How to refresh your space for summer — just by styling it

Summer is finally here, and after so many cold and wet months, many of us are ready to shed some layers and freshen things up beyond just our clothing. But chances are we're not hiding a set of summer furniture under the bed, ready to be swapped in like a wardrobe.

So to help anyone looking to lighten up their rooms for warm-weather living and entertaining — without buying a bunch of new things — we recruited the advice of designers and stylists Sean Symington, Paige Wassel and Kaela Shaw. 

Read on for their detailed, achievable and low-cost styling tips for breathing fresh life into our homes this summer while making the most of what we have. 

Add colour, whimsy and sparkle to living spaces

Even if you're not naturally drawn to colour, summer is the season to incorporate more of it, according to Shaw, a stylist based in Toronto. "I'm definitely someone that tends to explore colour in a less committal way, probably because I am scared of it," she said, "so I like to bring it in through little things like coffee table books." 

She suggests looking through any you own to find a pretty spread — ideally a colourful one — and then leaving the book open to show off those pages. Then you can bring in some fresh flowers that match the colours or greenery in the photographs.

Symington, a U.K.-based interior designer who grew up in Pickering, Ont., is no stranger to colour, but has some other tricks he likes to employ at his firm. "One of our favourite ways to breathe a bit of summer into the living room is by adding a dose of whimsy — those unexpected, joyful touches that make a space feel more alive." 

For example, he said, display flowers or foliage in your quirkiest vessel. A perfect example might be using a googly-eyed fish planter to house fresh spring daffodils.

Textiles are another classic way to bring colour into your living room — and throw pillows are not your only option. " If you're sick of your sofa, it's so easy to just drape something off the back," said Wassel, an interior designer and YouTuber based in Los Angeles. For a cheap and cheerful solution, reach for an existing blanket or keep an eye out for a vintage textile at flea markets. 

All three experts also discussed switching out heavier decorative items for lighter-feeling ones. For Shaw, that means less dark wood and heavy ceramic pieces, and more glass and metal. Symington advocates for items made of natural fibres, like rattan trays. 

You can make the most of the changes happening outside your home — the changing weather and light — too. "My windows are open a lot more in the summer," said Wassel. This might seem like a simple move, yet it's one that can change where you prefer to sit in your space and how you enjoy it.

Shaw suggests taking advantage of the longer days and playing with the changing light. For example, try displaying your glass or metal coffee-making implements where you're getting more morning sun to add a bit of sparkle to your space.

Embrace vintage finds and nature's beauty in dining areas

Whether you're dining indoors or outdoors, keeping things fun and casual is the name of the game in summer. "It's all about creating a table that feels relaxed, full of personality and ready for long, leisurely lunches," said Symington.

For Wassel, that means mixing and matching plates, layering linens, and using entertaining as an excuse to go to the thrift store and pick up interesting glassware. " When it comes to table settings, it's like, why not just have fun with it? Because it's just one night," she said. 

There's something about a thrifted vibe that feels especially right for the lazy days of summer. But it's also an ideal time to work in heirloom pieces from your collection that are on the well-loved side. " Nothing I have is in pristine condition. Everything is kind of, you know, used — it looks like life has been here," Wassel said. "It looks like I've had people over, and I really do feel like that is kind of the trick of the trade." 

Colourful glassware and plates in pastel tones are also part of Symington's approach to styling a dining area during the warmer months. But if you're looking for a lower lift, look no further than summer's bounty. 

Fruit and florals are the easiest way to embrace the season. Shaw and Wassel are proponents of foraging for foliage, while Symington is known for using oversized arrangements as centrepieces. "A bowl or basket of citrus fruits makes a lovely, low-effort finishing touch," he said. 

Shaw points out that the informality of summer dining can mean family-style serving plates, which require lots of space on the table. So if you're planning to use platters, try to keep decor to a minimum to create some breathing room, she suggests, and keep the focus on nature's beauty. 

" I try to go low and simple in the summer on dining tables, and especially in dining rooms that have windows," she said. "This is the season to enjoy those views." 

Pare back linens and switch things up in the bedroom

Taking a more minimalist approach to bedding is often the most practical choice as we move into the warmer seasons. But this doesn't mean having to sacrifice esthetics. 

Shaw recommends removing blankets and throw pillows to give your space a lighter, fresher feeling. Then, she suggests showcasing some of the underlayers of your bedding or taking the opportunity to experiment with a more draped linen look. This could be that oversized sheet set's time to shine. Or why not try borrowing a set from a different bed in your house?

Wassel, who is constantly swapping out art, books, vases and lamps regardless of the time of year (call it an occupational hazard), suggests doing this on a slightly larger scale to make your bedroom feel new. 

For instance, pick a surface in your space, clear it off and swap it entirely with decor from living room shelves to give your room the feel of "a fresh new space," she said. 

There are yet more ways to lighten the atmosphere in the bedroom. "Try swapping out existing artwork for something softer and more playful. A floral sketch or a dreamy landscape instantly lifts the mood," said Symington. 

You can also consider appealing to your other senses. "Don't underestimate the power of scent," he added. "A diffuser or candle in a fresh, uplifting fragrance is the quiet detail that makes the whole room feel pulled together and completely refreshed."