Five real tips for helping your home and garden 'spring' into spring

The days have gotten longer, and the temperatures are getting warmer - Spring is finally here, South Africa! Jawitz Properties has put together a list of five savvy tips to get your home and garden ready for Spring and Summer. Read on to discover this season's décor trends, anti-mosquito strategies, out-of-the-box outdoor entertainment area ideas, gardening tips and an important home-maintenance reminder.

1. Give your home a mini-makeover with the latest spring decor trends

The top global trends for spring 2024 are varied and everyone will find something that appeals to them, regardless of their tastes. On the one hand, you can choose bold colours - or you can opt for their softer pastel counterparts. You can go bold with maximalist motifs or keep your décor down-to-earth with nature-inspired hues. Colours on trend this year - in both bright and pastel varieties - include peach (the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2024 is Peach Fuzz), pink, yellow, red and green.

If you're investing in some new furniture pieces, consider saying goodbye to sharp edges and hello to the twenty twenties' curved furniture trend. The refreshing shift from rigid lines to gentle curves helps transform houses into warm, welcoming havens.

Maximalism has burst back onto the décor scene in 2024, bringing with it a riot of colour, patterns and personality. Think brightly coloured walls juxtaposed against bold furnishings, big vivid artworks and vibrant scatter cushions. If that's not in line with your taste, then go ahead and think natural. Off-white hues, greys and wooden elements combined with a touch of greenery work together to create a nature-reminiscent interior that's all the rage in 2024.

2. Get ready for mosquito season

For many of us, the worst thing about summer is the high-pitched buzz of mosquitoes in and around your home - and of course the resultant bites. The good news is that there are some easy ways to minimise their presence - especially if you plan ahead.

Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, so ensure that anything in your garden that holds water (birdbaths, planters, kiddies' pools and flowerpot saucers, for example) is thoroughly cleaned once a week - starting before mosquito season. You can use an outdoor adulticide to kill adult mosquitoes outdoors - but if you have pets, make sure you're using a pet-friendly product. The same rules apply inside as outside, and you need to be sure to empty and scrub any vases or flowerpot saucers once a week to remove mosquito eggs and larvae.

Plug-in mosquito repellants, which use either liquid or replaceable pads, are a great way to keep the remaining mosquitoes at bay while you sleep.

3. Get your outdoor entertainment area ready for use

Once you've given your entertainment area and braai area a good clean, it's time to think creatively about how to make it an extra enjoyable space for your family this summer. If space allows, why not introduce outdoor games like croquet or giant Jenga? You could also consider creating atmosphere by integrating an outdoor sound system or portable speakers to allow background music or simply elevate the upcoming rugby games commentary while you entertain. If your outdoor entertainment area is uncovered, consider installing umbrellas or canopies to provide shade and comfort on sunny and rainy days. Another idea is to enhance the ambience by incorporating fragrant plants or scented candles. A final real tip for making your outdoor entertainment area a wonderful place to be this summer is to plant herbs and light candles that will keep the flies and mosquitoes at bay. Lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and lemongrass scents will all encourage the bugs to stay away, while also exuding a homely ambience.

4. Give your garden a new lease on life

Every garden is different and exactly what you should be planting for spring will depend on where you live. However, we've put together some ideas that can breathe new life into any garden.

For starters, if you've got a wheelbarrow or an old children's sandpit that has seen better days, transform it into a focal point by filling it with potting soil and planting splashes of colour. While you're getting creative, old crates, pallets and tyres can be used to create raised beds or unique planters with a rustic touch.

If you've got some smaller pots, they could make great homes for succulents with various textures, shapes and colours. These plants tend to favour sunny spots and require minimal watering. You can create a succulent corner either in the garden or on your patio.

Spring is a great time for planting but before you buy, make sure you've read up on the specific plants that you're investing in. Adhering to your plants' water, light and location requirements will help your new plants to thrive. Once you've finished planting, consider creating winding paths with stepping stones, gravel or bark to provide new vantage points from which to admire your greenery and flowerbeds.

5. Ensure that your home is adequately waterproofed

Getting your home ready for a new season isn't just planting annuals and introducing the latest trends: you also need to make sure that the structure of your home is well cared for. Ensuring that your home is adequately waterproofed means being on the lookout for telltale trouble signs like moisture dripping through the walls, falling or disintegrating roof tiles, rusted piping, mould and rotting wood. If you've noticed any of these warning signs, get hold of a waterproofing company immediately. Prevention is much better (and more affordable) than cure when it comes to damp issues.

Top reasons why spring is the season for selling

Spring isn't just the time to get your home into the best possible shape - it's also an ideal time to sell your home. Jawitz Properties has put together a list of some of the reasons:

• During spring, properties are usually showing off and looking their best. Gardens are in bloom and landscapes look lush.
• It's the ideal time for families looking to settle into new homes early in the new year to buy.
• Spring brings with it feelings of hope and positivity, which spills over into every aspect of life - including making big decisions like property purchases.

There are so many reasons why spring is one of the most wonderful times of the year. The flowers are blooming, the bitter cold of winter is behind us and hope and positivity are in the air. If you'd like to buy or sell property this spring, get in touch with the team from Jawitz Properties.