sprucing up
Giving a refresh
Sprucing up is making something neater, tidier, or more attractive.
The phrase suggests modest improvement rather than dramatic transformation—freshening up rather than overhauling: We spruced up the guest room before they arrived, He spruced himself up for the interview.
From the verb spruce, which derives from spruce leather or spruce fir, things once considered smart and fashionable.
Adding decorative details
- adorningAdding visual enhancement
- beautifyingMaking more attractive
- accessorizingAdding decorative extras
- furnishingItems equipping a space
draping · hangings · curtains · wallpaper · artwork · vases · centerpieces · florals
Pleasingly restorative
- rejuvenatingRestoring youthful energy
- renewingMaking valid again
- brighteningIncreasing in light
- revampingThoroughly updating something
perking up · enlivening · invigorating · recharging · uplifting · pepping up · awakening · energizing
Altering existing structures
- refurbishingRestoring to good condition
- modernizingMaking something current
- updatingMaking something current
- restoringReturning to original condition
overhauling · retrofitting · redesigning · transforming · reconfiguring · repurposing · reworking · facelift
embellishing
Adding decorative details
- adorningAdding visual enhancement
- beautifyingMaking more attractive
- accessorizingAdding decorative extras
furnishing · draping · hangings · curtains · wallpaper · artwork · vases · centerpieces · florals · candles
refreshing
Pleasingly restorative
- rejuvenatingRestoring youthful energy
- renewingMaking valid again
- brighteningIncreasing in light
revamping · perking up · enlivening · invigorating · recharging · uplifting · pepping up · awakening · energizing · gussying up
remodeling
Altering existing structures
- refurbishingRestoring to good condition
- modernizingMaking something current
- updatingMaking something current
restoring · overhauling · retrofitting · redesigning · transforming · reconfiguring · repurposing · reworking · facelift · makeover
scrubbing
Cleaning by rubbing hard
polishing · washing · wiping · vacuuming · scouring · shining · spotless · tidying · neatening · straightening
- cleaningcleaning, clean, housekeeping, clean up, daily cleaning
- sprucing upbeautifying, freshening, freshening up, grooming, primping
- tidyingtidying, tidy, tidying up, declutter, cleaning
- beautymakeup, cosmetics, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner
- Beautifyingmakeover, decoration, adornment, embellishment, beautification
- getting readyget ready, readying, be prepared, equipping, gear up
sprucing upneglecting
Failing to attend to
letting go · abandoning · running down · trashing · messing up
sprucing upmessing up
Failing through carelessness
dirtying · disheveling · cluttering · soiling · rumpling
sprucing upgutting
Removing internal organs
complete overhaul · tearing down · rebuilding · demolishing · razing