Settling Into Summertime…

We’re halfway through 2019 and July is here, it’s time to settle into SUMMER! This is the perfect time to give yourself the push you need to change things up a bit with our home. Throw in some new pieces, rearrange the décor, and enjoy the new space you have created! Getting rid of clutter, donating anything that you are tired of and stripping down to basics is the best rule of thumb. Here are a couple of no-fuss ways to spruce up your home for summer. 

First things first: Start off by taking an inventory of the items in your home. Store away anything that makes you want to sip a pumpkin spice latte instead of a refreshing spritzer. This includes all of your winter decor that has a warmer and cozier feel. Remove any fuzzy pillows, bulky blankets, and heavy throws. 

Look through your house for some under-appreciated pieces you may have and figure out a new and fresh way to use them. Get simple and functional: We tend to gravitate towards fresh colored serve-ware for parties and BBQ’s in the summertime. Keeping a small collection of chic bowls stacked up and serve-ware on your counter. it will not only look beautiful, but serve a purpose. 

Bring out your favorite large glass pitchers and apothecary jars to fill up with fresh lemons, limes, or oranges! This looks crisp on your kitchen island or on any entryway table. It is a cost-effective and multi-purpose way to bring some color into your home for summer. 

Let’s bring the outdoors – IN: Summertime means greenery and beautiful blooms. PLANTS! Incorporating plants: flowers, succulents, etc in a space brings natural materials/colors into your home and even creates a healthier environment. If keeping plants alive isn’t in the cards for you, don’t worry because succulents are practically a fail proof plant!  We all have multiple cake domes, stands, and trays sitting in a hall closet gathering dust. One way to get summer use out of them is to pick a few small potted succulents and simply place them on a tray with a glass or net dome over.

The very obvious way of bringing the outdoors in is with summertime floral arrangements. Snap photos on your smartphone of all the vases you own. This way, when you go to the store to pick up fresh flowers, you know what to look for in terms of height and width. Hydrangeas work wonderful in a short vase while statement flowers such as sunflowers or peonies, work best in a bottleneck vase. Bud vases are great for fresh nightstand decor (tip: you only need one daffodil or tulip to pack a punch!). Clear away all the clutter on your nightstands and replace with a bud vase or two!

Style a Summer Mantel: Throughout the year, mantels tend to become a spot for pure chaos and clutter. Let’s start by removing everything on the mantel and pushing the restart button for summer – and remember, less is more here. Summer should create a laid back vibe in your home. Keep it simple by replacing bulky objects with elements that look and feel like summer, such as a large orchid plant. Play with height here and create an asymmetrical look. Adding two great boxed metallic lanterns on either side of the mantel in different heights will help you achieve this look, while looking bright for summer! 

Replace Bulky Window Treatments: A simple and effective way of changing your home up for summer is by swapping out heavy window treatments. This one task can change the look of an entire room! Sheer curtains are very inexpensive and can help you achieve an easy, breezy summer light. Sheer curtains allow for the natural light from your windows to shine through your home. White linen curtains allow for the space to look much less formal for summertime entertaining.

Lighten up your Pillows: Decorative pillows can set the theme for any living area. Replace wintery pillows with light, neutral colored pillows. This is the time to use any linen pillows for an updated look! If you’re going for a beach theme, this is the time to bring out your shell-colored pillows for summer. Remember, the key trends for Summer are natural materials!

July is the perfect month to make an impact on your summer vibe, because before you know it, the windy city will be bringing in some chilly Lake Michigan air. So let’s enjoy it while it’s here. Give us a shout for any summertime designs or renovations at (312) 274-2299 | info@habitardesign.com