Summer Bedroom Makeover - Connecticut in Style

Summer Bedroom Makeover – CT in Style, a Connecticut-based lifestyle blog.

Hi guys! I hope that you all had a fun July 4th holiday! Even though the official start of summer was a couple weeks ago, the beginning of July triggers the start of hotter weather. It’s when we all know that the temperatures will continue to rise, warming the water in our neighborhood swimming pond and along the Connecticut Coast. Practically overnight, our laundry room becomes overwhelmed with brightly colored bathing suits and beach towels.

I’ve been pulling a few summer clothes from storage, but will make the major switch this week. In addition to switching out cold weather clothes for warm weather clothes, I’m doing something similar to our bedroom. The comforter that we use in the winter is too heavy, even with the AC running. I also like to add some summery elements to our room. Whether it is a piece of coral, one of the books on my 30 Must Read Books This Summer, or some candles with a classic summer scent. Here are a few simple things I do to refresh our bedroom and lighten it up for the summer months:

1. Pull up the shades, open the drapery panels and use sheer curtains. In the winter we need to cover our windows for privacy, but with the canopy of trees in full bloom we can keep our drapes open all summer and rely on sheer curtains for night-time privacy.

2. Reverse the bedding and exchange the comforter. The duvet cover on our bed is custom made, I chose a fabric that was similar in color to Farrow and Ball’s Lulworth Blue for one side to match the fabric that was used to make the roman shades, drapes and euro shams (Thom Filicia Citysquare). Since we never use a top sheet, I gave the top sheet to the seamstress to use for the other side. For a lighter look, I flip the comforter over in the summer to expose the sheet side and it instantly makes the room feel brighter.

The only issue that I have been having with the duvet is the weight, it is way too hot in the summer for a thick down-filled comforter. Parachute offers a 100% hypoallergenic comforter in a light weight that would be a great substitute in the warmer months. I’ve recently gotten acquainted with Parachute – they have an impressive line of high quality bedding without the high price tag (yay!). I also love that they give back, check out their partnership with Nothing but Nets to learn more about how they are helping save lives by donating bed nets to help fight malaria.

3. Switch out the bedside lamps. I’m a lamp addict. I have no idea why I picked lamps over shoes, but I did. Whereas most people buy and stick with the same lamp for years on end, I’m constantly buying lamps and changing them up. I fell in love with the shape of these turquoisey Alexa Hampton’s lamps.

4. Change the artwork. There is no rule that says that once a nail is in the wall you have to live with it. Different artwork can be used to keep up with any seasonal changes that you make to your decor. I exchanged a dark buddha face for a picture that had all the colors of the bedding.

5. Flip over your ceiling fan blades. Many ceiling fans have different colors on each side. Ours has natural wood on one side to match for flooring, but the other side is painted white. I love how the white fan blades remind me of the tropics.

6. Bring in classic summer elements and fragrances. I have a box that I store coral and seashells in and as soon as I’m ready to welcome summer, I bring them out and dot them about the house.