10 Smart Things to Do Now to Be Summer Ready

Get your home summer-ready with these 10 easy decorating tips to refresh your spaces and enjoy the sunny season in style.

Summer is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to get your home ready so you can enjoy every sunny minute! A little planning and a few smart tasks will help clear away the last of winter and spring and make room for all the beauty and ease of summer living. Today I’m sharing 10 simple and helpful things to do that will make your home feel fresh, clean, and ready for the season ahead.

Clean Up Your Front Porch

Maintaining a clean and inviting front porch and door is more than just keeping it looking good. It reflects hospitality and care for visitors. A tidy entrance sets the tone for the entire home and is a warm welcome to guests.

Here are a few things to do now to get your front porch and door summer-ready.

Remember to clean your front door. Every time I clean mine, I am shocked at how much dirt a front door accumulates. So scrub everything and give it a good hose down!

• Sweep or vacuum the porch to remove dirt, leaves, and debris.
• Wash the porch floor, steps, and railings.
• Clean the windows and door glass for a sparkling finish.
• Wipe down light fixtures, door handles, and any other hardware.
• Check for and remove any cobwebs or insect nests around the entrance area.
• Give your front door a fresh coat of paint, if needed.
• Consider adding a new welcome mat or rug at the door.
• Repaint any porch furniture and planters if needed.
• Consider adding or replacing rocking chairs, a bench, and containers for plants and flowers in your entryway.
• Add a new doorbell with a camera for security.

To keep your porch and patio looking good, make cleaning them a routine. It will be so much easier if you make it a part of your daily or weekly cleaning schedule!

Make New Front Door Decor

Adding a front door decoration like a wreath or basket this summer isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating a welcoming atmosphere that reflects your welcoming spirit and personality. Simple front door arrangements add beauty to your home’s exterior and greet visitors with a cheery hello.

By choosing or making front door decor that suits your style, you add a personal touch that sets your home apart. Now is the perfect time to make something for your front door.

Decorate Your Home With Summer Annuals and Perennials

Bringing what’s blooming outside into our home is one of my favorite ways to decorate. Choose your favorite annual or perennial, pot them in pretty containers, and use them on your coffee table or any other flat surface in your home.

They will last longer than cut flowers, and quite a few I have potted have lasted an entire season!

Make sure to check out Using Summer Annuals and Perennials to Decorate Your Indoor Spaces.

When the blooms are spent, transplant your annuals and perennials outdoors. I have quite a few perennials around our home that started out in planters inside.

Create A Summer-Inspired Bedroom

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get our bedrooms ready for the sunny, hot, and humid days ahead. Making our bedrooms summer-ready isn’t just about looks; it’s about making sure we have a comfy, relaxing space to unwind and sleep. Making a few easy changes can make a big difference in turning our bedrooms into cool, inviting sanctuaries.

Here’s a checklist to help you make your bedroom summer-ready:

1. Lighten Up: Swap out heavy winter bedding for lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen. Opt for lighter-colored bedding to reflect sunlight and keep your space feeling airy and fresh.
2. Bring in Nature: Incorporate elements of nature into your bedroom decor with houseplants or fresh flowers. Not only do they add a touch of greenery, but they also help purify the air and create a calming atmosphere.
3. Maximize Airflow: Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or using a fan to circulate air throughout the room. Consider installing a ceiling fan to keep air circulating and maintain a comfortable temperature.
4. Declutter: Clear out any unnecessary clutter to create a sense of openness and space in your bedroom. Store away heavy blankets and winter accessories to make room for summer essentials.
5. Update Accessories: Swap out dark, heavy curtains for sheer or lightweight curtains to let in natural light while maintaining privacy. Consider adding pops of color with throw pillows or decorative accents to brighten up the room.
6. Create a Relaxing Ambiance: Set the mood for relaxation with soft lighting and soothing scents. Use essential oil diffusers with refreshing scents like citrus, mint, or lavender to create a serene atmosphere.
7. Stay Cool and Comfortable: Invest in breathable pajamas and bedding to help regulate your body temperature while you sleep. Keep a lightweight throw or blanket nearby for those cooler summer nights.
8. Optimize Sleep Environment: Consider using a white noise machine or earplugs to drown out any outdoor noises that may disrupt your sleep.

By following these simple tips, you can have a summer-ready bedroom for you and your guests.

Fill Planters With Flowers And Herbs

Right now is the perfect time to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty in the garden. It’s time to plant herbs and annual flowers in pots and raised beds. With the sun shining and the soil warming up, conditions are perfect for starting your garden now.

Tending planters, urns, and pots is so much easier than getting down on your hands and knees to pull weeds out of the ground or deadhead blooms. Container gardening is my favorite way to dig in the dirt without aches and pains.

Wash Windows, Doors, And Screens

As we gear up for the sunny days ahead, a simple yet often overlooked task can make a big difference in our homes: washing our windows, window screens, and doors. Let’s be honest. It’s not the most glamorous chore, but cleaning up these often-neglected areas can surprisingly refresh our living spaces.

Living in the middle of a golf course surrounded by farm fields, my windows and doors get very crusty, dusty, and dirty! So after the pollen has had its way with my home, I get out and give my windows and doors a good cleaning. That includes all the casing around the window and the shutters, too. Then, I take the screens to the back patio, scrub them, and let them sun dry. It’s hard work, but it feels so good when they are done!

So, before summer kicks into high gear, let’s roll up our sleeves and give our windows and doors a good scrubbing—your home will thank you for it!

Get Outdoor-Friendly Tableware

As summer approaches, it’s time to take our dining experiences outdoors and enjoy al fresco dining.

One of the best investments for enjoying meals outdoors is melamine, plastic dishware, and acrylic glasses. Not only are they durable and lightweight, perfect for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor entertaining, but they also come in a plethora of designs to suit every personal taste and occasion.

Acrylic + Melamine Dinnerware Picked For You

Compile Delicious Summer Recipes Now

It’s time to change up our menus to lighter, more farm-to-fork fare! Start looking for great grilling recipes, lighter salads, and scrumptious fruity desserts in season.

Join us every Friday for On The Menu, a weekly menu plan with at least 35 easy seasonal mix-and-match recipes.

Change Your Throw Pillows

Let’s go inside for a few minutes and make a change that will have a huge impact. Let’s change out our pillows! Or at least look over your pillows and think about which ones you will use and which ones you will need this summer.

Choose summer pillows with fabrics that are lighter in weight and color. I think changing pillows often changes the whole look of a room!

Here are things to change in your home now for summer:

• Swap out Heavy Fabrics: Replace heavy curtains and drapes with lightweight options to let in more natural light and create a breezy atmosphere.
• Utilize Sheer Curtains: I think sheer curtains are so romantic and summery! Opt for sheer curtains to allow sunlight to filter through while maintaining privacy and adding a soft, ethereal touch to your windows.
• Swap Out Rugs: Replace heavy, dark-colored rugs with lighter, brighter options made from natural fibers like jute or sisal to add a summery feel and create a more relaxed ambiance in your home.

Add A Fun Decal To Your Front Door

We put a “hello” decal on our door a few summers ago, and I think it added such a fun, personal touch. Everyone who comes to our door comments on it!

It was easy to apply and has held up so well. It can also be taken off without harming the paint. You might like to see HOW TO APPLY A DECAL TO YOUR FRONT DOOR and where we got ours.

So there you have it, 10 simple yet effective ways to kickstart your summer preparations and make the most of the sunny days ahead. Whether you’re freshening up your front door with a coat of paint or a new summer wreath you made yourself or need to summarize your bedroom a bit, there’s no time like the present to get started.

Let’s make this summer one to remember.