Long days, warm nights, and allll the ice cream — this is the stuff that summer is made of. With summer breezes and sunlight drifting through your home, it’s a perfect time to brighten up your spaces to reflect the season’s warmth and energy. 

Did you know that most of us spend over 90% of our time indoors? And in the heat of summer, you might find yourself seeking shelter inside more often than you might think. So, if you’re going to be indoors, why not make your space as light, bright, and airy as possible during this gorgeous time of year? 

You can bring nature indoors by incorporating natural light and brightening up your spaces — enhancing overall well-being, mood, creativity, and energy levels. It’s like downing an espresso but without the jittery side effects *wink*! 

By combining natural design elements and simple design strategies, we can turn your home into a summer haven fit for relaxing, entertaining + soaking up the warmth of summer. So, friend, pull up a chair, pour some lemonade, and settle in as we dive into five easy ways to brighten up your home for the summer season!

Maximize Natural Light: Let the Sunshine In

*Cues music* “And let the sunshine on in…” *wink* Are you feeling the spirit of summer, friend? Let’s start with some simple strategies to let more natural light into your home.

Window Treatments

The heavier textures and colors of fall and winter can take a break. With the right window treatments, you can welcome in the summer sunshine while keeping your home cool and comfy.

• Sheer curtains: Opt for airy curtains layered over blinds that filter light beautifully while still maintaining privacy. Your neighbors don’t need to know everything *wink*!

• Lighter fabrics: Swap out hefty drapes for lighter materials, creating a breezy, sun-drenched look and feel. Consider going green with sustainable window coverings made from linen, bamboo, hemp, or organic cotton.

• Window films: If you struggle with controlling heat or light sensitivity, try installing window films that reduce glare and heat without blocking natural light. Added bonus: They help protect your furniture from harmful UV rays! #ForTheWin

Mirrors

Strategically placed mirrors are a fantastic way to amplify natural light and create a sense of spaciousness in your home. For example, you can position mirrors opposite windows to reflect sunlight and spread it throughout the room. 

For smaller rooms, large mirrors on accent walls or behind furniture can create the illusion of more space. Full-length or rectangular mirrors work wonders in bedrooms, adding depth and dimension. You can also tuck oval or round mirrors into entryways or bathrooms to open up these spaces.

Light-Reflecting Surfaces

Here’s a little secret. The colors you choose in your home can have a mega impact on your emotions — for better or worse! So, it’s pretty dang important that you choose your colors wisely.  

Now, we don’t expect you to repaint your entire home over the summer. But if you’ve been putting off painting or styling a certain area, why not seize the day? The key is choosing light-colored paints, wallcoverings, and furniture to help bounce light around a room. 

These lighter colors work especially well in smaller spaces, helping create the illusion of more space. And remember, you can always add pops of color with accessories, throw pillows, artwork, and other design elements without committing to a color you might regret by autumn *wink*! 

Embrace Airy Textures and Fabrics: Lighten Up Your Décor

Oh, lighten up already … your décor, that is *wink*! Swapping out heavier textures and fabrics over the summer is one of the simplest ways to breathe more light and space into your home.

Natural Fibers

Try incorporating natural fibers like linen, cotton, and bamboo into your summer décor for breathability, visual lightness, and a touch of organic texture — perfect for enjoying a summer read or gabbing with your besties over brunch. A few natural-fiber rugs, throws, pillows, and curtains are all you need for a breezy, airy look and feel.

Sheer Fabrics

Remember those sheer window treatments we discussed above? The same principle applies to other elements in your home. To add a delicate and ethereal touch to your abode over the summer, look for furniture, pillows, throws, and other décor in linen fabrics. Feel that summer breeze, if you please *wink*! 

Light and Bright Patterns

Playful patterns are sure to put a smile on your face, friend! Consider décor elements incorporating light-colored stripes, geometric designs, modern florals, and other bold patterns that ditch seriousness in favor of summer fun. Less is more here; neutral patterned accents like throw pillows, tablecloths, or artwork can help add visual interest without giving funhouse vibes *wink*!

Bring the Outdoors In: Connect With Nature for a Refreshing Ambiance

The more urban and suburban we get, the farther away from nature we become. Our home lives and certainly our work lives often lack the simplicity and tranquility of nature, yet it’s to our benefit to get back to our ancestral roots. Research shows that whereas disconnecting from nature results in declining vitality, reconnecting can help restore balance, healing, and overall well-being.

Don’t underestimate the transformative power of incorporating fresh flowers, plants, and natural elements throughout the home, friend. Known as biophilic design, this approach can let us experience the restorative benefits of nature even indoors. 

