Puttering has always been one of my favorite pastimes. It’s been a while since I found time to truly putter — with moving and the holidays, I focused on getting a few essentials in place so the new house would function. Now that the basics are settled, I finally had the space to putter again.
Puttering means occupying yourself in an unhurried, pleasant way with small tasks or pleasures around the home, without concentrating on any one big project.
Some days I want to hide under the covers, but an hour or two of gentle rearranging and small creative acts around the house always feels like therapy. Even if the result is merely a bit more love for the space and a brighter mood, puttering is time well spent.
Puttering is therapeutic because there is no strict end goal. It’s about enjoying the present and making small, pleasing changes with what you already own.
Last week my daughter Courtney visited and we spent an afternoon puttering in the living room. We moved furniture, shopped the house for pieces I’ve had tucked away, and brainstormed future changes. It was refreshing to pause and play with the space without pressure.
I talk about refreshing your rooms and celebrating seasonal changes in my book A Lovely Life (available for preorder). For our afternoon we ushered in spring: we had the fireplace lit and the door open to the chilly-but-sunny outdoors. Setting a cozy mood makes it easier to be inspired.
(At the end of the post there’s a mood board with some of the living room sources and similar options.)
We swapped a few items on the mantel and put out the twisted taper candles Courtney gave me for Christmas. Small touches like new candles instantly feel celebratory.
We tucked away the winter pillows and realized we didn’t have the perfect spring pillows for this room, so we ordered a few and will share them when they arrive.
To test a spring look, we wrapped a scarf around the bench seat to introduce a green accent. I love switching covers seasonally, but using a scarf is an easy temporary solution that instantly lightens the feel.
We’re still enjoying the wall sconce we installed without hardwiring, using a rechargeable bulb. It added warmth to a dark corner and made the spot feel welcoming and finished.
While our kitchen will be remodeled in the future, we refreshed this room in the meantime by adding a small table and lamp in the corner and hanging a piece of art we already owned. Starting with a cozy corner is an easy way to make a room feel more intentional.
A few books, a small bird figurine and spring flowers make my favorite simple vignette.
Another easy update is draping a blanket over the back of the sofa. It’s a quick way to introduce pattern or color without commitment.
A large woven basket that once hung on our old wall found a new life sitting on the ottoman. Reusing pieces you already own is both budget-friendly and satisfying.
A couple of weeks earlier we replaced a tall bookcase with a familiar cabinet and tested a mirror we already had. Hanging the mirror off-center and balancing the arrangement with a lamp made the composition work. Using pieces on hand saved money and brightened the room while enhancing the view.
We also swapped the lamp on the entry table for one with a rattan shade, which instantly felt more homey. Small lighting changes can have big impact on the mood of a space.
While puttering in the living room, we got an idea for the entry that I’ll share soon — and you can catch a sneak peek on my Instagram reel.
The best part of puttering is the momentum it creates. Once you start playing with a space, inspiration often follows. After these photos were taken we moved a mirror and swapped another to the mantel — small shifts that made the room feel renewed.
I’ll be sharing more puttering and spring updates soon. If you want to follow along, subscribe to my free newsletter to stay in the loop and connect on social media for more behind-the-scenes updates.
Sources for above:
Rattan Mirror
Island Whimsy Book
Island Hopping Book
Scalloped Arch Mirror
Twisted Taper Candle Set
Bamboo Brass Candlesticks
White Fringe Pillow
Blue Tassel Pillow
Whitewashed Wood Shutter Cabinet
Ceramic Table Lamp with Rattan Shade
Brass Wall Sconces with Shades
White Artificial Tulips
Blue and White Ceramic Ginger Jar with Lid
Blue and White Chinoiserie Square Decorative Bowl
Navy Dot Lidded Basket
Chunky Seagrass Round Basket Tray
Leather Ottoman
Blue Patterned Rug (machine washable)
Woven Rattan and Glass Vessel
Dip Dyed Stool
Navy Blue Patterned Runner
What are you doing to refresh your home this spring? Share in The Inspired Room Community — a free group where people exchange decor ideas, ask for advice, and encourage one another as they love on their homes.