10 Ways to summerize your home

1.Eliminate excess. Pack away many of your nicknacks. Clear away anything that feels cluttered or “hot.” Favor simplicity and lightness. Consider taking down some of your pictures for the season. It will be fun putting them back up for the winter months.

2.Remove dark colored pillows from the bed and sofa and pack them away for now. Or if you prefer, replace them with cool colors or cover them with slipcovers.

3.Take the “fire” out of your house. Pack away the candles for use next season. Consider putting away everything on the hearth for an open, light feeling.

4.Roll up any area rugs or throw rugs that you can live without to open up and lighten the room.

5.Pack away your winter comforters and replace them with lighter weight comforters in cooler colors.

6.If you have an excessive number of plants, take them outside for the season to open up your spaces and cool them off. You don’t want your house to feel like a tropical jungle.

7.Take a look at your curtains and drapes. Do they feel too warm and heavy? Consider taking them down and leaving the windows bare. If that’s too shocking for you, put up some lace curtains, sheers, or other lighter material.

8.Wash your windows or have them washed. Bye bye grime and grit, hello clean. There’s something quite pleasing about sparkling windows on a sunny day.

9.Consider giving your house a face lift with new interior paint. Paint is relatively inexpensive and can dramatically improve the look of a room. Home decorating trends favor using color instead of the conventional off-white.

10.Determine where you will store the off-season items you have taken down. You can store them in containers under beds, in available cabinets and closets, or in an off-season storage area in your basement. Large trunk-style plastic containers with lids work well. Label them with the contents (e.g., Winter accessories). If you use clear containers, you can even see what’s inside.

This uncluttered summer look will be easier to keep clean. I think you’ll find that summerizing will put a bounce in your step. And when the winter rolls around again, you’ll enjoy warming up your home with the accessories you packed away for the summer.

From Cheryl Miller.