Easy Spring Decorating Ideas

Gather nature's gifts and place them in simple containers around the house. Spring branches, pebbles, shells, fresh fruits, spring flowers and more will create uplifting still-lifes. Use containers made of natural materials such as wicker or those with light spring colors.

Now's the time to swap that dark wood bench or upholstered chair for a lighter, spring-colored wicker replacement. Bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms will welcome the warm seasons when filled with wicker or other garden-inspired furniture. New white and bright-color towels (and a lightweight shower curtain) will make you eager to start the day.

Trade those draperies designed to block cold blasts for sheer curtains in cotton gauze or voile. The sun will stream into the room; plus, the curtains will look ethereal blowing in the cleansing breezes.

Strip the flannel sheets and go for cool, silky, high-thread-count cottons. Change out winter comforters, bedskirts, duvets or pillow shams for others in light-colored shimmering silks, sheers and embroidered florals.

Rearrange seating away from the fireplace and toward nature views. Cover heavier upholstery with canvas slipcovers and toss on bright pillows. Hide a dark wood side table under layered fabric tableskirts. Change out winter table accessories for light pieces, such as this open-weave basket, white pottery lamp and turquoise vase filled with hydrangeas.

Delight springtime guests with seasonal tabletop style. Plant wheatgrass and daisies in a natural-root centerpiece bowl. Serve fresh salads on leaf-style plates atop woven placements. Bird-shape glass bud vases and nests with frosted-glass eggs truly say spring has arrived.

Expose tile or wood floors. Replace scatter rugs with light, summer-striped versions, or add large sisal area rugs in place of heavier wool Orientals.

A green-leaf-motif tin lamp can replace a heavier brass version. Pressed leaves in a white frame complete an entry table vignette with a garden statue and the season's first roses. Seats on dining room chairs usually are easy to remove. So covering your cushions with a fresh color or pattern fabric for spring is as easy as using a staple gun.

INVIGORATE FAMILY PHOTOS New fun, colorful, and inexpensive photo frames add spring style to favorite portraits.

SUBSTITUTE If you usually have a wool blanket thrown over your sofa for warmth, change it to a cotton quilt pieced in brights. Pack away candlesticks and silk arrangements and replace with clear glass vases filled with pebbles and flowering houseplants. Put a playful paper lampshade on that traditional lamp.

FILL THE FIREPLACE Remove the wood and make an arrangement of shells, driftwood and interesting rocks placed in front of a vintage mirror for sparkling reflections.

DECORATE THE FRONT DOOR Replace the wreath with a basket planted with sweet potato vine and petunias. It will grow longer and bloom more as the season progresses.