Do you have a summer house? This is the time of year when we might be scrolling through Facebook and notice that many so many people seem to be heading off to their vacation homes or are traveling to exotic destinations for their summer vacation. That’s so fun! But even if you aren’t heading off to either place, take heart. The home you’re in is one of the best destinations of all.
I’ll actually be spending most of the next few months in my summer home. To be honest, my summer home is technically one in the same as my winter, spring, and fall home, but I can dream. I like to call it my “summer house” because I love changing up my home for the seasons!
Whether we are heading off to a tropical location or not, let’s give our home-base a little seasonal refresh so we can enjoy our “summer place” and have a little more R & R right where we are.
Here are five ways to create your summer home:
1. Set up a vacation corner.
The lazy days of summer call for relaxation. When you head to a tropical vacation, besides the pool or ocean you are probably looking forward to that cool quiet corner of the hotel where you can lounge with your fruity drink, read a book, or fall asleep.
Set up a corner of your home to do the same! Here’s my vacation corner. A sofa, comfortable chair, or window seat in your house can be the perfect destination to keep a stack of those books you want to read. Find a stool or end table to set that cold beverage, have a nice big pile of pillows for your head, and add a fan to keep you cool. If you have a loud family, stick some ear plugs or earbuds for music in a handy little box nearby. What more do you need?
That corner sounds like a dream destination, doesn’t it?
2. Refresh your decor.
Bring a beach house vibe to your home. Take down heavy winter drapes, put away thick winter throw blankets and bedding. Roll up rugs and clear the surfaces of clutter. New throw pillows in summer hues and patterns can transform your winter house to your summer vacation house in a flash.
3. Set out a vase.
Put a vase on your dining room table or a console table and commit to keeping it filled with summer blooms and foliage. Cut them from your yard, grab a cheap bouquet at the grocery store, or cut a few pretty weeds or wild flowers while you are out on a walk. A vase of flowers or greenery will make your house feel cheerier every day and remind you that you really are living the dream in your summer house.
4. Collect vacation art.
My husband and I have always collected line drawings, small paintings, and water colors from our vacations. It’s fun to do the same with “staycations.” Look for artsy postcards, notecards, or even menus around your hometown when you visit fun coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques, parks, or other local destinations. Frame the memories in a gallery wall to help you remember those special destinations!
5. Design an outdoor room.
Some of the best summer memories can be made right in your own backyard. Here’s a link to my DIY fire pit, it’s so easy you can make it in an afternoon. Here’s how to divide your backyard into activity zones to make it even more of a destination! Clean off the lounge chairs and blow up the kiddie pool. Gather supplies for S’mores and you’ve got yourself the best kind of summer vacation right outside your door! No traffic or stress to get there!
It’s fun to find joy in the little things that make our house our home in all the seasons, isn’t it?
“Let us rejoice and be glad.” {Psalm 118:24}
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Melissa,
Thank you for these tips, especially because our home is our vacation home, our beach home, our mountain home…all wrapped into one lol. I like the DIY fire pit because we are thinking of possibly adding a cozy outdoor space and don’t want to spend (don’t have)a lot of money. Blessings and thanks,
Bev
Melissa Michaels says
Ha! It’s a year round vacation home. I love it! Yes, the DIY firepit is a special space to gather in the yard, definitely cheaper than a vacation but almost as sweet. Happy Summer and blessings to you, Bev!
Michele Morin says
When all my boys were small, my husband gave me a set of tiny vases, just clear glass, but sweet, and just perfect for the small offerings that come in grimy fists from the back yard. Well, of course, I still keep them full today, picking delicate weed blossoms or anything lovely that I find — and remembering . . .
Thanks for these thoughts that bring me closer to summer!
Melissa Michaels says
That is such a sweet memory! So glad you keep those vases full! Happy summer, Michele!
Sasha A. Palmer says
“clear the surfaces of clutter” — that’s a tough one 🙂
You have a lovely home, Melissa. (And your dogs and mine must be cousins — mine’s a little guy, but otherwise they look so much alike!)
I’m also contemplating the DIY fire pit project you describe.
Thank you for the post, enjoy your summer!
Melissa Michaels says
Thank you, Sasha! 😀 Happy summer to you, too!
Missy Robinson says
Great ideas, Melissa! We don’t have a summer home, but we do get to go to the beach each year, so I frame photos of those memories and place them with some shells around our existing decor. It’s a great reminder of our time together, and “ups” the anticipation for our annual trip!
Melissa Michaels says
I love it, I do the same. Family beach memories are the best! Happy Summer!
JeanneTakenaka says
I love the suggestions you share about making our home into our summer home. I have one shelf on our floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that I decorate for each season. I love the idea of getting some cushions for the furniture. Our furniture would be hard to match with, so I’ll have to think on this. 🙂
Great post!
Beth Williams says
Melissa,
I have several vacation corners in my house. I love to lounge on my couch in living room. My favorite is our back porch. We love sitting our there with drinks in cup holders listening to the rain fall.
Blessings 🙂
frugal fish says
I leave my drapes up to block out the heat and bright light when the sun is beating down on the windows. I shut the south curtains in the mornings and the west in the afternoon. (We don’t have any east facing windows.)
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Ha! It’s an all season home. An outdoor firepit really does make your outdoor area feel like a destination. It’s so fun to gather family and friends together. Blessings to you, Bev! Enjoy your summer.
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
That is so precious, what a gift! I’m so glad you are still using them, those little ones grow up so fast, don’t they? Happy Summer, Michele!
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Thank you, Sasha, I hope you have a wonderful summer, too!
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
I love our keepsakes from the beach, too. You are right, it is neat to see those little treasures and look forward to the next trip! Happy Summer!
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Thank you so much. Happy Summer, Jeanne!
Melissa @ The Inspired Room says
Sounds like a wonderful place to relax! Happy Summer, Beth!