As much as I’d love to invite you all to my beach house a la The Summer I Turned Pretty for the summer, I can’t. Because I don’t own one. So, it looks like we’ll need to make the best of what we’ve got.
And, if like me, what you’ve got is a two-bedroom apartment with minimal outdoor space, then let’s just say, challenge accepted. You see, the summer switch-up helps me embrace the best time of year; and while it sounds like a lot of effort, news flash: it’s not.
I’m a fan of low-budget investments that make a high impact and so, by swapping out non-fixed items like soft furnishings, art prints, and candles, you can imbue your space with the spirit of summer and those coastal cowgirl vibes.
The key rules are bringing in lighter fabrics and colors and having fun with the part of this season we all love the most — whether it be buying colorful glassware for a sangria night with the girlies, or a sea salt-scented candle you feel like you’re on a beach in Mexico, there are lots of small ways to give yourself that vacay feeling.
1) Lighten up those drapes, girl
The first thing on my list when doing the ol’ swap-a-roo for summer is to change darker, thicker drapes for lighter, thinner ones. While you might not initially think it, curtains can really set the tone for the season and in winter it makes sense to hang drapes made of velvet or a wool blend, but as the mornings get lighter, linen or cotton can give the whole room a brighter feel.
Personally, I love flowing linen drapes that hang slightly too long and pool on the floor for a boho feel. I even swap the drapes in my bedroom so that the sunlight starts to wake me up, kicking that circadian rhythm into action. Because, let me tell you, I need all the help I can get in the morning.
