Spring has a way of making everything feel possible again, including home projects. As the days get longer and the light gets brighter, even designers find themselves noticing spaces that suddenly feel tired, cluttered, or simply ready for a change. Rather than tackling full renovations, many are focusing on a single project to improve everyday life at home.

Some are prepping patios and porches for outdoor living, others are lightening up bedrooms or adding color and pattern in small but impactful ways. To inspire your own seasonal reset, we asked several top designers to share the one project they’re prioritizing to refresh their own homes this spring.

Refresh Outdoor Spaces

Since we spend so much of our spring and summer outdoors, consider these projects to refresh your outdoor living spaces so you can enjoy them all season long.

Create a Low-Maintenance Succulent Garden

A sustainable yard refresh can start with plants that practically care for themselves. “My spring project this year is to give my front yard a stylish refresh in a sustainable, affordable way by turning it into a succulent oasis,” says Steph MacDonald, designer and cofounder of Authenticity 50.

Once considered desert plants only, succulents are now popular across climates for their sculptural shapes, varied colors, and minimal watering and maintenance needs. MacDonald plans to plant a mix of large and small varieties spaced for growth to boost curb appeal. She’s setting a budget of $250 for the transformation and plans to tackle the project over a spring weekend, using a borrowed sod cutter to remove existing grass before planting and arranging the new succulent layout.

Prep Patios and Porches for Spring Living

Warmer weather calls for outdoor spaces that feel ready to use every day. For Erin and Ben Napier, HGTV hosts and founders of Erin & Ben Co., spring is all about prepping their patios, porches, and gardens for the new season. “For us, springtime is the best time to be outdoors,” says the couple. Their seasonal reset includes washing porches, refreshing cushions, tidying garden beds, and prepping for a new growing season with fresh soil and trellises.

This year, they’ve also built a new, extra-sturdy trellis for their muscadine grapes using leftover materials from past products, an overbuilt solution they hope will support years of harvests. “Gardening has also become a family activity and teaching tool for our children, making the refresh both practical and meaningful,” says Erin. Their daughters help plant, pick fruits and vegetables, and even sell their produce at a small neighborhood fruit stand, turning the garden into a hands-on lesson in science, hard work, and entrepreneurship.

Upgrade The Front Door for Instant Curb Appeal

Sometimes a single exterior update can transform an entire façade. This spring, Erin Hackett Nordholt, founder of Hackett House Studio, plans to replace a woodgrain aluminum front door (installed by the previous owners) with a custom, solid wood door, place flower boxes beneath a picture window, add corbels above the garage framed with climbing roses, and install a brick fence with decorative detailing. “The goal is to lean into cottage-inspired elements that enhance the existing midcentury architecture and give the home the character it was always meant to have,” Nordholt says.

Turn an Underused Structure Into A Wellness Retreat

Overlooked backyard structures can become the most relaxing spaces at home. After installing a two-person infrared sauna in an unfinished shed, Stuart Pumpelly, team leader at Four Brothers Design + Build, realized the rest of the structure needed just as much attention. “The sauna looked great but it immediately highlighted how rough the surrounding space was, so I’ve decided to upgrade the shed itself,” Pumpelly says.

Using budget-friendly, DIY materials, he plans to insulate the space, install shiplap walls, and paint everything a clean white to keep it bright and cohesive. Durable flooring, simple trim, and a few comfort-focused additions will help transform the structure into a private wellness retreat and hangout zone.

Carve Out Defined Zones for Outdoor Living

A more functional backyard often starts with better layout and flow. “Spring is my cue to warm up our outdoor spaces and make them feel layered, lived-in, and ready for gathering,” says Nicole Salceda, founder of Eye for Pretty. Salceda is focusing on spatial flow by rearranging furniture to carve out intentional zones for conversation and morning coffee, then layering in natural textures like terra-cotta planters, limestone, and woven lanterns for warmth.

Sow A Wildflower Meadow for Seasonal Color

Letting nature lead can be one of the most impactful spring updates. Looking to bring variety and vibrancy to her landscape this season, Cathy Purple Cherry, founder and principal of Purple Cherry Architects & Interiors, is expanding her home’s wildflower plantings in lieu of a traditional lawn. “The first couple of years, the yard was mostly yellow blooms which were gorgeous but had me yearning for more,” Cherry says.

This spring, Cherry plans to sow a new mix of seeds—including black-eyed susan, butterfly milkweed, wild bergamot, partridge peas, and goldenrod—to introduce greater color and biodiversity. “Adding wildflower varieties is a beautiful way to reduce lawn maintenance while creating a lush, pollinator-friendly setting that evolves year after year,” she says.

