Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to bring some of that summer sunshine and light inside too. I love to make a home feel summery so even when you’re inside it feels like you’re still outside!

You don’t have to break the bank to add a touch of summer to your home decor. Keep it affordable and easy just like pitcher of ice cold lemonade!

Let’s get started.

16 Affordable Home Decor Ideas

1.

Don’t forget to take down any past seasonal decor, lighting, wreathes or garlands in the entry! Make way for something fresh and summery instead.

2.

Let’s start with the interior entryway or mudroom.  How about a fresh coat of white paint on those cubbies?

Paint the inside of the cubby a darker color to add interest and keep it looking smart.

Change that seasonal wreath to something green or white and decorate with faux lemons or seashells if you live next to the coast!

Small trees in pots can also bring the outdoors in.

3.

Change out dark color pillows or pillow covers to something light and fresh. From your front porch to family room, put away those dark colored pillows and replace them with lighter colors and fabrics. Invest in some new pillow covers for a really easy affordable update. Dunelm, Pottery Barn and West Elm are good places to start browsing.

4.

Roll up those dark oriental or patterned area rugs and keep floors bare. Flooring not pretty? Just replace rugs with a lighter sisal or natural woven rug. Look for these on Overstock.com, Wayfair and Dunelm.

5.

Replace accessories throughout your home with lighter versions.

Dark heavy candlesticks could be replaced by glass candlesticks, vases or containers filled with shells or botanicals. It’s so easy to find tall glass canisters online or in your local superstore.

6.

Take down your heavy drapes and valances you use to keep out the winter cold. Let all the light in by replacing them with a lighter neutral color drape for the summer. Bamboo blinds give a cool boho vibe. Of course if you have a sheer curtain or blind behind your drapes, just leave those up for the summer.

7.

Got any artificial florals or plants dotted around the house? Give them a good shake or dusting. Take them outside and use a feather duster or paintbrush to dust off delicate stems and leaves. Or try your vacuum’s upholstery brush to gently hoover up any dust from branches and pots.

Swap out and replace those seasonal florals with easy to care for live house plants such as ferns and orchids.  If you’re not confident about your house plant skills, why not try one of these fabulous fakes?

8.

Rethink your bookcases and shelving. How can you lighten up the look? Start by just editing what’s on your shelves.

What can you take out that doesn’t work with our summer theme? Make room to tuck in a few botanical prints or florals in glass jars, anything that you may pick up on a walk for example. Have fun rearranging your shelves, you’d be surprised what a difference it will make.

9.

How about editing what’s on your kitchen countertops? Can you tuck away any appliances you don’t use very often during the summer? Is there room for a farmhouse clock like this one on the wall? Large accents carry a much bigger punch than a lot of small ones.

10.

Want a super quick and easy fix for your kitchen? Just swap out your cabinet hardware for something lighter and brighter like rose gold or satin brass.

11.

Bring out the summer dishes, your white plates and bowls, mugs and clear glasses. Mix in blue dishware with your white for that traditional sea or lakeside vibe.

12.

Take some time to reconsider if your kitchen wall and cabinet color still works for you. How does it feel in the summer time? Do you still love the color you picked or would a softer more organic shade be the ticket? Summer is a great time to schedule a renovation project. Open the windows and let fresh air in and the paint dry!

What can you do in 30 days to make a big difference to how your kitchen works for you?

13.

Let’s look in the bedrooms. One of the quickest fixes you can make is to replace your dark winter bedding and duvet covers with a light quilt or duvet cover. While you’re at it, updating your shams and pillows will lighten the room too. There’s nothing more inviting than a crisp white matelasse quilt or cover tucked around a bed. Here’s some ideas for making up the perfect bed.

14.

You didn’t think I’d forget the bathrooms did you? Swapping out towels and accessories in bathrooms can really create that summery vibe. Easy peasy. Just replace your bath towels with white or neutral ones.

Once again swap out any accessories that may have worked with your darker towels and mats with light summer inspired ones. Think shells, lemons, even blue and white to evoke a nautical coastal mood!

15.

If you have a fireplace, what better focal point to focus your summer inspired decor? Clear off the mantel and add some beachy or country finds like driftwood, shells, even lichen covered branches.

Add tall glass apothecary jars partially filled with lemons, shells, interesting stones or whatever strikes your fancy. For the fireplace opening find something unique like a painted firescreen, large live fern or antique mirror to hide the empty firebox.

16.

Thinking about painting a room and wondering what color would work? Now’s the time to take a good look at your paint colors and consider lightening up rooms that feel too dark.

Although we love a dramatic grey or navy blue, these dark colors do soak up light and they need lots of white around them to feel fresh. Summer is the perfect time to paint. Just open the windows, get your brushes out and roll up your sleeves. Paint is such an affordable way to transform a room!

Have fun decorating your home with summer colors and a sunny vibe. If you have any questions, just pop me a note!