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]):

Cecily Woolrich, designer and managing partner at Cochrane-based Woolrich Group Design and Construction, has a wealth of tips and advice for those pondering their next home renovation. Drawing from more than 21 years in the renovation and design industry, she wants to help reduce the stress homeowners experience when embarking on their own renovation adventures.

Seven years ago, Vancouver-based interior designer Jamie Banfield wasn't really thinking about buying a new home. That all changed, however, when he and his partner were introduced to a two-bedroom-plus-den apartment for sale in South Surrey that they couldn't pass up.

Whether it's creating a gorgeous new kitchen, rejigging a floor plan or creating a home from scratch, Vancouver-based interior designer Jamie Banfield is all about getting to know what makes his clients tick and translating that into a tangible design.

Renovated basements offer the dual benefit of extending a home's usable square footage and bolstering its resale value.

Shopping for furniture involves a lot of choices. For each different piece, there are endless size, fabric and colour options.

However, finding the perfect furniture for your home can be a breeze with some pre-shopping preparation and a bit of advice from the experts.

It's important to be honest with yourself about space needs, expectations, lifestyle and budget when looking to upgrade or renovate your small kitchen.

Both Steve Francis, owner of Aspire Renovations, and Karen Allbright, owner of organizational design company Calm Order, agree homeowners must plan well to ensure changes to the kitchen improve its function.

When it cools off outside, it's time to warm up inside with a seasonal update to home décor.

"Fall is a great time for design in general because you can start to layer," said Alykhan Velji, principal and senior designer for Alykhan Velji Designs. "Just like in fashion, where you can start adding scarves and such, with an interior you can start adding more textural items – layering on more pillows, throws and artwork."

Here are three of Velji's top design trends for fall:

When custom-home designer Kathy Yuen purchased her first home 13 years ago, she quickly realized it wasn't the perfect fit.

"I think your first home really teaches you what you like and what you don't like," she said.

Renovation guru and HGTV star Bryan Baeumler is in town this weekend for the Calgary Fall Home Show, which runs from Thursday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 22 at the BMO Centre.