceded.
An alternative (or addition) is to get a wind chime. This shop based in the UK delivers worldwide.
Unleash spring smells
Beautiful flower beds in my grandfather’s childhood town (Sopron, Hungary).
Another sense that I often neglect to think about much is smell. I think it is easy over autumn and winter to lean into having spiced hot drinks, lighting candles, and baking cookies - all great ways to inspire you for the season with nostalgic smells that make you feel all warm and cosy inside.
So, find some spring smells and use them throughout your space. This could involve:
Essential oils - see here for a detailed explanation and some mixes, or here if you would like to make a linen or room spray.
Scented candles - there's a shop in Berlin that sells some amazing-looking candles and ships Europe-wide. Or, if you're in Australia, check out my friend's business - she hand pours all her own candles and I can say from personal experience that they smell great!
Make your own sweet sachets to distribute around.
Or make a herbal wreath.
Add A Little Life
My Orchard finally in bloom (last spring)
No, I'm not referring to the book by this name, although it is a great read and one of the best books I've ever read. Instead, I mean plants.
The flowers are blooming, and everything is returning to a state of green - the perfect opportunity to bring some of that life inside! What this could look like:
A vase of flowers or branches, cuttings, or twigs that you collect yourself
Some dried lavender
Little potted herbs
A cactus
Whatever, it doesn't have to be complicated. Just put a few glasses / vases / pots around in various rooms and you'll see the difference it makes to your mood.
Re-vamp your Art
Another very simple way to reinvigorate your space is to change out the photos or artwork that you've currently got in frames (I'm sure everyone has at least one framed photo?), or stuck to the fridge, or taped to a wall.
I like to change all the photos to match the season, so lots of pictures in green or sunny settings go into the frames around now. Perhaps some old summer holiday pictures to remind you of what life will hopefully be like again sometime soon.
Again this does not have to be an expensive endeavour:
Put up your kid's drawings, or your own art projects.
Frame postcards or greeting cards that you like (I like buying postcards from artists on Etsy - it's an inexpensive way to introduce some unique art into your home).
Take some pictures from secondhand children's books.
Frame a nice piece of fabric.
Maps...you get the picture.
Use your imagination and go with anything you're currently drawn to that makes you feel fresh.
Some slightly more involved spring refreshment tasks
I said at the beginning that everything was going to require minimal time and effort, but if you want to do something a little bit more involved than the above mentioned refreshments, then keep reading.
Wardrobe/closet swap-over and organisation
I never really did this back in Australia, instead keeping all my clothes out year-round (Melbourne winters were mostly mild enough that I could just add some stockings and a jacket to a summer dress and it became a winter outfit). Here in Germany, however, there is such an extreme difference between summer and winter (added to the fact that we're low on space around here - I'll discuss my wardrobe organisation in detail in another post) that I find it useful to put away spring/summer clothes during autumn/winter.
So, now is the time to pack away all those down coats and heavy knits, and bring out the light jackets and summer dresses!
I also like to use this as an opportunity to go through the clothing from the previous season (so now that would be autumn/winter) and survey what I wore, what I didn't, and perhaps if there's something that I can part with (I will also discuss what I do with my old clothes in another post).
Additionally, I look at the next season's clothes and see if there's anything that's a bit worn out and might need replacing, or whether I want to add anything. This year I'm trying to do a low-buy year (with clothing in particular) so I'm probably not going to add too much to my spring/summer wardrobe this year.
You might also come across things that need repairing, so you can put that all in one pile and perhaps tackle it in one go.
Even if you don't separate out your clothing in terms of seasons, I find it useful to at least take everything out and re-jig it a bit. You'll probably want to at least make your spring/summer clothing more accessible.
Now is also a good opportunity to give some things a wash or an air-out if they've been in storage for six months.
Rome in the spring (photo taken in pre-pandemic times)
Laundry (as in, do some)
I like to use the spring sunshine as an opportunity to wash those things that might not get washed frequently (well, at least they don't around here - since we do all our drying outside).
Think: the removable couch covers, cushion covers, rugs, curtains....you can probably identify some of these things in your own home.
Of course, I'm not saying to go crazy here - just do whatever you think you can handle. I personally like focussing on the couch covers: with two kids they get very mucky after a while, and once they're clean it feels like we have a new couch!
Again, like with clothing, even a good airing out of these things will be a vast improvement.
