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Frugal Summer Decorating
by Nikki Willhite
www.allthingsfrugal.com
Sometimes the things we surround ourselves with in winter to
keep us warm and cozy can seem oppressive when the summer months come. If your
home is feeling a little like that, here are some ideas to lighten things up,
and make your home more pleasant for the hot summer months.
*Move and store decorative items that are not useful in the
summer, such as quilts and blankets.
*Take down heavy drapes, unless you need them for climate
control. Leave your windows bare, or cover them with a light sheer.
*Remove as many dark colored items as you can. Roll up and put
away area rugs, dark pillows, pictures, and other heavy accessories. Take off
heavy bedspreads. If you have dark lampshades, replace them with inexpensive
light ones.
*If you have wood floors, leave them bare.
*Clean out your fireplace, and fill it with flowers and large
candles. If you are very creative, you can make a hinged wooden screen to place
in front of it.
*De-clutter to lighten up the feel of your room. If your walls
seem oppressive, think about painting them a light color. For a guide on
painting to enhance your home and taking advantage of your home's orientation to
the sun,
see
Light Orientation and Interior Design
If you have dark paneling in your home, now might be the time to
think about painting it. Unless it is good quality paneling, it will look much
better painted. You will get a wonderful cottage feel, and it will lighten up
your whole space.
*Rearrange your furniture. In the winter it is nice to draw the
furniture up close to the fireplace for a snug look. Think about moving it back
against the walls during the summer. Chances are there will be a lot more laying
on the floor with your kids and their friends. Make more room and create a more
relaxed look.
Again, here is an article from the website on rearranging your
furniture;
see
Rearranging Your Furniture
*Add some accessories to remind you of the summer season.
Surround yourself with birdhouses, flowers in clay pots, and spring fabrics in
things like pot holders and place mats.
*Bring in flowers and foliage. Grow some herbs in small pots
placed on windowsills where you have light.
*Lay a few magazines with colorful, spring pictures out on your
coffee table.
*Bring out pictures from vacations and display them.
*If you are planning a trip to the beach, collect pretty stones
or seashells and bring them home and use as decorations. If safety is an issue,
consider buying an inexpensive clear based lamp, and filling it up with these
vacation treasures.
*Set up some tents in the backyard, and let the kids feel like
they are vacationing at home.
*Bring out the books that have stories of kids having fun and
read to your children.
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