Well, summer is officially here! The kids are out of school, the summer solstice has just passed and we’re on our way …
As part of summer kicking off, it’s nice to lighten things up in your home. Here are several things I do to “summerize” our home.
Summerize with Pillows
Pillows are an easy way to “lighten up” your home for summer. I love accessorizing with pillows … sofas, beds, chairs, benches … all can all be updated with pillows.
For our living room, I had pillow covers made in four different fabrics. For fall and winter, I use the heavier velvet stripe and the silk burgandy paisley.
In summer, I bring out the cotton stripe and floral pillow covers.
If you sew, you have all kinds of options. For those of us that don’t sew, you can usually find a list of recommended seamstresses by asking at your local fabric stores. I found a very talented seamstress and apholsterer at our local discount designer fabric store, We-R-Fabrics.
I had her make some pillows with different fabrics on each side of the pillow. That way, if I get tired of a print, I can flip the pillow over and have a new look.
In our bedroom, I switch out some of our darker pillows for some lighter, linen pillows.
Summerize with Accessories
You can switch out accessories (especially the darker, heavier ones) on tables, bookshelves, coffee tables and mantels with summer-themed items. Adding seashells, candles, sea glass, things from nature — can lighten up your home without costing much or taking much time.
I found these blue shell plates at TJMaxx several years ago. I display them on black easels on my dining room buffet … along with crystal vases and bowls of seashells.
I use a lot of sea shells during the summer. I fill apothecary jars, glass canisters and bowls. I often add sea shells to our mantels or tuck seashells (with some white sand) at the bottom of lanterns or glass candle holders. During the summer, you can find sea shells in most rooms of our house.
There are many other ways you can bring summer into your home. Here are a few additional ideas:
- Use more white! Switch out your darker colored candles for white candles. Add white table runners.
- Add slipcovers to your sofas or dining room chairs.
- Lighten up your bedding, using light-weight comforter covers and pillows.
- Add lanterns with candles in your casual rooms.
