Say goodbye to winter blues with these 8 spring living room ideas that will feel like a breath of fresh air for your space

Things are looking up. The weather is brightening up, days feel lighter and longer, and spring florals are starting to appear. And I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a spring home refresh on the horizon.

Of course, we all know the power of a good spring clean. But there are a few spring decor ideas you can also try that require little effort, don't cost the earth, and are far from a full-blown makeover. And your living room is a great place to start.

Where winter embraces thick, cozy textiles and deep, moody hues, spring is all about brighter colors, lighter fabrics, and enjoying the prolonged daylight. From spring color ideas to bringing the outdoors in, these expert-approved spring living room ideas are sure to inspire a quick refresh for the season ahead.

8 spring living room ideas to breathe fresh air into your lounge

Whether you're planning a simple refresh or a complete makeover, spring is the perfect time to give your living room a new lease of life. From injecting seasonal hues to switching out decor, these are our favorite spring living room ideas.

1. Freshen up your color palette

While we know it is unrealistic to suggest a total makeover, refreshing some of the colors in your space can work wonders.

If you feel like spring is the perfect time to give your living room color scheme a long-overdue refresh, why not consider some spring-ready shades? Sarah Latham of Latham Interiors suggests: 'Saturated colors are a perfect way to bring spring into your living room. Depending on your level of commitment, a fresh coat of paint or updating your throw pillows can go a long way in bringing spring into your home.'

'Focus on fresh, airy colors with a mix of natural textures, soft colors, and playful accents,' agrees Michelle Murphy, founder of DEMI RYAN. 'Light, breathable fabrics like linen and cotton in pastel hues – sage green, blush pink, and sky blue – create a refreshing atmosphere. Floral and botanical prints should also make a strong comeback, whether through living room wallpaper ideas, throw pillows, or artwork, bringing a lively energy to the space.'

2. Bring blooms indoors to create spring vignettes

As the garden starts to bloom outside, why not introduce some of that new season joy inside too? A lot of us tend to keep our vases of flowers and potted plants in the kitchen (which makes sense, it's easier for watering) but don't let your living room miss out.

'Nothing says "spring is coming" like the fresh yellow of a Forsythia branch, so it's no surprise that decorating with yellow is the key to spring decorating,' says designer Bethany Adams. 'If yellow isn't part of your original scheme, add it in with accessories, art, or even the aforementioned spring branch. A vase of daffodils will also perk up any room and have you looking forward to warmer, longer days.'

'It may seem like a no-brainer, but never underestimate the power of fresh flowers when refreshing your living room for spring,' says Kathy Kuo, CEO of Kathy Kuo Home.

'After I finish up with a nice, thorough spring clean in my home, I love to really mark the start of the new season by filling my favorite decorative vases with seasonal blooms. You get that special touch of seasonality, as well as a pop of color and a fresh scent,' she adds. 'Whether you add your flower vases to your coffee table, your mantelpiece, or your media cabinet, they're sure to have the space feeling decidedly like spring.'

3. Introduce a spring scent

Scent plays a powerful role in shaping the atmosphere of a space, and introducing a fresh spring fragrance into your living room can make the seasonal transition feel even more immersive – appealing to all the senses.

'While most folks don’t think about it, the fragrance of your room can truly set the tone (and season) for your visitors. With springtime just around the corner, one of my favorite accessories to incorporate into my living room decor is Lafco New York’s Fresh Cut Gardenia candle or diffuser,' says Kristen Scharer, of Kristen Scharer Interiors.

'This scent smells just like fresh cut flowers from your garden (even if you don’t have any) and frankly, just smells like the epitome of spring. I also love that it comes in a fresh green container – perfect to compliment your spring décor,' she adds.

4. Double down on florals

While fresh flowers are a seasonal staple, this year’s approach to florals goes beyond simple bouquets – think floral patterns on throw pillows, wallpaper, and even furniture upholstery. 'You can’t go wrong with adding and layering a bit of pattern to give an interior that spring edge,' says Holly Vaughan of Vaughan Design & Development.

Introduce floral throw pillows to inject a sense of the season while retaining the coziness a living room requires. And fret not, florals don’t have to feel traditional or overly feminine. Whether through subtle wallpaper, contemporary floral-print cushions, or a vintage-inspired rug, floral room decor can create a dynamic and inviting space that reflects the vibrancy of spring.

