​Summer is on the way, and it’s a great time to infuse some light and airy decor into your home. Summer is usually the most popular time of year for travel, but it can also bring crowds, high prices, and traffic jams.  If you’re opting for a staycation this summer, there are easy ways to upgrade your space to make it feel like a summer retreat.

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Think Lightweight

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In the wintertime, I’m all about my faux fur pillows on my couch and my super cozy throw blankets. By the time spring rolls around, I’m ready to switch them out for lighter fabrics. Soft linen throws and cotton pillows create a summer feel.

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Pop of Color

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In my opinion, nothing beats the timeless look of natural materials, wood, stone, and metals. Neutral colored fabrics. While those are just perfect for most of the year, in the summer, I feel like a little pop of color is so appropriate. Nothing too crazy, just a pastel pillow or a sunny yellow throw to celebrate the season.

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Greenery

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I love going to my garden in the summer months and picking bouquets from my flowers.  Summer blooms are among the easiest ways to brighten any room.  Small vases can be placed throughout the house and updated regularly.  A vase full of fresh greens is also one of my favorite parts of summer.

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Summer Scents

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Scent has a way of transporting us to different places. When I was younger, I would get all the summer-themed candles I could to try to imitate a Hawaiian vacation in my living room. These days, I’m much more mindful of ingredients, so I opt for more natural-scented candles and sprays. Grow Fragrance is a plant-based scent company that offers seasonal rotations. Their summer collection is a great way to freshen up your space without toxins.

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Outdoor Lighting

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Add string lighting around trees, or get solar-powered lanterns, and turn your garden or patio into a summer-night delight.  There’s something magical about lingering outside in a comfy chair, watching the moon rise with some fairy lights strung about the limbs of an oak. Dreamy.

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Music

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Just like scent music can define a mood. I love to play what I call “Italian dinner music” in the summer months. When I hear Dean Martin’s “On an Evening in Roma,” I remember the summer I got to stroll around Italy on the warm summer nights. Anything Michael Buble also feels very summery to me. And of course, almost any Nancy Meyers film soundtrack will do!

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Iced Tea

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Growing up, every summer, my mom would make sun tea.  Iced tea on a hot day is a nice treat, and having a beautiful pitcher to pour from makes it feel very resort-like.  Special iced tea glasses are also a fun touch.

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Travel Photos

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I like to rotate photos that I’ve taken over the years to fit the seasons. In the summer, I like to display photos I’ve taken on summer adventures.  If you collect postcards, it’s also fun to display the summery ones, so even if you aren’t taking any trips this season, you can reminisce on past vacations.

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Summer Bath

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I love taking baths year-round; I don’t care how hot it gets outside. But I will change up my earthy, woodsy scents for fresher, uplifting bath salts or teas. Lavender is also a great option for summer, and if you grow some, you can simply sprinkle a few buds straight into the tub!

Do you have a favorite way to add a summer resort-like style to your home?