Those of us who live in the northern hemisphere are looking forward to the ending of winter and the beginning of that most-happy season of spring. You can have a lot of fun decorating and turning your house and yard into a joyful warm-weather haven.
You can start by throwing open a few windows and letting the fresh air flow through your house, taking the last vestiges of winter with it. Then look around at the clutter that may have accumulated over the past few months. Your wardrobe closets are a good place to start. If there are clothes that you haven’t worn for ages or are showing signs of wear, throw them in a box or bag to take to your local charity-run second-hand store and store the rest. Pull out summer clothes that have waited patiently through the cold months. Refresh them by a quick wash and dry to get the wrinkles out and hang in your closet in orderly fashion.
Put away your extra woolly blankets and throws and change your bedspread or duvet cover to one with spring flowers and outdoorsy colours. Wash and store your cozy flannelette sheets and replace them with bright and cool cotton bedding. Consider purchasing a few new throw pillows for your bed and sofa. And next time you are at the grocery store, grab a bunch of tulips or daffodils and put them in a vase in the kitchen where everyone can enjoy their springtime presence.
Plan a weekend housecleaning spree, with the promise to take the family out for pizza after it’s done. Throw the curtains into the washer, and scrub the windows thoroughly with a good quality cleaner and lots of newspaper or paper towels. Move through your house room by room, dusting and vacuuming till it is all tidy and sparkling clean. Keep garbage and recycle bags handy to discard some of the clutter that’s accumulated over the months, in the house and in the garage too. If you have a lot of items you’d like to get rid of, consider holding a garage sale, perhaps with one or two of your neighbours. Decluttering is a good way to bring order to your life!
Now is a good time to drain your hot water tank of sediment that builds up inside, and to have your air conditioning system inspected so it is all ready the season. And it’s usually wise to get your furnace inspected at this time of year too, so it’s all ready for fall.
Take another weekend and get out your lawn and patio furniture, checking it over and washing the dust off it. Clean the dead foliage from your flower beds and trim back any shrubs or trees before the sap starts to run. Wash your container planters and fill them with new dirt to ensure optimum growth. If you don’t have a yard, you can still ensure your deck or balcony is washed down and ready for a few bright pots of pansies or petunias.
If you have been reluctant to walk outdoors during the dark and cold winter months, you can now get re-established in a routine of pleasant walks in the fresh air. Enjoy and celebrate spring both indoors and outdoors for a truly inspiring welcome to the new season – you’ll find you are happier and healthier!
