10 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Summer

The sun has finally arrived in New England and it seems like overnight the trees have that citron shade of green baby leaves appearing ~ hooray! Now that the weather has finally turned a corner, it feels like it’s time to shed the heavy layers that make our homes cozy in the Winter months and lighten and brighten our interiors in preparation for the glorious days of Summer. Here are 10 Tips to get your home ready for Summer…

Tip #1: Change your draperies

Perhaps this sounds a bit extravagant but you can accomplish  this swap in many ways. For instance, last year I invested in custom draperies sewn from a floral patterned linen.  This allows me to pack away my silk  “ball gown” draperies for the summer in exchange for a brighter, lighter option.  My woven wood Roman shades remain in place year round, serving to add some cohesiveness to the overall look.

Of course there are more cost effective options as well.  Plain sheers or plain linen panels from HomeGoods or Target lend a lighter look to a space and are reasonably priced.  You needn’t swap out the window treatments in every room to make an impact.  Why not start with the room with the best view to the outdoors?

Tip #2:  Use pillows that reflect the season

Can one ever own enough pillows?  I think you can guess my answer… 😉

I adore embellishing every sofa, sectional, loveseat, chair and bed  in my path with unique pillows bedazzled with trims, beads and tassels. You can easily lighten & brighten the color palette of a room by using pillows for a pop of seasonal color. The pillows can be custom and one of a kind or purchased from a favorite retail shop.  For instance,  I have changed out my “fur” (faux of course) pillows in favor of linen pillows in bright patterns. This small swap can completely change the look and feel of a room.

Tip #3:  Lighten up your carpets

When I was a young girl, my grandmother (Mamer) would roll up her oriental carpets in the Summer and expose the wood floor for a lighter look. She would  take the rugs outside and lay the wool “face” on the ground and beat the carpet with a broom to loosen any hidden  dirt. Sometimes  would bring the carpet back inside and lay it on the floor with the woven side up for a varied, textured look.

Today I remove any area carpets that have been layered on top of other floor coverings for the winter.  In the future I would love to roll up my carpets and replace them with sisal for the Summer ~ someday.

Tip #4:  Accessorize your bookcases with seasonal finds

I love to accessorize bookcases with not only books but also decorative plates, photos, petite art work and yes, sometimes even shoes.  To achieve visually lighter look, I minimize the displays and select  pieces that reflect Summer such as   books,  shells, and other seasonally reminiscent pieces such as the mermaid bookends pictured in the bookcase below. 

Tip #5:  Rotate your art & floral arrangements

I love the idea of rotating your art with the seasons. For example a heavier, darker oil painting that is perfect for Winter can be replaced with a lighter, brighter painting or fine art photograph with a seasonal subject.

My friend & client who owns the home featured in this article is a gifted photographer (along with posessing many other talents). She’s taken the most amazing photographs of coastal Italy that she has had enlarged and framed in all white.  They are incredible and perfect for Summer!  I look forward to sharing them soon as a little birdie told me she may be offering limited editions for purchase. Stay tuned…

Additionally, if you have any “heavy” silk floral arrangements in your home, consider storing them for the season and instead use lighter colored silk pieces with a more airy feel.  Of course Summer is the perfect season to forgo the silk blooms altogether and treat yourself to a weekly bouquet of fresh flowers from your garden or a local florist.

Tip #6:  Incorporate lighter textures

Exchange dark leather and/or ceramic storage pieces  in your home for  baskets. Woven baskets add a fabulous seasonal texture.  I use baskets to store beach towels, knitting projects and reading material.  I adore baskets of all sizes, shapes and colors ~ and they are a great way to keep your home (semi?) organized.

Another way I love to add texture is with textiles.  I pack away my faux fur throws and chunky knit blankets and replace them with lighter and brighter options.  They add color, visual interest, and are perfect for those occasional cool Summer evenings.

Tip #7:  Coordinate your outdoor plantings

I am fortunate to have beautiful French doors that lead out to my deck.  I love to “color echo” the plants in my deck containers with the colors in my Summer draperies.

If you have a view that is not quite as appealing, you can use large scale foliage plants from a big box store to create a backdrop.  You can then design a  layered view with larger to smaller plants in appealing containers. It’s always wonderful to bring the feel of nature indoors.

Tip #8:  Add white linen slipcovers

One of my clients and dear friends slipcovers her darker furniture with white linen covers  for the Summer ~ I love this! The look is so “Summer-esque” and they are washable as well.  Win-win!Hint: when you wash slipcovers, put the covers on the furniture  when they are slightly damp, that way they mold themselves to the frame.

If slipcovers aren’t in your budget, I have an artist friend who uses painting dropcloths as the fabric for her slipcovers!

Tip #9:  Create vignettes with seasonal accessories

I adore styling seasonal displays on foyer tables, bedroom night tables and really, any flat surface.

I try to refrain from over accessorizing but I can’t help but put out the books my children read with me during the summer break. Our favorites are Sand in My Shoes and A Child’s Garden of Verses.

Tip #10:  Don’t forget about photographs

Some of my favorite photographs are rotated based on the season or the holiday. I find it’s  great fun for guests and family to peruse the “oldies but goodies” and reminisce.

Bonus tip:

A whimsical decorative piece can lighten not only the look of a home but also the mood ~ which is great for any season 🙂 !

I hope you have gleaned some inspiration from these tips on how to get your home ready for Summer ~ now it’s time for me to Summer-ize my home!

xo,

Pamela

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