The weather may still be nasty in some parts of this great country, but spring is almost here. Before the flowers start budding and grass starts growing outside, refresh the inside of your home to give your interior spaces that springtime luminosity.

Bring the outdoors inside

Adding new houseplants or flowers to an otherwise ho-hum room can spice things up in the blink of an eye. Even if you don’t have a garden full of fresh flowers to choose from, greens make a lovely addition to your living room, bedroom, dining room, and kitchen.

Don’t be afraid to add some excitement

One of the easiest ways to sweeten up your interior rooms is to invest in some paint, call in the cavalry to help, and go to town with brushes, rollers, plastic tarps and masking tape. If you’re not extraordinarily bold when it comes to color choices but still want a new look, try going with a warmer, creamier version of the neutrals you already have; a creamy barely-yellow adds so much more warmth and interest than stark white. Remember, if you are renting a property, you will probably need to get the permission of the property owner to paint.

You could even paint an accent wall a bold, fun color and use that space to showcase some of your favored art or family photos. I suggest incorporating profound colors on one wall in a small area such as a dining room or breakfast nook. It’s less of a hazard than painting your entire master bedroom or family room but still makes a pleasant statement.

Move around the stuff on your shelves

If you’ve got an incredible library, now is a great time to take everything off the shelves, blow the dust off the covers, and reorganize. Consider artfully stacking books in different directions, some horizontal and some upright. Another idea is simply arranging books by their color and placing some of your knickknacks in and around for a uniquely eye-catching display.

Update window treatments

Spring is a great time to trade in your richly-textured drapes for lighter, breezier, more summery colors. If privacy isn’t a huge issue in a space, try adding light, breezy sheer curtains on a thin, minimalist rod. You’ll love how much the change automatically brightens your space. You might also consider substituting your ordinary blinds with Roman Shades. They’re a classier way to control light and privacy and to update your style.

Make your entryway welcoming

Upgrade (or thoroughly clean) your front-door mats and add a wreath to your front door. This could be a fun DIY project for the entire family. Make sure you have an efficient landing spot just inside your front door — a place to drop keys and hang up a coat or jacket before coming inside. This is also a great place for a fun mirror and a flower arrangement. Your home’s entryway often gives guests their very first impression of your home, so make it shine with your family’s personality and a touch of style.