Clean up and Spruce up for Spring

Spring cleaning is dirty job, but someone's got to do it. So set aside a weekend and tackle as much as you can. Start by making a list of everything you want to accomplish and assigning duties to family members. If your family is less-than-enthusiastic about the whole idea, throw a Spring Cleaning Extravaganza. Play music all day long and bake goodies such as cookies the night before to help induce the sugar rush you'll need to get you through the day. And if you think your kids won't cooperate, get creative. How about a $5 prize to the kid whose room is cleanest at the end of the day, judged by a neutral party such as a neighbor?

Once you've completed your massive clean out, then you can think about redecorating for spring. Some easy ways to décorten up your décor for the warmer weather ahead include:

• Remove heavy curtains and leave windows bare in areas that don't require privacy.
• Exchange your duvetscomforters and duvets for lighter, airier quilts in spring colors.
• Inject bright or pastel colors wherever you can using throw pillows, silk flower arrangements and linens. (I just tossed a white chenille bedspread over a dark dreary chair and added a small floral pillow-a totally new spring look for no investment at all.)
• Pare down your knickknacks and get some air between your furnishings.
• Switch out your lampshades and bathroom towels to ones with lighter, brighter colors.
• Add candles and potpourri to every room so the smell of spring can live throughout your home.
• And of course, fills your vases with live flowers!
The copyright of the article Clean up and Spruce up for Spring in Budget Decorating is owned by L.C. Dumke. Permission to republish Clean up and Spruce up for Spring in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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