Late winter is when the evenings stretch, the first blooms appear and many people feel a pull to refresh things around the house. Here are seven ways to make the most of it.
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Check the pantry. Go through kitchen cupboards and look at dates. A “best before” date is a quality guide rather than a hard deadline, particularly for tinned and packet foods. Clear space for seasonal items.
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Switch the wardrobe. As temperatures rise, move heavy winter clothes out of the way and bring lighter pieces forward. Vacuum bags save room. Label whatever you store and keep a list of what is inside.
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Lighten the bedroom. Consider thinner curtains, a lower-tog duvet and fresh white bed linen for a brighter feel.
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Refresh the garden or outdoor space. Wash the furniture, rearrange it, add seasonal plants, and repair, repurpose or recycle damaged items.
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Dry laundry outdoors. A washing line is energy-saving and kind to your utility bills, and many people prefer the smell of line-dried washing.
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Sort the loft or storage space. Recycle, donate or discard things you no longer use, group what stays, pack it in damp-proof containers and label it. An inventory is the finishing touch. Our loft guide has a full plan.
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Spring clean selectively. You do not have to do every room. Pick the spaces that will make the biggest difference and tackle them one at a time. It is also a good moment to have the gutters cleaned, because blocked gutters can let water into brickwork and cause damp.
A small extra: make a list
Before you begin, write down the seven jobs that matter most to you and tick them off over a few weekends. Spreading the tasks out keeps the reset enjoyable, and a visible list is more motivating than a vague plan to “sort things out at some point”. Even completing three or four will make the house feel noticeably fresher as the days get longer.
Finish by choosing one room to enjoy afresh. Open the windows, put on some music and notice the difference a little effort has made.
Share the jobs with other members of the household so it feels like a team effort.
For more ideas on tight spaces, see small but tidy.