Puttering has long been one of my favorite pastimes. After recent moves and the busy holiday season, I finally felt ready to putter again—just small, unhurried tasks to make our new home feel more settled and welcoming.
Puttering is to occupy yourself in an unhurried, pleasant manner on a number of small tasks or pleasures around the home, while not concentrating on anything in particular.
Some days I want to hide under the covers, but an hour or two of puttering—without strict expectations, simply improving and beautifying what’s already here—feels therapeutic. Even small changes can bring more love for your home and a little more joy to your day.
Puttering appeals to me because there’s no big end goal. It’s about enjoying the present and making things more pleasing using items you already own.
My daughter Courtney visited last week and we spent an afternoon puttering in the living room. We moved furniture, shopped the house for pieces I’d been saving, and brainstormed future ideas for the space.
Setting everything aside and being creative felt refreshing. In my book A Lovely Life (available for preorder), I write about refreshing your spaces and celebrating the change of seasons. To welcome spring, we had the fireplace on and the door open—the air was chilly enough for the fire to feel cozy. Setting a mood helps inspire you to try new things.
(At the bottom of this post you’ll find a mood board with sources and similar items.)
We refreshed the mantel and added the twisted taper candles Courtney gave me for Christmas. Small touches like new candles make a big difference.
We put away our winter pillows and realized we didn’t have the right spring pillows for this room, so we ordered a few new covers and will share them when they arrive.
To preview a springy look, we wrapped a scarf around the bench seat. It’s an easy seasonal update—one day you might use a scarf, another day a cover—simple swaps make the room feel refreshed without permanent changes.
We still love the wall sconce we installed without hardwiring, using a rechargeable bulb to create soft, welcoming light. It makes that corner feel cozy and inviting.
While our kitchen will be remodeled in the future, we decided to refresh this room in the meantime. We added a small table and lamp in a corner and rehung a piece of art. Starting with a corner is often the easiest way to begin changing a room—small edits can quickly transform the feel.
A few books, a small bird figurine and fresh flowers make my favorite simple spring vignette.
Another quick trick: drape a throw over the back of the sofa. It’s an easy way to change the look. I picked up a striped throw on sale and it instantly brightened the seating area.
A round woven basket that used to hang on our old wall looks fresh placed on the leather ottoman. Repurposing items you already own keeps updates affordable and personal.
A few weeks earlier we rearranged this corner: we moved a tall bookcase and replaced it with a smaller cabinet. We tried a mirror we already owned and hung it slightly off-center, balancing the vignette with a lamp. Using what you already have often leads to pleasing solutions—and it can save money.
A little creative puttering brought more light into the room and emphasized the water view and architectural features.
We also swapped the lamp on the entry table for our favorite lamp with a rattan shade. Small lighting changes can refresh an entry’s vibe and make a home more welcoming.
While puttering, we also came up with an idea for the entry—stay tuned for that reveal. Small sessions of creative rearranging often lead to more ideas and momentum.
The best part of puttering is how it rekindles your love for your home. We felt inspired to keep changing things after this session—moving mirrors and swapping items on the mantel soon after the photos were taken.
Expect more spring updates in the coming weeks. If you’d like to follow along, subscribe to my free newsletter to stay in the loop and find more ideas and inspiration.
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 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
How are you refreshing your home this spring? Share your ideas and progress in The Inspired Room Community, a free group for sharing homes, asking for decor advice and connecting with other home lovers.