Spring Refresh: 3 Easy Indoor Projects to Cheer Up Your Home

Spring may seem like it’s far away (especially if you live in the groundhog-hibernation zone) but its official start date is March 20. If you’re anxious to get outside after a long winter, we can’t promise good weather, but we can give you easy projects to prep your home so that when warm weather rolls around, you’ll be ready to enjoy it. Every Friday for the next three weeks, we’re teaming up with Lowe’s to post quick upgrades you can do in a weekend, with step-by-step instructions and supplies. First up: DIY painting, plumbing, and gardening.

While it’s still chilly out, start inside. Painting is the quickest way to transform a room, and kitchens and baths are a good place to start. Since they get the most use, they’re usually the first rooms to need a refresh. A good rule of thumb is to buy one gallon of paint per 400 square feet.

• Shop: Pop by Lowe’s for brushes, supplies, and whatever color you want. Our favorites right now are Valspar Flamenco Pink (coral is having a moment), Valspar Bayside (for calm ocean vibes), and Sherwin-Williams Euphoric Lilac (a natural next step from Millennial Pink). They’re all bright spring colors that will look cheery year-round. And don’t forget the Purdy 3-Pack Paint Brushes (for cutting and trim) and the Purdy 6-Piece Paint Applicator Kit (for everything else).  
• Prep: Remove any wallpaper (if applicable) and clean your walls.
• Tape: Move or cover your furniture, and use painter’s tape to protect areas such as molding and ceilings.
• Paint: Start at the top of the wall and work your way down, ending with trim. If you’re using a paint brush, hold it like a pencil and paint with smooth strokes. If you’re using a roller, dampen it with a wet rag, dip it evenly into your paint tray, and roll in a zig-zag pattern.
• Dry: Let your wall dry, applying one coat at a time. We recommend two coats of paint.

Time-Saving Tip: Use a paint and primer in one. This removes the extra step of priming your walls, so you can paint a room in just one weekend.

You might think you need a plumber to change your kitchen or bathroom hardware, but it’s a totally doable DIY project. You just need a basin wrench and a few common tools, plus an hour or so for installation. A new finish or style can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your space.

• Check Your Faucet: Determine your faucet type (wall-mount, deck-mount, etc.) Not all types will work with every sink, so you’ll save time and money if you replace your old faucet with a similar type. If you’re in doubt, bring your old faucet into the store with you.
• Choose Your Features: Prioritize which features you want (like decorative handles vs. touch activation) so you know exactly what you’re looking for before you enter the store.
• Find Your Finish: Pick your color/finish. Matte black creates contrast for an instantly-fresh feeling, and oil-rubbed bronze gives you a clean, classic look. Try the Jacuzzi Duncan Matte Black Bathroom Sink Faucet for a modern bathroom or the Home20 Kennedy Oil Rubbed Bronze Pull Down Kitchen Faucet for a contemporary kitchen.
• Turn Off Valves & Power: Turn off the water valve under the sink and turn on the faucet to relieve pressure in the lines. If you have a garbage disposal, make sure to turn that power off, too. Take a picture of the plumbing configuration before disconnecting, so you can reference it later.
• Remove Your Old Faucet: Disconnect the supply lines and remove the nuts from the faucet using a basin wrench. Remove the faucet, cleaning the grime around the drain and faucet holes.
• Install Your New Faucet: Always defer to the manufacturer’s installation instructions for guidance. For additional tips, Lowe’s has handy step-by-step tips for bathroom and kitchen faucet installation.

Even when it’s chilly and still snowing outside, you can make plans for a spring garden. If you’re not sure where to begin, Lowe’s nursery experts can help you pick plants and provide care instructions. Many flowers and plants do best when they get a strong start indoors, including:

• Geraniums: They love a bright, south-facing window, and they only need to be watered when dry. While they need direct sunlight, you can keep them inside in a pot until the frost has officially dissipated. If you don’t have a window with full sun, try a 1-quart multicolor begonia in a pot in a semi-sunny spot.
• Boxwood: These shrubs make great indoor decor, and they provide extra privacy once planted outside. Place the pot in a spot that gets direct sunlight, and turn it every few days to make sure the plant grows evenly. Try a 2.5-quart white winter gem boxwood shrub near a sunny window.
• Herbs: Basil, rosemary, lemongrass, and other herbs thrive indoors, and they’re simple to maintain before planting outside. Give them ample water, and trim any dead debris to let them to grow nice and full. Bonnie 25-ounce potted rosemary is especially easy to grow.

Ready to start your next home improvement project?
Lowe’s has a how-to for (almost) every endeavor.