There is a saying that “you shouldn’t wear white after labor day” because most people associate white clothing with the summer time. Same goes with home decor. Most people do not use white, because it’s too easy to get dirty. But once people see it, they automatically associate it with spring and summer.
In the spring, the days are getting longer, and we can smile knowing that the shorter, colder days are behind us. Instead of using heavy drapes, switch to sheer curtains that bring in as much light as possible. This will bring in the warmth, but it will also help us feel happy and more awake.
In the United States, Memorial Day is on May 31st, and Independence Day is the 4th of July. So, as the weather warms up, it’s time to think about all of the patriotic holidays and the barbecue cookouts that go along with it. American flags will give everyone a sense that summer is finally here.
Plenty of people love to go to the beach in the summertime. So when we see nautical-themed home decor like sea glass, shells, boats, or strips, we automatically get a sense that it’s time to go to the beach. Unless you have a beach house, you might not want to go overboard with the nautical theme. However, a few touches here and there will go a long way for a seasonal reminder of saltier days.
Nowadays, there are amazing faux flowers that look very real. However, there is still something about real flowers that adds a “wow” factor to a room. In the spring and summer, affordable bouquets are more common in stores and the farmer’s market. It wouldn’t hurt to spend a few dollars during your next grocery run on a more fragrant touch.
Gold accessories are eye-catching, and can be beautiful when it’s done tastefully. When paired with white or pops of other spring colors, they can really give you a sense of warm weather. Consider buying a golden picture frame, pot, or desk accessories.
In the spring and summer, we no longer need heavy blankets to keep us warm at night. In fact, we may start to feel overheated if we keep our down comforters. By switching to a lighter blanket, like a quilt, it’s cooler for you, but it also gives your bedroom a crisp and light look. Choosing bright pops of color and fun patterns will also make a huge difference.
There is something about white and blue ceramics that really give you a sense of spring and summer. In China, these two colors were commonly used together, and the tradition was carried over in England for a very long time. There are modern-day versions sold in most stores, but you can probably find a good deal at your local Home Goods. Best of all, you can probably find white and blue plates, cups, and bowls in your local thrift or antique shops. If you don’t want to risk your beautiful tableware, displaying them in the kitchen or dining areas add a pop of pattern and color.
Even if you do not have a green thumb, buying plants are essential for bringing in that warm-weather feeling. Target has an amazing selection of faux plants, which is perfect for people people who prefer not to take care of real ones. Even so, succulents are very easy to take care of; they normally grow in the dessert and don’t need much maintenance. All they really need is water every 2 weeks, and of course lots of sunlight to keep them happy and alive!
Not everyone has the luxury of having a sunroom in the warm months, but maybe you have a back porch or a garden area that you can make into an extension of your home. This may come in the form of a simple table and chairs, or a full-on set with a grill and outdoor kitchen area.
If you want to spend more time outdoors, you may want to consider investing in new lawn furniture. It doesn’t have to be an expensive set. You may just want the ability to sit outside. If you already have lawn furniture, but it’s looking a bit drab, try a DIY facelift to give it new life! Once you have that outdoor space set more to your taste, you can enjoy the season to the fullest extent.
Even if you do not want to fill your entire home with nautical items, a good choice is a bowl full of sea shells. A lot of stores, like Home Goods, will sell a bag full of scented shells – so it doubles as a sort of potpourri, plus a decor item.
Autumn is for textbooks, and learning new things. Winter is for cuddling up by the fire and reading lengthy novels while the snow falls. But by the time spring and summer roll around, most people are eager to get up and go. By having magazines or easy “beach reads” on your coffee tables, it will encourage you to only read short articles (like this one!) before it’s time to go outside.
Macrame was popular back in the 1960’s, but there has been a resurgence in its popularity in recent years in beachy bohemian homes. These can be expensive to buy, but they are actually easy to make, because it is essentially making knots with yarn. If you want to try making your own macrame art, check out some YouTube tutorials. It’s even a fun activity you can take with you outside!
In the winter time, you may have a thick down comforter to help keep you warm at night. When the weather gets warm, consider swapping out your bedding for something more seasonally appropriate. Spring is time to experiment with bright, happy colors, and multiple layers that you can switch out depending on the weather.
