Where winter may be about rest and cosy hibernation, spring is all about remerging, socialising and reconnecting with friends and family. Opening our home to loved ones, creating beautiful welcoming spaces, and celebrating small and big moments through connection are just the way to achieve it, says Home Beautiful interior stylist, Lucy Gough.
“Our energy, minds and our physical bodies change as the weather changes, and we want our surroundings to reflect that cycle that we’re in throughout the year,” suggests Lucy. “A refresh of our interiors to match lighter, brighter and warmer days that support and encourage quality time with our loved ones is a sure way to reset, because home is where connection happens.”
Here, Lucy and our Home Beautiful editors share their winter-to-spring styling tips to help you re-emerge from the chill, revamp your home’s social spaces with affordable tweaks and get ready to refill your social calendar. Entertaining has never been so stylish…
Encourage table talk with dining room detailing
The dining room is the heart and soul of the home. From Sunday family roasts to dinner parties, birthdays, impromptu coffee and cake with the neighbour who unexpectedly popped over, or enjoying Tuesday tacos with friends, the dining table is a hub of connectivity. It’s where we gather, recount our day, share stories, connect, laugh, bond and share little moments with loved ones. Elle Lovelock, editor-in-chief, says creating a welcoming space that people are excited to spend time together in, is key to supporting this.
“When it comes to styling, spring’s bright colour palette invites fun and laughter,” says Elle, who suggests getting creative with your tablescape for fabulous feasts with family and friends. “Mix and match bright patterns with plain tablecloths, runners, placements and napkins,” she says. “Adding tapered dinner candles for a lovely pop of colour will also make the occasion feel special.”
“A fresh bunch of flowers will bring the season inside and create a fresh and abundant atmosphere,” she adds, while bringing out your favourite glassware makes for a touch of sparkle when celebrating special milestones.
Elle’s TIP: Extendable dining tables are a great option for smaller spaces that only occasionally need to accommodate larger parties.
Make the most of everyday moments with living room tweaks
The living room offers a place to relax, unwind and enjoy time as a family, says Deputy Editor and mum of two Victoria Kingsbury, who loves her Friday night movie ritual with her children. “It’s something the whole family looks forward to,” she says. “The kids talk about their movie pick for days in advance, and our cinema-style set up is fun for the whole family. As is the popcorn!”
Victoria says she invested in a leather sofa setting for comfort, longevity and versatility. “I just knew the kids would have spills and jump up and down on the sofa, and I didn’t want to be constantly worrying about stains or banning them from eating in the loungeroom,” she says. “They love spending time in there when their friends come over for play dates, so it had to be stylish but functional. A leather lounge is easy to wipe down, cool in summer and warm in winter, so it’s perfect for a family. I just layer it up with different throws and cushions for the different seasons to freshen up the look.”
Victoria’s tip: “Chunky winter knits in deeper hues are perfect for winter draped over your lounge suite. In spring, swap for lighter, brighter fabrics with florals, patterns and pops of orange, yellow and green.”
Set the scene for spring socials with outdoor ambience
Whether it’s a Saturday arvo’ sparkling wine with friends, Friday night sleepovers (and toasted marshmallows) for the kids or a backyard birthday party, outdoor soirees are arguably the best part of iconic Australian lifestyles.
Home Beautiful digital editor, Diana Moore, says when it comes to backyard entertaining, creating a warm glow throughout your garden with the help of festoon or fairy lights is a simple way to instantly elevate your space. “Not only does it look lovely visually for both kids and adults alike, but on a practical level, it provides additional light to see what you’re cooking, eating and selecting from the cheese platter!” she laughs. “String lighting up between trees to span your outdoor space and bring an ambient elegance to afternoons spent outdoors.”
Diana says enjoying al fresco get-togethers in spring is her favourite thing to do. “We invested in a modular outdoor lounge setting, so we can switch up seating according to who’s invited and where the shade is during the day. Grandma likes her own seat!”
Diana’s tip: “Position your outdoor lounge furniture adjacent to your alfresco dining to encourage everyone to move into the comfort zone and stay outdoors late into the evenings.”
