9 Things To Do for Summer Now

Get ready for summer with these savvy and easy decorating, organizing, and cleaning tips.

front door with hydrangeas basket on it

Summer will be here before you know it! Let’s get ready so we can relax and enjoy it when it rolls around! There are lots to do inside and outside our homes to clean up winter grime and spring pollen and get our homes summer-ready! Today, we are talking about 9 things you can do to get your home ready for summer!

Clean Up Your Front Porch

bench on a front porch

Maintaining a clean and inviting front porch and door is more than just keeping it looking good; it’s a reflection of 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. You will be shocked at how much dirt a front door accumulates. 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.
  • Consider adding a new welcome mat or rug at the door.
  • 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.

And to keep your porch and patio looking good, make cleaning it a routine. If you make it a part of your daily or weekly cleaning schedule, it will be so much easier to clean!

Make New Front Door Decor

front door basket

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 hospitality and personality. These simple front door arrangements add beauty to your home’s exterior and convey a warm welcome to visitors and a cheery hello to passersby.

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

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.

Summer Bedroom Ideas

Get your bedrooms summer-ready with these ideas.

Fill Planters With Flowers And Herbs

close up of flowers in a planter

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.

Container Garden Posts

Here’s everything you need to know to plant, care for, and harvest herbs and flowers in a container.

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

MELAMINE FISH PLATE ON AN APPETIZER TABLE

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

SUMMER TABLE SET OUTDOORS WITH RED AND WHITE MELAMINE DISHES

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.

Compile Delicious Summer Recipes Now

individual cherry pies with stars

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.

Change Your Throw Pillows

trio of summer pillows on a sofa

Let’s go inside for a few minutes and make a change that has a huge impact. Let’s change out our pillows! Or at least look over your pillow 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: 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

hello decal on a front door

We put a “hello” decal on our door a couple of 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 easily. You might like to see HOW TO APPLY A DECAL TO YOUR FRONT DOOR and see where we got ours.

a white geranium in a white pot next to a white spindle chair

So there you have it, nine 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.

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21 Comments

  1. I use my leave blower on my front porch & walkway a couple of times a week to tidy up. A fresh coat of paint on wicker furniture brightens up my porch. Spray paint is my friend ? I have several potted shrubs and plants too – shrubs are hydrangeas, boomerang lilac. Fuchsia pots hang from my porch to attract the hummingbirds. I love sitting out with coffee in hand a good book mid morning after my walk. I have a window washing company come out in April and again in September to keep my windows clean. Getting lazy in my old age. I painted my front door red about ten years ago and still love it! I do touch it up to keep it looking fresh. I think I need one of those decals. They add a sweet, welcoming touch.

  2. Kathy Menold says:

    Yvonne, This week in N.C. is our first summerlike weather so it was a great time to read your ideas for summer decorating. We got some new black rockers for our front porch and have added some lime green and black and white buffalo check pillows with a buffalo check outside rug under our welcome mat. Planters are being planted and hanging baskets added. Great to have a pretty place to sit and have a drink with my husband and watch the birds and enjoy nature.

  3. I believe the link to print the cherry pie is broken. It looks great and I’d love to make it!!

    1. Thanks for letting me know, Angie! I’ll take care of that right away.

  4. Yvonne, I admire you so much! I love your blog posts, they are always inspirational in a multitude of ways. Thank you for all the great ideas, so simple and practical! Thank you for the lovely and delicious recipes, that look beautiful as well as yummy. I just wanted you to know that you are appreciated!

    1. You are so sweet Dee. I really needed this today! You have made me smile!

  5. que hermoso y entretenido de hacer, ustedes estan entrando al verano pero nosotros al invierno y hace mucho frio .Guardare los consejos para el verano saludos y gracias

  6. I love your tall black planter. Where did you find it? Everything is always beautiful, and I enjoy reading your posts! Thanks!

  7. Kimberly Bruns says:

    Lovely post! Where can you buy the basket containing the flowers that is on your front door?

  8. What color is your door?

    1. We are not sure. I said in the post it was painted that color when we moved in. I did order an electronic color finder to see what color it is. So when I find out I’ll let you know. Happy Summer!

  9. Yvonne, thank you for all your decorating inspiration.
    It’s fabulous! Do you have a link for the rug inside your front door? Thank you

  10. What color is your front door. Thanks

    1. I think it is Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore. The door was already painted when we moved in. Hope this is helpful.

  11. We’ve been renovating the our home and the next thing on the list is redoing the porch! We’ve ripped up the old, rotting wood and threw it in the dumpster, I think we’re going to replace it with brick. I love the look of the one you posted! Thank you for sharing!!

  12. Thanks for all the tips. I love the beaded planter in the last photo. Is it still available somewhere? Thank you!

    1. Hi Angie, I found the little pot locally. I did do a google search for it and could not find it. Sorry!