It's the first day of spring! When it comes to the change of seasons, the transition from winter to spring is right up there with the transition from summer to fall for me. It is such a wonderful time - the birds are singing, the days are a tiny bit longer, flowers are blooming. The world goes from gloom and gray and begins to beam with bursts of sunny pastels. It is like everything in the world has been asleep and now it's all waking up and it's all so glorious. Doing things around your apartment to usher in spring is a wonderful way to wake up the inside of your home alongside the outside world. Here are five must-do things to add to your spring to-do list. 

Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers make me happy. Don't they make you happy, too?  So, why not get that feeling in your apartment? There are so many different flower arrangements you can place in your home that just scream spring. From blush-colored roses to orange and fuchsia tulips. Placing bouquets in your living room, on your nightstand, in your kitchen and even a tiny little bunch in the bathroom can make such a difference. I'm a sucker for light pink peonies. Those and tulips are my go-to springtime flowers. Don't feel that you have to go all fancy, either. The simplest of bouquets can still make quite the spring statement. Even talking about them puts me in the best of moods. I'm pretty sure there is a scientific fact behind that feeling you get being surrounded by beautiful fresh flowers. 

photo credit: pexels.com

Spring Clean

Getting down on your hands and knees and scrubbing baseboards, blinds, cleaning your fridge from top to bottom and inside and out, mopping, cleaning inside the pantry and the toilets and every nook and cranny you can find...that is spring cleaning. It's the time to really get down and dirty. You'll be sweating, cursing and, possibly, even wishing to be outside of your body. Don't fret. You've got this. Just make a spring cleaning playlist with all of your jams, get your mind right, make a game plan (which, by the way, you could be forgetting some places so take a look at 10 Places You are Forgetting to Clean in Your Apartment before doing this), then throw on some old worn out duds and get to it. 

And, don't worry. Spring cleaning does not have to be done in one day for all you Type B's out there - even my fellow Type A's. You can tackle just one thing each day to make it a more relaxed adventure. Me? I'm over here like "I've got 24 hours in a day. Imma get this done in 13 and I won't stop until it is 100% done". On a side note, if you are all about the green movement, check out Go Green When You Spring Clean. These are excellent tips for staying environmentally friendly while doing your deep cleaning.

Spring Decor

When I think of spring, I think of colors like blush, yellow, orange and white. Bringing in spring decor with pops of spring color can completely alter the vibe of your home, making it more vibrant and lively.  You can give your apartment a refresh with new throw pillows, blankets, knick-knacks, and accent colors.  Copper is a great spring decor choice as are white marble + wood combos. For fabrics, choose whimsical and floral patterns and stick to a lighter color palette. Trust me when I say that changing a few things out is completely worth it as it can brighten up your space (and your mood) tremendously.

Closet + Bedding Swap

This is the perfect time to either swap out clothes or shift this seasons' clothes to the front of the closet. Puffy jackets can get swapped for light jackets while shorter dresses, Bermuda shorts and short sleeves can make their debut. I see closets full of floral prints, seersucker and light colors. Need some inspiration? Here are 3 Simple Ways to Spring Clean Your Closet. It is also a good time to bring out your lightweight bedding as well. The spring tends to lend to milder temperatures at night so the need for heavy down comforters or extra blankets disappears. So, if you presently have flannel sheets, switching to your cotton or linen blends is best. No one likes to get so hot during their slumber that it becomes uncomfortable to sleep. 

Change Your Scents

Buh-bye gingerbread cookie and hello pear tree! Spring scents are so light on their feet and make the air seem so fresh. Whether you choose incense or essential oil to make your Camden apartment, they are all wonderful vessels to showcase those lovely springtime smells. If you need some scentspiration (see what I did there?), some super spring-like scents are honey lavender, lemon, apricot, hibiscus and rain showers. If you need help trying to figure out which scent best suits you and your home, look no further than this awesome How To Find Your Perfect Home Fragrance quiz. 

By doing any one of these five things, you are well on your way to welcoming spring with open arms. I know I will be starting with the spring clean this weekend - which one will you choose to kick-off your spring refresh?