April is a month of renewal. It’s time to dust off the outdoor furniture, tidy up and refresh decor. With Earth Day on the calendar, it’s also a great time to adopt a few green habits. Here are some ideas to get your home and yard in the spring spirit.
1. Set up outdoor furniture. If you haven’t yet gotten the outdoor furniture out of storage, now is the time. Give everything a good cleaning, and go shopping for new pieces as needed. New toss pillows or outdoor rug to freshen the entertainment area will help inspire those fun times ahead.
2. Tune up lawn mower and gas grill. Make sure all of your outdoor equipment is in working order. Stock up on the types of fuel you will need to run your lawn mower and gas grill. Raising the blade up will allow for water savings when the hot weather arrives.
3. Clean front door and shine up hardware. Wash the screens and windows.
4. Refresh your mantel. Take everything off your mantel, and wipe down the surface. Bring in something fresh and green — potted ferns, blooming bulbs or cut branches will last longer than cut flowers. If you have a mirror hanging above the mantel, clean it as well. Add a few scented or plain beeswax candles as a finishing touch. Add a favorite shot of your family in the spring season.
5. Celebrate Earth Day by going greener at home. Commit to making lasting changes to go greener this year by adopting a few easy new habits:
Trade paper towels for a stack of washable dish cloths
Use real napkins instead of paper
Swap out your cleaning products for natural methods
Check out a local farmer’s market for fresh produce
Shut off lights when you leave the room
6. Have air conditioning serviced. If you use air conditioning and haven’t had it serviced yet this spring, now is the time. Replace the filters to catch the spring pollen and dust.
7. Gather up a bag of donations for your local thrift store or favorite charity. Simplify your life this spring by collecting excess belongings out of the way and into someone who can benefit from your gift. Grab some boxes or sturdy bags, and aim to fill at least one bag a week.
8. Rotate artwork If you love collecting art prints and paintings, you know how easy it is to run out of wall space long before you’ve hung all of your artwork. A simple solution is to rotate your artwork each season, keeping some pieces stored safely in a closet.
9. Swap towels and linens with the season is an fast way to perk up your home; extending the longevity of your textiles. You can’t go wrong with classic white towels and sheets, but if you are looking for something a little different this spring, why not pick a new hue to add a splash of surprise.