You can also use this opportunity to store away any heavy winter blankets that you don't anticipate needing during the warmer months.
Do a mini-overhaul of spaces you see or interact with often
A few months ago I did an overhaul of our spice shelf and it made a world of difference to our daily cooking.
I'm not talking about whole rooms here (because that's a bit overwhelming!). Of course if you have the time, energy, and volition - by all means, go ahead (but I think if that's the case, then I'd bet that your home is already operating pretty darn well).
Pick 1, 2, 3...small areas of your home. For instance, the entranceway table, the kitchen bench, and a coffee table. Places that you use everyday - because these are the spaces that, if they're working optimally, will have the biggest positive impact.
Step 1: Visualise how you would like the space to be and ask these questions:
Is there some aspect that's currently preventing it from being completely useful?
Is there something that needs to be removed?
Something to be added?
How would you like to use the space? For example, if it's the entryway table then you might want designated spaces for things like keys, coins, masks. Even go to Pinterest or YouTube for some ideas.
Step 2: The physical work:
Take everything off the surface
Sort
Declutter
Acquire anything you want to add
Put the area back together based on your plan in step 1.
Especially if you just focus on small areas, you could do one of these areas in as little as 5 minutes.
Then you can build up your muscles to tackle bigger areas, or do more rounds of small areas.
Re-configure your furniture
Another simple, although possibly requiring a bit of physical effort, way of revolutionising your space and how you feel about it is to change your furniture around.
It could be as complex and reconfiguring a whole room, or as simple as moving your coffee table to the side instead of having it in the centre, or swapping rugs between rooms, or moving a chair to face a different direction.
Think about furniture that's been in its same place for a long time and consider ways that you could change it slightly to bring a little freshness into the space.
Or, it could even be the removal of a piece of furniture you no longer need (even just to another room). I was astounded at how big and spacious our lounge room felt after we removed our Christmas tree. Sure, it was a huge tree, but you can definitely get so used to having something in a certain place that the removal of it makes a massive difference.
Design a pleasant outdoor space
With the evenings getting lighter and warmer it's a great time to utilise any outdoor spaces you have. We only have a very small balcony, but a few plants and a small seat mean that it's a nice place to go out and enjoy a coffee.
Whatever sized area you have, make sure you can use it. Clean your outdoor furniture (if you have it), get some, or think about creative low-cost ways that you can enjoy the space (such as cushions and picnic blankets).
Make it a nice place to be and enjoy. Especially if you're still working from home, it's a great bonus to have an alternative place to work.
Clean your windows
Okay, I'm definitely not much of a window cleaner. I rarely, rarely do it. But, before Christmas, I cleaned the windows in our lounge room. I'd noticed that they were dirty and I wanted to hang some decorations in the window. So, I did it. It took all of 10 minutes, but it made a massive difference! I feel like we were actually getting more light into the room afterwards (which really tells you just how dirty they were!).
You could do all your windows at once, or, again - pick a window you look out of a lot and just start with that one.
General cleaning and organising - keep it small and achievable
If you're like me, doing just these few things will probably propel you to keep on going and do everything.
But, I would still offer a warning (and I'm talking to myself here too): this has been a crazy, unprecedented year. We are not just tired, but exhausted. We are carrying trauma that we're possibly not even fully aware of yet. So, give yourself grace. It may feel good to go around and hack into and do everything - and, if that's the case, great! Keep going, but only while it keeps feeling good. In general, keep it small and achievable. Just a few little refreshments will make a huge difference. And then make sure to prepare your beverage of choice and toast yourself. Not only for your efforts in reinvigorating your space, but for coming out the other end of this crazy time (and entering spring 2021) still holding a drop of hope.
What simple spring refreshments of your home are you planning to do this year? I'd love to hear them and add them to my repertoire.
Unsure about commenting?
Also, if you liked this article - stay tuned! We're going to cover some other simple spring refreshments - next up will be refreshing ourselves!
Note: This article contains affiliate links. Using these links will not cost you anything, but may give me a few cents or dollars. If you do use an affiliate link - thank you! You are supporting me and my writing.
Liked this article? You might also enjoy:
Want to receive my monthly ‘Inspiration Round-up’?
Where I share all my favourite sources of inspiration, knowledge, and motivation
(+ monthly reflection ideas + extra exclusive goodies)
Sign up now (you’ve got nothing to lose!)
Looking for something specific? Try the search bar.
