It’s spring: tips to declutter your way to a happy home

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • April 2023

It’s spring. A time to clear some space for growth and new possibilities.

Clutter stresses us out and makes us tired. Yet, to get past the stress, most people go out and buy more and try to figure out what to do with all of it.

The average home contains 300,000 items or more. The bottom line: we have too much stuff.

Surround yourself with what you love with mindful and intentional planning of what you allow to take up space in your home. Collections and accessories should be a reflection of the homeowner and should bring you joy. Shown against the backdrop of Thibaut’s Point Lobos brown and teal wallcovering from the Natural Resource Collection. Photo: Thibaut.

We read a lot about living a minimalist life. You can call it downsizing. Decluttering. Living with less. Intentional living. And other terms that are just part of the solution. But what it comes down to is letting go of what is not necessary. It’s about being mindful of what you bring into your home.

If you feel like your happy space has become a storage unit for items that you don’t even like anymore, can’t remember where they came from and the problem seems to be getting worse, it may be time for an evaluation of what you are doing. In other words: time to stop the madness.

It can be done. You can start today. Keep reading.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I work with many homeowners who ask for help in deciding what stays and what goes before redoing their homes. It’s not an easy decision. That’s why they call in an impartial person without an emotional attachment to their possessions. I consider it working toward designing a simpler life. Gaining more space that allows you to focus on what’s really important.

Declutter for spring by removing appliances and accessories from the countertops allowing for a clean and spacious look in the kitchen. Shown is Cambria’s Clovelly design with copper and brown swirling veins. Photo: Cambria.

Where do you start? By looking at what you have and working from there to make careful decisions about purchases. Deciding what no longer serves you. Finding contentment with what you have. Letting go of what you don’t need. Thinking carefully about what you buy.

By gaining some control over what stays and what comes into your home, there are instant results. More free time. Less stress. Less worry about how much you are spending. Mindful spending means more $$$ to do something you love.

When it comes to your home décor, there are many small ways to begin to take a more purposeful approach. Pick a couple and give it a try. I think you will like the result. These suggestions go from easy to a little more difficult. All worth the effort.

• Clarify your decorating. Eliminate what you don’t love. Only shop for what you need.

• Delete duplicate items. A good place to begin with this one is your kitchen drawers. And then move on to your closet.

• Clear some surface space: kitchen island, tabletop, shelves. Prioritize what you put out. Make sure it’s what means the most to you. While doing this step, please say goodbye to those dusty fake plants above the kitchen cabinets. Thank you.

• Toss old magazines. You are never going to read the again. Same for stacks of books. Donate them to a library or used book store.

• Pick things up off the floor. Put kitchen appliances in cabinets or drawers.

• Before you make a purchase, decide what you are going to get rid of. Furniture, clothes, accessories.

• Get over guilt. When it comes to your home, it’s all about you and not about storing gifts that you never wanted. The same for items from well-meaning relatives. If they are not working, say goodbye and donate them. Do not let your home become a storage unit for the memories of others.

• Don’t make anyone else feel guilty. Your kids do not want your stuff so clear out what you have been holding on to. Do it today and make the space yours.

• We can’t have it all. Check out your collections and ask yourself if they still work for you. There is no harm in admitting that they no longer serve you. That box of tapes that you will likely never play is just taking up space. And you have no obligation to keep every collectible that you have ever purchased. Our tastes change.

• Ask yourself: is it functional OR do you love it? If the answer is not yes, it’s time to say goodbye. And move on to a more mindful home filled with what is meaningful.

• Instead of stuff, reevaluate your decorating plan with color. Use soothing whites and creams as neutrals and then accent with bright tones. Having less does not mean being boring. Quite the opposite.

When decluttering and creating space at home, carefully consider furnishings, accessories and the use of color. Shown: Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue. Photo: Benjamin Moore.

Living more mindfully is not easy. Emotional attachments are the most difficult to eliminate. If saying goodbye to something causes too much stress, keep it. I will never be a minimalist. I love to surround myself with what makes me happy. But on a regular basis, I declutter. It’s amazing what we carry into our homes and things just live there. They take up residency and we forget about them. Let today be the day you reclaim your home and make it your happy sanctuary. Go clean out a drawer or a closet! Then buy some fresh flowers and welcome spring!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information, visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit her blog at spectacularspaces.com/blog

For your home: spring dos and don’ts

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network • March 6, 2021

Spring is my favorite season. Windows are open. New scents, flowers and plants throughout the house and yard. Hanging baskets on the lanai. A thorough “spring” cleaning to make everything feel fresh.

Way before spring officially arrives on March 20, I start planning. A new set of sheets, new bathroom rugs, new throw pillows. A few tweaks to the guest room because company will be here eventually. I am also thinking about a new rug for my Florida room to replace the sisal rug that my Corgi puppy assumed was grass and ate. Seriously. It’s not pretty.

