Innovation

Winter months are all about cocooning inside and creating a cozy space away from the coldness of the outdoors. An enticing winter décor should exude warmth, softness and luxury, and invites you to snuggle up to watch a movie or read a book. As the summer kicks in, however, you will want to get out of your cocoon and make the most of those few, precious warm months. An easy way to do that is to update your décor to reflect the mood of the season. Here are a few tips to help you do so without breaking the bank – and without having to redecorate all over again once the leaves start falling!

Kick the Winter Away

The first step in your de-wintering fest is to de-clutter your space and store everything that may remind you of the cold season. Dried flowers, logs, dark and heavy drape and throws are all elements that should be removed from your décor and stored until the temperature drops under 0! You may also want to remove area rugs from all common areas to protect them from the summer dirt brought in as you spend your days walking in and out of the house. Bare floors not only send a lighter vibe to your space, they are also cooler to the feet. Hurry up – roll up those rugs!

Changing your décor according to the season is not only about adding or removing a couple throws and candles – it’s also about adapting your space according to the way you live at different times of the year. In the summer, you may spend more time outside, watch less television, and entertain more. Why not take your de-wintering adventure one step further and move your furniture around to reflect your summery lifestyle? If all sofas and chairs face the television during the DVD-watching winter months, you may want to rearrange them to make your living room more inviting for your guests.

Bring the Summer in

Now that all winter reminders have been removed from your space, it’s time to bring the summer in. If your walls are screaming for a fresh coat of paint, start by treating them with a shade that reflects light and makes your room appear bigger. Do not be afraid of whites and light colours - they can also be the backdrop of a cozy winter décor when complemented with accessories and drapes in deeper colours.

A great way to prepare your house for the summer season is to change your window treatment. What you want at this time of year is to prevent overheating and promote good ventilation. To keep the sun from turning your house into an oven during the hottest hours of the day, you should consider adding blinds or shutters to your windows. To let the breeze in – and add an airy vibe to your décor – you may want to complete the look with sheer, lightweight curtains.

Now that walls and windows have been given a summer splash, you may want to take your seasonal décor project to the next level and edit some of your existing pieces of furniture. Adding brightly coloured slipcovers and cushions over existing pieces is a good way to do that at a low cost. You can also replace warm and heavy bed covers with lighter versions, or simply change your tablemats for more colourful ones.

Accessories are all you need to complete the transition. Fresh flowers and colourful vases in the living room and bedrooms, and a bowl of fresh fruits on the kitchen table are enough to add the final touch to your summer décor.