Summer Decor Secrets: How to Refresh your Home like a Pro
I am a little late to the party with my spring décor this year. With longer days and sunny skies, the summer season is the perfect time to bring a light and airy feel to your home. It is also a great time to clear out the clutter and simplify your space so you can enjoy the long summer days. Today I thought I would share how I have refreshed the interiors of my current den and entry for summer, and share some snippets from my two former homes. Let’s chat about Summer Decor Secrets: How to Refresh your Home like a Pro.
Summer Decor Secrets: How to Refresh your Home like a Pro
Embrace Light and Airy Textiles to Refresh Your Home for Summer
Bring on the summer vibes, and swap out your heavy fabrics. Opt for lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen in your throw pillows, cushions and throws. I like to use natural textures to add depth and character to my rooms. You could roll up your rug and store it, which is what we have done with our seagrass (Scout likes to munch on them).
Here in my den I stored my winter throws and pillows and lightened up my decor. You can see what my winter den looked like here in my post How to Create a Globally Inspired Den. I also clipped some fresh privet and placed it in a pot on my coffee table. Privet is abundant on our property and easy to clip.
Bring in Natural Elements to Refresh your Home for Summer
I like to reflect the beauty and serenity that nature brings in my summer home decór. Let in the natural light. Add natural seasonal accessories from the ocean such as driftwood, seashells, and coral. Airy baskets. wicker lanterns, and other natural materials. You can find vintage coral on Etsy here, and Pottery Barn has some great faux specimens here.
In my little corner cupboard in my den I added some vintage coral and shells, a hide box and my white straw hat to lighten it up.
It is really hard to photograph the hanging cupboard above the bench in my entry. That is why you never see it. For a more summer feel I added coral and shells to the baskets on the shelves, and hung a vintage shell belt, white stone beads and my gigi pip wren hat on the hooks. I swapped out the darker pillows for lighter ones from my collection
This was my spring/summer look in our fixer upper. You can read about my seasonal decor in that home in my post Fixer Upper Living Room Before and After.
Summer Decor Secrets: How to Refresh your Home like a Pro
Rearrange your Furniture to Refresh your Home for Summer
Another option is to rearrange your furniture to create open airy spaces. I have to be honest I never rearrange my furniture unless I buy something new (which is rare). I tend to keep my arrangements open year round.
Incorporate Seasonal Scents for Summer
Use candles, diffusers, and air fresheners with summer scents for ambiance. Incorporate fragrances like citrus, lavender, and ocean breeze. I am a big fan of the votivo line of candles. Their new scent Pulp and Peel is lovely for this time of year as well as my favorite red currant, clean crisp white, white tea and bergamot or bamboo leaf.
My coffee table from my Chualar home decked out in a spring/summer color palette with pears, sunflowers and a lovely candle that was a gift from my friend Kim from Northern California Style.
The coffee table in our former family room with daffodils and lillies.
Summer Decor Secrets: How to Refresh your Home like a Pro
Bring the Outdoors In for a Summer Refresh
Let the warm breeze in and add pretty summer flowers such as peonies, hydrangeas, and whatever is blooming in your yard. Don’t be afraid to use good “faux flowers” as a foil. These faux delphinium I have had for years.
I always loved the twig console and rattan chairs decked out for summer in our fixer upper.
Shop Summer Decor
If you want to create a fresh environment in your for summer, try embracing lighter textiles, adding some natural elements and bringing the outside in. Incorporate some seasonal scents for added ambiance. I hope you enjoyed reading Summer Decor Secrets: How to Refresh your Home like a Pro. Please share your summer decor tips in the comments section. We would love to hear them.
Hey, thanks for the postThanks Again Much obliged
Hi Cindy,
These are all great tips, and your home is always so beautiful! I enjoy changing things out for the different seasons, it takes some time and effort, but worth it to me. I like the change and freshening things up. Plus it gives me a different appreciation for all the STUFF I’ve accumulated over the years. I always have fresh flowers and lots of houseplants which keep things interesting around here with the curious cats!
I’m getting ready for my summer refresh, maybe next week. The weather has been so unpredictable I dare not store the warmer throws yet.
Enjoy your weekend!
Heidi
Hi Heidi
I agree. It forces me to change out and enjoy some of my other accessories. You are so right about the weather. Last night we tried out a new restaurant outside and nearly froze our tootsies off!
Cindy! I love all the changes for summer! Your pillows are all gorgeous! And the coral and summer hat in the hanging cupboard… so lovely! Pulp and peel… I need to check that scent out. Citrus is always my favorite!
Great ideas, Cindy! I’ve been doing this too since we got home from traveling. Feels nice to be ready for Summer.
Lovely styling, Cindy.
Confession time!
I never change anything seasonally, simply because having downsized, we have no room to store throws, ornaments and pillows/covers. Our windowseats and wicker chests have the grandson’s toys inside and the type of toy has been growing with him. He’s now six and so we have boxes of Lego and Brio stored where he can get to them.
Also, when we downsized, I insisted on a library wall in one room, an antique bookcase in another, a smaller antique bookcase in a third and bookshelves in the office.
I love a room of books. I notice few stylists seem to count books as possible decorative items. When I visit people who have tables and shelves loaded with the most wonderful books, it’s the first thing I look at. Don’t you think you can tell a lot about folk by the types of books they collect and display?
Cindy, love all the touches. Would you kindly share the source of the light blue pillows on your sofa? In Chicago, helping my son move to a new apartment and those would look fabulous on his sectional. Thank you!
Your light snd airy touches are so refreshing! You’ve inspired me to change some things around and search for similar items I have on hand. No privet, though! I know too many people who are allergic or sensitive to it.
Hi Mary
That is interesting about privet. It is also poisonous to dogs and we have it everywhere!
Can you give a source for the beautiful couches in the sitting area. They are very handsome! Thank you
Rhea Condra
Hi Rhea
Those sofas were custom made by my upholsterer who is now retired. The fabri is Perennials. Both Serena and Lily and Williams Sonoma Home now have nearly identical sofas sans the nails (which you could order and do yourself by the way). Here is the link to the Serena and Lily https://rstyle.me/+QJX_3ix-1Fp0PqvkXX3qbw. My fabric is perennials beach. This sofa can also be ordered with a bench seat which I highly recommend. More people will sit on a sofa that is not divided.
Here is the link to the williams sonoma version https://rstyle.me/+s9a11dd1dN800hGJ2n9nXA
Thank you so much Cindy. You are so generous and thoughtful with your response. And thanks for adding all of the links. I admire your home and your garden. You have exquisite taste. I am a long time reader and first time poster .All best wishes to you .
Rhea
Thank you for your stunning photos! We are having the interior of our house repainted. Thus removing all the decor. I may go from maximalist to minimalist. But, I love visual candy. A house without art is not a home.
Hi Ann
Could not agree more about art!!!
Good morning, I always look forward to your updates! By chance do you have a source/link to the Horse picture/frame over your sofa? I live in Princeton, and my parents were born and raised in Berlin, so this would be perfect in my home!
Hi Ann Marie
It is antique. We purchased it in Maine probably in the early 90’s from a dealer in Paris, Maine.
Hi Ann Marie
I think I sent this via email if not. The sign is antique purchased in Paris, Maine in the early 90’s.