Spring has sprung! The birds are singing, the rabbits are multiplying (watch out for your carrots!), the sun is shining, and… achoo! There's also a lot of pollen in the air.

Spring is a time of renewal, a natural pause between the harsh grip of winter and the sweltering heat of summer. Those extremes make it tough to motivate yourself for a deep clean or a furniture rearrangement. But spring? Spring offers the perfect excuse to dive into some cleaning, redecorating, and picking out themes for your interior makeover.

Cleaning to Save Space: Because Let's Face It, We All Need More

Time to get cracking! And what better place to start than your storage space?  A clean and organized garage, attic, or closet is a fantastic spring cleaning springboard. Remember, not all of us have sprawling mansions to play around with. Here's the key: ruthlessly discard what doesn't spark joy (or serve a purpose),  sell what holds value for someone else but not for you, and keep sentimental items close. Don't turn into a hamster with an overflowing stash!

The remaining space in your storage area is precious real estate. Boxes are your best friend here, helping you compartmentalize and maximize every inch. While antique boxes add a touch of charm, save them for display purposes in your living space, not tucked away in storage.

Free Up Your Living Area: Making Space for Design Dreams

With your storage space sparkling clean, it's time to tackle your living area.  Move anything that doesn't contribute to daily life or doesn't quite fit your design vision into your newly organized storage haven. Remember, most of us have limited square footage, and strategically compressing clutter into an organized storage space creates the illusion of more space overall.

This philosophy is behind the open floor plan, a popular trend in modern apartments. The goal? Keep as much floor space clear as possible.  This not only makes cleaning a breeze but also facilitates further redecoration if your spring cleaning spirit evolves into a full-blown design revolution.

Low-Effort 2024 Interior Design Trends: A Blast from the Past

We're almost a quarter of the way through the 21st century, but interior design trends aren't exactly blasting off into the future. Instead, we're seeing a resurgence of inspiration from the late 20th century – a kind of "future retro" if you will. Buckle up, and let's explore what's hot and what's not in the world of interior design. Here at Gray's, sustainability is a core value.  The less you throw away, the better for the environment! But sustainability goes beyond just decluttering. It's about the materials you choose: natural fiber carpets over synthetics, paints free of harmful chemicals, and responsible disposal of construction waste during renovations.

Now, let's talk color!  If you're planning on painting, be prepared for some serious masking tape action (and a bucket of hot water for those inevitable oil spills). Textured walls are a rising trend, a welcome departure from the sterile smoothness of the past.

The Return of Warmth: Ditch the Neutrals, Embrace Comfort

Brilliant whites and jet blacks are so last decade. After pandemics, wars, and the general oddities of the past few years, people are craving a break from the stark minimalism. We're yearning for the coziness of 60s, 70s, and 80s design features. Expect a surge in demand for colors like mustard yellow, avocado green, muted washes, and patterned wallpaper.

Secondhand Shopping Triumphs: Curves and Character

Keep an eye out for vintage furniture with interesting curves and lines. Art Nouveau lighting fixtures and warm, ambient lighting with plenty of small lamps will complete your retro-inspired haven.  Don't forget to scour the antique market for pieces that complement these color schemes.

The more space you create during your spring cleaning purge, the more room you'll have to experiment with design ideas.  So, unleash your inner interior designer and have fun! Remember, masking tape is your friend when it comes to painting projects, and keep your eyes peeled for unique vintage finds that add character to your space.

By following these tips, you can transform your home from a cluttered space to a modern haven that reflects your personality. So, grab your cleaning supplies, unleash your creativity, and let the spring cleaning and design revolution begin!

 Remember, you can always put it back…

Low-Effort 2024 Interior Design Trends

Almost a quarter of the way into this century, and design trends aren’t getting more futuristic. No, if anything, we may not be regressing, but we’re certainly sourcing a lot of inspiration from the late 20th century to take back to the future. So strap in, and let’s see what everyone else is up to, and watch out... cos when this baby hits 88 MPH, you’re gonna see some serious…

Right! Two concepts we must remain mindful of in today’s interior design world: Sustainability and Colour. Let’s start with sustainability. At Gray’s, more than anyone else - we hate throwaway culture. The less you throw away the better! But sustainability isn’t just about that, it’s about material choice - whether you choose synthetic carpeting over cotton/wool, whether your paint has chemicals in it that damage the water table and ozone layer, and how you separate your construction waste once you’re done with revamping your home!

Now let’s talk color! If you’re committing yourself to painting prepare lots of masking tape, old newspapers, and a bucket of hot water with a sponge to mitigate any oil spills when they eventually happen. A trend that has been on the rise this year is the return of textured walls. Gone are the days when the swirls of dried plaster on your ceiling were just bad craftsmanship, now they’re hallmarks of a new interior design revolution. 

Brilliant whites and jet blacks are so last decade. After pandemics, wars, and the other oddities the last three years have brought, we’re done with the white and black futurism. Now it seems, people are reminiscing on the coziness of the 60s, 70s, and 80s design features. Expect the guy who works at the back of your local hardware store mixing various paints to report back to you with shortages of mustard, avocado green, and muted washes and patterns due to high demand. 

If you’re keeping an eye open on the antique market don’t forget to pick up anything that compliments these colour schemes. Furniture comprised of curves and straight lines that stand out? Check! Art nouveau-inspired lighting? Check! Plenty of small warm lights, giving your living spaces that warm orange vibe? Check!

In short, the more space you save in the initial stages of your spring clean the more ideas you’ll be able to toy with in your redecoration! Keep a sharp eye out for anything that screams 20th century on the antique market and most importantly perhaps…Use plenty of masking tape!