No, it’s not just you: winter does feel like it’s lasting forever. But as it starts to get dark ever-so-slightly later and the temperatures begin to hover above the 0ºC mark, there’s no denying that we’re starting to get excited for spring.

During the winter months, we look to our homes as a place where we can curl up and get cosy to forget about the weather outside. But, as we start to move into spring, it’s time to embrace lighter and brighter times – and it’s always nice when our space reflects this feeling.

The place we’ll be looking to first? The living room. According to Dulux, the living room is the most joyous place in the home, making it the perfect place to start for a spring refresh. And, the great news is that it doesn’t take a lot of work, money or effort to instantly make this space feel alive again for the new season. Here, interior designer Paulina Wojas shares her top tips on refreshing your living room this spring, so you can enjoy this space in a whole new way for the season ahead.

You may not associate beautiful interior design with cleaning and decluttering, but starting here will help you create a canvas for a space that can be refreshed or re-designed. “Removing outdated items that no longer serve a purpose will free up space for new additions,” explains Wojas. “Conduct a living room inventory and assess what needs to be discarded and what can transition into the new season. This step will help maximise space and is a great way to reset for spring.”

You’ll also be amazed by how a thorough clean alone can instantly make a space feel refreshed. “The start of spring is widely associated with a house-wide clean,” says Wojas. “Dust, pollen and other allergens may have accumulated over winter, so conducting a thorough cleaning can refresh the space for a healthier environment. Spring cleaning also symbolises a fresh start and is a way to feel positive and accomplished. Decluttering, dusting, vacuuming and wiping down surfaces and furniture can eliminate dust and other allergens while achieving a refreshed space.”

You don’t need to buy anything new to help your space feel refreshed. Wojas advises looking at the furniture and decorative items you currently have in your living room and thinking about how you can move things around to create a brand-new feel. “Reshuffling the living room’s layout aligns with the season’s fresh start and helps refresh the space,” she says. “This simple rearrangement can transform a room into an updated space and follow feng shui practices to promote positive energy and harmony. Moving furniture around encourages decluttering and cleaning to create a fresh environment ready for the new season.”

We often think about decorations when refreshing our living rooms, but scent plays an equally important role in allowing a room to take on an entirely new feel. “Citrus notes such as bergamot, lemon and mandarin are perfect for a refreshing scent, while florals such as jasmine, rose and lily-of-the-valley offer a soothing touch of spring,” says Wojas.

The trend for pastel colours shows no sign of slowing down in both the fashion and interiors world. Whether you add a lick of paint to freshen up your living room or add some pastel-toned vases, candlesticks or plant pots, there’s no better time to do this than during spring. “Pastels such as lilac, blush, yellow, pink and lavender are soft and light tones that help evoke feelings of calmness and freshness,” explains Wojas. “These colours can be introduced with subtle decorative pieces and soft furnishings such as cushions and throws.”

Paulina Wojas is an interior designer and contributor to design vision at Stunning Chairs.

Images: Getty