The changing seasons are a great time to adjust and freshen up your decor. But in order to maintain a sophisticated, well-designed home, it’s important not to overdo it. We recommend picking a few key places where you can add or remove seasonal home décor, for example, instead of loading up every single corner of the room.
Keep reading as we explore our best interior design tips for sprucing up your decor as the seasons change, while still keeping things tasteful.
Overall Guidelines for Seasonal Interior Design
First, choose a few main areas where you can switch out your seasonal home décor. Examples might be a tray on your buffet or coffee table, your mantle, or the throw pillows on your sectional. That way, you’re just switching out key elements in those places instead of wondering where to put all of the items you’ve accumulated. Remember: a little goes a long way!
Another wonderful tip is to buy multiples, whether that’s a few of the same small items or a couple of pieces within the same color palette. Place them throughout the room, so it looks more strategic and pulls everything together.
Choose items that work for your home overall. Accessories should be properly sized in the same way that you select your furniture for the size and flow of the room. Colors—which we’ll talk about more in the following sections—should also get special attention, to ensure your decor doesn’t clash.
Next, let’s dive into some specific seasonal home décor ideas and tips.
Winter Seasonal Décor
The winter season is all about feeling warm and cozy in your home, so it’s the perfect time to get creative with textiles. And since you’ll likely be spending more time indoors, you’ll want to pay special attention to the rooms you spend the most time in, such as your living room, kitchen, and bedroom. If you’re hosting some holiday parties (or house guests in general), it’s also a great time to spruce up your guest room or common areas where you’ll be entertaining.
Most seasonal home décor around this time centers around the fireplace, so if you have one, flaunt it. Try to make the space as comforting and welcoming as possible. This can also be as easy as swapping in a cozy, throw blanket, or using a scented candle to set the seasonal mood. Great options include notes of spices, cloves, caramel, vanilla, or an earthy fir. A staircase is another wonderful focal point, especially when draped with a fresh garland.
Of course, keep in mind you’ll want any interior decoration to still complement your existing palette. If you’re working around a statement piece in a bold color, take care not to clash against it with the traditional reds, greens, and blues of the season. It’s also okay to skip a room if your holiday decor simply won’t fit. Select your colors strategically and your home will stay looking beautiful, no matter the season.
Finally, don’t forget the outside of your home, as well. We love a welcoming wreath to greet guests at the front door, hanging baskets with hints of frosted green and silver, and charming stoop displays using weathered crates and wood logs for a rustic-meets-luxurious vibe.
Spring Seasonal Décor
As the weather starts warming up, it’s time to show off any outdoor space you have! If you’ve stowed away your outdoor furniture, get ready to break them out again. In the example image below, we’ve set up the client’s rooftop deck to showcase the perfect entertaining space. With cozy throw pillows and candles strategically placed, you’ll have the right amount of light to enjoy your first warm, Spring night entertaining guests in your outdoor living space.
We also love pops of color for this season, mirroring the blossoming flowers outside this time of year. Similar to our tip in the winter seasonal décor section above, just be mindful of choosing colors that still work well with your existing furniture and pieces. Choose a complementary color in a brighter shade than you normally would, and place spring seasonal décor strategically throughout the room for a nice pop. Consider a beautiful pastel throw blanket draped across your couch, or some fresh flowers as a centerpiece on your dining room table.
Summer Seasonal Décor
Get ready for that summertime heat! Many of our coastal clients love this time of the year, as beachfront luxury properties tend to naturally exude that summer vibe year-round. For example, here is one client portfolio that showcases coastal interior design in Florida. A few additional items and your home will look perfectly poised to take on the season.
The first thing you will want to do is think about the summertime decor you can add to your common areas. Some summer home décor ideas: a bowl of succulent citrus in the kitchen, bright and beautiful throw pillows in the living room, or even swapping out heavier curtains for sheer and flowy alternatives.
You can also set yourself up for summer barbeques or brunch on the patio with a dedicated bar cart outside, so you can whip up a margarita or mimosa for your guests to sip as they enjoy your outdoor haven. Make sure you have shade options, such as with a sun sail or high-quality umbrella. You might also want to consider refinishing your patio set or reupholstering if it needs a refresh, especially if you keep your furniture outside during the harsher months.
Fall Seasonal Décor
We love the cool, fresh vibe of fall and all of the rich colors that typically go along with it.
As the days get shorter and cooler, think about ways to make the inside of your home more cozy, such as with some textured pillows or a luxurious sheepskin rug placed by the fireplace. You’ll also likely want more blankets and warmth in your bedrooms, so layer on additional cozy pieces or add a soft rug to your guest room next to the bed for a wonderful morning treat for the toes.
Gourds and pumpkins are of course popular this time of year, but be careful not to overdo it. The same color guidelines apply here: think about your existing palette, and how your fall home décor colors will complement them. Oranges, reds, and yellows pair beautifully with dark wood furniture as well as crisp white pieces. You can also keep it simple, with a beautiful rustic bowl or wicker basket to denote the seasons changing.
We’re Here to Help
Looking for some more professional seasonal interior design ideas? Contact us or visit one of our contemporary showrooms to discuss your project and what you’re looking for, and the team at Kern & Co will be happy to help. We focus on delivering quality, customized interior design to every home that we approach with the best intention and attention to detail.
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