In a bohemian style home, there is usually a lot of wicker and rattan furniture. When people see this, they automatically think about summer, because wicker is traditionally used in outdoor furniture. But there are plenty of pieces that are meant to be kept strictly indoors, and they can truly bring a beachy and airy vibe to your home.
In the spring, the weather can change dramatically, depending on the climate you live in. Maybe it’s extremely hot one day, and near-freezing the next. You may want to cuddle up with a blanket, but if it’s too thick, you could get overheated. This is why it may be a good idea to put your thick woolen blankets, and swap them out for some cotton throw blankets instead.
Drinking out of mason jars became a very hipster trend in the past few years, but it has been around for decades. Mason jars are cheap to buy in bulk, and they give off the vibe that you are at a country picnic. Nowadays, they even make mason jars with little handles to help you told the drink. You can even do fresh DIY decor with your extra jars. They’re handy to keep around.
Pink is not the only color that is associated with spring, but it truly is one of the best. This also brings in a touch of traditional femininity to your home. Consider finding pink throw blankets, faux flowers, and artwork. Think about traditional Easter colors, like yellow, robin’s egg blue, and green. Once you start finding these colors in home decor, you should be able to easily pull something together and make your space a pastel dream.
A great way to help your home feel warmer is to take inspiration from tropical and desert countries. In Bohemian style, they use a lot of style elements from Morocco. It’s warm all year long, and it has gorgeous design that will make you swoon. Maybe you would personally rather have Caribbean design, instead, and that’s great. Try to go after a summery look that you personally love.
There is nothing more romantic and magical than string lights outside on a warm night. Maybe there is some dancing, a cocktail or two, or even a bonfire that has the perfect backdrop and mood thanks to this easy addition! Thankfully, it’s very simple to get some string lights hanging in your backyard. It’s even better if you have a pergola, too.
Some people do not switch their shower curtain as often as they should. Not only is it more sanitary to get a new one every few months, but it can also be a great way to help change the theme of your bathroom to match the season. You may want a plain white shower curtain, but most stores like Walmart and Target will swap out seasonal themed images, too. (Don’t forget to swap out your liner regularly, too. Blech!)
We all know at least one person that keeps their Christmas tree up far too long after the holiday is over. And some people go one step further and keep around winter or holiday decor all year long. If this describes you, it may be time to put those decorations in the attic. These will automatically make you think of the holiday season, rather than warm weather.
Scent is one of the strongest senses tied to human emotion. The smell of baked goods can automatically bring us back to Christmas time, for example. So try to think about the scents that you associate with spring and summer. Maybe it’s flowers, clean cotton, or the ocean. If these aren’t your style, try some herbal or citrus scents for a clean and garden like feel. Check out Bath and Body Works for pretty much any scent you could ever want.
When you go on vacation, rental homes are usually very sparse. They only have the essentials that you need to survive on a day-to-day basis, instead of filling a house with a lot of personal items or clutter. And there is a reason you feel so much more relaxed in this environment (other than no responsibilities) – a clutter free environment is fresh. If you want to make your home feel like a summer vacation rental, you should consider embracing minimalism, too. Stick to key statement pieces and more bare walls and floors.
During the winter months, everything is gray, and trees lose their leaves. But in the spring and summer, everything becomes green. Once you see a lot of nature through the windows, it is undeniable what season it truly is. Consider taking down your blinds or curtains, or at least opening them up during the day. On mild days, turn off your air conditioning and let nature cool you off.
In the winter, you might think about blue, brown, and black. But in the spring and summer, people think of bright colors like pink, teal, yellow, and green. If you want to make your rooms more appropriate for spring and summer, try to switch out your color scheme.
Dark wooden furniture usually goes along with the winter time, but light wood and bright colors go with spring and summer. If you are willing to try something new, why not paint your furniture a fun and crazy color? But before you start spraying down grandma’s heirlooms, maybe try a DIY project with a piece from the thrift store, first, in case you’re afraid if might not turn out right.
Different images help remind us of certain times of year. If you check out Marshall’s, Ross, or Home Goods, they always sell affordable artwork that changes with the seasons. Prices range from as low as $10 per piece, up to over $100, depending on what type of art you are looking for. Or get creative and make some prints of your own!
During Spring Break and Summer Vacation, people love to relax. So a key to making your home feel appropriate for the season is to make it as casual, inviting, and comfortable as possible. You want a beautiful home, but you don’t want to feel like you’re living in a museum.