A decorative white platter holds a bowl filled with bright yellow lemons, placed on a patterned surface. The arrangement has an elegant and fresh appearance.

// lemons on the bowl //

You’ve heard me say it before, but every morning, I wake up the house.

Have you ever tried waking up the house before?

I know.  I get it.  It’s a little random.  I just can’t help it.

It’s true.

I’m in a committed relationship with my house and even houses need encouragement.

Every morning I open the curtains and turn on the lights and fluff the pillows and rearrange a thing here or there and turn on a little music so the house and I can dance.

And then?

I tell my house it was the most beautiful house I had ever seen.

Especially the living room.

So much life has been lived here. Graduation parties and bridal showers and dinners and caroling parties and celebrations. And all that love has made this into one of my favorite rooms on this planet.

So today—to honor this incredible, amazing space (especially after all the Christmas is down), I wanted to share 11 ideas for spring decorating in the living room.

A decorative display on a mantel featuring small topiary plants in various pots. The backdrop is a colorful abstract painting with shades of blue, yellow, and pink. Porcelain vases and candlesticks complete the arrangement.

// canvas over mantel // boxwood ball // mini topiaries // larger topiaries //

A small green topiary plant in a terracotta pot is placed on a shelf next to a stack of books and a decorative blue-and-white ceramic jug. Another potted plant is slightly visible in the background.

// canvas over mantel // boxwood ball // mini topiaries // larger topiaries // blue and white planters /

A decorative setup featuring brass candlesticks with white spiral candles, lush green topiary plants in terra cotta pots, and a blue and white floral vase. Books are stacked nearby, all arranged on a white surface.

// boxwood ball // mini topiaries // larger topiaries // blue and white planters /

1. This spring mantel

This year the mantel was the year of the topiary.

I added tons of topiaries like this one and this one and this one and then found the cutest boxwood balls for under $4.

I bought this canvas on Etsy and had it stretched over a frame at Michaels. It was a little bit of a splurge, but worth every penny.

Here are a couple of affordable similar art options I thought were pretty here and here and here.

2. display a collection

Several years ago I painted the back of the bookcase with Naval SW 6244 and added some of my milk glass collection to the bookcase.

I use this collection all the time—for centerpieces, for storage, for parties, for flowers.

And the bookcase is the perfect home for all of it.

Most of my collection I’ve found at thrift stores and yard sales and I keep adding to it.

Everything has to be under $2—it makes the hunt so much more fun.

A decorative blue pillow with intricate white embroidery rests on a blue and white striped armchair. The embroidery features floral and leaf patterns, adding a touch of elegance to the setting.

/ blue and white pillow //

A cozy living room with a striped armchair featuring a patterned cushion. Nearby, a wicker basket rests on a wooden floor. A dresser holds books and blue china, with a leafy plant basking in sunlight by a window with patterned curtains.

// blue and white striped chair // blue and white pillow // branches //

3. Add a new pillow

I just freshened these blue and white striped chairs up with a new pillow with the prettiest embroidery.

You can see these affordable pillow covers (they come in a set of two) here.

I have four of these chairs in this room I loved them so much.

The distressed chair legs look so vintage.

The nailheads at the bottom of the chair.

The stripes that are navy and white.

It’s an amazing chair and super affordable and comes in four different colors.

It’s just been restocked (sold out again now) but I just found it here, too.

A textured pillow with a circular tufted design featuring cream, green, and blue colors on top. The pillow has scattered blue tassels and a white base, creating a cozy and decorative appearance.

4. Add a little handmade

My sister made this for me one Christmas.

She hooked it and monogrammed it with a “W” and the detail on it is absolutely beautiful.

It was supposed to be a trivet.

But really?

You know trivets are a little underused at this house, so I added it to a pillow instead.

Here’s the entire story of the hand hooked monogram.

A decorative white platter holds a bowl filled with bright yellow lemons, placed on a patterned surface. The arrangement has an elegant and fresh appearance.

