1. Declutter Problem Areas

This is the time of year when we crave a lighter look—and it starts with a good decluttering. Pick one problem area, whether it’s a cabinet, drawer, or small space, and set a timer for 15 minutes. Be sure to include time to properly relocate, recycle, or dispose of items you’re cleaning out.

Starting with a win will help keep the momentum going, so begin with a space where you’ll feel the most impact, and work your way out from there. Implement organizational systems as part of your strategy for long-term upkeep. If everything has a place, you’ll be much more likely to keep each renewed space perfectly tidy well into the summer.

2. Spruce Up Windows

Longer, brighter days are ahead. While we’re ready for it, our windows might not be. Start by giving your windows a good clean, working from the front of the house to the back. To avoid burnout, only tackle one room of windows per cleaning session, wiping down the glass, sills, and shades in each space. Dry-clean or launder drapes, and consider swapping your heavier window treatments for lighter fabrics that feel just right for warmer days.

David Cannon Photography

3. Swap Textiles

Whether throw pillows, blankets, or bedding, the heavier linens we were embracing during the colder months are ready for a little break. Now we’re ready for lighter materials, punchier colors and patterns, and whimsical touches that will bring personality to the forefront this season. Look for bedding that signals the season with floral prints and nautical stripes, crafted from breathable fabrics that will keep you cool through the warmer nights ahead. If fresh and crisp is what you’re after, swap your bedding for bright whites that create a serene escape.

Contrasting pillow covers offer just a bit of warmth or a splash of color to a space while also providing a cozy factor that still feels perfectly fresh for the season. Once you’ve nailed your textile swaps, be sure to properly clean and store your winter textiles so they’re in top shape when you’re ready to bring them out again in the fall.

4. Choose a Seasonal Scent

Candles, diffusers, and room sprays can help set the scene with scents that feel both fresh and of-the-moment. Choose fragrances that complement each other, or layer the same fragrance across different media (for example, candles paired with oil diffusers). Florals, wellness-focused fragrances like eucalyptus and mint, and fresh linen notes will give your home that wide-open-window feeling, no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.

Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography LLC

5. Freshen Your Front Door

Welcoming friends and family to your home this season starts at the door, so creating a seasonal look that’s both warm and inviting will go a long way. Liven up your front porch in record time with seasonal container gardens, a fresh welcome mat, and a front door wreath. When your front door signals the season, the rest of your home can quickly follow suit.

10 Front Porch Planter Ideas to Drape Your Entryway in Color

6. Give Your Table an Upgrade

Rattan chargers, crisp white dinnerware, and linen napkins in bright prints and colors can quickly transform your table with summertime cheer. Look for trendy colored glassware that brings texture and interest to your table setting. Consider how height can play a part in your overall tablescape with glass hurricanes that won’t obstruct the view across the table or rechargeable table lamps for outdoor dining, where wind can be an issue.

7. Update Your Lighting Scheme

Your seasonal indoor lighting strategy can take a cue from the longer days and brighter rays coming in through the windows, taking a less-is-more approach. See where you can eliminate lamps for the season, replacing them with a pretty bookshelf and candle, fresh flowers from the yard in a beautiful vase, or even a piece of art. Give your remaining lamps a seasonal shade swap, opting for lighter versions that utilize natural-looking materials like linen and burlap.