15 Summer Decorating Ideas

Summer decorating is a wonderful time to lighten up the colors and fabrics in your home. While you may not be able to decorate every room, there are numerous ways to add summer flair. You can decorate with a summer theme such as fruit (apples, strawberries, grapes), flowers (roses, carnations, daisies), or seaside nautical in addition to following some of the ideas listed below.

1. Replace heavy drapery with light sheers. The sheers provide an airy appeal while letting in the sunshine. If removing your existing drapery is not an option, consider changing just the valance and tiebacks to a lighter color. Another option is to use grapevine wreaths, strands of beads, artificial flowers, or decorative ribbons as your tiebacks or swag holders.

2. Store away items that are not useful in the summer such as blankets, throws, and heavy quilts.

3. Lighten up the color of your sofa by placing a slipcover on it or replacing your dark colored pillows with lighter colors.

4. Place light colored slipcovers on your all-wood dining room or kitchen chairs.

5. To add a lighter summer touch to your dark wood tables, use white lace or doilies as runners or tablecloths.

6. If you have a heavy bedspread, considering replacing it with a lightweight linen blanket.

7. Bring in the outdoors by adding fresh flowers in vases or baskets to counters, tabletops, and nightstands.

8. Add summer accessories around your home such as birdhouses, sea shells, bowls of fruits or vegetables, and summer reading materials.

9. If you have dark lampshades, replace them with lighter ones.

10. Repaint a dark hallway in your favorite hue such as buttery yellow, a creamy tan, or a fresh apple green.

11. Display a grouping of floral plates on a wall, hutch, or fireplace mantle.

12. Clean out the ashes in your fireplace and fill the firebox with a large artificial fern or a basket of colorful flowers.

13. Place twigs in tall vases and set on each side of the fireplace mantle.

14. To add summer whimsy to your bathrooms, hang lightweight fabric shower curtains printed with ladybugs, bees, flowers, or palm trees. Display matching hand towels and rugs to continue the summer theme.

15. Change the layout of your furniture to give your rooms a fresh, new look.

Decorating your home for the summer does not have to be complicated or cost a lot of money. As you can see from the ideas listed above, a new lamp shade, adding new fabrics, or changing the paint color of a room can breathe new life into your interior design. So, have fun and use your imagination to bring some fresh new looks into your home for the summer season.

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange and the Home & Garden Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, articles, decorating pictures, free projects, and a shopping marketplace. The Home & Garden Exchange website is a link exchange program and directory dedicated to the home and garden industry, as well as offering free website content and promotional ideas. Please visit both websites for all of your home, garden, and website needs.

http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

http://www.HomeGardenExchange.com

---

Digital Picture Frames: The Wave of The Future

What is a digital picture frame? Think of a digital... Read More

Mini Blinds: An Introduction

Mini-blinds have replaced the old-fashioned Venetian blinds as more convenient... Read More

A Guide to Vinyl Shutters

Most people would agree that wood shutters are beautiful. They... Read More

Buying a Bakers Rack

Bakers racks are a perfect enhancement to any kitchen, whether... Read More

Tiffany Lamps - The Artistry of Dale Tiffany

The art and craftsmanship of the original designs are evident... Read More

A Guide to Bathroom Remodeling

There is a reason why many Hollywood actors keep their... Read More

You Know Your Home Décor is Frumpy and Stale when?.

As a decorator, I have gone into many different homes... Read More

Country Decorating Ideas - Create Warmth and Charm with Country Style Decorating Ideas

Country decorating ideas can help you create a home that... Read More

The Benefits of Hanging Wine Racks

Hanging wine racks help to neatly store wine in tight... Read More

Bakers Wine Racks: Sophisticated Style

Nothing sends a message of sophistication and style quite the... Read More

Types of Home Air Purifiers

Room Air Purifiers Room air purifiers replaced tabletop units in... Read More

Is It Time To Move? Change Your Home Into A House... Have It Staged!

Heart and Soul Designs - Changing your Home into a... Read More

Using Vintage Hankies To Decorate The Bedroom

Vintage hankies can make interesting wall décor! These treasures of... Read More

Vintage Hearth Accessories Heat Up Your Fireplace

Curling up near a cozy fire is a wonderful winter... Read More

Decorative Wall Painting Techniques

Do your walls seem dull and uninviting? Do you long... Read More

Decorating A Childs Room

Decorating your child's room should be fun and exciting for... Read More

Beds In A Bag Make You An Instant Designing Pro!

If you feel bedroom-designing challenged like I am, then bed... Read More

The Benefits of Wood Cook Stoves

Wood cook stoves have been used for hundreds of years.... Read More

Pendant Lighting Layout - How To

Pendant lighting has gained a great deal of popularity for... Read More

Let Your Wall Art Define You

Wall art can be defined by family portraits or historical... Read More

Keep Things In Order With A Written Home Decorating Plan

Begin your written plan by choosing one room to start... Read More

Discount Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans sell at a wide range of prices. They... Read More

Protecting Your Down Comforter

A down comforter is a luxury item that can be... Read More

The Benefits of Vertical Wood Blinds

Wood vertical blinds, a style of wood blinds falling vertically... Read More

The Value of Antique Wood Stoves

Antique wood stoves provide decoration and can still be used... Read More

Buying Down Alternative Comforters

When the frigid winds of winter arrive, many people turn... Read More

Learn Some Feng Shui Guidelines For Your Childrens Room

Feng shui indicates some specific guidelines regarding children's spaces and... Read More

Finding a Color Scheme - Decorating with What you Have

If you feel helpless when it comes to picking and... Read More

A Guide to Wood Stove Inserts

A wood stove insert serves several purposes. First of all,... Read More

Are Candles Safe?

I love candles! I have candles of all shapes, sizes... Read More

The Hunt for Vintage Kitchen Sinks

Want to relive the excitement of California's gold rush of... Read More

Decorating with Authentic Zebra Decor

We all take a certain pride in the interior of... Read More

How to Make Roman Shades

Roman shades are a simple and elegant window treatment to... Read More