The summer season is officially here, and along with those hot afternoons and balmy evenings, comes the feeling that it might be time to freshen things up a bit at home. With so many ways to incorporate summertime into your decor, we’ve narrowed it down to our top five design tips to kick things off, and steer you in the most stylish and sustainable direction:

1. Lighten Up With Textures And Color 

Warmer seasons are a perfect opportunity to swap out those heavier wools and darker fabrics for lightweight cottons and linens in a coastal color palette. Incorporating more light blues, creams, and sea greens into your furniture and accent pieces is a great way to brighten up a room, and let some fresh air in. Linen also happens to be one of the most naturally sustainable fibers around, and many of our workshop partners also use 100% organic cotton, which is friendlier for the environment, and less toxic for your home as well. For easier seasonal style changes, you might consider furniture that offers a slipcover option, like the classic Rebecca Swivel Chair from Cisco, and its matching Rebecca Sofa, which bring an elegant simplicity you can customize with multiple slipcovers in different colors and fabric textures. Cisco’s entire collection is sustainably-made and handcrafted as well, so be sure to check out their other pieces with both slipcover and upholstered options.

2. Set Your Farmhouse Table

A rustic, farmhouse-style table setting is a beautiful look to incorporate for the summer months. Start by draping your table in an elegant Belgian Tablecloth from Libeco (it’s made from 100% organic linen, and can even double as a throw blanket as well!). Pair that with a set of Libeco’s classic, open weave linen napkins, and some heirloom-inspired Woodstock Flatware, handcrafted by Farmhouse Pottery. You’ll be ready to present your guests with all of nature’s finest fruits, charcuterie and crudités on a Live Edge Walnut Board from Farmhouse Pottery, where each unique board is made by hand. Add a finishing glow with Pantry Candlesticks made from ethically-sourced New England Ash wood, and you can call your table summertime set!

3. Freshen Up With Light Oak Finishes

If you’re shopping for a new piece of furniture this season, why not choose one with a light oak finish to be an ideal complement for any summer style? Ethnicraft’s Circle Dining Table is handcrafted from FSC certified, solid natural oak that’s been harvested from responsibly-managed forests. With room for the whole family, or to host a gathering of friends for a cocktail hour or game night, this dining set’s understated design offers a timeless allure to bring loved ones together. You also can’t go wrong with an Alan Van Havre designed Eye Lounge Chair in light oak. Its modern angular legs and curved backrest make it an easy fit for any room in the house, where it will very likely be a conversation-starter, or just a quiet place to relax. Finally, this Nordic Sideboard from Ethnicraft comes in three different styles and sizes to accommodate all of your storage needs without dominating the balance of a thoughtful room layout. 

4. Swap In Some Breezy Rugs 

One of the quickest and easiest ways to dramatically change the look and feel of a room is to swap out the rugs for a different color, pattern, or texture. Since summertime doesn’t usually inspire thoughts of chilly evenings curled up by a roaring fire, why shouldn’t those thick, cozy winter rugs get a little break for a few months? We love swapping in an off-white or neutral piece like the hand-woven Tact Rug from Woud. Made up of tiny, tactile woven loops, it not only makes a room feel brighter, but it’s also luxurious to step on in bare feet! You might also like something with a pattern, like the Owen Hand-woven Rug in aqua. Expertly-crafted in the Old World Way in India, this stunning piece from Loloi is primarily made of natural jute fibers which make it durable enough to withstand the busiest areas of your family’s home. Finally, Woud’s moss-green Rombo Rug, designed by Studio MLR, contrasts tiny rhombus shapes with a row of straight lines on the top and bottom for a distinctive look. Consider a vibrant natural color like this to add an eye-catching pop to your cooler summer palette. 

5. Spruce Up Your Outdoor Spaces

Since no summer season would be complete without plenty of time spent outside, you’ll want to be sure your patio and backyard spaces are ready to play and entertain in. Loll is one of our workshop partners who specializes in making outdoor spaces fun, low-maintenance, and always stylish. They also happen to craft all of their pieces from recycled plastic waste, which reduces the amount of it that ends up in landfills, and makes your purchase eco-friendly and more sustainable for the planet too. Their Lollygagger Lounge Chair is a modern take on the classic adirondack chair, and it might also be the most relaxing way to soak up those rays of sunshine too. Add one of their fitted Seat Cushions, and you’re all set! No matter what style of patio design you might be trying out this summer, a simple Side Table is an excellent and functional complement for any sized space, and Loll’s tables come in a wide range of colors too, including summertime essentials like sky blue and sunset orange. Check out the other Loll offerings that are available for Quick Ship, and you’ll be sure to have them in time for pool days and BBQs!

Even if your summertime adventures take you out of town for some well-deserved vacation this year, it’s always nice to have a seasonally stylish home to come back to. We wish you safe travels, sunny adventures, and plenty of good memories this summer!