5 min readThere’s something satisfying about announcing to your coworkers or friend group chat that “it’s the first day of spring!” especially if the weather looks promising, which it is in New York City right now. For us design editors, the change in seasons has us shifting our focus from wintertime home comforts to springtime home essentials, too. What are the small treats we’re buying (or taking out of storage) that make our homes feel refreshed and renewed?
It turns out, many of us are drawn to products that echo the colors of the season: citron yellows and verdant greens, as well as scents that evoke a thriving tomato plant (a quintessential summer motif). A new candle on the console, a wonderfully scented hand soap by the sink, a pretty dish for rings—these are the details that quietly change the mood of a space and person.
Ahead, our editors shared the smallest updates to their homes that make the biggest impact. Plus, all the products we love are $25 and under, proving you don’t need to spend a lot to feel happier about your home.
Tissue Box Cover</p>" title="<p>Tissue Box Cover</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/35616ec4-20fc-47b4-a621-4194a33a2a8c/3a7c7621-eb3d-41ea-87fb-ba8077df7fac.jpeg?crop=1xw:1.0xh;center,top&resize=980:*" width="2560" height="2560" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“My half bathroom has floral wallpaper—shoutout to Chasing Paper's peel-and-stick wallpaper, which I absolutely love—and I want to lean into this motif more with a tissue box cover. I know florals for spring isn't the most groundbreaking, but this cover addition will certainly make me feel like my powder room is spring-ready.”
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
Taormina Mug</p>" title="<p>Taormina Mug</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/b6f1f9e0-adb1-4227-b1c4-5513e180c2f8/98700a84-b3fe-4775-add1-b6a4f694bbc2.jpg?crop=1xw:0.887xh;0xw,0.017xh&resize=980:*" width="670" height="755" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“I shamelessly have an enormous, ever-growing mug collection, and this mug has been in my cart for at least six months. Now that it's on sale for under $25, I officially have no excuse not to buy it. The colors feel much more appropriate for warm weather than for cold, so any day now, it will be in my home.”
—Jessica Cherner, Associate Shopping Editor
“I love pairing pale blue and deep red—honestly, I think it looks great no matter the season—but the gingham edge on this Dorothy hand towel by GreenRow is just so darling and seasonal. It's made from 100 percent organic cotton, so it'll feel nice on your hands, whether you're drying them or washing dishes. The two patterns on it seem like they should be competing, but they fit so well together.”
—Meghan Shouse, Digital Editor
"When I was looking for a good hand soap dispenser that wouldn't break on me, I came across Element Brooklyn and their soaps, placed an order, and never looked back. For spring, I bought three different scents that I haven't tried yet, and I love this one! It has notes of basil, sea buckthorn, and rosemary for a fresh and comforting scent. I wash my hands at least ten times a day, and this soap doesn't leave me feeling dry, suds up well, so a small pump goes a long way, and none of the pumps (I have three bottles) have broken on me in the last year and a half I have been using it."
—Marina Liao, Senior Commerce Editor
Stoneware Soap Dispenser</p>" title="<p>Stoneware Soap Dispenser</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/c167ff21-92bf-48bf-a330-c8e711cf224b/1d59d3ee-9bc0-417c-8e98-3b4bbe334e14.jpg?crop=0.874xw:0.636xh;0.051xw,0.233xh&resize=980:*" width="735" height="1011" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“My windowless apartment bathroom could always use a little extra decor help, and this soap dispenser is exactly what my sink needs this spring. I love that it’s fairly compact (my countertop space is nonexistent) and perfectly matches the stripe motifs on my towels, shower curtain, and tissue box cover. My Mrs. Meyers hand soap is about to look so elevated—for just $15!”
—Blair Donovan, Digital Director
“These glasses are endlessly trendy, and for good reason. I am constantly eyeing these because they are forever adding new designs, and these bunnies are undeniable. Reminiscent of the chocolate treats we all know and love and a total rejection of the bucktooth bunny decor that plagues spring, I will be adding one of these to my cart immediately. I love that these glasses come as singles, which allows you to buy just as many as you need or build your own custom collections, because why can't trendy also be eclectic?”
