This is the final in our five part series for decorating on a budget – Decorating for the Seasons.
We can’t always take that vacation we long for, but we can transform our homes any time of year. Start by looking up and out. Mother Nature is full of decorating inspiration no matter what the season.
Spring and summer are easy – throw open the windows and bring in fresh cuttings. What’s growing nearby? When my gardens are full, some of my favorite floral displays include parsley, sage, lavender, rosemary, even leaves from my broccoli and potato plants. Expand your yard further by swapping flowers and plantings with family and friends.
No garden of your own? Do a weekly search through the Farmer’s Markets. Fill up with fresh, healthy produce and grab ornamentals for bowls and vases. Discover new varieties, colors, shapes, and fragrances.
Remove heavy blankets and quilts. Wash and store until cold returns. Remove anything hot or heavy looking. Cover your furniture with white or floral throws. Fabric remnants are great buys and fast, inexpensive cover-ups.
Lighten up heavy window treatments. Hang lace panels in one room, put up bamboo shades in another.
Pull out wicker and straw baskets. Fill with seashells and driftwood.
In July, throw out a red, white, and blue tablecloth. Serve iced tea from mason jars. Eat dinner outside. Create a magical evening by filling your porch and yard with lit candles in jars.
Change your bedding. Crisp, cool cotton sheets in the summer with a light woven bedspread. Darker colors and flannel sheets topped by a down comforter or duvet in the winter. No matter the season, make sure your bed is a comfy, inviting place to crawl into!
Fall and Winter – pull out cozy blankets, roll out wool carpets, throw logs in the fireplace. Fill baskets with pinecones; beautiful to display and great fire starters!
Trees and shrubs are bare? Add height to arrangements in stoneware or pottery with cut branches and twigs. Fill pots and bowls with stones or gourds.
Have out an assortment of cozy, warm throws for snuggling in when reading or watching tv.
The holidays are such a fun time to decorate! Make a trip to a local crafts store and buy tons of ribbon. Hang bows everywhere! Put out anything gift wrapped as part of your holiday display. Don’t think packages have to sit under the tree.
And with beautifully decorated packages all over the house, what will you put under the tree? Why not bring out the old stuffed animals and train set? Seeing toys displayed in a whole new way makes them fun all over again.
Slip holiday cards into favorite frames for instant holiday decorating! Change of seasons? Change what’s in your frame.
Change is an easy way to transform that bored, tired feeling. Move a table, a lamp, or a chair to a different corner or room. You’ll be amazed at what a big difference even a small change can make.
What creative decorating ideas are you using?
