How to update your home for spring without buying anything new – 5 easy ways to reinvent your home for the season for less

We're all guilty of perusing online for home decor as soon as a new season arrives. In an attempt to fight that niggling temptation, we've decided to conjure up a list of ways to refresh your home for spring without buying anything new.

Our homes are often in desperate need of some uplifting this time of year. Spring has (thankfully) officially arrived, so there's no better time to channel the season's vitality by uplifting the home with some easy spring decor ideas. While the temptation is just to shop this season's new collections, we spoke to interior designers who have proven that using what you already have can be just as impactful (and not to mention much more cost-effective).

The designers have hailed these five ideas as their go-to ways of updating their homes without spending a dollar, and they're surprisingly simple too.

1. Refresh your home with forraged stems and fruit

Is it really spring without some fresh foliage? Decorating with flowers is a classic way of channeling nature and uplifting a scheme with fresh elegance. But to make the look spring-appropriate, opt for spring-flowering plants or foliage for a seasonal look.

While displaying flowers is an easy way of elevating an empty surface and embracing spring, there are other ways to channel nature. Hannah Fenton, founder of Cult Revival uses local fresh produce when she's decorating for spring. She says, 'Refresh your shelves for spring by displaying seasonal fruits like apples, citrus, and pears in bowls, jars, or trays you already own, and incorporating fresh or foraged stems in vases or bottles.'

Believe it or not, something as simple as a bowl filled with fruit can make a major improvement to a tired space. Whether you fill a rustic bowl with vibrant lemons and oranges or use foliage to create a centerpiece, these easy arrangements will make your home feel more inviting and inspiring.

2. Borrow pieces from other rooms for a fresh look

Shopping your own home is a great way to update your home for spring without having to buy anything new. 'Borrow' from other rooms, bring in pieces you barely see anymore in one room and make them a feature in another.

Gray Walker says, 'Shop around your house and think of how to move pieces to get a fresh perspective for the change of seasons. Roll a rug up and expose your hardwood floors for a lighter spring and summer look.' It's all about going for a more relaxed look that feels pared back. Gray adds, 'Art can be taken off the wall and put on easels and placed on top of furniture for a relaxed look.'

Adopt a spring cleaning mindset and approach your home design. Striping back, or just moving things into new places, can make the home feel lighter, brighter, and refreshed. Spring cleaning rules can help you decide what things should be put away and stored for the colder months.

3. Declutter and rearrange

An easy yet impactful way of reimagining your space is by giving ornaments and decorative pieces a bit of a re-jig. There's no need to shop the latest spring trends as you can use what you already have and give old pieces new meaning by repositioning them.

Kathy Kuo, founder of Kathy Kuo Home, says 'My favorite way to refresh my home for spring without buying anything new is to declutter and tidy up any items that need storage and just reorganize and put things in their proper place.' Slow decluttering will help you to make your space more functional and neat, without stress or urgency.

Once the major decluttering has been tackled, Kathy says she then likes to reposition decorative objects to make a space feel new and updated. She says, 'From there, it can be fun to just rearrange your surface styling – switch things around on your coffee table, bookshelves, and mantel. It's amazing how new positioning of your decorative accents can give your space a whole new look.'

4. Give furniture a fresh lick of (leftover) paint

Painted furniture can make all the difference to an uninspiring space. For a spring-inspired space, follow spring color ideas and reimagine a tired piece by covering it in an inspiring and refreshing muted hue.

'Give your home a seasonal update while putting leftover paint to good use by upcycling a piece of furniture', says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director at Little Greene. 'A bold color highlight on a kitchen stool can instantly bring personality and vibrancy to your space, or consider painting the inside of a dresser to create a striking, unexpected backdrop for your tableware. It’s a simple and effective way to add charm and character to your home with minimal effort.’

Be aware, there are mistakes to avoid when painting wooden furniture. Ruth says, 'Before you start painting any piece of furniture, it's important to prepare the surface properly, especially if it's already been painted. Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and free from grease. Use sugar soap to remove loose or flaking paint, then rinse the surface with clean water.'

'If you're painting over aged oil-based gloss, lightly sand the area with medium-grade sandpaper, blending in where the paint has been removed. For bare or new wooden furniture, proper cleaning and treatment of the surface is essential. Seal it with Aluminium Wood Primer or a knotting compound, and be sure to apply sealant to any knots in softwood furniture. For hardwood pieces, seal the entire surface to ensure the paint adheres properly.'

5. Switch out heavy fabrics for lighter alternatives

Switching out heavier fabrics for lighter alternatives will make your home feel in line with the new season. Instead of shopping for new pieces, make use of what you have at home by replacing heavier textiles with light and airy options.

Hannah says, 'Use soft fabrics, ceramics, and wooden items you have around to add texture and depth, creating a fresh, vibrant spring aesthetic with what’s on hand.' Whether replacing a heavy woven tablecloth with lighter, floral fabric or switching out thick bedding for the best linen sheets, there are plenty of ways that textiles can reinvent your space.

Incorporating organic materials throughout your home will make the space feel lighter, brighter, and more in line with nature. If you have any extra fabric lying around, create a DIY pair of drapes that allow light to filter through and make your space feel refreshing and bright.

These designers have proven that you don't need to spend a small fortune to make your home feel new and inspiring for sping-time. You can follow these easy but impactful ideas that will make all the difference to a tired scheme and provide the home with a new lease of life.