—Alyssa Khan, Assistant Editor
“I have a ton of taper candles around my house, and switching them out for the season is a subtle yet effective way to usher in a new feeling.
The Floral Society's tapers are my go-to year-round, and I just snagged their Citrine colorway for the sconces above my fireplace. They're
so happy!”
—Alyssa Longobucco, Contributing Editor
7pk Uv Resistant Real Touch Faux Tulip Stems</p>" title="<p>7pk Uv Resistant Real Touch Faux Tulip Stems</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/81ebf519-b9e9-4457-9c97-8212718b8708/c3c4c247-64f0-4c9c-8f89-252be8888435.jpg?resize=980:*" width="514" height="648" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“I can't have real flowers in my apartment because my cats refuse to leave anything alone, but I adore the look of them. So, this has led me to always being on the hunt for a good faux floral, and these white tulips from T.J. Maxx are so springy. They're very budget-friendly, and I think they look real as long as you keep the dust off of them!”
—Meghan Shouse, Digital Editor
Bistro Tile Stoneware Accent Knobs</p>" title="<p>Bistro Tile Stoneware Accent Knobs</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/01fb3c93-5eeb-4d5d-8f74-551c91d92ce6/13a7482a-0ad3-4498-a476-9f092acd1902.jpeg?crop=1xw:0.666xh;0xw,0.14xh&resize=980:*" width="600" height="901" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“I am a big believer in the little details and in the ritual of spring cleaning. After all the dusting, scrubbing, and rearranging, I am just too tired to consider a complete redecoration of my space. So, as I think ahead to spring, I am brainstorming ways to add little touches that will make a big difference. I've found that furniture knobs are often overlooked design elements, but they can have a huge impact on the overall vibe of your space. I am eyeing these butterfly-adorned knobs for my nightstand. I love the fun mosaic design, and they'll add a much-needed pop of color, a touch of fairy-core, and a subtle nod to my dreams of warmer weather.”
—Alyssa Khan, Assistant Editor
“I adore a trinket dish—and I just realized that I need a new one, since perching my jewelry on the side of my bathroom sink has resulted in more close calls than I’d like to admit. You don’t have to break the bank by swapping one in for the new season. This gingham-and-floral pick is well under $25, and it looks like one of those rare thrift store finds that’s actually worth a lot more than what you paid. Anthro also has monogrammed versions, too!”
—Melanie Yates, Senior Digital Editor
Tomato & Vine</p>" title="<p>Tomato & Vine</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/f92a7b9d-7253-4c19-bfcb-4e691df47a3a/6ed763dc-4a53-4135-999d-0b0afa763b45.jpeg?crop=1xw:1.0xh;center,top&resize=980:*" width="2000" height="2000" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“I'm a firm believer that candles aren't just restricted to the colder months—and a fresh scent is the easiest way to make your home smell like spring. I know most people will go for a jasmine or rose-scented candle, but as Miranda Priestly said: Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking. Instead, I reach for a tomato candle like this one from Lulus. Not only does it smell like a day spent gardening, but it's also under $20. Lulus has quickly become one of my favorite value candle brands, and you better believe I'll be stocking up on this one.”
—Kelsey Mulvey, Contributing Writer
Clear Ruffle Glass Vase</p>" title="<p>Clear Ruffle Glass Vase</p>" src="https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/product-images/f883236d-2ab3-4551-b221-aa309693a3ec/54cb68f3-23a1-4d43-9ba2-e813639229a8.jpg?resize=980:*" width="1158" height="1152" decoding="async" loading="lazy"/>“Let's be honest: It's not really spring until you pick up a fresh bouquet of bodega blooms and put them in a cute vase. I can't help you with the first part, but I'm currently eyeing this adorable vase from World Market. The ruffled detail is so sweet and whimsical, but the clear glass keeps this vase timeless. Translation? It's cute on its own, but won't upstage the beautiful flowers you place inside.”
—Kelsey Mulvey, Contributing Writer
