A stuffy and stifled home is no place to spend your summer. Luckily, transforming your space into a breezy oasis isn’t all that tricky—it just takes a few strategic tips like the ones below.

• Dust, dust, dust
  Before you make any other changes and updates to your space, try giving it a thorough cleaning—you’ll be impressed by the results. A little dusting can work wonders in making a room feel light and airy. Take a cloth to hard surfaces, sweep and mop hardwood floors, and use a retractable duster to get those hard-to-reach places.

• Remove the excess
  In fall and winter, we like to fill our homes with comforting pillows, blankets, and other extras that keep us warm—but these items can take up a lot of space. There’s no need for clutter in the summer months, so it’s best to keep out only the essentials and put the rest in storage.



• Clean green
  In the same vein, cleaning with eco-friendly products can help maintain a fresher feeling in your spaces. You can even make your own cleaning products with natural ingredients and essential oils that won’t leave an overpowering chemical scent behind.

• Incorporate natural accents
  Have you ever walked into a greenhouse or a flower shop and felt instantly refreshed and at ease? You can create the same effect in your home by incorporating your favorite plants and flowers into your decor, or by keeping fresh summer fruits and vegetables on display in your kitchen and dining areas. Use colorful bowls or vases for an even brighter statement.



• Draw back the curtains
  If you’re used to having heavy window treatments or keeping curtains closed, try bringing in more natural light by swapping out heavy fabrics for light-colored linens. If there’s a breeze, try keeping windows open as well to save on your electric bill and let in some sunshine.

• Rearrange for a change
  Sometimes all it takes to bring new life into your home is a little rearranging. If you have most of your furniture (e.g., couches and chairs) up against a wall, try and bring them out toward the middle of the room. If you don’t like the way your bed is facing, switch it up. Take a weekend to play around with the look of your rooms until they feel new again.