// lemons on the bowl //

5. Fill a bowl of lemons

There’s nothing that makes me happier than a pop of yellow in a room.

Last year I used these lemons to decorate the hutch in the kitchen, but this year? I filled a bowl in the center of the coffee table.

Super simple and perfect for spring.

You can see the lemons here.

A living room with beige sofas, blue and white cushions, and striped armchairs. A glass coffee table with lemons sits on a patterned rug. Large windows with blue curtains brighten the room. Wall plates and shelves add decor.

// this blue and white rug /// blue and white striped chair //

blue and white living room table

// this blue and white rug //

6. Add a new (affordable) rug

It wouldn’t be a post about this room without mentioning this rug.

Y’all.

I would have worn this rug as a dress on the cruise if it had been colder.

I’ve recommended it so many times and heard such glowing reviews back from all of you that it just wouldn’t be a living room without this rug.

And in amazing news? An 8′ x 10′ is just a little more than $100.

You can see it here.

A decorative setup featuring brass candlesticks with white spiral candles, lush green topiary plants in terra cotta pots, and a blue and white floral vase. Books are stacked nearby, all arranged on a white surface.

// blue and white planters / boxwood ball // mini topiaries // larger topiaries //

A decorative shelf featuring blue and white ceramic jars, small model houses, and several lush green potted topiary plants. The background has an abstract painting with vibrant colors.

// blue and white planters / boxwood ball // mini topiaries // larger topiaries //

7. Add planters for spring

I found this set of three blue and white planters last year and they are AMAZING.

They’ve kept me company all year with plants and evergreens and Christmas trees and topiaries and pinecones.

You can see them here.

A fireplace mantel decorated with various blue and white vases, small potted topiary plants, and candles. A colorful abstract painting hangs above, featuring shades of blue, pink, and yellow. The fireplace has a metallic patterned screen.

// fireplace screen //

8. Update your mantel

I got a new fireplace screen over Christmas.

It’s kind of next-level. It has doors that open and it looks so high-end.

But it’s actually so affordable.

You can see it here.

9. Add a wood bead strand

I have added this wood bead strand everywhere.

I’ve added it to bowls and draped it over books and layered it in centerpieces.

It comes in tons of different colors and has the cutest jute tassels at the end.

You can see it here.

A sunlit table with a decorative arrangement: a potted plant, blue and white bowls filled with patterned spheres, a stack of books, and a white lamp with a gold accent. A large window in the background reveals a blurred outdoor view.

// green branches //

A bright sitting room with blue and white striped armchairs and patterned cushions. A white side table with floral decor and a lamp is between the chairs. Large windows let in natural light, highlighting the wooden floor and patterned navy curtains.

Blue and white decorative ceramic bowls and balls with floral patterns are arranged on a table. Some bowls are stacked on books, creating an elegant display.

// Christmas ornaments //

10. Decorate with Christmas ornaments

I know, right?

That is not a mistype.

See these blue and white balls? I took them directly off the Christmas tree and put them into a bowl. And then? Next year they are ready for the tree.

They are such an inexpensive alternative to more expensive blue and white balls.

You can see the ornaments here.

A vase of white hydrangeas surrounded by lush green foliage placed on a wooden table. Sunlight filters through in the background, highlighting the flowers and leaves.

A bright living room with beige sofas, blue and white patterned pillows, and a round glass coffee table adorned with lemons. Large windows let in natural light. The room features a dark shelf and decorative plates on the wall.

// hydrangeas // green branches //

11. Add hydrangeas

I saved these for last because these hydrangeas make me smile.

I added to a glass vase on the side table with the same branches I used in the bay window.

You can see the hydrangeas (they look SO REAL) here.

This room is so full of joy and happiness and even on the darkest winter days, the living room lights up and sparkles.

I hope you enjoyed the random house conversations (and random house encouragement).

Spring is coming.

And now?

My living room and I are ready.

disclosure: affiliates are used in this post.

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