Your Summer Home - Simple Things To Make It Shine

It is natural to want to "summerize" your home when the weather gets warm; similar to wanting to "winterize" your home when cold, wet weather is on the way. In winter you think of conserving heat while in summer you think of cooling, light, air and color.

To change your home for summer a fresh coat of colorful paint will do wonders. Change winter's darker colors for light and fresh colors that speak of fun in the sun. Accent pillows are a fast and affordable way to change the colors in your home; or change an area rug and you won't believe the difference this can make. (I keep a black background area rug for under the diningroom table for winter at my home and change it in the spring for a fresh light beige background one. Wow, what a difference this exchange makes.)

Add some glass accessories that light can go through, plus add light colored candles and flowers which will add whimsey and color. Bring in some fresh green plants and place them on tables near windows to help bring in the outside views. Take down heavy winter draperies and add light weight curtains or sheer draperies to your windows, sheers are wonderful this time of year all by themselves. Open the windows and the curtain's soft movement at the window is just lovely.

Small touches like putting on a new tablecloth, rearranging your furniture and opening the shades more often adds a great deal of light and makes your rooms more inviting. Putting a slipcover on your sofa or chairs with fresh summer colors will be a welcome addition. Clean out your fireplace and fill it with candles or flowers. Bring accents of summer to your decor by adding seashells, glass balls, dragonflies and birds to your tables. Change your bedding to a lighter weight and use lighter color fabrics.

Lastly a cleanup of your patio area and front entrance; add some blooming pots, a fresh umbrella and chair pads. These changes will bring your home a welcome additional "outside room" that can be enjoyed all summer by everyone in your family. Make sure that you can B-B-Q and dine there sometimes too. Summer-time, "when the liv'in is easy"!