https://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran Wed Apr 29 19:30:21 2026 / +0000 GMT Universal Post Manager 1.1.2 [ www.ProfProjects.com ] http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/?p=5776 Wed Apr 29 19:30:21 2026 / +0000 GMT http://www.newspapers-online.com/auroran/?p=5776 Refresh Your Space For Spring By Jean Bisnaire Niche Decor What small things can I do around my house to freshen it up for Spring? Feel free to send me your comments or questions to askjean@nichedecor.ca With this winter being so long and drab, it's a great idea to freshen your home décor with minor changes around your house. I'll give you the same tips I give many of my clients that won't break the bank, but will also do wonders in lifting your spirit as your home décor is freshened up. A few quick options would be to infuse colour through accessories and lamps. Put an orange lamp into your family room décor and watch the space take on a completely new element. White accessories are my favourite as they work well in any space and give a clean, crisp look. In my mind, spring brings back into our lives green and warmth – so why not include green accessories to bring the outdoors in? This can also be done with toss pillows, area rugs and throws. Lighten your décor and accessories up and you'll see an instant change in the space. Want a larger change with your accessories? Change up your art work. Seasonal art work change is a subtle but very effective way to create a new look and feel in a room. For spring,a put out something of colour and keep it light. This will pop against dark walls and will add a fresh tone to the space. If you're looking to bring a new accent colour into a neutral space- artwork is the best way to introduce it and through repetition of the colour in your pillows and accessories it will tie the space together. I had a client who took my advice on the changing of accessories, but her place still felt dull. After a visit, I realized she needed a coat of paint in a white tone to freshen up her space and to make her existing furniture stand out. Not only did it breathe new life into the room, but it also made the space look larger and more airy. Darker tones for wall colours are dramatic and perfect for certain rooms, but if you're looking to have an open and inviting space, it's always best to keep it light and neutral. Another recommendation I like to make is to create an accent wall. This can be done to add texture, depth or drama to a space. It can be very inexpensively done with paint or wallpaper. With the vast amount of wallpaper selection these days, it's easy to find something that works with your existing décor, but also adds colour or textural pop! One of my absolute favourite elements for spring is fresh flowers. My preference is to keep them white, but many use this as a way of adding colour to their décor. Whether it's for a centerpiece, a front entry table or a small arrangement for your coffee table – fresh plants are the best way to uplift a space. They add the perfect natural element as well as the scent of spring in the air. If you're in the mood for a spring project – maybe consider refinishing a piece of furniture in a funky paint colour to add that pop of colour in your space. This can be a side table or an antique piece you have laying around collecting dust – why not repurpose it and use it as a spring pick-me-up? The same can be done with an accent chair. Do you have a chair that can be reupholstered in a fabric that would lighten your décor or maybe infuse colour? I had a client who had a stunning neutral bedroom but it was missing colour – I brought out the blue hue in the paint colour by getting her a velvet navy chair. This made the room come to life – it wasn't a bright colour, but it was perfect for the overall look the client was going for. There are tons of things you can do to freshen your space without completely changing your décor. Go out and buy yourself some tulips today and let's start putting this drab winter behind us! ]]> 5776 2014-03-05 15:26:13 2014-03-05 20:26:13