Summer is the perfect time to rework your living room. Who wants to look at those dark earthy neutrals or sit on heavy fabrics when it’s hot outside?
For new living room color ideas for summer, think about a change of pace to represent the changing of the seasons. Even if you’re not repainting every wall or replacing all your furniture, here are our tips to brighten things up for summer.
by Jennifer Adams
Use color throughout -- from the floor to the furniture – to move your eye around the room. Keep your walls and carpets neutral or light colored.
Swap your area rug for a brighter, inexpensive one with a large open pattern and a light background. Summer is a great time to get your rugs cleaned anyway!
Slipcovers are a great way to change the look and feel of your furniture! Or, drape new fabric over your furniture for a breezy, casual look. Consider lighter, brighter neutrals and soft, comfortable fabrics. A beautifully textured fabric on your sofa feels cozy and warm in the winter, but might feel too warm when you’re in shorts! Fabrics with cotton and linen feel soft and are cooling, and simply woven fabrics without raised patterns or embroidery work well.
Accent with cooling colors such as navy blue, turquoise, pale blues, soft greens and lavender. The colors of the deep snow are depressing in winter but so refreshing during summer! These blues also go well with white, gray, tan and sand colors for a relaxing resort feeling. And, you can easily swap the cool colors for warm during winter.
Replace some of your upholstered chairs with colorful lightweight wicker or even outdoor furniture. Buy or make cushions in bright blues, greens or turquoise! Paint garage sale wicker or rattan finds. Wicker furniture gives an airy, porchlike look to a room, perfect for summer.
Change out your heavy window treatments with lightweight sheer panels with a touch of color at the hems. Pair with wood blinds or shutters to create a tropical feeling.
Beyond throw pillows, add colorful lamps, art, new books for the coffee table, and forget about throw blankets unless your air conditioning works a little too well!
Jennifer Adams is an award-winning designer, writer and TV personality. Connect with her on Twitter @JenniferAdams. For more tips, watch Jennifer’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/JenniferAdamsHome or visit www.jenniferadams.com.