'My favorite way to refresh a living room for spring is switching out your throw pillows. Adding new pops of color (goodbye winter white!) and images of flowers on a pillow immediately feels like spring. As a plus, they last longer than any fresh flower decor,' says Mary Jo Major, owner and principal designer at Rise Interiors.

When styling your soft accessories for springtime, Molly Mahon advises, 'I find a room full of textures, layers, and colors exciting and uplifting and for this reason, I love to mix, match & pile my cushions high. As a guide, the best-sized cushions are 50x50cm for sofas, 60x40cm for beds, and small little frillies for armchairs and gifts.'

5. Switch to lightweight textiles

As spring arrives, swapping out heavy winter fabrics for lighter, airier textiles is one of the easiest ways to refresh your living room. Thick wools, velvets, and chunky knits that provided warmth in the colder months can now be replaced with breathable materials like linen, cotton, and gauzy sheers.

'I always like to take the change in seasons as a chance to refresh and swap out the soft goods in my living room,' Kathy Kuo continues. 'For spring, I love the look of light-weight cotton and linen throw pillows and blankets in soft, springy colors.'

'Spring is all about shedding the cozy winter vibes, for light and bright. Update your pillows for a quick and cost-effective shift to a new season. Keep the same pillow inserts and opt for light-colored, linen pillow covers rather than velvet or heavy textures,' agrees Mackenzie Wood, principal and lead designer at Tribe Design Group.

Of course, not everyone has space to store large pillows from season to season, but simply replacing the covers and using the same inserts is not only cost-effective but space-saving too.

6. Refresh your window treatments

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your window treatment ideas – light and airy materials and fabrications can make all the difference in creating a welcoming atmosphere that allows daylight to flood into the space.

Treat yourself like a plant. Sunlight is essential for your survival, so why not make the most of it by swapping out heavier curtains for soft, sheer panels or light linen drapes that can instantly brighten your living room?

'Allow as much natural light as possible into the space by replacing heavy draperies for woven shades, lighter weight panels, or even nothing at all,' suggests Mary Beth Christopher, of MBC Interior Design.

Sheer, lightweight curtains, or drapes are a popular choice for living room curtain ideas. They offer a sense of privacy and dress windows beautifully without blocking any natural light. Alternatively, shutters and bamboo chik blinds are becoming increasingly popular to add character to a scheme without feeling too heavy.

7. Invest in spring style wallpaper

While it is quite a drastic change for a new season, wallpaper can dramatically change the energy of a space. It’s one of the most impactful ways to make a bold design statement. This spring, oversized floral patterns, leafy prints, and pastel geometric designs are trending, all offering a fresh, vibrant way to celebrate the season.

As such, leaning into a complete living room makeover can make all the difference. Adding a new paint color, wallpaper, or even new living room lighting ideas will make your living room feel brand new and rejuvenated for the year ahead.

'An alternate option would be to embrace a larger refresh and consider a full-scale reinvention. Working with a skilled designer, you can make changes such as updating light fixtures and re-painting or adding statement wallpaper and complete new furnishings. No matter which track you take, you can't go wrong. Have fun,' says Patricia Knight from Zinnia Design Studio.

8. Bring in a new ottoman

An ottoman is the perfect accessory to add texture, color, and function to a room. Ottoman ideas can easily shift a space’s mood, making it feel more inviting and dynamic.

‘Seasonal ottomans and poufs can really change a decor vibe,’ suggests Allison Knizek, founder of Allison Knizek Design. ‘Apple green ottomans suggest the freshness of spring with their refreshing hue. For fall and winter, replace with a rich jewel or autumnal tone,' she adds. Soft pastel shades like blush, mint green, or lavender are perfect for the season, or you can go for a neutral piece in warm tan or off-white to complement a range of color schemes.

'Styling with layered textures, such as woven rattan, ceramic vases, and natural wood will enhance the organic feel, while fresh greenery and seasonal blooms will add vibrancy,' adds Michelle Murphy.

From updating your color palette to introducing fresh scents, florals, and lightweight textiles, these simple yet impactful changes can completely elevate the atmosphere of your space. But, if you've grown tired of your current scheme and simply want a change, a lick of paint and a roll of wallpaper will transform any living room space.

As well as beautiful spring living room ideas, we also explore a range of spring kitchen decor ideas – in our option, even the most practical of spaces can be decorated for springtime.