Some spend a weekend deep in spring cleaning; some treat their wardrobe to a new piece of eye candy (right now, we’re partial to a statement skirt). We all deal with the shifting seasons differently—for interior designers, April’s arrival means making a few small tweaks around the home to usher in warmer weather, brighter colors, and an overall more playful spirit.
The easiest place to start? The consensus is clear: Your linen cabinet. “Just as you change your wardrobe with the seasons, I like to refresh my home by swapping out fabrics and soft goods—consider a subtle shift in color and tonality, too,” says designer Christine Gachot. “As spring approaches, my own wardrobe staples become easier, anchored in white tees and light denim, with a more relaxed sensibility. The same mindset applies to your base layer at home: Keep palettes fresh and effortlessly bright.”
Vogue’s Guide to Designer-Approved Spring Decor Swaps
With the basics in place, we decided to poll the experts to see what other low-lift swaps they’re making this season. From lightweight lampshades to verdant Italian dinnerware, here are the spring decor changes interior designers rely on in their own spaces.
Christine Gachot
“Come April, I’m always eager to trade in a heavyweight duvet insert for a lighter, fresher layer, or replace mohair throws with breezy cottons and lightweight cashmere. Start with texture. Replacing heavier layers with airy linens and soft cottons allows a room to feel lighter, both visually and physically.
While I typically gravitate toward a more pared back palette, the arrival of warmer weather feels like an open invitation to embrace pattern and color, especially when hosting. My collectsion of Lisa Corti napkins bring a playful pop to the table, while servingware from Porta and Ginori 1735 adds a sense of elevated whimsy. Lean into the mix, layer color, combine prints, and celebrate the palette of spring.
Finally, think of spring cleaning as a way to clear your mind and create space for a new start. Open all your windows and let the fresh air flood in. Take a moment to go through every closet, drawer, and cabinet, compiling items for donation. Doing good feels as refreshing as a clean home. For a big refresh, a fresh coat of paint on walls or even targeted touch-ups can transform a room. Short on time? Tackle isolated spots with a Magic Eraser, my secret weapon. Every small task adds up to a home that feels renewed and ready for spring.”
Eny Lee Parker
“In spring, I like to remove anything that feels visually heavy: thick wool, dark woods, dense textures. You can replace them with more breathable materials like linen, ceramics. I also like to bring glass into the mix; something as simple as adding water to a glass vase brings movement and visually looks clean. Another easy change is switching up a candle to something more mineral, herby, or citrusy. It subtly changes how you experience the space, not just how it looks.
Then, instead of buying new things, I’ll often just rearrange. Moving books around less clutter, more clutter, moving a lamp to the floor… I think disrupting familiarity makes a space feed refreshed without actually adding anything new.”
Matilda Goad
“Spring is a time for me to take stock and reflect on what I’ve gathered over winter. With the longer, brighter days, I finally have the energy to action things around the home that I’ve been meaning to do but have put off. I’ve never liked having lots of art or photos on the walls, but as my young family grows, those precious captured moments feel more important to cherish. Rather than leaving stray photos lying around, I’ve started framing them–I love Mora’s photostrip frames.
Over the last few years, I’ve become increasingly focused on purpose within the home. Spring is the perfect time to reassess areas and how they’re used–sometimes something as simple as adding more hooks, like our swing arm one, can have really pleasing results.”
Alexandra Pappas and Tatyana Miron Ahlers
“The easiest spring fix in the bedroom is to change your bedding—not only to keep cool, but to add a little color. We use Hawkins a lot for linen. We grew up together in Connecticut and Tatyana’s mother would summerize their house every spring: Antique carpets were rolled up and stored in the attic and sisal was put in their place. Velvet sofas and tapestry chairs were slip-covered with cotton chintz. She even changed the lamps to more colorful Italian ceramic ones, and topped them with linen or raffia shades.
Also, candles! I have several candlesticks on my dining room table and dotted around my apartment. I love changing the candle colors from season to season. Spring green or a mix of pastels are a fun change from classic ivory. My go-to is Creative Candles—they have a range of colors and sizes.”
Francesca Grace
“For spring, I always think less about ‘adding’ and more about refining what’s already there. One of my favorite swaps is trading anything heavy or overly structured for pieces that feel softer and more organic. I’ll replace bulky throws and dark textiles with lighter, breathable layers in washed linens and soft cottons. It instantly changes the energy of a space without needing a full redesign.
I also love swapping out statement decor: A heavy, ornate vase gets replaced with something more raw and tonal, styled with loose, imperfect florals or even just branches. It feels fresher and more aligned with the season without trying too hard. Another shift I always make is editing surfaces. Spring is when I clear visual clutter and bring in a few intentional pieces that feel special. That restraint is what makes a room feel elevated and calm.”
Susana Simonpietri
“Spring is the best time of year to find fun flowering branches to fill vases around your home; it’s an easy way to add a new sculptural element to your home. Forsythia, Japanese quince, cherry blossoms, and redbuds are some of the sweetest springtime flowers. Lately, our team has been playing with kenzens (flower frogs) to create sculptural floral moments in vessels that may not typically be able to be used for flowers. We love metal Japanese-made kenzens—the heavier, the better!
Spring cleaning comes as a perfect time to simplify your entryway, too. The winter scarves and hat baskets can be put away and allow for an airy entry into the home. We like to add trays to catch essentials and clear space to add a nice vase of springtime florals. We also suggest refreshing guest spaces just in time for springtime sleepovers: Swap out heavier winter bedding for lighter quilts.”
Allison Handler
“I love adding fresh flowers, but there are some great faux options on the market now. (I especially like fresh eucalyptus, which dries beautifully and can last for months.) I also suggest swapping out some pillows. This can be a low-lift way to introduce a new color scheme or texture to a space. This also applies to bedding—trading a heavy winter-time duvet for one with a lighter material like a linen or cotton percale can be a nice refresh. Lastly, you can set the mood with a springy scented candle—really, nothing makes you more excited for a certain time of year than a specific scent. Some of my favorites are Hotel Lobby’s Signature candle and Diptyque’s Baies candles.”
Jessica Alpert
“As the weather warms up, switching out heavy blankets for lighter linen throws instantly refreshes a living space. Linen has a breezy, natural feel that works beautifully in spring and adds texture without weighing down a room. My favorites include this flax linen throw and Parachute’s vintage bed blanket. Adding large branches to vases is a simple way to make a room feel lively and seasonal; it's also great for adding height and dimension to your decor–whether it’s budding branches from your garden or delicate flowering twigs.
Finally: Candles are a quick way to set a seasonal mood. For spring, I love choosing scents that feel clean and airy, rather than heavy or spicy. Loewe’s Dendrochilum Magnum Orchid candle is perfect—it's a delicate fragrance that adds a subtle touch of springtime freshness to any room.”
