Spring Awakening: How to Refresh a Moody Interior for the New Season

By Brittany McNab

It’s my personal opinion that any space can be updated seasonally if you play your cards right. Although a moody interior – read, darker, muted, yet dramatic colours and finishes– seems like it was made for fall and winter, you can add so much life and vibrance while maintaining the moody aesthetic. Spring is an opportunity to breathe new life into your space while keeping all the richness and character you love from a more dramatic interior.  

from:@meganbellmade

Create Contrast With Light and Bright Stems and Florals

The simplest way to add vibrance to a room that has a dark and moody interior is through contrast and brightness. Adding things like white or light florals, and vibrant green spring stems will pop in a moody interior adding a layer of life to the room. Not loving all the flowers? Introducing a sculptural plant like a rubber plant or fiddle leaf fig can add a casual but fresh vibe to the space without feeling too flowery. 

Bonus Tip: Swap out black and brown vases for white or light coloured ones to add more contrast and freshness to the space. 

from:@withsarale

Declutter Winter Layers and Lighten Up on Materials 

Making small, intentional shifts like paring down on thick wooly throws, and heavily textured textiles such as velvet, boucle etc. and instead opting for textures like linen, cotton, and muslin will bring some long craved and much needed lightness to the space. Swapping out heavy drapery for something with a lighter material will let light into the space making it feel even more open and airy. Adding in lighter, and light bouncing materials like glass, and mirrors will keep the space from feeling too heavy as well. 

@bailey.at.home

Infuse Spring Hues Into Your Space 

Other items I love to swap out at the first sign of the snow receding are things like art prints, pillows, and decor. Just last week I finally put away my favorite ceramic trees and ceramic houses on my shelves and instead added in plants, light decorative objects, and new prints in colours like light blue and green. The rust coloured and brown throw pillows were replaced with blues, ivory, and tans. With these intentional tweaks, your space will feel fresh and light and ready for all that amazing afternoon spring light. 

from：@citrineliving

Conclusion 

Refreshing your moody interior for spring is not about changing who you are– it’s about leaning into the season ahead with intention and a renewed look at the world. The outside world around us is warming up, the sun staying out longer, the promise of long patio nights on the horizon. Spring also doesn’t have to mean bright and airy if that doesn’t feel true to your aesthetic– think rich, organic and alive. Decorating for the season is such much fun and really makes you excited for what’s to come. Happy spring decorating!

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