Here at Elegant Simplicity Interiors, we’re all about connecting more with the natural world. Granted, we’re a bit spoiled with the great outdoors here in the Pacific Northwest, but we’ve helped lots of folks figure out ways to incorporate more of Mother Nature into their homes.

Fresh Flowers and Greenery

Whether adding greenery to vases, planters, and hanging baskets or brightening up tables and corners with fresh flowers, it’s amazing what touches of nature can do to “summerize” a space and improve air quality!

If you’re worried about tending to your indoor plants, we got you, friend. Keep it simple with these tips:

• Go low-maintenance: Choose plants like succulents, pothos, or snake plants that don’t require a green thumb and thrive in various conditions.

• Choose florals wisely: Opt for indoor blooming plants like a crown of thorns or cyclamen to add color and life to your spaces. You can also pick up a mixed floral bouquet and create arrangements for centerpieces and end tables.

• Faux greenery: We’re not talking about dusty, musty faux greenery you’d find at the thrift store *wink*. There are some beautiful, high-quality artificial plants and flowers available that offer the same aesthetic benefits without the maintenance.

Natural Elements

Along with greenery and florals, consider ways to bring nature indoors through your furniture and décor. Opt for natural materials like wood, stone, or rattan to create a connection to nature. Not only do these elements add warmth and texture to your spaces, but they also create a sense of grounding — like that feeling of walking barefoot outdoors or snoozing on the grass!

Nature-Inspired Artwork

If you can’t get to all your favorite outdoor destinations over the summer, just bring the beauty of nature into your home! Consider hanging landscape paintings, botanical prints, or photography that evokes the beauty of the outdoors. 

Just as your paint colors and décor can invoke certain emotions, so can your artwork. The calming, stress-zapping, healing power of a nature scene may even activate the brain’s reward system to release dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical. Get your zen, friend!

Simple Design Tweaks for a Brighter Home

Not all design choices have to involve big, sweeping changes. A few simple tweaks can transform your home into a summer oasis.

Declutter and Organize

A decluttered home is a happy, airy, summery home, bestie. We know tackling the piles of *everything* can feel like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. In the spirit of summer, keep it simple and light, and you’ll quickly create more open space in your home while allowing light to flow freely in every corner. 

Here are a few quick tips:

• Organize surfaces: Clear off tables, countertops + other flat surfaces. Keep only the essentials, and hide the rest in cabinets or drawers.

• Clean closets: Time to get rid of your wedding dress? Only you know the answer, but the point is to create a closet you wouldn’t mind living in. So, go through your closets and donate, sell, or throw away items that no longer see the light of day.

• Tidy drawers: Invest in drawer organizers to organize smaller items and keep your drawers from becoming catch-alls.

Check out our guide to organizing + decluttering your home for summer, your go-to for clearing out anything you don’t need. #YouGotThis

Update Lighting Fixtures

Stylish lighting fixtures can instantly brighten your spaces and create a warm, welcoming ambiance. Consider replacing outdated light fixtures with contemporary, energy-efficient options.

Don’t forget about lightbulbs, too. While it might seem like a simple task, selecting the right bulb for the fixture and the space is more complex than you might think. From energy efficiency and brightness to color temperature, you have a lot of options. Read our guide to selecting the perfect bulb to *ahem* shed some light on the situation (couldn’t resist the pun *wink*)! 

The choices for lighting fixtures are equally dizzying. We recommend incorporating additional lighting sources, such as table lamps or floor lamps, to enhance the summer atmosphere. And, of course, check out how our design team curates + selects lights for some behind-the-scenes secrets *wink*!

Refresh Your Walls

A fresh coat of paint on the walls can do wonders for stale spaces. Choosing colors that evoke positive energy and lightness, such as whites and greys, can instantly brighten any room with a light, airy feel that screams “summer.” For visual interest, you can also add a fun patterned wallcovering accent wall or incorporate textured wall coverings. 

Now Playing at a Home Near You: Best Summer Ever

Natural light, airy textures and fabrics, summery colors, and connections to nature are key to creating a vibrant and inviting home this summer. We encourage you to experiment with our five tips and personalize your home to reflect your unique style, embracing the Elegant Simplicity® of summer living.

If you're grappling with paint colors or need help dialing in the details, why not stress less this summer? Schedule a Designer 4 A Day, and together, we can create the perfect summer sanctuary!

Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some summertime relaxation to tend to. Thanks for tuning in, friend! :)

P.S. Loved this article? You’ll really enjoy 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.