Summer is all about making things lighter and brighter and just like your wardrobe changes with the seasons, so should your home décor. Welcome the warm weather and get your home summer-ready with these summer decorating tips.

Textiles

There’s no doubt that textiles (material and color) have the biggest impact on seasonal decorating. As a general rule, heavy and dark works in the winter, light and bright works in the summer.

• Switch out heavy, dark drapes for light, linen alternatives. Not only is it “summery”, it will let in more light.
• Remove pillows that are dark in color and heavy in fabric and replace with light, bright versions.
• Put away extra blankets and throws. What adds coziness in cooler months looks too heavy in the summer.
• Dark pieces of furniture can get an easy summer update with slipcovers. A white slipcover on a dark sofa is an easy and impactful summer update.

Floors

People often focus on furniture, accessories and paint, but what’s underfoot has a huge impact on the overall mood of a room. When changing your décor for the seasons don’t forget to consider the floors.

• Remove heavy rugs and enjoy the beauty of bare floors.
• Replace a wool area rug with a colorful flat weave dhurrie.
• If lots of color isn’t your thing, replace your wool rugs with sisal or jute versions.
• If you’ve ever thought of painting your floors, summer is the time to do it. Painting your floors white in particular will lighten your home like nothing else.

Accessories

Accessories are an important part of any room, but what looks great in the winter doesn’t often translate to summer. But it’s an easy fix. Try some of the following ideas for updating your accessories for summer.

• Remove brass accessories and replace with glass versions (candlesticks for example).
• Dark lampshades that look great in fall and winter can be switched out for lightweight and colorful versions.
• Edit the number of accessories you have on display. Removing clutter is the best way to get a lighter look.

Paint

Paint is always a quick and easy fix. In summer it can be used to make inexpensive changes that add a shot of summer to your décor. The best part is that you can easily change it back when the seasons change again.

• The most obvious paint fix is to paint the walls a lighter color. You can leave everything else exactly the same and the impact will still be huge.
• Take a wooden side chair or table and give it a coat of paint for a nice summer refresh.
• Upcycle a flea market find with a fresh coat of paint.
• Try something fun like adding a stencil design or stripe to your walls. It’s playful, fun and summery.

Nature

It’s important to have elements of nature inside no matter what the time of year. The season will often dictate what’s available, and summer is when the options are most bountiful.

• Connect with your surroundings. If you have plants and greenery outside try to bring similar colors inside.
• A collection of wildflowers in a vase is inexpensive and blends seamlessly into summer décor.
• Try unique combinations of flowers you wouldn’t normally put together. There’s no better time to experiment with bright color combinations.
• Don’t limit yourself to flowers. Bring in other types of greenery such as ferns and other plants you might have in the garden. It creates a connection with all the greenery outside.