Spring is a season of hope. And inspiration.

Bring peace and calm to your space with tranquil touches and fresh scents. www.potterybarn.com/shop/new/moments-of-mindfulness Photo: Pottery Barn

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I’ve been helping my clients find their inspiration as we slowly and safely resurface from the past year. And what I find is that you may not necessarily need to buy anything new. You may just need to rearrange some things and eliminate what accumulated over the past year that no longer serves you.

Before you put a spring refresh plan together, take a look at a few of my” dos” and “don’ts.” And next month we’ll talk about what you can do to correct some common decorating mistakes. All before you buy anything.

Don’t throw money away on these:

• Patterned sofas. It’s more aesthetically pleasing to the eye if you go solid and save the patterns for chairs, window treatments and pillows.

• Mass-produced artwork just to fill a space on a wall. Unless you love the piece and in that case, buy it. Otherwise, wait until you find something that you really love.

Coastal shades of blue and woven textures bring a relaxed and refreshed look to you home. Get the look at www.potterybarn.com/shop/shop-by-room/living-rooms/canyon-folsom-living-room Photo: Pottery Barn

• Trends. Let’s face it, trends are fun and we love to find some version of a new trend for our clients. But there is a reason that white cabinets are a timeless, classic choice. Before you go too far off the deep end with a trend, ask yourself: “Will I still love it in five years?”

• Tile countertops. The time has passed for these and who wants to clean grout every day?

• Cheap paint. You don’t need to buy the most expensive on the market but something in a middle range will go on better, clean easier. Worth a few extra dollars.

Want your home to have an updated look?

Say goodbye to these. Some you can do right now. Others will require a bit of work. It will be worth it.

• Vertical blinds. These never looked good and there are options.

• Doilies. What can I say?

• Don’t cover every wall with family photos. This really dates a home and makes it look old. Pick a few and frame them in identical frames and display them on a table, desk, piano or on one wall for your family gallery.

Spring is a season of hope and inspiration. What inspires you for your home this spring? Maybe some ideas from this coastal-look Landmark collection from Thibaut Designs. Malibu Chair in Piper woven fabric in kelly green; Keller ottoman in Sadie woven fabric in aqua; Madison

• Shag carpet. Yes, it still lives. Okay, let’s talk about this. A couple of years ago, I saw shag area rugs at High Point Market that were really cool to look at. But how do you clean them? And think about a red wine spill. This is a trend that needs to be left in the 70s.

• Chickens and roosters. These pop up in hallways and over kitchen cabinets. Leave them on the farm (unless you really love them).

• Old fixtures and drawer pulls. Things change and updating these will give your space a new look.

• Gold frames on anything. Unless you live in a museum.

• Popcorn ceilings. Whatever you have to do to remove these, it’s worth it.

• Old wallpaper. Old as in more than five years old. I know, you paid a lot but it’s dated and needs to come down. Try a beautiful paint color for an option.

• Wood paneling. Paint it.

• Matchy, matchy anything. Don’t buy an entire room of furniture that matches. Unless it’s for a rental property. Otherwise, use some imagination and find some pieces that you love. Matchy matchy says, I just don’t care. And I know you do.

• Honey-stained oak cabinets. These were the rage but now, nothing dates a home more than this look. If they are in good shape, have them painted. It’s worth the investment.

• Fake plants. Just don’t.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

The weather is great! Time to move outside!

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • April 6, 2019

It’s spring and if you are like me, the past few weeks of perfect Southwest Florida weather have you getting outdoors as much as possible. It’s the time to create or enhance your outdoor living space.

Because I was born and raised in the south, I love porches. Today, it can be a porch, a lanai patio or balcony if you are up a level.

When I was growing up, the "porch" was where the family headed after dinner. I can hear my mother saying, "Help me finish the dishes and let's go out on the porch." It was where all important discussions and decisions took place. Even though the "porch" was only a small cement stoop with a couple of aluminum chairs. It was still the place where we retreated at the end of the day. And so did all of the neighbors.

As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I’ve had many "porches" since those days. Small apartment balconies barely large enough for two chairs, front porches with comfortable wicker furniture, large lanais' with summer kitchens surrounding a pool and filled with friends. But to me, they are all "porches." And I love them all.

Frontgate’s Myla collection brings a laid-back coastal vibe to any outdoor setting. All-weather resin wicker is intricately handwoven in an open looped pattern around durable powder coated aluminum frames. Add a rug to tie the area together. Photo: Frontgate

For years, I have helping my clients makeover their outdoor space as an extension of the home's living space. No matter what the size or budget. I hope a few of my tips will inspire you to move outdoors!

Don’t crowd your space. Decide what is most important. Dining? Relaxing? TV area? And plan the space accordingly with the appropriate sized furnishings.

