Spring is just about officially in swing and you may be starting to climb out of your hibernation hole and blinking in the sun. When did it get so bright?? It’s been a long winter (and a rough one, for all you east coasters/southerners/midwesterners/Canadians… basically everywhere except the west coast… Sorry!). I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to let spring ring! After a hard few months full of snow and rain and burrowing into blankets until it all went away, it’s time to get your house in shape to welcome spring with open arms! These 15 tips will help you get your home ready for spring. Time to clear away those cobwebs!
All of these tips are relatively easy to implement, with a littler perseverance and some elbow grease! Trust me, you’ll feel a WHOLE lot better and ready to put winter behind you once you do a little spring cleaning and decluttering! Even just doing one of these things a week will really start to transform your home. Just take baby steps, take it in sections and at your own pace, and you’ll get there. Promise!
Clean out your closet
Once the warmer weather hits, it’s time to store those winter clothes and break out the t-shirts, shorts and springy dresses! Put your bulky sweaters and coats into airtight totes or bins and store them in the garage or another closet till winter strikes again. This is also a great time to asses what you really wear and what you don’t. Be honest! If you haven’t worn something in months, donate it!
> > > > Closet Organization < < < <
Switch to lighter bedding
Similar to your clothing, spring is also the time to switch to lighter bedding. Ditch the flannel sheets, thick duvets and wool blankets and opt for breezier cotton. Keep a light throw nearby in case the nights still get chilly! You can even totally switch up the look of your bedroom by trading out decorative pillows or changing up the color of your bedding. Have one look for fall/winter and one for spring/summer – this will keep things from getting boring!
> > > > My Bedding Picks < < < <
Declutter each room and organize the rest
This is one that might take a couple weeks to get through, but try going through each room in your home and getting rid of things you don’t use or like anymore. Donate things in good condition and toss the rest. Once everything is decluttered, go through again and organize what you have left. Group things and store them in boxes for later use or arrange them in ways that make sense so you can admire them or use them later!
> > > > Organization Solutions < < < <
Clear out expired items from the fridge and the pantry
Spring is a fantastic time to take a little peeksy in your fridge and pantry and get rid of all those expired items. I know I’m guilty of forgetting to throw things out sometimes! Once you have all of the expired offenders out of the way, reorganize both your fridge and your pantry, grouping like items together. For example, make sure all of your pastas and sauces are on one shelf, snacks on another, baking supplies on another, etc.
> > > > Fridge Organizers < < < <
Deep clean kitchen and bathrooms
Make your home sparkle and shine like the coming sun by giving your kitchen and your bathrooms a thorough deep clean. Pull back appliances, dust the tops of the cabinets, clean out your showerhead, and dust the blinds. Really get in those nooks and crannys and use some elbow grease. If you have kids and/or pets at home, be sure to use safe cleaning solutions! Nothing is quite as satisfying as sparkling countertops and a pristine powder room.
> > > > Cleaning Supplies < < < <
Blow out pilot lights in gas fireplaces
This is a spring cleaning tip that will save you money! By blowing out the pilot lights in your gas fireplaces, you’ll be saving money on your gas/electricity bills! My husband and I noticed a big difference in our bill amounts after we blew the pilot lights out. Plus, even if you aren’t using the fireplace the pilot light still puts off a bit of heat, so save yourself some money and A/C by just blowing them out! They are easy to re-light in winter when you need them.
Replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries
You are supposed to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year, so why not do it when you are getting your home ready for spring! Replace the batteries and any units that don’t seem to be functioning properly. This could save your life one day, so make sure to not skip it!
Powerwash your driveway, deck, and house 
Winter can leave a lot of your home covered in gunk. Dirt, debris, mold, moss and whoknowswhatelse always seems to adhere it self to your deck, your driveway, the outside of your gutters and even the siding of your house. Yuck. Rent a powerwasher on a nice day and go town on any place that could use a good wash down. The results will be stunning and an instant facelift! Take this time to wash your cars, too. Might as well!
