Dear Heather,

Spring is just around the corner; the clocks spring forward in the middle of March. Do you have any tips for spring-cleaning?

It’s Springtime!

Dear It’s Springtime,

Your enthusiasm is refreshing! To get a home ready for spring requires a bit more than just a good scrubbing.

This season is also a great time to take a look around and think about areas that can be freshened up.

Here are the must-haves that will give your home new life:

• Power washer

While it’s probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about spring decor, a power washer can do wonders for the look of your home.

Winter can leave a lot of your home covered in gunk. Dirt, debris, mould, moss and who-knows-what-else always seems to adhere itself to your deck, driveway, the exterior, roof, and even the sides of your house.

Rent a power washer on a nice day and go to town on any place that could use a good wash down. The results will be stunning and an instant facelift. Just be careful on the house and roof, otherwise you could start removing the paint and plaster as well.

Although on that note, springtime, with its low humidity and breezy sunny days, can be a perfect time to repaint your house and roof.

• A great rug

You may be focused on paint colour or furniture pieces, but don’t forget to look down.

A rug is a great layering essential that sets the foundation for a room.

Rugs can also be used to make a statement with a pop of pattern or a bold colour.

• Niche appliances

Today’s kitchen has to do heavy duty for busy families. One of the ways it can become more efficient is with niche appliances that allow the chef of the house to be more creative or specialised during meal prep.

Steam ovens promise to cook food more thoroughly and healthily than microwaves, warming drawers give cooks a little wiggle room to deliver hot meals to family and guests, induction cooktops save space and are safer for homes with young children, and refrigerators with a UV-type filter system promise to deliver clean water and ice on a constant basis.

It also might be a good time to decide if you need a new barbecue so it is ready for you when the sun starts shining.

• Light wood

Lighter wood tones have started to dominate flooring, and they are making their way through other parts of the home, as well. Designers have predicted more kitchens sporting lighter wood tones — walnuts, whitewashed woods and white oak in rift grain.

So go ahead, enjoy putting your energy into the gentle spring days to maintain and upgrade your living spaces, be they indoor or out.

That way you can spend the lazy days of summer enjoying them.

• Heather Chilvers is among Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty’s leading sales representatives. She has been working in real estate for 25 years. If you have a question for Heather, please contact her at hchilvers@brcl.bm or 332-1793. All questions will be treated in confidence. Read this article on Facebook: Ask Heather Real Estate