Protect from water and sun. Purchase cushions with performance fabrics such as Sunbrella.

Anchor your seating area with an outdoor rug. Even on a tiny balcony this works and adds color to the space. It also makes it an extension of your home.

Lighting for atmosphere. If there is space, add an outdoor lamp, twinkly lights, a few lanterns.

Add a bar cart. Yes, it's great for a party but you can also use it for storage...liquid refreshments, cups, stirrers, coasters, books, magazines, speakers, and anything else necessary for a relaxing retreat.

Purchase a new set of dishes, place mats, glasses. Add some color with a few new table enhancements that will bring some fresh, new color to your space. Use them indoors as well. After all, we will soon be heading into summer so let’s make it easy!

Replicated from original watercolor renderings, the Venetian-inspired patterns that artfully accent this outdoor dinnerware collection provide a creative pop of blue and white to an outdoor space. Use it indoors or outdoors. Photo: Frontgate

Something blue. Paint the ceiling blue. Why? It's pretty and adds another dimension to your porch. Giving your own outdoor space a hint of blue is the perfect way to play into history, and it just might keep wasps and evil spirits away, too! According to the legend, years ago, in the deep South, many people painted their porch ceilings a specific shade of Haint Blue, a soft blue-green, to ward off evil spirits called "haints."

It's especially common in the historic homes around Savannah, Charleston and Key West. It’s believed to keep wasp and bird nests from forming because they confuse it with the sky. Two favorites: Benjamin Moore Bird’s Egg 2051-60 and Palladian Blue HC 144. I don’t know about the legend but I love the look.

Anchor the space with a rug. Even small spaces are perfect for summer days. Check out Pier 1's Coastal Collection. Photo: Pier 1.

Add some green. Give it your personal touch with lots of greenery. If there is space, add some pots, a small tree and a vase or two of fresh flowers. Use perennials so you will not have to replace them each year.

Go vertical. Hang a piece of artwork or sign on a wall. This makes it feel like part of your living space.

Tiny space? No problem! Bistro table and chairs may be all that you need. No room for furniture? Fill your tiny balcony with plants and let the outdoors inside.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and certified gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her article appears the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Easy changes to refresh and renew your home and spirit for spring

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• May 9, 2015

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Bring springs colors into your home with marbleized bud vases. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Even though in Southwest Florida, we typically go from winter (such as it is) straight into summer, with a few cool and breezy days in between, it is still human nature to mark the change of seasons.

And spring is a time to take a mid-year evaluation of how we want to transition into summer with subtle ways of renewing and refreshing our homes. And our spirit.

So, do a little inventory of you home and decide what makes you happy this spring. And make a list of a few easy changes you do to honor the season and refresh your home. Some of my favorite rituals to acknowledge this subtle shift may help!

Declutter. Spring is the perfect time as you refresh and renew your home. Eliminate anything that bothers you. A mini downsize of your "stuff" is healthy and don't be afraid to open up some space!

Open the windows. Yes, some fresh air. Let all of the bad chemicals and cooking fumes out and some fresh air in.  My green expert friend and designer, Peggy Oberlin of Oberlin Interiors in Naples, uses the plastic bag analogy when explaining what our homes are like. We live in air conditioning without fresh air and everything builds up inside to one big unhealthy trapped batch of air.  Open the windows and let it out!  

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Pottery Barn's pretty spring table with turquoise dishes and glass based coral stands.

Bring a little "green" inside. We know that plants are healthy for our environment but I notice in most of my client's homes, there are very few plants used as decor. This does make some sense since we are surrounded by beautiful outdoor landscapes and our lanais are all filled with trees and potted plants. But pick up a few for the inside. No green thumb? Try succulents.  They live despite the fact that you don't have a green thumb.

Replace a few things. Like those yucky switch plates that have been around forever. Like the front door welcome mat. And definitely add or replace a few pots of annuals around your front door. They just shout out "welcome" spring.

Set a pretty spring table with turquoise dishes and glass based coral stands. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Paint baseboards and window sills. One of my favorite spring rituals. This gets rid of scuff marks and gives your home a little sparkly clean feeling.

Now, let's add some bursts of color.

Paint the front door. This is my favorite low-cost change that will make a big impact and it will also make you happy when you walk in the door. But here is the big change: paint the inside of the door as well so you can see it from your entry. Trust me. This is a great one! My favorite front door color (both sides) of the moment is Benjamin Moore's Boca Raton Blue.  But try a color that you love. The choices are endless.

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Add spring with outdoor Astrid trellis embroidered pillows. Photo: Pottery Barn.

Paint a ceiling blue. Yes. Blue. There's just something about a blue ceiling.  My favorite locations: bedrooms, bathrooms and lanais. It's a very tropical, cool, calmingthing that is also brings big impact for very little money. Try it. You will thank me.

