Change of Season Decor
As the temperature starts to rise here in Victoria we turn our attention to our outdoor spaces we also can pay some attention to preparing our indoor space for the summer weather. By this time of year we have brought out our sandals and put our boots away. It is the same with our living spaces. They also need to have a seasonal change for the warmer weather. So how do we do this?
A waterfall feature can be big or small and create a great relaxing atmosphere. Image: Pinterest
Well for starters, how about lifting some of the area carpets off the floors. Exposing the wood or other flooring is an instant way to increase the feeling of light in the space. Just having the furniture on the exposed floor will allow the light to circulate the room instead of grounding the space. This will lighten the feel of the whole room, which is the goal in the summer months. It is also really easy to keep clean with a quick sweep or vacuum. Also, removing the curtains in the rooms or changing the heavy curtains for light sheers will keep that light bouncing around the room. Now the “envelope” of your room has been changed for the summer months. Storing these items properly will be key to the ease of re-installation in the Fall. You can hang the curtains on hangers to decrease any wrinkling and carpets can be rolled or folded. This would also be a good time to have these items cleaned professionally.
LIGHTER FABRICS
If you have particularly dark or heavy looking furniture (such as velvet) you could also have some slipcovers made in a light twill fabric. Slipcovers are best if they are custom made though, as it is hard to get a good fit otherwise. Slipcovers are an investment-it costs about as much to have a slipcover made as it does to reupholster a piece. But it will give you another look and you may like your furniture longer as you will not be looking at the same sofa etc. day after day.
NEW TEXTILES
Another way to lighten the space is to change out cushions. In the winter months we want cuddly, soft, warm cushions to invite us to cozy down in the sofa but in the summer, linen or cottons in light colours will add to the lightness of the season. Replacing heavy throws with a light Turkish throw will also enhance the mood.
CHANGE OUT DECOR
Now if you have heavy accessories such as pottery or concrete, replace them with light catching glass or white ironstone. Shells or beach rocks on rustic basket type bowls is a great way to bring summer into your space. Bring some greenery into the rooms-fresh flowers are an ideal way to do this. You don’t have to spend a lot on flowers-you can go out back to your garden and pick a few blooms and make a posy for your powder room or put a bunch or rhododendrons in a glass bowl on the coffee table. Beautiful!!
DECLUTTER
And finally, really de-clutter your space. Go through your bookshelves and remove some of your decorative items. In summer, less is more as far as accessories go. You want the light to have many places to land instead of being stopped in its tracks by cluttered bookshelves. You can bring these items back in the Fall when we want to warm up our spaces in time for cuddly nights in front of the fire.
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