Spring Fever inside Your Library

I don't know about you, but everyone in my house has Spring fever already and it's getting pretty crazy around here.  I live in Georgia and every year we look forward to February 2nd to see what that silly little groundhog is going to say (we're a bit superstitious - plus we love all things critter).  I personally am allergic to winter, so the sooner the warm weather chooses to show up, the better.  And this week we're seeing temps of 70s and even 80!  While 80 isn't exactly typical for the South in February, this early Spring weather isn't uncommon at all.

So this week I'm considering all things fresh and new.  I'm looking forward to the ease of the longer days and all my flowering plants coming to life.  This also leads me to a fresh new look and feel for my Library spaces.  I'm thinking about all the things you can do to brighten up your spaces.  And I've put together a little list for you in case you too have a touch of the fever.

FRESH SPRING COLORS

If you're looking for a quick change to brighten up your Library, try these colors:

Looking for a yellow? Try Pineapple Cream by Sherwin Williams.  It's super soft and not overpowering.  This tone of yellow will give your room a clean facelift while ushering in the sunny side of Spring.

Want an earthy green?  Cucumber by Sherwin Williams will be a subtle change but refreshing.  I love this shade of green because it's simple and energizing.

If you're more into blue, try Swimming by Sherwin Williams.  This one is in the range of your typical Robin's Egg Blue but with a slight hint of aqua in it for a pleasant feel that incites thoughts of water.  Again, it's clean, refreshing and subtle.

If you want something a bit more bold and lively, try an orange.  One of my favorites to keep around is Honey Blush by Sherwin Williams.  This one has a tint of cantaloupe orange to it and feels slightly tropical.  It will definitely liven up your interior environment but without the overpowering drama of a stronger orange.  So it's easy on the more sensory-sensitive patrons.

DON'T SKIP THE GREENERY

You can always add plants to your space.  Try larger potted plants to soften your corners and add a pop of life to your entry ways.  I have a few large potted plant styles that I love and you can find them HERE at the Magnuson Group website.  These are very sleek and stylish without taking up tons of room.  They'll really make a nice addition to your building interiors and draw the outdoors in.

And of course you can also bring in smaller potted plants that are seasonal.  You can add these to reference desks and staff work areas.  Pick some up from a plant nursery near you and support your local companies or bring in some fresh cut early-rising spring blooms from your own home garden.  Anything will help when trying to chase out the musty cold of Winter.

LOOK UP FOR DESIGN STYLE

An excellent addition to any Library is acoustical ceiling clouds.  They not only help with acoustics, but they can come in many different shapes, sizes and colors to add a major pop of style to your Library.  AND you can minimize costs by just using them in one very specific location like perhaps children and/or youth areas.  This will really draw people to those areas of your Library and add so much life to your building.  There are plenty of options out there, but one reputable company I prefer is Armstrong.  Click HERE for a good place to start on their website.

LET THE LIGHT IN

This one is a bit relative to each space, but take a quick inventory of your windows and make sure nothing is blocked off if at all possible.  Light and heat can be an issue, but make sure you don't have window treatments smothering out all the light everywhere at all times of the day.  I think we often get used to the building as it is and don't bother changing the day to day things like window treatments.  So make sure you haven't grown complacent in your daily routine, leading to closed off sunlight opportunities.  Evaluate.  Assess.  And make some positive changes for the incoming Spring.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I realize Spring hasn't arrived for everyone yet.  I'm well aware that right now, some of you are reading this with inches upon inches, possibly even feet of snow piled up outside your window.  I also know that Winter isn't over for Georgia either.  There will be plenty more frigid days that will make me cranky and drive me to my fireplace.  But for this week, when the temps are unseasonably warmer, I choose to look to the light at the end of the tunnel.  Which means dinner outside on the patio with my littles and maybe even a bike ride in the sunshine as long as the weather allows it.