Revive an Outdoor Seating Area with Fresh Plantings

Refreshing greenery can instantly make outdoor areas feel more inviting. “We’re fortunate to have an outdoor terrace that wraps around our dining room, living room, and bedroom,” says Coco Greenblum, founder of Studio Coco Greenblum. This season, Greenblum plans to plant lush greenery and expand seating to create a more inviting place to gather by repurposing remnant stone slabs into tabletops paired with iron bases. “The refresh is about reestablishing the terrace as a welcoming extension of the home and a space for connection,” she says.

Rethinking Bedrooms for The Season Ahead

Our bedrooms should be like our personal sanctuaries, so a few thoughtful updates can turn them from boring spaces into our very own wellness retreats.

Lighten Bedrooms with Softer Color and Layers

Seasonal updates in the bedroom can make everyday routines feel calmer and brighter. After living with a darker gray accent wallpaper behind her bed, Jennifer Pacca, head designer and owner of Jennifer Pacca Interiors, is removing the paper and color-drenching the room in a soft beige with warm undertones to create an airy, seamless backdrop. She’s also moving away from accent walls altogether in favor of a more cohesive, timeless approach, painting the walls and trim the same tone but varying the sheen to create contrast.

Susan Jamieson, interior designer and founder of Bridget Beari Designs, is breathing some fresh air into her guest room by applying a gentle blush paint to the walls, inspired by a cherished portrait of her mother, to create a soft, welcoming glow. “I’m also going to add layering with lightweight linens and botanical accents,” Jamieson says. For an easy seasonal update, she suggests swapping in pillow covers with removable zippered cases so colors and patterns can change with the seasons. Similarly, Glenna Stone of Glenna Stone Interiors is introducing tactile updates, such as new carpeting and tailored woven shades, to make her son’s room feel warmer and more cohesive.

Put an Unused Room to Better Use

Spring is a natural time to rethink how each room functions. Cheryl Stauffer, founder and principal of Crimson Design Group, is transforming a former guest bedroom into a hardworking mudroom to better support her family’s lifestyle. With no closet on the main level, reimagining the unused bedroom felt like the smartest way to create much-needed storage.

“I’m planning to preserve the original arabesque tile floor but paint it in a high-gloss black to modernize the pattern while honoring the home’s history, then add bold blue lockers with crimson accents for a functional yet design-forward drop zone,” she says. For homeowners looking to recreate the look on a budget, Stauffer suggests painting tile floors in a durable gloss finish or opting for botanical peel-and-stick wallpaper to deliver a similar high-impact update without a full renovation.

Consider Acoustics

Comfort at home often begins with better privacy and sound control. “This spring, I’m focusing on something less glamorous but incredibly impactful—improving acoustics,” says Cathleen Gruver, lead interior designer at Gruver Cooley. Gruver plans to insulate open ceiling areas beneath the bedrooms to reduce noise transfer and install pocket doors to create a quieter, more private bedroom wing. For homeowners not ready to open up ceilings, she suggests adding thicker rugs or acoustic panels to help dampen noise.

Rework A Closet for Better Storage and Flow

An organized closet can make daily routines feel instantly smoother. After years living with a builder-grade system, Alissa Johnson, founder of Alissa Johnson Interiors, is planning a more thoughtful layout that better supports her daily routine. “I want a space that’s both personal and practical,” Johnson says. By adding enclosed cabinetry, better shelving, and a warmer wood finish with brass details, Johnson aims to create a space that feels both elevated and highly efficient. Glass-front cabinets will keep handbags and shoes dust-free while maintaining a cleaner visual, and added drawers and valet rods will make everyday organization easier and more functional.

Refresh Walls with Paint and Paper

Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint or maybe even wallpaper can make all the difference. Here’s how designers are applying both to their homes this spring.

Go Bold Within in A Small Space

Compact spaces are the easiest places to take design risks. Autumn Pochiro, founder and principal designer of Autumn Dawn Design, is leaning into that idea with a colorful powder room refresh meant to bring joy into her everyday routine. “I’m adding garden-inspired wallpaper, blue-painted trim, and new alabaster sconces that create a warm glow,” she says.

Taking a similar approach in another small-scale space, Emma Corner, founder of Emma Corner Interiors, plans to transform her entryway with a graphic striped wallpaper that visually lifts a dropped ceiling. “I’ve always loved a classic stripe, and black and white feels especially timeless,” Corner says.

