Invite summer in
15 decor ideas to cool down and freshen up your space for the season
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Sprucing up your space for the summer doesn't have to involve a hefty budget or a ton of your time. Sometimes the tiniest tweaks — such as swapping in lightweight throw pillows or incorporating breezy, organic textures — can make your home instantly feel more fresh and "of the season." Plus, when you subtly reinvent your space, it helps you fall in love with it all over again.
Not quite sure where to start? Follow these interior designer tips on how to make your home feel cool and fresh all summer long.
1 Bring in fresh greenery
"One of my favorite ways to welcome a new season is to update accessories and bring in fresh, seasonal greenery," notes interior designer Heather Fujikawa. "Because the kitchen is one of the most high-traffic areas in your home, sprucing up this space will really make a difference in your day-to-day life."
2 Incorporate summer scents
Visual changes can make a big impact, but don't neglect your other senses. Candles and diffusers in citrus, floral or beachy scents can create a sense of lightness versus the heaviness that accompanies sugary or woodsy notes.
3 Hang breezy drapery
Take down thick drapery and drop them off at the dry cleaner for a deep cleaning. In their place, hang breezy drapery "to enjoy the fresh air and movement when you open windows," says Ami McKay, president and principal designer of Pure Design. If you want to help keep heat out of the house, choose a lightweight but dense fabric that helps block out sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.
4 Put away heavy blankets
Heavy cable-knit throws and thick blankets feel cozy in autumn and winter, but they're likely unnecessary in the warmer months. Tuck them away through summer. And if you like the feeling of cuddling up with a blanket, then consider swapping in a lighter muslin or linen throw.
5 Ditch heavy rugs
A plush, heavy rug feels nice under bare feet in the middle of winter, but come summer, it takes away from that cool and fresh environment you're looking to create. Put that heavy rug in storage — and consider getting it professionally cleaned first — and swap in lightweight or flatweave rugs made from cotton or jute.
6 Add string lights to the yard
The perfect lighting is key to outdoor entertaining in the summer, and a lovely, soft glow from string lights will take your backyard to the next level. If you don't have a way to hang them, you can easily find portable stands that would do the trick.
7 Hang a hammock
Nothing says relaxed summer days like a hammock. Hang one in your backyard or porch — there are a ton of options for stands if you don't have suitable trees. If you have the space, you can even add a hammock indoors.
8 Display seasonal blooms
Showing off a bouquet of bright, seasonal flowers can be just what your home needs to look perked up and summery. Look to your local grocery stores for inexpensive blooms that you can arrange yourself.
9 Paint your front door
So this one may be a little more of a lift, but adding a pop of color to your front door can immediately make your home feel more summertime-ready.
10 Swap out your doormat
Speaking of your entryway and exterior, a new doormat is a great way to freshen your space up and add a more summertime-appropriate texture or color. Once fall starts back up, you can easily swap it back out.
11 Add a cute fan
Fans can be a bit of an eyesore, but finding a sleek, modern one can add a summery pop to your space while having a practical function.
12 Connect indoors, outdoors
Maximize your square footage by bringing the indoors outside. The key to making your patio or deck feel homey is to incorporate comfortable seating, cushions, rugs and lighting. Consider creating an intimate al fresco dining area that invites you to dine outside all season long.
13 Switch out throw pillows
If your sofa or bed has throw pillows that feel heavy or cold-weather adjacent, switch 'em out for covers that are bright and cheerful or light and airy. Stripes and linen both scream summer, as do shades of blue and white, for a beachy vibe.
14 Plant herbs
Start a little window herb garden. Not only does this add some greenery and more life to your space, but the lovely scents will also keep your home smelling summery and fresh.
15 Add some climbing plants
Climbing vines, especially those that flower, always feel especially warm-weather appropriate. Plant some in your backyard to liven up a fence or wall. Bonus: your garden will smell even more fragrant if you plant something like jasmine.