> > > > Affordable Power Washers < < < <
Clean out the gutters
If you live under or near a bunch of trees, and even if you don’t, your gutters will undoubtedly be full of random leaves and pine needles by the time winter has said goodbye. Spring is notorious for rain (April showers…) so make sure your gutters don’t overflow by taking some time to clean them out. If you don’t feel comfortable up on a ladder or you have a very tall house, hire a professional to take care of this for you!
Plant flowers and seasonally-appropriate veggies and herbs
One of my favorite things about getting your home ready for spring is all of the beautiful flowers and foliage! Plant some seeds or store-bought blooms in pots inside and out or in flowerbeds for an instantly cheery look. If you love fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs, consider sowing some in planter boxes in your garden! Check the web for when to plant what and by the end of summer you’ll be eating your very own homegrown salads!
Clean off patio furniture
Patio furniture is another one of those things that gets hit hard over the winter. Ours always ends up coated with fuzzy dirty debris. Ick. Powerwash your set if it’s sturdy, otherwise wipe it down with some cleaners made for outdoor furniture. Once you have your table and chairs sparkling clean again, bring out your chair cushions and outdoor throw pillows to really punch up the color and comfort! Lunch al fresco, anyone?
> > > > Patio Furniture Picks < < < <
Tidy up the garage
Over the winter it’s easy to just toss things in the garage since it’s usually too cold in there to stay for more than 5 minutes. Muddy winter boots pile up, holiday decorations explode for being moved in and out and so much more. Take an afternoon and put everything back in it’s place. Invest in some shelving or wall brackets to get items up out of the way. Make sure you place all of your gardening and yard supplies within easy reach – you’ll be needing it!
> > > > Garage Organizers < < < <
Clean the windows and open them up!
Something that rarely gets done at our house is the cleaning of the windows. As I write this I see little nose/paw prints from our cats littering my office window… oops. Spring is a great time to clean all of your windows inside and out with a little bit of windex and paper towels or newspaper. While you’re at it, throw open your windows and air out your house. Nothing is as wonderful as breathing in the fresh air and having it permeate your home!
Fix anything that needs fixing!
Stuff breaks. And in the winter we can be too lazy or the weather can be too severe for us to do anything about it. Take a little bit of time this spring and assess what things around your house need fixing – make a list! Blown over fence boards, squeaky doors, an on-the-fritz toaster or A/C unit – all of these things are great to take care of and get out of the way. Take the time to fix them now and then you can sit back and enjoy the sunshine!
> > > > Useful Power Tools < < < <
Switch around your home decor items for a fresh look!
Some people have the money to totally change out their decor items with the seasons. I am not one of those people. But you don’t have to have a lot of $$ to change up your look! Try moving different decor pieces to another room or changing the configuration of your furniture. You’ll be surprised with how new everything looks once you mix it up a little bit! Throw in a bouquet of fresh flowers in a vase and you’ve gotten your home ready for spring 🙂
What are some of your favorite ways to get your home ready for spring?
The last one is my favorite!
Me too, Theresa! I’m always so surprised how just switching around a few items really makes a whole world of difference 🙂
These are some great tips and I still have a few of these I need to do. I have to admit that I’m sorta obsessing over the headboard in the first image of this post. I may have even stalked your site afterwards looking for it, haha. Is this your headboard?
~Katie
I WISH it was my headboard! That image is actually a stock creative commons image and I just found it too pretty to resist! If I had that headboard it would be a dream come true! *swoon*
These are really great ideas! I love getting ready for the spring and it is really sad that now we have to get ready for the fall. I am preparing to deep clean the house before the winter and I definitely should regularly clean the gutters so I am prepared for the rains. Thanks for sharing! Many of these ideas and appropriate for getting ready for the autumn!
I totally agree with you Bonnie – there’s something special about getting ready for spring and all the warm sunshine! We will have to wait a little while for that yet! A deep clean before each season is definitely a good idea – I still need to get on doing that though – darn those long to-do lists!