Summer Color in the Home
by Kathy Wilson, The Budget Decorator
Description: Tips for introducing some of the colors of summer into your home decor.
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Some people prefer to dress down their homes in the summer. I suppose
to make it feel cool, and as an antidote to the summer colors reveling
in the outdoors. Not me! No matter what time of year it is, these are
some fabulous tips on bringing color into your home, on a tight
budget!
What do you think my first suggestion would be? Paint, of course!
Paint somethind a fresh, vibrant color! Try taking your regular room
palette, and just punch it up a bit! Or, add co-ordinating brights. If
not your walls, how about a door, a piece of furniture, or a few
accent pieces. Try french or periwinkle blue, sunny yellow, lavendar,
or fire engine red. Save the more intense colors for smaller areas, of
course!
Fabric is your next choice! To avoid the high cost of designer fabric,
how about dyeing cheap muslin or cotton the color of your choice.
Another lower cost option? Buy bed sheets, especially at the Labor Day
white sales! Use fabric panels not just on the windows, but hung on
either side of a doorway, behind a bed or other focal point,
tablecovers, slipcovers, even used on a wall like wallpaper. For the
latter idea, either hang a rod the length of the wall, and hang fabric
floor to ceiling, or paste to the wall with liquid fabric starch.
This option is great if you rent, because it can be easily removed
when you leave, with water.
Save clear bottles and fill with colored water, set on a windowsill
and let the sun sparkle through!
Recover picture frames or mats with a colorful fun fabric for the
summer... easily removed when winter returns.
Frame and hang childrens' drawings in bright, primary colors! This is
especially great for an all white kitchen, and adds a personal touch
that makes home special.
Pot up flowering annuals as houseplants... they are cheap and
available this time of year, but can be grown year round inside.
Sew bright, fun covers for your throw pillows. Make them with envelope
openings in back, and they can easily be removed and used again next
summer!
Bring fresh flowers in from your garden! They always look better (like
most things) if they contrast with the background, which is why the
most beautiful vase of flowers often looks lost on that windowsill.
Try putting them in front of a solid suface, and watch the flowers
glow!
Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of several popular
websites, including The Budget Decorator. For hundreds of free budget
decorating ideas, and to sign up for her free online newsletter, visit
her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
Related articles:
Frugal Summer Decorating
Makeover Your Home for Spring or Summer
Freshen Your Rooms for Spring
