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No one likes to spend time in a dreary living room, so add a few accessories that bring the outdoors in.
- Flowers and plants. Bring spring indoors by grouping a variety of plants together.
- A rug with a floral pattern. To create a focal point, add a colorful floral carpet to your living room. Choose from area rugs in bright colors, such as red or pink (or choose one with an all-over flower print).
- Decorate with natural materials like wood, stone, or glass. Not only does it help create an earthy feel for your space, but the elements can also add texture and warmth to the room.
- New accessories in bright colors that complement your existing color scheme. Your living room should be full of life and vitality—and incorporating bright colors is one way to achieve this goal! You can go bold with brightly colored walls or paint only one wall in an accent hue to really make it stand out—the choice is yours!
Get out of your chair and onto your feet with a change in decor.
With the sun shining and the weather warming, now’s a great time to get out of your chair and onto your feet with a change in decor. Here are six different ways people are getting vertical at their workstations:
- Use a footstool to create a standing desk
- Use a standing desk
- Use a tall counter or table as your work station
- Use a table or chair and yoga ball combo
- Use a sit-to-stand desk
- Use an actual treadmill desk!
A simple slipcover can give an old sofa new life.
A simple slipcover can give an old sofa new life. You can buy a stylish slipcover in a variety of styles and fabrics, but neutrals are best for creating a summer atmosphere. Slipcovers are easy to put on and take off so you can change them out seasonally, too.
Use cushions and throws in lighter fabrics to soften furniture pieces.
When the days are longer and the weather is warmer, it’s a good idea to clean up your living space and spruce it up with lighter fabric choices. Natural-fiber fabrics such as cotton or linen (or synthetic materials that mimic natural fibers) tend to breathe better than wool or other rougher fabrics. If you’re going for a minimalist scheme, choose simple, neutral colors for your cushion covers and throws. If you’re feeling crafty, use texture (such as simple braiding) or pattern (such as diagonals of color against a white background) to add interest to your pieces.
If you want to purchase cushion covers instead of making them yourself, consider these options:
- [Pillow Cover](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HGALFYY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=chicbyaccident-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01HGALFYY&linkId=9b1e43e7c5d26ee70fc27dae6ed46cf6), from Amazon ($9.99)
- [Bohemian Mandala Pillow Cover](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074RXDZVN/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=chicbyaccident-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN:B074RXDZVN%C2%A0%C2%A0and%C2%A0linkId:a32342af304b71fde7e2804282264d49), also from Amazon ($15)
Swap out old pillows for fresh ones.
- Decide what shape you want your summer pillows to be
- Buy a pillow cover in the shape you want
- Insert pillow form inside the pillow cover
- Enjoy your new summer pillows, which are now bright, cheery, and light!
Use area rugs to add pops of color or pattern to your space.
To add pops of color and pattern, choose a rug that features the colors you’ve selected in your palette. If you’ve picked a solid color rug to anchor the room, choose one with some pattern or texture. For example, if you chose a solid blue rug with some hints of white and green, pick up those colors in your area rugs as well. This will tie all your pieces together and create a cohesive space.
Be sure to pay attention to size when choosing an area rug for an entryway. You’ll want something that fits within that space without feeling too small or making it difficult to open doors or walk through the room. Ideally, the front of your sofa should be resting on the edge of the rug — generally about 2/3 of the way down — but if this isn’t possible (your space is small), leaving about 6 inches between the edges of the sofa and rug will work as well.
Add blush tones to your space for a sweet look.
For a sweet look, add blush tones to your space.
Pink is a universal color that can be used in your living room. Use blush tones as decor, furniture, accent pieces and more. You can even use it to add a pop of color to a neutral room.
The best part about this trend is that there are many ways to pull it off.
If you’re not ready for that much pink, opt for some blush-toned accessories like vases and pillows. If you have wooden furniture or cabinets in the kitchen, consider adding pink handles or knobs to bring extra attention to them.
Choose light-colored covers for bulky chairs.
If you have large, puffy seating in your living room (i.e., a couch, loveseat, overstuffed chair), summer is the perfect time to swap out heavy, thick slipcovers for lighter covers made of cotton, linen or hemp. When choosing a cover, consider light colors or patterns that will lend a breezy feel to your living space. Be sure to measure the furniture before purchasing—not all cover sizes are created equal!
Switching out old paintings or artwork for something new can immediately refresh your living room decor.
Do you have some paintings or artwork that isn’t being displayed? Switching out old art for something new can immediately refresh your living room decor.
It’s easy to do, and you don’t even need to buy anything new! This can be a cost-effective way to change up the look of your space: just rotate through artwork that is already in your home, but not currently hanging on a wall.
If you want to go one step further, try hanging the artwork in a different place or grouping it together in a way that’s never been done before. Or if the pieces are all similar in size, consider swapping out their frames for an entirely new look!
A few design changes can help you make the most of warm summer months.
It’s easy to look at summer as a time of fun and relaxation. To help your home reflect that, try these easy changes:
- Make your decor colorful. Get back to basics with sunny yellow, select some statement pieces in vibrant shades like orange or red, or opt for a more subtle palette with calming pastels and light neutrals.
- Choose summer-appropriate prints for fabrics like pillows and cushions. If a beachy vibe suits you, go all-out with seashells and palm trees; if your style is more whimsical, add some sunshine patterns.
- Use scents throughout the home—candles, diffusers, potpourri—to create a “vacation” feeling in every room.