Masterclass: How to lighten and brighten your home for spring

After what seems like months of darkness, the days are getting longer and the nights are turning lighter, which means only one thing: spring is finally on the horizon. And with it, a chance to get creative with colour at home, and welcome the new season with sunnier tones. Think golden yellows, creamy whites and floral pastels. But the best bit? Painting is a relatively inexpensive update, meaning you can easily go rich and cosy again come autumn, should you want to warm things up then. Experiment and have fun! These ideas are sure to fill you with all the joys of spring…  

Here comes the sun

Synonymous with spring, you can’t help but be cheered up by yellow, especially when completely enveloped in it. As a space many of us spend a lot of time in, Butter Cup is the perfect choice for a living room, with its bright and bold properties beloved by the Victorians. Taking its name from the joyful flowers that famously dot the English countryside, it’s got an earthiness to it that keeps it elegant, while it works beautifully with golds and greys. Here, we’ve coordinated the mid-yellow with a yellowy neutral in Alabaster White on both the ceiling and woodwork, creating a calm and happy environment. Throw open the windows, let the light stream in, and listen to the sounds of spring…

Style tip: go tonal with a stylish mustard-yellow sofa and gleaming metallic accessories to complement the sunny scheme.  

Fresh start

Is there anything nicer than the look of fresh linen? Luckily, it’s not only your bed that can benefit from crisp, white sheets… When used on your walls, lively DH Linen Colour creates an equally lovely feel, with its yellow tones lifting even the darkest, north-facing rooms. Flooding spaces with sunlight, it has a refined, natural quality that is timelessly appealing, and looks even better contrasted with something deep and sumptuous like DH Oxford Blue on a door or similar accent. A backdrop that’s sure to have you leaping out of bed in the morning…   

Style tip: invest in new sheets for the new season with heavy cotton swapped out for light linen – scatter cushions in springlike colours also change things up.

Hello, petal

Blossom signals the start of spring – so much so, that in Japan a whole festival is famously dedicated to it and attracts millions of visitors a year – so why not surround yourself with a similar shade for the season? Here, we’ve used dusky DH Blossom on the walls in a dining room to bring the outdoors in, teamed with crisp, clean China White on the woodwork and ceiling. Genteel and mature, the colour has created a strong connection to the garden, and feels like a bright and breezy spot for enjoying a springtime breakfast.

Style tip: Nod to nature further in natural woods and materials for furniture and accessories – paired with lots of lush, green plants.

Turn over a new leaf

Reflect the changing season indoors with a refreshing and invigorating green. The soft and unassuming tones of Veranda Green are spot-on for ushering guests into a stylish hallway with its spring-like qualities inspired by new leaves unfurling on trees. Used with simple whites and similarly earthy colours – restful, weighty Mud Lark on the staircase, for instance – and the effect is calm and sophisticated. Just what you want as you step through the door…  

Style tip: Go tonal on the front door and woodwork with a velvety green like DH Drab to add depth to the scheme. 

Three more ways to put a spring in your step

1. Nothing says spring quite like fresh flowers – forage from your garden and display the spoils in coloured vases for an eclectic, stylish look.
2. Change up rugs in dark colours and heavy materials for lighter, brighter alternatives throughout the home – small refreshes that make a big difference.
3. Entertaining for Easter? Invest in a set of pastel-hued crockery to make a statement with a tablescape. Think plates and glasses in duck-egg blues, buttercup yellows and rosy pinks.

Commit to colour

Not only does Dulux Heritage look beautiful, but it feels gorgeous under your fingertips, with a velvety matt finish for walls and an eggshell with a soft sheen for woodwork. Try it today by ordering a tester or commit to colour by choosing a can. 

Share your springtime spruce-ups on social using #MyHeritageHome and tagging @DuluxHeritage – you could feature on our Instagram and Facebook pages.