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Spring is the perfect time to spruce up a tired space — and you don’t have to break the bank to do it.
New design trends brighten a room with wallpaper, use nature as inspiration and give decorators permission to mix and match to allow for more creativity and excitement. And these trends can be affordable, transforming rooms without taking down walls or ripping up flooring.

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But first, start with a blank slate and clear out things that don’t belong in the room, suggests Candace Griffin, owner and principal designer of Candace Mary Interiors in Chicago, Illinois.
Once everything is tidied up, you’ll get a fresh perspective on which new paint color could brighten up an accent wall or how adding some removable wallpaper in the powder bathroom can make it feel more inviting, Griffin says.
“You’ll be able to focus on small, inexpensive changes that can really make a big difference,” she says.
1. Incorporate natural elements
Indoor greenery is one of the hottest trends out there — and one of the most affordable. Live plants, including large potted options, flowering plants and cacti and windowsill herb gardens, bring nature into a room.
If you don’t have a green thumb, consider landscape murals or wallpaper with soft leafy or palm prints to provide that lush décor.
“I always recommend bringing the outdoors in with lots of greenery and plants that are easy to maintain, such as succulents, that add vibrance to the space,” Griffin says. Accessories or small accent pieces of furniture made of natural stone or unstained wood also create a feeling of harmony with nature, says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s trend expert in Los Angeles, California. She points to the classic yet modern look of marble as one of this year’s biggest trends.
“It's a timeless material that’s also fresh,” says Johnson, adding that new colors, like green and burgundy, and new patterns are keeping options fresh. “Marble is everywhere.”
2. Consider contemporary florals
Forget your grandma’s fussy florals. Today’s bright and bold flower patterns are topping trend lists because they add a jolt of color and drama. The key is adding florals in small doses — think throw pillows, a duvet cover or framed art — to a neutral background so you don’t overwhelm the room.
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