Interior trend: spring florals..

Every year, as the sun finally feels warm on our our faces, and the daffodils smile from gardens and verges, humans feel the need to fluff up our nests, cast out the fleece blankets (or pop them in a box till October, anyway) and let the colours and scents of spring fill our homes.

It’s a form of optimism, underpinned by the knowledge that yes we WILL get some sunny days, and maybe even a heatwave, but we will also get cool and damp and rainy days, so having a little summer inside makes up for not having all the summer outside.

The trend for introducing floral to our home is centuries old and is one that doesn’t ebb and flow as so many do, but runs happily along in the background ready to be tapped into by those who just want some seasonal colour and brightness in their homes.

In this respect, we perhaps shouldn’t box in florals as an interior trend, but rather an easy way to style your home in the spring and summer season. After all, we don’t hesitate to drape wool throws over our sofas, add cuddly velvet cushions, light a fire and snuggle down the moment the nights draw in (not to mention the shenanigans from the start of December…) so why not go floral for spring? 

Here are our top tips for bringing flowers to your home this spring.

1. Let there be light

We spend our winter weeks pulling the curtains across our windows, keeping the dark and cold draughts at bay. Now’s the time to assess whether you need those curtains at all, or if you can live without them for a few months (and get them cleaned while you’re at it) or even whether it feels right to swap in curtains that feel lighter and prettier. One solution that works beautifully, especially if you have a period home, is to have pretty pastel blinds fitted, in a shade that complements your curtains, and then to remove the curtains till autumn beckons. Blinds tuck neatly up into the top of the window, allowing maximum light to enter, but when in action cut sunshine to keep the room cool, without making it dark. 

If you do keep your curtains in place, use tie backs to pull them aside and allow maximum natural light to enter.

2. Accessorise

Swapping in fresh, pretty and floral cushions, rugs and lightweight throws (perfect for use in the garden during the evening) is the easiest way to refresh your home with a spring like feel. 

Remove all your current wintery soft furnishings and assess what colour might make you happiest. The floral trend is so easy, as you can decide on a single colour and run with that – a mix of soft blues in bluebell, forget-me-not and cornflower, for example, of a riot of colours as you might find in tulips or roses. Search out something you fall for – Next has a gorgeous floral collection in at the moment, by Lucy Tiffany; John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Dunelm always have loads of choice, not to mention Wayfair (though you could lose days on that site!) and Designers Guild are renowned for their fabulous floral designs.

1. Flowers!

Fresh flowers make a huge difference. Right now, you can find tulips and daffodils at almost silly prices. Fill a vase to overflowing and enjoy the colour and life they bring to your space. Keep it going summer long. Supermarket flowers are usually shipped in from overseas, so if you want to think a little more sustainably, or simply buy British, search out a nearby flower farm. They are surprisingly not that rare, and often flower from the gate.

Top tip: drop a teaspoon of bleach into the water. It won’t harm the flowers but it will prevent the water from going smelly too fast. Add a teaspoon of sugar too, to help them last longer. Change the water after three days and you’ll be good to go till they’re finished.

2. Add floral fragrances

Who doesn’t love a scented candle? Now’s the time to search out lighter, floral scents, stepping away from the richer, comforting scents of winter. Always choose candles made from soy wax, or other natural waxes such as coconut, rapeseed or beeswax, as these are much better for your health as well as the environment. We did a very popular post back in October all about scenting your home, read on for our guide to candles, diffusers and wax melts.

Bringing a little of the flower-filled outside in will lift your spirits every day, and doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In our experience, views of homes for sale like to see that those who are selling love their homes and are still fully engaged with them despite their desire to move on, so freshening up and presenting a home that feels bright and pretty will certainly help with those first impressions, too.

Eddie – Friday 8th March 2024. (Image used from Urmston Lane, Stretford).