Do you find yourself buying new items for the home when the weather starts to change? Particularly in the spring and summer, it’s a natural feeling to want to refresh your spaces and your life. The only constant is change, so you may as well embrace it by celebrating each season as it comes.
As we transition into the warmest months of the year, let your home reflect the season’s spirit. We’ve created this quick guide to walk you through easy swaps to help you make the most of summer. We’re highlighting some pieces from West Elm because their furniture fits into the do-it-all, durable category that summer requires. Highly versatile and well constructed, West Elm furniture is classic with a mid-century modern twist, making its pieces well suited to any style of home.
Table of Contents
Lighten the Mood
A Lick of Fresh Paint
Nothing makes a space feel brand new, like a fresh coat of paint. Before the full swing of summer hits, consider re-painting your walls and trim. Even if you can’t tell, walls that haven’t been repainted in years often have dust and dirt on the surface, making them appear dull. Now is the perfect moment to refresh them with light hues like white, cream, and light yellow. Sticking to light neutrals with warm undertones will open up your spaces and make them feel more airy and welcoming.
Coastal Touches
Whether you live by the water or not is beside the point – in the summer, we can all benefit by bringing coastal beauty to our spaces. Consider rustic accent pieces like woven seagrass baskets, driftwood, or shell-inspired decor to add that coastal vibe to your home. Soft, breezy textiles such as linen or cotton in shades of blue, white, and coral that echo the colors of the ocean will instantly make you feel more summer-ready.
Shop West Elm Emmerson Reclaimed Buffet
Rattan and Teak
Now is your chance if you haven’t jumped on board the rattan train! Adding rattan and teak furniture to your home instantly evokes that sense of laid-back energy we associate with summer. While rattan is great for use indoors, teak is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture as it is weather-resistant and hardwearing.
Glass Surfaces
Where possible, invest in and emphasize glass surfaces. Be it a glass coffee or dining table, mirrors, or windows, glass makes a space feel more open and airy.
Shop West Elm Mid-Century Art Display Coffee Table
Shop West Elm Terrace Coffee Table
Artwork Swap
When was the last time you switched out your artwork? For many people, it has been so long that if they were to remove a picture from the wall, there would be a replica of the shape of the art in the form of dust. You don’t need to get rid of your artwork for good, but now and then, it’s nice to take one work down and put another up. In the summer, refresh your walls with botanical prints, nautical scenes, and favorite family photos.
Pops of Green
Fresh Greenery
Now is the perfect time to bring the outside in with seasonal bouquets and eucalyptus. From a dining room centerpiece to a collection of potted plants on a sunny windowsill, nothing says summer like lush greenery. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can always opt for dried bouquets or easy-care succulents.
Colorful Tableware
Are you planning to host friends or family this summer? Deck out your dining table to create a truly memorable experience. Summer calls for brightly colored glasses, hand-painted plates, and linen tablecloths. You can add fresh greenery at the center of the table or place a sprig of rosemary on each plate for a considered finishing touch.
New Throw Pillows
Don’t forget about the power of new upholstery. Whether that means recovering a sofa or simply swapping out pillow covers, all the little changes go a long way to creating a summer-ready space. If you have a white sofa, add green throw pillows for a fresh pop of color.
A Warm Welcome
Summer Wreath
A summer-themed wreath instantly welcomes guests at the door with a burst of seasonal beauty. Your wreath can include anything from fresh blooms to lush greenery, seashells, or faux fruit. Check out some DIY summer wreath ideas here.
New Door Mats
In the winter, you need a hardworking mat to wipe your feet on after walking through the snow and ice. In the summer, however, you can swap out your old mats for something more lightweight and aesthetic. A natural jute mat, for example, provides a bit of coastal style at your doorstep.
Planters in Bloom
You’ve refreshed your indoor plants—now don’t forget about the ones outdoors! While it’s not planting season, a few large potted plants can certainly create a warm welcome at your front door.
Say Goodbye to Heavy Textiles
Roll Up Rugs
Have you ever considered what your room would look like without your area rug? To make your spaces feel more airy and open, roll up your thick rugs and put them away for now. You can either leave the floors bare or invest in a lightweight, natural fiber rug or summer-themed rug that will maintain the space’s fresh feeling.
Shop West Elm Sun-Kissed Landscape Rug
Shop West Elm Roar + Rabbit Interlocking Pattern Rug
Refresh Bedding
Most people swap out bedding in the summer, but you can make the most of it this year. Splurge on new cotton or linen sheets to help regulate your temperature on hot summer nights. Replace heavy comforters and duvets with lightweight quilts or coverlets in breathable fabrics and light colors. You might even consider getting a new headboard to give your bed a new look for the summer.
Shop West Elm Overlapping Squares Twin Headboard
Store Throw Blankets
Finally, put away those heavy throw blankets that kept you warm through the winter. Removing the warm layers from your living spaces will make your spaces more cool and comfortable and declutter your rooms. Let your furnishings breathe, inviting in the fresh air and sunshine.
Additional Quick Tips
- Organize your teas and coffee in clear glass jars
- Create a lemonade bar
- Get organized with storage units like the West Elm Mid Century Toy Dump with Bookrack
- Add slipcovers to furniture
- Choose a fresh summer scent for the home
- Create an indoor vertical herb garden
- Use baskets for storage
Shop Kaiyo for West Elm Summertime Staples
Updating your home decor for summer doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. You can shop high-end brands like West Elm for less on Kaiyo’s platform. Featuring pre-loved pieces at incredible prices, Kaiyo is a one-stop shop for all your design projects. Get creative, have fun, and maximize the sunny days ahead!
