8 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home for a Stress-Free Spring
Spring time is a season of renewal, and what better way to celebrate it than by refreshing your home?
I always made sure to spend a couple of days (usually on the weekend) doing some spring cleaning, it has now turned into a yearly ritual – with a few simple tips, you can bring new life into your living space and create an environment that's both welcoming and rejuvenating. Below are some ideas and tips based on my experiences to get you started.
Photo by Michelle Lau, Brooklyn Apartment
1. Declutter
Start by decluttering your living space and removing anything you don't need or use. This can be a daunting task, but it can become much more manageable by breaking it down into small steps. Once you've decluttered, give your home a deep clean.
Tip: Find a nice tray or a small basket from your home, walk around your house/apartment, and select 2-5 objects per room to be discarded. The objects collected can be anything from a receipt, a broken pen to a used candle jar. As Marie Kondo says, remove things that don’t spark joy. I try to do this on a bi-weekly basis. The more often you do, I promise this will always keep your house tidy.
2. Add pops of color
Spring is all about bright colors and playful patterns, so why not add some to your home? You can do this by adding a few brightly colored throw pillows or blankets to your living room or changing your curtains to a different style or color. You can also add some fresh flowers or plants to your home for a natural pop of color.
Tip: A trip to IKEA. IKEA launches a new collection every spring. Every year, sometime in March, I would visit IKEA and get a few items (with a budget in mind) to get items such as but not limited to new pillow cases, napkins and storage solutions.
3. Swap out your bedding
Your bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home, and swapping out your bedding for something light and airy can make a big difference in the feel of your space. Choose bedding made of natural fibers, such as cotton or linen, and opt for light, pastel colors to create a calming atmosphere.
Below are some of my favorite places to shop for bedding supplies:
4. Rearrange your furniture for a functional update
Rearranging your furniture is an easy way to update your living space without spending money. Consider rearranging your furniture to create a more functional and comfortable living space. Create zones for different activities, like reading or watching TV, to make your home feel more spacious.
Create a vision board: Start by creating a vision board with pictures of furniture and decor that you love. This will help you get a better idea of the style and colors you want to incorporate into your space. Simple tools and apps like Adobe Express can help you put a vision board together quickly.
Tip #1: Experiment with different layouts: Don't be afraid to experiment with different furniture layouts. Try arranging your furniture in various ways to see what works best. You can also use online room planning tools to help visualize different layout options. Pen and paper is your best friend here to sketch your ideas; otherwise, try Wayfair’s Room Planner.
Tip #2: Play with accessories: Accessories like throw pillows, blankets, and rugs can help tie a room together. Try playing with different patterns, textures, and colors to add interest to your space.
Tip #3: Get creative with storage: if you're struggling to make a room feel functional, try getting creative with storage. Look for furniture pieces that can double as storage, like ottomans or benches with built-in compartments.
Tip #4: Ask for a friend's opinion: Sometimes, it can be helpful to get a second opinion when arranging furniture. Ask a friend for their input and see if they have any ideas or suggestions you haven't considered. Plus, tackling a project with a friend is always more fun!
Photo by Michelle Lau, 3 Days of Design
5. Let in natural light
Finally, don't forget about the importance of natural light. Open up your curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible, and consider adding some sheer curtains to filter the light and create a soft, dreamy atmosphere. You can also add some mirrors to your space to reflect light and make your home feel brighter and more spacious.
6. Add greenery and flowers
Fill your home with plants, flowers, and greenery. They bring life and nature inside. Place potted plants on tables, counters, floors, and patios. Fresh or dried flowers also make lovely decorations.
Idea #1: A trip to the Flower Market! If you haven’t been to the flower market, you have to! The best time to visit is in the morning when all the fresh flowers are delivered at the flower market. Here’s a list that I put together to get you started!
Idea #2: Get plants & flowers online and delivered to you! I’ve used many online services to deliver plants and flowers to my home. I recently tried Floom to deliver some fresh flowers to my client’s apartment. The delivery was under 2 hours, I was impressed. For plant delivery, I suggest Greenery Unlimited, Bloomscape, The Sill and Rooted NYC. For flowers, check out Terrain and Stone Fruit Botanical.
If you love Bonsai, I love dandy farmer! Their small nursery in Brooklyn is worth a visit, if you’re ever in Fort Green, check out their Bonsai Shop.
7. Donate or sell unused items
Finding a donation center in New York City is hard! I’ve been doing it for so many years, and it was always a hassle to transport the donated goods to a donation center. If you want to sell your furniture, I suggest posting on Facebook Marketplace, or Craiglist. I have the best luck on Craiglist! For donations, consider donating to WePickUp.org, Housing Works or Out of the Closet. To find other donation centers, check out DonateNYC’s website.
8. Deep cleaning made easy
Tip #1: Start with a checklist: Before you begin deep cleaning your apartment, create a checklist of all the areas that need attention. This will help ensure you don't miss anything and stay organized throughout the process.
Tip #2: Tackle one room at a time: Instead of trying to clean the entire apartment at once, tackle one room at a time. This will help you stay focused and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
Tip #3: Dust and vacuum thoroughly: Dust all surfaces, including shelves, baseboards, and ceiling fans. Vacuum carpets and rugs, and sweep and mop hard floors.
Tip #4: Clean windows and mirrors: Use a glass cleaner to clean windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces. Once you clean the glass using a glass cleaner, I’d recommend using a sheet of newspaper and do one last wipe-down – this technique will leave your windows/mirror sparkling clean. Lastly, don't forget to clean down the window sills and tracks, which can collect dust and grime.
Tip #5: Deep clean the kitchen and bathroom: These are two areas that tend to require the most attention when it comes to deep cleaning. In the kitchen, clean appliances, cabinets, and countertops. In the bathroom, scrub the bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet. Don't forget to clean the grout and sealants, which can harbor mold and mildew.
Bonus Tip: Don't forget to replace air filters and clean air vents, which can help improve the air quality in your apartment.