Paint a piece of furniture. Add some color with an old table that you feel is brown and dull. A nightstand in the bedroom or a even fireplace mantel. Give it a new life. It will brighten up a room instantly and give it a little personality.  

Add wallpaper. Okay. You don't have to go crazy with this one if you are afraid. But a powder room (my favorites) or your closet are great rooms to play with. These are rooms that you are not living in all day but will love some spring pizzazz! Be brave! And while at it, add a chandelier.  Spring glam!

Rotate your artwork. As a Fort Myers interior,  I do this for many of my clients. We all have artwork in the back of our closets because there is not enough space. Bring it all out and pick a few pieces to rotate for a season or two. It's like shopping in your own closet because you have probably forgotten about it!

To celebrate spring, there are a few purchases that will go a long way to welcoming a new season.

Pillows. If you don't add anything else, change the pillows on your sofa for a totally new look for spring.  I like doing this frequently and it is perfect for a seasonal transition.

Set a pretty table. Think about an inexpensive, colorful set of dishes. Napkins, table cloth and centerpiece. There is not any better (and fun) way to bring spring into your home than a new table setting.  You know you are bored with the same old tired looking stuff. Time to refresh it!

Create a spa in your bathroom. This would be a great time to give your bathroom a mini makeover. Transition it into spring with a spa look. White walls, blue ceiling, white fluffy towels, white rugs. Frame the mirror.  Voila! A new bathroom.

Add fresh flowers to every room. This is my favorite. Because it will not only add color to a room but it just makes you feel food. Invest in a few new vases and be creative about what you purchase. My favorites:  turquoise and green bottles. I like to buy large bouquets and break them into bunches of solid colors and arrange them throughout the house. And don't wait until house guests arrive. Do it for yourself.

Whatever changes you make to welcome spring, enjoy your home in this new season. There are only 32 weeks until Christmas!

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog

Home Inspirations: Start spring decorating with curb appeal

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press• March 7, 2015

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Spring flowers, trees and a bench in the entry set the tone for the exterior. 

We always talk in this column about decorating our home's interior and how to make our outdoor spaces beautiful (coming soon), but with spring around the corner, I think we should pay a little attention to the sometimes overlooked curb appeal of our homes.

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One of my favorite British sitcoms features in every episode, a home that has a broken mail box, a garden gate that falls of the hinges, car with a flat in the driveway, cracked sidewalk leading to the house, light fixtures hanging from wires, chipped stairs leading to the door. And when the homeowner greets guests, you see that the interior perfectly matches the exterior: a disaster.

I laugh at this show every week. And no, in all of my years as a southwest Florida interior decorator, I have never encountered anything quite this dramatic while making my way to a client's front door. Although I did once break the heal on my shoe because of pavers that were too far apart and I did have a client's dog eat my shoes while I was on a ladder hanging artwork.

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The fact is this: with a few good tips, we can improve the curb appeal of any home in a short time. If you are selling your home, it will attract a buyer and if not, you will feel much better every time you pull into your driveway. Try these tips for a quick (pretty) fix starting at the curb. It will say "welcome home" to you and your guests!

Decorative items, shutters, lighting and flower pots say "welcome home."

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Before you get started, as with any decorating project, clean and declutter. Spring is the perfect time to take care of your landscaping by trimming, weeding and pruning. Pressure wash roof and driveway. Clean out gutters. Now for the fun tips:

•    Upgrade your mail box from the one that you have had since you moved into the house. If this is not possible because of homeowner rules, at least clean it out (cobwebs) and plant some colorful flowers around it.

•    Repair pavers or cracks in the driveway or sidewalk.

•    Freshen up the house numbers. Invest a few dollars little in a customized decorative plaque with your numbers.

•    It's a great time to clean/replace outdoor light fixtures and make sure you have enough light. A dark entry is not inviting nor is it safe.

•    Paint the front door, trim on the house and shutters if you have them. If you read this column regularly, I always suggest painting the door and the trim around it every spring. Give some thought to the style of the home and don't be afraid to go bold! Mine is currently turquoise!

•    Evaluate thepaint. If you are selling your home, a fresh coat of paint is the bestway to update your curb appeal.

•    Update your door bell or knocker. •    Plant spring annuals in your front yard. Around trees and to line your sidewalk or driveway.

•    Style the front entry. I do this for all of my clients. A seasonal wreath on the front door. Container gardens from a nursery, Lowes or Home Depot are my favorites. They are fast and inexpensive. Place them in pairs on either side of your door to add a welcoming touch.

•    Add some accessories! A piece or two of artwork that is weather-resistant such as a birdbath in the yard surrounded by plants and flowers or a metal sculpture at the entry, set the tone for entering your home.

•    Replace your door mat.

•    Welcome home.

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator. Home Inspirations appears the first Saturday of each month. Visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips and photos visit her blog at spectacularspaces.com/blog