After the dreary days of winter, the arrival of spring feels like a breath of fresh air, as snow melts and beautiful greenery takes its place. A change of scenery inside your home can be just as uplifting.

"Spring is a great time to think about changing up your space," said Alykhan Velji, principal and senior designer for Alykhan Velji Designs. "Out with the drab and dated and in with the new and fresh."

Here are five of Velji's top design trends for spring (all photos courtesy of Joel Klassen [klassenphotos.com]):

With plenty of space to run and play, and an envious selection of schools a stone's throw away, the master-planned community of Currie is a perfect fit for families.

If you feel that stairs are overrated and basements are underused, a bungalow might be your ideal home style. Apart from the added convenience single-level living provides for those with mobility issues, bungalows offer flexible living arrangements and definite "aging in place" potential.

Calgarians are seeing the value of universally designed spaces and inclusive communities. In fact, those close to the issue say that is the key – recognizing that intentional accessibility built in at the initial design phase is the most economical, adaptable and seamlessly integrated approach, rather than including it as an afterthought.

As spring approaches, thoughts turn to mucking about in the soil – preparing a garden that could eventually provide colourful blooms and delicious produce to perk up our winter-wearied spirits.

However, getting there isn't always as easy as one, two, three.

Ivanie Blondin moved to Calgary from Ottawa in 2010 to switch from short-track to long-track speed skating. It turned out to be a smart move, both for her career and for her lifestyle.

Over the course of his time in the NHL, Jamie Macoun embodied all the intangibles hockey folks prize so highly: dependability, competitiveness and an innate will to excel.

These days, two decades on from his playing career, he brings those same attributes to his work as the driving force behind Macoun Real Estate in Calgary.

Perry Berezan was 24 years old and in his fourth NHL season by early spring of 1989, part of a carefully crafted Calgary Flames team teetering on the precipice of history.

Many people who are currently in the home-buying stage have energy conservation as a high priority on their house hunting checklist. There are several upgrades that can be completed that make homes energy efficient. For sellers looking to implement solutions before putting them on the market, it can sometimes be hard to narrow down exactly what's going to be most beneficial. Here are some solutions that buyers are looking for:

Regulations that took effect Feb. 1 require Calgary property owners who provide short-term rental accommodation to obtain a business licence and follow new rules.

The changes to the City of Calgary's Business Licence Bylaw cover owners using popular host platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, as well as any other method of renting out space in a residential dwelling for 30 days or less.