Color-Drench A Room for Instant Spring Impact

A fresh coat of paint can completely shift how a space feels. “I’m planning on color-drenching my living room in a warm plaster-toned hue across walls, trim, and shelving for an enveloping effect,” says Olivia Botrie, founder of Dart Studio. What began as a practical space is finally getting a layered refresh, starting with a richly patterned vintage-style rug that sets a warm, collected tone. She’s repainting the walls, trim, and built-ins in the same hue for a soft, immersive look, adding floral wallpaper to the backs of the bookshelves and even the ceiling for depth and whimsy, and reupholstering the sofa and chairs in more colorful, textured fabrics to bring personality and contrast. The goal is a living room that feels expressive, cohesive, and collected over time rather than decorated all at once.

A paint-first mindset is also guiding Michelle Jacobson, principal of Design GLXY Group, as she refreshes her home with a non-toxic wellness paint that uses fewer chemicals. “I’m applying a custom Venetian plaster-style finish in our stairwell, hallway, and bedroom areas, blending multiple tones to create a soft, velvety texture that shifts beautifully with the light,” Jacobson says.

Give A Dining Room A Spring Lift with Wallpaper

Wallpaper remains one of the quickest ways to transform a dining room. Looking to bring new energy into her historic home, Mel Bean, founder of Mel Bean Interiors, plans to layer in pattern with a large-scale botanical grasscloth, adding warmth and softness to a backdrop that feels fresh for spring.

Ryann Swan Hackett, founder of Ryann Swan Design, is using the quieter spring months to rethink her dining space. “As we head into the warmer months, our dining room tends to be used less, so it felt like an opportune moment for a refresh,” she says. “I’m planning on installing an ethereal scenic wallpaper to create a more intimate backdrop for future gatherings.”

Elevate with Lasting Updates

While more permanent updates might require a bit more work (and budget), even the “smallest” ones can make a huge impact on the final look and feel of your space.

Swap Cool Finishes with Warmer Details

Warmer materials and finishes are defining many spring projects this year. Ready to move on from a cooler palette, Heidi Houdek, founder of Heidi Houdek Interiors, is introducing richer, more natural hues to break from the millennial gray era. She’s wrapping previously gray-painted beams in white oak using custom-built covers that give them the look of solid wood, and upgrading lighting throughout the home, swapping out generic fixtures for porcelain sconces with antique brass finishes in the hallway, softer marble pendants in the kitchen, and an oversized linen pendant in the entry to create a more aligned aesthetic.

Layer in New Materials for A Spring Reset

Material updates can add depth without requiring a full renovation. For Elana Tenenbaum Cline, founder of Carta Creatives, spring is about adding warmth and character through layered design details. “I am reimagining our living room with a woven natural wallcovering, a stone fireplace, and new faux ceiling beams, along with updated lighting and window treatments to complete the layered architectural feel.”

Christopher Boutlier, principal of Christopher Boutlier Interiors, is swapping hardwood for resilient stone flooring in his entry to handle everyday wear. “It’s not flashy, but it’s one of the most practical, durable, and easy to maintain upgrades I can make for how we actually live,” Boutlier says. With pets tracking in water, mud, and snow, he wanted a material that could better withstand moisture and heavy traffic. For a similar upgrade without replacing all your floors, he suggests creating a small stone landing just inside the door to improve durability in high-traffic areas.

Transform Kids’ Spaces as They Grow

As another year has passed, spring is the perfect time to consider updating your kids’ spaces to better align with your family’s current lifestyle.

Reimagine an Outgrown Playroom for What Comes Next

Children’s rooms need to evolve as they age. That’s what inspired Christina Cruz, founder of Christina Cruz Interiors, to transform her children’s former toddler playroom into a media den. “What was once a spot for toys and tiny tables is evolving into a room the entire family can grow into,” says Cruz. “It’s a space designed for movie nights, game days, and slow Sunday lounging,” she says.

The redesign centers on limewashed walls with subtle vertical striping paired with playful ceiling wallpaper that creates a cozy, cocooning effect. “The stripes are perceptible, yet restrained, offering depth without distraction,” Cruz says. For a similar look without limewash, she suggests using the same paint color in two tonal variations to create soft, refined striping that adds depth without overwhelming the room.

Give a Kids’ Bathroom A More Elevated Look

Designing for kids means planning for how quickly their needs change. That mindset is guiding a bathroom refresh for Alexis Vitale, founder of Vitale Design Group, who is creating a space that balances durability with a more elevated look. “I wanted to craft a space that supports the chaos of everyday life while giving each child a sense of ownership,” Vitale says. Her design features a custom vanity with dedicated zones for each child, a sculptural concrete trough sink, deep green wallpaper, gunmetal fixtures, and patterned porcelain tile, all adding richness and depth.

Designers Share their No. 1 Home Project to Tackle First This Spring by Colleen Sullivan | Better Homes & Gardens