How to Brighten Your Home for Summer

Breezy, sunny, bright, and light are all words we associate with summer. It's a time to put away the dark colors of winter and unclutter your home to make it bright for summer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Unclutter your home with the reminders of winter. Put away the boot tray, mitten/scarf box, and the heavy throw you wrapped in during the winter months. Replace your heavy throws with light chenille or cotton throws. You can pick them up at the Christmas Tree Shop (if you are in New England) or other inexpensive decorating places.
2. Recover pillows with light colors of summer. Tans, creams, pale blues, and light greens are all summer colors. Try checks and light plaids as well. Recovering pillows can be easy. Measure the pillow, add an inch all around, cut out two squares, pin right sides together and sew three sides about 1/4 inch in. On the fourth side, sew in just a little so you have an opening to put the pillow in. Turn right side out, put in the pillow and sew the hole. Use inexpensive cloth from discount stores. In the fall, just open the hole and pop out the pillow.
3. Can't sew or don't have the time to sew? Just pick up a few light colored pillows and mix them with your others.
4. Think summer with beach ideas. Put away some of your heavy decorations and go sparse and light. Put out some shells and light colored vases or jars. The idea is to simplify for summer. Keep everything light and bright.
5. Flowers, flowers, and more flowers. If you don't have a garden, buy a small bouquet at the supermarket. Separate the flowers into 1 or 3 (always use odd numbers, more appealing to the eye) and add twigs to the combo. Put in a vase, and voila, you have a nice summer arrangement. Put vases throughout the house.
6. Open the drapes and pull them aside. Consider sheers and 2" faux blinds for a light airy look. If you have to pull the drapes because of the air conditioner, consider lighter drapes.
7. If you're really ambitious, paint the walls a light color. A soft green is great with a bright couch. Consider a cover for the couch for the summer months.
8. In the bathroom, hang up light towels. In the bedroom, ditch the comforter for a soft chenille bedspread. In the kitchen, use a bright tablecloth and a vase with flowers, or a bowl with fruit.
9. On the front door, place a nice grapevine wreath with a few silk flowers. Add a few plants or perhaps a hanging plant. There are so many ideas to make your entrance inviting.
10. Finally, sit and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the lights of summer.

Tips & Warnings

• Think light, bright, tan, cream, white, soft blue and green, plaids, and checks.
• Look to the outdoors for ideas and bring the outdoors inside.
• Be creative. Have fun. Don't be afraid to put away some of the heavier decorations and opt for lighter items during the months of summer.