10 Freshen-Up Ideas for September
As the first month of spring, September is the ideal time to start freshening up your home with some easy cleaning and makeover moves
September is the month when the blooms are out, the sun starts to shine with some warmth and renewal is in the air. Take the time to revitalise your living spaces in preparation for the warmer months ahead. Here are 10 ideas perfect for a quick refresh.
2. Pick up a paintbrush
Spruce up an old piece of furniture with a lick of paint in one of the trending colours of the season.
Start by checking the piece, tightening screws and filling gaps. Clean it thoroughly and leave overnight to dry properly.
Sand the piece using a sanding block or a detail sander, then wipe down making sure there is no grit left on the surface.
Use a prime sealer to do two coats, sanding in between coats. This coat doesn’t have to be perfect.
Make sure you stir paint (don’t shake) thoroughly before applying the final coat or coats of paint. Use an additive to ‘relax’ the paint and eliminate brush strokes.
Spruce up an old piece of furniture with a lick of paint in one of the trending colours of the season.
Start by checking the piece, tightening screws and filling gaps. Clean it thoroughly and leave overnight to dry properly.
Sand the piece using a sanding block or a detail sander, then wipe down making sure there is no grit left on the surface.
Use a prime sealer to do two coats, sanding in between coats. This coat doesn’t have to be perfect.
Make sure you stir paint (don’t shake) thoroughly before applying the final coat or coats of paint. Use an additive to ‘relax’ the paint and eliminate brush strokes.
3. Divide and conquer cutlery
Sort out a messy kitchen drawer. Start by removing everything from the drawer and placing it in a box. Each time you use a kitchen tool, wash it and put it into the drawer. You’ll find that after a week or two, there will be items in the box that have never been used. Take that box immediately to the op shop.
Wipe down dry the drawer before installing good dividers to keep kitchen tools neatly separated. Group similar items together, sorted by frequency of use.
Read more stories about getting organised
Sort out a messy kitchen drawer. Start by removing everything from the drawer and placing it in a box. Each time you use a kitchen tool, wash it and put it into the drawer. You’ll find that after a week or two, there will be items in the box that have never been used. Take that box immediately to the op shop.
Wipe down dry the drawer before installing good dividers to keep kitchen tools neatly separated. Group similar items together, sorted by frequency of use.
Read more stories about getting organised
4. Make-over your bed
Throw open the doors and windows of your sleeping space every chance you get and change out your heavier bedlinen with light, natural colours. Soft greys, off whites and dusty pinks are very on-trend right now. A new purchase of a sheet and doona set will change the whole look of your bedroom, but if you are on a budget simply slip on the spring-themed covers and sheets you may have had stored away during winter.
If they smell a bit fusty, give them a good wash by adding a cup of bicarb soda to the rinse cycle of sheets and pillows to give them a spring-fresh smell. Hang the doonas in the sun for a quick and natural freshen up, and flip or turn your mattress to try to get some sun onto it.
Throw open the doors and windows of your sleeping space every chance you get and change out your heavier bedlinen with light, natural colours. Soft greys, off whites and dusty pinks are very on-trend right now. A new purchase of a sheet and doona set will change the whole look of your bedroom, but if you are on a budget simply slip on the spring-themed covers and sheets you may have had stored away during winter.
If they smell a bit fusty, give them a good wash by adding a cup of bicarb soda to the rinse cycle of sheets and pillows to give them a spring-fresh smell. Hang the doonas in the sun for a quick and natural freshen up, and flip or turn your mattress to try to get some sun onto it.
5. Style up your bedroom walls
You can lift a dull space by hanging up a gallery wall with a collection of framed art, prints and your favourite photographs. Gallery walls tend to be in a place with high traffic, such as halls or living rooms, but don’t overlook the bedroom for adding this decorative touch. A gallery wall can really be a lovely thing to wake up to each morning, and hopefully inspire pleasant dreams at night.
Start by measuring the area above or around your bedhead, then tape out the space on the floor. Use the floor space to lay out and space your frames until you’ve settled on an arrangement. Take a photo of your layout so you’ve got a plan to follow.
Hang the largest piece first and don’t be tempted to centre it. Cut a piece of card to use as your spacing guide, then build your gallery referencing your photo plan. Don’t be tempted to line up the top and bottom of the gallery either, as an uneven edge can bring personality to the ensemble.
You can lift a dull space by hanging up a gallery wall with a collection of framed art, prints and your favourite photographs. Gallery walls tend to be in a place with high traffic, such as halls or living rooms, but don’t overlook the bedroom for adding this decorative touch. A gallery wall can really be a lovely thing to wake up to each morning, and hopefully inspire pleasant dreams at night.
Start by measuring the area above or around your bedhead, then tape out the space on the floor. Use the floor space to lay out and space your frames until you’ve settled on an arrangement. Take a photo of your layout so you’ve got a plan to follow.
Hang the largest piece first and don’t be tempted to centre it. Cut a piece of card to use as your spacing guide, then build your gallery referencing your photo plan. Don’t be tempted to line up the top and bottom of the gallery either, as an uneven edge can bring personality to the ensemble.
6. Spruce up the bathroom
Don’t wait until you have enough money for a bathroom reno to freshen it up. Simply changing a towel rail, toilet roll holder, hand towels or even vanity accessories can make an impact in a tired wet zone. If the toilet is looking pretty ordinary, but you’re not ready to buy a new one, simply replace the old toilet seat with something of quality.
Freshen up the bathroom
Don’t wait until you have enough money for a bathroom reno to freshen it up. Simply changing a towel rail, toilet roll holder, hand towels or even vanity accessories can make an impact in a tired wet zone. If the toilet is looking pretty ordinary, but you’re not ready to buy a new one, simply replace the old toilet seat with something of quality.
