Today I’m joining my blogger friends to share a few easy ideas to lighten up your home for summer and refresh your decor.
Next week brings the first official day of summer.
But we all know summer began Memorial Day weekend.
Here in California someone forgot to notify the sun.
But that won’t deter us from embracing the season.
It’s time to lighten up for summer.
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Today I’m joining four friends to share easy ideas to lighten up your home for summer.
And refresh your decor.
You’ll find everyone’s links at the end of the post.
You know I’m a minimal effort gal when it comes to seasonal decorating.
Less is more is my mantra.
Here’s how I lightened up Snowberry for the summer season …
A WELCOMING ENTRY SETS THE SEASONAL TONE
If you make only one change for the season, freshen up your front entry.
- A summery door mat.
- A new wreath.
- Colorful annuals in pots around the front door.
I did something different this year and removed our front door wreath. It’s amazing how much light streams in through the glass panels and open door.
BRING NATURE INDOORS
Lighten and brighten with colorful natural elements like flowers, plants, branches and seasonal fruits and veg.
I’m trying my luck with a maidenhair fern … again. I love them, but they don’t love me back.
Pick flowers and branches from your garden, or buy them at the grocery store and farmers market.
PILLOWS, TRAYS & THROWS
My decorating trifecta of pillows, trays and throws are the first place I look to add a touch of seasonal flair. I bought this square, woven tray for the great room coffee table. I love it’s loose weave and texture … perfect for summer.
Put away heavy winter throws in favor of light-weight, light colored throws. My ivory ‘house throws’ are out in full force. And I recently found a pretty coral one at Home Goods for a touch of cheer on the sofa. Reluctantly I put away the cozy faux fur throws that protected our sofa cushions all winter … from dogs, cats, spills … and husbands. When I say reluctantly, it’s still a little chilly here and did I mention how cozy they are? The sofa cushions still need protection and these light-weight, ivory matalisee coverlets are my go-tos for summer. I use two, twin size to cover both sides of the sectional. (The cushions are uncovered, for a brief moment, for these photos.)
Speaking of throws, table throws are a nice alternative to table clothes during the warm weather months. For indoors and out. Smaller than a tablecloth, they let a bit of table peek through. I bought an embroidered, floral table throw a couple of months ago that will carry me through summer. It’s sold out, but this is a pretty, embroidered option. I also like the look of a solid linen table throw in a summery light or neutral color.
As for pillows, I don’t generally change them seasonally. I might add something new, like these velvet lumbar pillows from Misto Lino Home, but my base pillows stay the same year round.
I added these woven, round outdoor pillows from Pottery Barn to our back patio last week. Alongside my collection Serena & Lily outdoor pillows. Don’t forget to check out Serena & Lily’s tent sale for outdoor pillows and other summer accessories.
SUMMER BEDDING REFRESH
Summertime bring kids home from college, lots of friends and overnight guests so it’s the perfect time to freshen up bedding, especially in the guest room. I love our guest room’s Serena & Lily duvet cover, sheets and pillow cases. Serena & Lily’s tent sale is on and that means good deals on their beautiful, but not inexpensive, bedding. I love the border frame bedding collection. The Soho sateen set is beautiful too.
To create a real summer vacation style vibe, you can’t beat the charm of the Nantucket stripe bedding set or the Hyannis gingham linen set. Have you tried linen sheets? I haven’t but I’d like to … people swear by them.
On the not-as-pricey side of the aisle, Wirecutter declared L.L. Bean’s pima cotton percale sheet set the best in their 2023 sheet round up. And Target’s Threshold 400 thread count sheets as the best bargain set. I always choose white sheets, but both L.L. Bean and Target sets come in many pretty colors. This duvet cover and sham set remind me of the years old Ethan Allen set I have on my bed.
LIGHTEN & BRIGHTEN WITH MIRRORS
Add mirrors to lighten and brighten a room … and create the illusion of a larger space. Placed across from windows, they reflect light as well as whatever pretty plants are growing outside. I recently added this waterfall bone inlay floor mirror from Anthro to our bedroom. Tragically, it’s no longer available. But, wow … what a difference it’s made. Here are a few other floor mirrors I like ~
The same goes for outdoor spaces. Last year I bought Serena & Lily’s Capistrano indoor/outdoor mirror for our back patio sitting area. I’m not joking, it transformed the feel of the space. Not only does it break up a boring wall … but it reflects the garden on the other side of the patio. And at night it’s so pretty when the overhead string lights are on.
THOSE SUMMER NIGHTS … MAGICAL OUTDOOR LIGHTING
Last but not least, the easiest way to lighted up for summer is with … light! My favorite summer room is our back garden patio. Especially at night. Overhead string lights, a fire pit, lanterns, hurricanes and votives create layers of flattering, flickering light. It’s a magical place to hang out and entertain.
I’m not sure what we did before overhead string lights became a thing. I mean, they’re game changers. No matter what size your space, string lighting will transform it.
Different styles and sizes of lanterns, hurricanes and votives scattered about are the icing on the cake of a pretty, nighttime summer patio. I use a combination of real and flameless candles. I’ve already stocked up on tea lights and 1-1/4″ votives to get us through the summer. Flameless candles are so convenient (and safe). Most come with a remote (very nice as long as nobody misplaces it … I’m talking to you, Jim).
Side note, we protect our chaise lounge chairs too … with these terry cloth covers.
And now for the piece de resistance … my friend the Contessa shared these pretty, solar sparkler lights on her blog last month. Last weekend we finally got them out of their boxes and … magic! Use along a path, or place in pots like the Contessa did. You can find them here.
Solar Powered Path Sparkle Lighting
So there you have it.
A few easy ways I’m lighting up my home for summer.
Now let’s see how my talented friends are welcoming the summers season.
As always, I appreciate your visit and welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheers from Snowberry!
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