Top Home Improvements to Welcome Spring and Prepare for All Seasons

Spring in Corvallis is a great time for fresh starts and home improvements. With longer days and blooming landscapes, it’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your home and prepare for the seasons ahead. Particularly if your home was built before 1990—common in Corvallis and the surrounding area—consider these remodeling ideas to create beautiful spaces that fit your lifestyle. From simple design tweaks to game-changing remodel ideas, here are some of the top home improvements to welcome spring with open arms.

Maximize Natural Light

[Featured Project: Whole Home Remodel in Corvallis, Oregon]

Homes in the Willamette Valley are known for their unique charm but can sometimes feel a little dark, especially during the rainy months. Natural light can make any home feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting. It’s also known to boost your mood, reduce energy costs, and make spaces look more open and airy. If your home feels a little dark and lackluster, here are some impactful home improvements and interior design choices that could make a huge difference:

Expand or replace windows. Large picture windows or bay windows are great for bringing in more light and allowing the sun to fill your home. We recommend choosing energy-efficient glass to reduce UV exposure and keep your home comfortable.
Install skylights or sun tunnels. These are ideal for areas like kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms, where adding a window isn’t always possible.
Opt for lighter interior finishes. Repaint walls in light-reflecting shades like soft white, pale beige, or pastel colors. Use light cabinet colors and glossy tile backsplashes to enhance light reflection.
Mirrors are your secret weapon. Strategically placed mirrors can also reflect natural light around a room, making it feel twice as bright.

Create a Functional Mudroom

Spring in the Corvallis area means wet weather—and a mudroom can help manage the muddy shoes, raincoats, and outdoor gear that come with it. A well-designed mudroom can be a game-changer for keeping your home clean and organized, especially if you have kids or pets. Here’s how to make it both functional and beautiful:

Flooring matters. Choose durable, water-resistant flooring materials like porcelain tile or luxury vinyl that can withstand muddy shoes and wet paws.
Custom cabinetry and storage solutions. Built-in cabinets, open shelving, and cubbies help keep everything organized. Add hooks for jackets and baskets for smaller items like gloves and scarves.
Incorporate a bench. A bench makes it easy to put on or take off shoes and can double as hidden storage for seasonal gear.
Don’t forget decorative details. Incorporating things like wall paneling, decorative hooks, and patterned floor tiles can give your mudroom personality and charm.

Refresh Your Kitchen for Entertaining

[Project Featured: Vibrant Bakers Kitchen & First Floor Remodel in Corvallis, Oregon]

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and spring is the perfect time to start thinking about how to make it feel fresh and inviting for the upcoming seasons. Whether you’re planning on hosting parties throughout the year or just preparing family dinners, these updates will make your kitchen more functional and stylish year-round:

Update countertops. Consider timeless materials like quartz or natural stone that are both beautiful and durable. These will serve you well for everyday use and for large gatherings throughout the year.
Upgrade your lighting. Swap out old light fixtures for modern pendants or statement chandeliers, and don’t forget to add wafer lighting throughout the space. Layer task lighting under cabinets and add dimmers to create the right ambiance. Then you have the choice of a light and bright kitchen or a moody one for hosting.
Install a new backsplash. A fresh backsplash in a bold color or fun pattern can completely transform the space. 3D tiles are a particularly fun option that is currently trending.
Add an island or expand your current one. Islands are great for additional prep space, storage, and seating. But they are also incredibly versatile and are an asset year-round.

Even small home improvements like replacing cabinet hardware or repainting with fresh colors can breathe new life into your kitchen.

Bring the Outdoors In

Oregon’s lush greenery is one of the best parts of living in the Willamette Valley, and bringing outdoor elements into your home can make it feel fresher and more connected to the world around you. Here are a few ways to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors:

Add large glass doors. Sliding or bi-fold doors open up your living space and create a seamless connection with your patio or backyard.
Use natural materials. Incorporate elements like wood beams, stone countertops, and woven accents for a warm, earthy vibe.
Decorate with plants. Indoor plants are an easy way to bring life into any space. Go for a mix of large statement plants (like fiddle leaf figs) and smaller ones for shelves and tables.
Freshen up with seasonal textiles. Switch out heavy winter throws and pillows for lighter fabrics like linen and cotton in spring-inspired patterns.

Upgrade Your Outdoor Living Space

[Project Featured: Outdoor Oasis Remodel in Albany, Oregon]

Your outdoor space can be just as inviting as your indoor spaces with the right improvements. Spring is the perfect time to enhance your outdoor living space in Corvallis and to turn your patio, deck, or backyard into a place you’ll want to spend every morning and evening.

Here’s how to transform your outdoor space:

Add a pergola or covered seating area. These create a defined space for lounging and dining while providing shade and protection from light rain.
Incorporate an outdoor kitchen. A built-in grill, countertop, and small fridge can level up your outdoor entertaining and make it easier to manage.
Focus on outdoor lighting. String lights, lanterns, and solar-powered path lights add ambiance and make your space usable after sunset. Or you can take it a step further by building out an all-season space with permanent lighting options (maybe along with a fireplace?) that can be used year-round.
Upgrade your landscaping. Add hardscaping features like stone pathways and fire pits to make the space more functional and visually appealing.

Focus on Energy Efficiency

With rising energy costs, improving your home’s energy efficiency is more important than ever. Spring is a great time to tackle improvements that will make your home more comfortable and environmentally friendly.

Energy-efficient upgrades to consider:

Replace old windows and doors. New windows and doors with better insulation can reduce drafts and keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Upgrade to a smart thermostat. These devices learn your habits and adjust temperatures automatically, helping you save on energy costs.
Invest in energy-efficient appliances. Modern appliances consume less water and electricity, making them better for your wallet and the environment.
Improve your insulation. Focus on your attic and crawl space to ensure your home is properly sealed. If you’re in a pre-1950s home, you probably want to look at replacing all of your wall insulation as well. Insulation breaks down over time and has a typical lifespan of 80 years.

Ready to Refresh Your Home?

If these ideas have you inspired, we’re here to help bring your vision to life. Whether it’s a light refresh or a full-scale home remodel, our team at Thayer Design Build specializes in creating spaces that feel good to live in. Serving Corvallis, Philomath, Albany, and the surrounding areas, we take pride in transforming homes with thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship. Let’s work together to design a home you love all year long.