Freshen up the bathroom
7. Clean the shower tile grout
Start by spraying the grouted area with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Leave to soak for about five minutes and then give the area a good scrub with a grout brush or hard toothbrush. Rinse with warm water.
Follow up with a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water. Use the brush to work the paste into the grout. Then spray the area again with the vinegar and water solution. As the paste bubbles up, scrub the area and then rinse off with warm water.
If all else fails, spray the area with hydrogen peroxide and leave it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing clean and rinsing with warm water.
If the cleaned grout still looks a little grey, use a grout pen to paint over the old grout. You can also use coloured grout to provide an accent and transform the space.
Start by spraying the grouted area with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. Leave to soak for about five minutes and then give the area a good scrub with a grout brush or hard toothbrush. Rinse with warm water.
Follow up with a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water. Use the brush to work the paste into the grout. Then spray the area again with the vinegar and water solution. As the paste bubbles up, scrub the area and then rinse off with warm water.
If all else fails, spray the area with hydrogen peroxide and leave it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing clean and rinsing with warm water.
If the cleaned grout still looks a little grey, use a grout pen to paint over the old grout. You can also use coloured grout to provide an accent and transform the space.
8. Tidy a teen study
End-of-year exams are approaching and creating a comfortable, functional space for teens will take some of the stress out of study time.
Keeping it simple doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. Go for a minimalist look by adding light-coloured wooden furnishings and some textural elements such as woven baskets and boxes for storage. Using magazine holders as filing boxes for each subject makes it easy for kids to stay organised.
Add random pops of colour for contrast with your desktop accessories, vibrant art and a mood board that you can add to and change on a whim. Use stackable trays to keep the area stocked with paper and other supplies.
Make sure the area is well lit and if you have the space, create a comfy reading nook your teen can retire to when they want a change of seat or location.
End-of-year exams are approaching and creating a comfortable, functional space for teens will take some of the stress out of study time.
Keeping it simple doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish. Go for a minimalist look by adding light-coloured wooden furnishings and some textural elements such as woven baskets and boxes for storage. Using magazine holders as filing boxes for each subject makes it easy for kids to stay organised.
Add random pops of colour for contrast with your desktop accessories, vibrant art and a mood board that you can add to and change on a whim. Use stackable trays to keep the area stocked with paper and other supplies.
Make sure the area is well lit and if you have the space, create a comfy reading nook your teen can retire to when they want a change of seat or location.
9. Take the indoors out
No matter the size of your outdoor area, spring is the time give more space to your living zones by taking some of the furniture and furnishings outside to a verandah or covered terrace.
If you’re lucky enough to have lots of space, take your cue from your indoor areas to set up an outdoor chill zone to make the most of the beautiful spring weather. If it’s not under cover, fashion an easy shelter with a market umbrella or awning.
A cafe table with chairs and some hanging pots and baskets is all you need for a small courtyard. Remember when you’re adding pots and baskets to group them in uneven numbers and varying sizes, to create interest. Hang lanterns, fairy lights and candles to set the mood in the evenings.
No matter the size of your outdoor area, spring is the time give more space to your living zones by taking some of the furniture and furnishings outside to a verandah or covered terrace.
If you’re lucky enough to have lots of space, take your cue from your indoor areas to set up an outdoor chill zone to make the most of the beautiful spring weather. If it’s not under cover, fashion an easy shelter with a market umbrella or awning.
A cafe table with chairs and some hanging pots and baskets is all you need for a small courtyard. Remember when you’re adding pots and baskets to group them in uneven numbers and varying sizes, to create interest. Hang lanterns, fairy lights and candles to set the mood in the evenings.
10. Step up
Don’t forget about your staircase when you’re cleaning or updating decor. First, wipe it down taking care to get a rag into all the nooks and crannies of the bannisters. If you need to revitalise the stairs, think about painting the treads and/or risers. Putting wallpaper or washi tape on the risers is also a great way to make a dramatic change.
You can also make the stairwell an interesting part of your home if you hang up a gallery wall with family photos to enjoy as you climb the stairs. If wide enough, the stairwell may also be the perfect place to install some shelving for much-needed storage.
Tell us
Do you have any other tips to share to get a home looking fresh come spring? Share them in the Comments below.
MORE
Find a home organiser on Houzz
Don’t forget about your staircase when you’re cleaning or updating decor. First, wipe it down taking care to get a rag into all the nooks and crannies of the bannisters. If you need to revitalise the stairs, think about painting the treads and/or risers. Putting wallpaper or washi tape on the risers is also a great way to make a dramatic change.
You can also make the stairwell an interesting part of your home if you hang up a gallery wall with family photos to enjoy as you climb the stairs. If wide enough, the stairwell may also be the perfect place to install some shelving for much-needed storage.
Tell us
Do you have any other tips to share to get a home looking fresh come spring? Share them in the Comments below.
MORE
Find a home organiser on Houzz
Once spring arrives, you may be cooking up a different menu, such as salads rather than soups, so why not give the kitchen a new look. If you don’t have the money to splash out on a full kitchen renovation, a couple of cosmetic changes can make a huge difference.
Modifying a splashback is actually one of the easier and more effective changes. You could cover up the existing splashback with pressed metal or wood panelling, or a chalkboard or coloured glass splashback can double as a bulletin board.
Don’t put off buying appliances if they need replacing, but it’s understandably an expensive consideration. For a quick, cheap change, you can easily replace all your old, stained tea towels with a new, fresh set.