Eight Great Ways to Lighting and Brighten Your Home
Summertime is the perfect time to enjoy the comforts of home with family and friends. Bid adieu to the dark days of winter and lighten up your life by creating an enchanting retreat where you can relax and enjoy the lazy days of summer. Here are eight great ways to add sunshine to your home.
- Replace your heavy wool or Oriental rug with a light natural fiber carpet such as sisal or cotton. By switching to a sustainable natural fiber, you will lighten your esthetic and be supporting eco-friendly products.
- Toss your winter pillows and celebrate the season with a floral or tropical collection. Whether you choose a soft pastel palette or bold and bright motif, this inexpensive design tip will brighten your room and lighten your mood.
- Select lightweight , washable slipcovers for a fresh, crisp look.
- Cut fresh flowers from your garden to add a bouquet of summertime brightness and color to any room.
- Take down heavy drapes and let the sun shine in. Cover windows with a light, billowy fabric like linen or natural bamboo blinds.
- Jettison the heavy wool blanket or duvet cover and use a light coverlet or quilt. Choose breathable cotton sheets and pillow cases for ultimate comfort.
- Bring in natural objects like shells or beach glass and place in a pretty containers around your home.
- Extend your living space by creating outdoor “rooms” on patios, decks, and porches. These days there’s a wealth of gorgeous furniture, pillows and rugs available to help create beautiful outdoor spaces that are just as comfortable as your indoor rooms. There’s nothing sweeter than entertaining al fresco with friends and family or lounging on a chaise with a good book!
About Paula Gaull
Stylist Paula Gaull, founder of New Leaf Redesign, is a Certified Interior Staging Specialist (CISS) and an award-winning redesigner. She combines a background in real estate sales, marketing and advertising to bring a unique set of skills to her staging and redesign projects. Her one-day room makeovers have earned her national recognition.