I live in a climate where spring comes late—April or May, if we’re lucky. But despite the gray and the occasional snowfalls, there’s something about late March and early April that boosts my sunny, joyful mood and makes me want to bring some spring into our home.
A Good, Deep Spring Cleaning
You read that right. It might sound close to “Florals for spring? Groundbreaking,” but it’s often underestimated. Nothing feels more refreshing than decluttering and giving the place a reinvigorated feel. As I write this, I’m going through things—taking out donation bags, rearranging small furniture pieces, and reorganizing the pantry and my wardrobe. It’s work, but it pays off.
Kitchen Countertop Shift
Rearranging your kitchen countertop decor is a small way to infuse change, and it’s not expensive. Hit your local thrift store for rustic baskets and pottery. I like aesthetically pleasant spice jars carefully arranged near my cooking books—a functional, not fussy pop of colour.
Pussy Willows
Pussy willows remind me of my home country. I remember foraging them in early spring, using their soft, silvery catkins for school art projects. They seem to whisper of warmer days ahead. I arrange them solo in a rustic pottery vase—on the countertop or as a centerpiece to bring height to the space.
Cherry or Magnolia Branches
Cherry and magnolia branches are some of my favorite seasonal greenery in spring. If you live somewhere warmer, you are lucky. Forage them yourself. Otherwise, call your local commercial florist supplier and be ready to splurge. They’re worth it.
Scents That Shift
Swap out those spicy, woody winter candles for lighter, fresher scents—citrus, crisp linen, or my favorite, Big Sur After Rain. If candles aren’t your thing, a diffuser with lemon or eucalyptus does it. I bring that into cleaning too—been using this eucalyptus countertop spray from William and Sonoma for years, and it’s my go-to.
My Instagram is kind of fun, too
Lighter Textiles
Swap heavy winter blankets with light, airy linens and cushion covers. For bigger changes, switch thick drapes for sheer curtains to let natural light flood in—an instant mood-lifter, even if it’s weak light this time of year.
Windowsill Herb Garden
Bring spring to your kitchen with a mini herb garden. Snag small pots, soil, and seeds—or starter plants—for basil, mint, parsley, or chives. Set them on a sunny windowsill; they’ll sprout in weeks. They’re green and ready for cooking, which ties into what’s next.
Fresh Recipes
Use those greens to brighten your table with refreshing spring recipes. Think parsley-lemon gremolata on pan-seared salmon, pea and mint soup, or more dill and chives in everything. I pull out my blue-and-white transferware china more in spring, too—it’s a crisp contrast with the bright greens.
Late March Early Aprilhere isn’t spring outside, but I’m making it spring inside. It’s about shaking off the heavy and leaning into the light—gray skies or not. How do you nudge your place out of winter?
I am building something over here. Let me send you weekly or maybe monthly ideas and recipes.