Summer is all about sunshine, flowers, warm weather, and lots of time outside. And isn’t it great when your home reflects that fresh, bright summer feel? Today I’m sharing with you how I brighten up my summer home as part of Summer from She Leaves a Little Sparkle’s fun blogger tour. If you’re stopping from Summer’s place, then you’ve already been treated to some great ideas.

Tip #1: Freshen up the pillow covers

The first thing I like to do when a new season gets close to rolling around is to switch out my pillow covers. In the fall and winter warm, deep, colors and fuzzy textiles help establish that cozy indoor feel.

In the summer though, I like to brighten my home with lots of white in my pillows, and a sharp contrast to make things feel fresh and clean. Honestly, the big black buffalo check works equally well in just about any season, so all I did was to switch out some of the deeper, darker colors for cool blues.

Tip #2: Lighten up the tabletops

I also like to add lots of white to my tabletops – in this case the coffee table – to get a bright feeling.

I’m still in love with how airy and clean my new marble-topped coffee table feels. You can read about how I had it custom made in this post.

I added some white candle holders to the reclaimed wood tray, and a pretty white and gold dish for a little of that necessary bling.

Here on my little beat up end table, I brighten and lighten things up by adding only a black and white photo in a white frame, and some white daisies in a milk glass cup.

I get asked a lot about where I bought my little reclaimed wood side table. It is a charmer, and it looks good with whatever I put it next to – I just love it! The place I bought it from isn’t around anymore, but this is the closest matched I’ve found here.

My mid-century dresser (which stands in as a sofa table) also got a clean sweep. Right now it’s hosting only a cute round ceramic lamp and some books. Lots of clutter is good at some seasons of the year (think Christmas when you want the house to feel home-y and cozy), but summertime calls for a clean, brighter look.

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Tip #3: Gather your light/white books up and display them together

I even switched out my books to only the ones with a light or white cover. Okay, maybe that’s a little silly and OCD-ish, but it does feel bright and clean in here!

In my dining room I have another vintage hutch which stands in for a sideboard. I painted it white a year ago and cleaned up the original brass hardware. I have two white lamps and a crumpled white ceramic bowl here as my only decoration.

Tip #4: Add some fresh  greenery

Aren’t these little lantana standards just the cutest things ever? I bought them the other day when we picked up our fountain for the yard, and I can’t get over their sweet little pink and yellow blooms.

I decided to whip up some cloth bags to cover the cheap plastic pots they came in. I am really loving the casual, summertime vibe I’m getting with these planter covers sitting on my dining room table in this shot.

I’ve already move the plants outside, because really they belong out there, but I plan on using the planter covers for some of my other indoor plants. I love how these pretty plants and plant covers really brighten up my dining area.

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Tip #5: Fresh flowers say Summer!

And in the kitchen, the biggest way I brighten things up is by setting out some pretty flowers or shrub cuttings. This simple little jar with some lantana cuttings does the trick nicely, I think.

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A few other ideas that will help you knock out those summer doldrums and spiff up your summer look:

• Remove heavy drapes for summer and replace them with some airy linen or lace panels
• Switch out heavy dark bedding with lighter, brighter sheets and duvet covers
• Make bedrooms and living rooms feel more summer-y by using lighter weight, lighter color throws, or ditch the throws altogether if you live in a warm area
• Replace pillow covers in the bedrooms with white or lighter shade covers
• Add flowers —- everywhere! Flowers always feel fresh, bright, and summer-y

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Next stop on the tour is Judy at Life Is Better At Home, where you’ll find more great tips and ideas for brightening your home. Please be sure to visit all of the lovely ladies on the tour for lots more design inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today, my friends!