Frugal Summer Decorating
by Nikki Willhite - Willhite@aol.com
Description: Tips for frugal summer home decorating.
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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:
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/light.htm
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:
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/rearrange.htm
*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.
For more decorating ideas, see:
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/décor.htm
Enjoy the summer. It is short!
Reprinted with permission from:
All Things Frugal
http://www.allthingsfrugal.com
Related articles:
Makeover Your Home For Spring And Summer
Freshen Your Rooms for Spring
Spring Has Sprung: 5 Ways to Bring Fresh Decor into Your Home on a Budget
