Refresh and renew your home for spring

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • May 2, 2020

While we were busy figuring out how to save ourselves from a pandemic, spring quietly arrived without any fanfare. It was lost between the stay-at-home directive, self-quarantining and worrying about where we were headed.

Usually a time of refreshing and renewal for ourselves and our homes, this annual ritual was a big blur this year. The good news: it’s not too late. And we need it. More than ever.

Thibaut’s Russell Square wallpaper brings a fresh, new look to a room with a pretty green tone. Trending now, green is a color of harmony and health. Photo Credit: Thibaut Design. Details: www.thibautdesign.com

We’ve spent more time at home than we ever dreamed possible. We’re tired of nonstop bad news and we’re just plan tired. We have worried about friends, family, ourselves, the economy, our jobs, our savings and the future. Zoom meetings have become a way of life and they are exhausting. We even decorate the Zoom backgrounds with pretty pictures to cheer ourselves up.

We could use a haircut. We wonder if the shelves at Publix will ever be fully stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. It’s hard to focus and tough to even make it all the way through a book. What we always wanted, more time at home, isn’t so great when you’re wondering about what our future holds.

And we’ve cleaned and cleaned. It gives us some control. We’ve decluttered every drawer and closet. Planted flowers in our yards. Repaired everything that was on our to-do list. Mostly.

And now that we’re seeing parks and beaches reopen, we have a glimmer of hope that things are ever-so-slowly and cautiously starting to ease us into something that will become our new normal. What that will be, we have no idea right now. And we still have to be careful.

But it’s still spring. And spring brings hope. Because we have been spending so much time at home, let’s rethink what our homes need to give us in terms of comfort, privacy, hygiene and safety. Something to nourish our spirit.

Find an outdoor space

More than ever, we need the outdoors. Whether you have a huge lanai or a tiny apartment patio or balcony, create a space for yourself. Before we began staying at home, a friend called me about her tiny patio in a small condo. We were able to make it look great by using: a bench, a chair, small round table, a basket of flowers, a rug and a lantern. All purchased from Home Goods in an hour. She has coffee, reads, works on her laptop and rests in this happy space.

Color changes everything

Beautiful shades of green are a huge trend right now. No surprise. It’s the color of harmony and health that has long been thought to revitalize our body and mind. It balances our emotions and leaves us feeling safe and secure. It also gives us hope, with promises of growth and prosperity, and it provides a little bit of luck to help us along the way. We could all use that.

Some of my clients tell me they only want calm, muted colors now. Others are asking for color palettes that are bold. We know that you get the most decorating value for your money by changing the paint color so think about what you are craving. You may be surprised at how your color preferences have changed.

Time to switch things out

Spring is always a great time to replace a few things. But how do you know when it’s time? Some general guidelines:

• Kitchen sponges (yikes): every 2-4 weeks.

• Bathroom towels: Every two years. Repurpose them by donating to an animal shelter.

• Bathmats: Wash weekly. Replace every year or two.

• Pillows: Replace after two years (or sooner).

• Sheets: Replace every two years. Wash frequently in cold water.

• Mattresses: 8-10 years. You know when it’s time.

• Smoke alarm batteries: twice a year. Now is a good time.

Plants: bring some fresh air into your home

These are inexpensive, easy to find (grocery store or home improvement stores) and will make you feel better. They purify the air and don’t need a lot of light: snake plant, heartleaf philodendron (I like these in a shower if there is a window), golden pothos, ferns.

Also, for healing, energy and maybe even good luck, try a bamboo plant.

Lavender in a clay pot will help you sleep at night. I found these at potterybarn.com

Welcome spring. Will life ever be the same? Not likely. Everything is still a bit upside down and will be for a while. For now, just hold on as things unfold. Stay safe. Wash your hands. And take a nap.

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 949-1808 or e-mail . For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog