Spring 2021 is finally here and it's time to spruce things up! The uncertainty of 2021 has had many of us struggling to find a way to move forward. However, there are things you can do to make your home look and feel fresher.

Clean Gutters

 If you can work from a ladder, it's a good idea to climb up and take a look at your gutters. You may need a commercial roofing Brooklyn professional or professional in your area to tackle this if your roof is very high or if you notice rot on your rafters or fascia. Any time you notice any form of water damage on your home, it's a good idea to address it as soon as possible; things will only get worse over time if left undone. For example, a rotted fascia board can invite in nesting animals, who can bring in fleas and make holes for bigger critters. Take your time when looking at your gutters for any small repairs you can make now. 

Paint Trim 

Even if the siding on your home is in good shape, you may want to consider painting the trim during spring 2021. A white house with black trim will look sharp, but a navy or deep green trim will change the impact of your home from the street. 

 While considering new colors on your trim, take a look at your garage door and garage door surround. Can you update the hardware on your garage door to better tie together your front entrance and the garage? As many home styles have the garage door a more prominent feature than the front door, this connection of colors can do a lot to make your home look more coordinated. 

Wash Your Siding

Before the flowering plants in front of your home start blooming, it's a good idea to wash your siding. While many prefer to do this with a power washer, it's entirely possible to wash your siding with a commercial cleaner or a DIY mix. You'll need to pre-treat your siding with the cleaner, let it sit for a short time, then rinse it away. Your garden hose can usually do the trick. Most cleaning products for siding are either bleach or vinegar-based. If you have a lot of plantings around your home, avoid the bleach products; vinegar will rinse away more easily and be less harmful to plant roots. Once the siding is washed, pair up with a partner and wash up your windows as well.

Clean Carpets

As the spring heats up and you need to turn on the air conditioning, it's time to clean the carpets. Air conditioning not only cools the air, it removes moisture from your home. Vacuum well, then run your carpet cleaner over the traffic areas, then clean the whole floor if you choose.

 The soap that comes with a carpet cleaner is formulated to cling to dirt. If you only go over the carpets once with soap, you'll leave soap residue in the carpets, which will pick up more dirt over time. Once you've soaped your carpets, load the carpet cleaner with warm water and go over the carpets one more time to rinse away excess soap. This will take more effort and time, and your drying time will be longer, but your rugs will look better for longer with a rinse. 

Change Out Fabrics

 In addition to maintenance and heavy-duty cleaning projects, don't forget to make time for some decorating fun. If you like to spend the winter months snuggling between warm fleece blankets and fuzzy throw pillows, it's time to change things up. 

 Put away the cable-knit pillows and treat yourself to floral patterns. Your taupe couch already looks wonderful with your burgundy fleece throw; add a pale pink pillow and a floral or white-on-white table cover to a side table for a lighter, brighter feel. Put away the sandalwood candles and burn a citrus or lilac scent. 

 Spring cleaning doesn't have to be onerous. Your efforts can yield a cleaner, brighter home and more peace of mind. Open up the windows and let in some fresh air. Get some fresh flowers in bold shades and add a basket or two to help you declutter.