The end of school is on the horizon — your kids are getting antsy, and you’re trying to figure out how to occupy them for the next three months.
Temperatures are hiking into uncomfortable territory, and your allergies are going haywire.
This certainly isn’t the time of year we associate with “cozy” feelings.
Generally, we think to make our homes comfy for the fall and winter when we’re stuck indoors more frequently and it’s dark for long periods.
However, summer is a time to slow down and enjoy the extra time with your family and friends. These tips will help you set the scene for a cozy summer for you and your guests.
1. Decorate With Fresh Flowers
Now that summer is here, you’ll have no shortage of fresh blooms to choose from. You can grow your own or buy beautiful arrangements from the market.
You should also get a few small decorative vases for the clover, buttercups and dandelions your kids supply you with all season.
These splashes of color will brighten up your space and add a layer of homeyness.
2. Do a Deep Clean
When summer hits, you no longer have to worry about backpacks and papers scattered across the house.
However, your kids will replace those with dirty clothes, forgotten activities and outside toys. You’ll also notice far more dust and dirt coming into your home as your children enter and exit multiple times daily.
A good scrub and tidy can turn your home from a cluttered mess into a peaceful summer oasis.
3. Create an Outdoor Eating Area
Summer is the ideal time to entertain. Now that the weather is nice, you can avoid packing everyone into your home and spread out in the backyard. Buy or make a long table and chairs for everyone to gather around.
Add a grill and some counter space, and you’re reading for cozy evenings filled with laughter and good conversation.
4. Invest in a Variety of Lights
Lighting plays a major role in the coziness of a space. However, it also contributes to the temperature. Swap out fall candles for fairy lights and incandescent bulbs for adjustable LEDs.
You’ll enjoy a warm glow without needing to crank up the air conditioning.
5. Swap Out Your Blankets
The end of winter doesn’t have to mean the end of cuddly blankets. If you and your kids enjoy a good snuggle, you only need to swap out your throws.
Instead of fuzzy materials or fleece, opt for cotton or linen. You can still wrap up for a cozy effect without sweating through your clothes.
6. Spruce Up Your Exterior
A year’s worth of weather can wreak havoc on the exterior of your home. Use this time before full summer hits to freshen up your outdoor spaces.
Apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to your porch or deck. Repaint your door and install new house numbers. Add a cute rug to your entry and clean your outdoor fabrics.
Minor maintenance and decorative projects like these will amp up your curb appeal and make your house appear cozier.
7. Keep Things Cool
Air conditioning is a wonderful invention and can keep you cool in the scorching heat of summer. However, it can feel a bit sterile and uninviting.
Instead of immediately turning to the thermostat, try an alternative method, like using ceiling fans or cooking outside when possible.
Another option is to be strategic about your windows. Around 76% of the light coming through your windows in summer becomes heat.
Close your curtains during the day and open them along with the windows in the evening to cool the house off.
8. Pile on the Pillows
Since you may not want to snuggle under a blanket on a hot summer day, you can do the next best thing and lounge in a pile of pillows.
They’ll serve multiple purposes in your family home. Kids will have a cozy seat on the floor when you have many guests over. They can also use the pillows to make forts or engage in imaginative play.
Then relax in their plush comfort as you snuggle in with a good book or enjoy a movie night.
9. Install a Fire Pit
Once your kids are old enough to respect the dangers of fire, you can install a firepit in your backyard.
Nothing sets the scene for a cozy summer evening like a warm fire, good company and some toasted marshmallows. Lay down a ring of gravel or sand so any stray embers go out without spreading.
10. Bring in Live Greenery
Live plants bring a sense of peace into your home, fooling your brain into thinking you’re spending time in nature.
Greenery will also improve your indoor air quality, which will allow your family and guests to literally breathe easier.
Ensure you invest in non-toxic varieties to protect your kids. Low-maintenance options like pothos and aloe vera are also great when you don’t have much time to devote to plant parenthood.
11. Set Up a Hammock (or Two)
Is there anything more relaxing than kicking back in a hammock? They’re the ultimate in summertime coziness. Hang a few up so the whole family can enjoy an afternoon chill session in the backyard.
Just ensure you have plenty of shade so you and your little ones don’t get burnt.
Create a Sense of Summer Hygge in Your Home
Lean into the Danish sense of comfort and togetherness, called hygge, this summer.
Create a warm and inviting atmosphere where your kids and loved ones will love to spend their days cooling off inside or making the most of your backyard.
These projects will amp up your home’s appeal but are doable with the time and resources typical parents can muster.