DESIGN HANDBOOK
Spring is just around the corner, which means now is the perfect time to think about spring cleaning, home organizations, and refreshing your home design and decor elements for a fresh, new season. Often, the thought of a comprehensive spring cleaning project can feel really daunting–but it doesn’t have to be that way. And while firing up the vacuum cleaner for heavy duty, top to bottom cleaning is certainly part of the process, our tips are more about doing design-themed deep cleans so you can feel ready to open the windows on a new season with ease.
The key here is to set goals about what you want to accomplish in cleaning and refreshing your space, and then divide the big tasks into their own manageable projects (and you can actually do this a few times a year). For example, divide yours goals up by room or by urgency level. Replacing broken items and removing unused items from your space is likely more urgent than restyling your shelves–and you’ll find that you have much more time and energy for smaller projects if you tackle larger ones first.
To help you start your spring cleaning journey, we’re sharing some of interior designer insider tips as you make your spring cleaning checklist: It’s all about smart storage solutions, seasonal style refresh strategies, and cultivating good home organization habits that you’ll be able to stick with all year long.
We’ve all found ourselves at a loss for proper storage, and we end up putting Band-Aid solutions on our storage issues–like stuffing closets to the brim, and cramping as many plastic storage bins as possible into the garage or overhead shelf space–rather than investing in some high-quality bigger-ticket items that are targeted toward storage. Bringing in specific furnishings that are chosen to match your existing aesthetic, and that have dedicated storage functions inherent in their craftsmanship, will prove to be a major game changer as you work to reorganize and achieve your spring cleaning goals. Again, you can tackle making these purchases by going room by room and assessing your needs.
For the living room: Invest in bookcases, media centers, and sideboards with different storage compartments–think hanger rods, drawers, and shelves. High quality pieces will have better drawer guides and soft close hinges which are important if you’re constantly opening and closing them. Additionally, half-open and half-closed storage pieces will not look as heavy and will allow you to add in some decor which will revive and liven up a space.
For the bedroom: Consider storage beds, especially if you have limited closet space for bedding and linen. Also think about armoires, tallboy dressers, and nightstands that offer storage within (aside from just a single drawer) and maximizing your closet space by brining in shoe racks and vertical storage solutions.
Once you’ve confidently decided about any big-ticket furniture purchases you want to make in service of spring cleaning and storage solutions, you can turn your focus on smaller projects that will improve daily efficiency and make your space function in ways that are both super-stylish and super-practical.
This part of spring cleaning is more about small-scale solutions that you can have fun with, like corralling daily-use items in the kitchen or entryway–like water bottles, a corkscrew, a letter opener–onto a stylish tray, creating an “in tray” for bills and correspondences to be answered in a timely manner on your console table so things don’t end up stacking and getting unruly.
The method of using small-scale storage pieces to both practical and decorative effect can translate into the living room or den as well–think chic boxes for remote controls, stylish magazine racks, and woven baskets, which are decorative as well as functional as storage bins for toys and throw blankets.
When styling your space for spring, you’ll feel best about it if you really embrace the spirit of the season. This means welcoming growth, new possibilities, and fresh starts, but also–in a literal sense–bringing the beauty of the outdoors inside with lots of floral references. This could mean making a statement with floral wallpaper or a small statement with floral wall art or floral patterned furniture.
If investing in floral patterned wallpaper or furniture vibes well with your aesthetic, go for it! But if you’re not big on floral prints, yet still want to bring the essence of spring into your home, consider adding silk florals (we especially recommend John-Richards). Unlike most faux florals you find on the market, high-quality silk faux florals truly look like the real deal.
You get the beauty of spring flowers in your home, but without having to worry about watering them, whether they’ll cause allergies, or how long they’ll last. An investment in silk florals you love means you’ll be able to enjoy them year-round, or year after year as you refresh your seasonal decor.
Finally, once you’ve done the work of reorganizing your home, taking control of your storage situation with both large and small solutions, and bringing spring into your home, it’s time to turn to quick styling updates and refreshes to truly make your home feel like new with only a few small updates.
These style refreshes can include pillow updates, getting a new ottoman, upgrading your pet bed, rearranging your furniture (make your space look totally different–for free!), and quick decor when it comes to styling surfaces like mantles, console tables, and shelves.
You’ll be shocked at how a new decorative throw blanket, shelf sculpture, or coffee table book can transform a room and make it feel ready for the new season to come. Additionally, once you’ve made the effort to refresh the look of your home and take home organization to new heights, you’ll find yourself cultivating new home habits with ease.
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
