It is almost May, and summer is just around the corner. Lakeside or countryside, summer homes are meant to be stylish and relaxing. As the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, we can provide you with easy summer decorating ideas that will lighten the look of your home for warm weather months and vacation vibes. If you are ready to dress your home up for a summery staycation, then read on for some inspiration!

You've been getting your home ready for the warm season, but what about your outside space? Now that the weather is warming up, it's a good time to consider what you what your outdoor living area to look like. How will you use the space? Will you be entertaining large groups of people, or will it typically just be you and your significant other cuddling by a firepit? John Elliott Interiors is the best interior designer at the Lake of the Ozarks and we are skilled in designing many different kinds of spaces. Keep reading to find some great inspiration for the perfect outdoor space this summer!

Add Plants for Color

You can easily add your favorite colors to an outdoor living space with seat cushions and accessories, but don't forget to take advantage of some natural pops of color as well. Flowers not only make your patio area look stunning but they also make the yard smell amazing. Even if you live in a condo without a yard, add some beautiful blooms in pots instead.

If you don't have a green thumb, try succulents instead of traditional flowers. They are super trendy and require little to no effort! Succulents thrive on sunlight and only need a little bit of water. They live for a long time too, so they are the perfect no-fuss plants for a vacation home.

Create Shaded Areas

On hot summer days, sometimes the only way to be comfortable is by spending time in shade. Adding a pergola to your patio creates shelter from the summer heat, while still making it cozy enough to enjoy through the fall. A pergola also creates a comfortable 'room' and can be used to separate a seating area from the rest of the outdoor space. Even the addition of a large, beautifully decorated umbrella over an outdoor table can give you some much-needed shade from hot summer rays.

Bring the Bar Outside

Outdoor bars are all the rage at the Lake of the Ozarks! Spend time enjoying a cool drink in the hot weather with your friends and loved ones. A bar space could be anything from a wet bar and full refrigerator with tiki bar decorations... to a simple high table and bar stools for enjoying time together. Think about how you want to spend time outside and design your outdoor bar around that! 

Update the Lighting

As the temperatures continue to get hotter during the day, you'll be more likely to spend time outdoors in the evenings. Proper lighting makes that experience a lot more pleasant. Use downward facing lights to create a warmer and gentler glow than upward facing bulbs. Replace your old light fixtures with new ones for a cozier atmosphere. Many people don't think to update their outdoor light fixtures and spend years with outdated lights. Hanging string lights or lanterns are also an easy way to light up the patio for a summer party and create a great atmosphere for spending time outdoors.

Get Fired Up

Fire features create the perfect centerpiece. They can provide a perfect smores spot that your kids will love, and they serve as a great gathering place for a group of friends to swap stories and share a few laughs. Fire features are more than eye candy, though. They can also be useful for several other reasons. In fact, the smoke from your fire pit is a natural mosquito repellent and the warmth will keep you out on your patio enjoying the outdoors even when cold breezes blow in.

The first day of summer is a few short weeks away, but some of this great, sunny weather has us believing it's already here! Get ready for a gorgeous summer with a fresh, new design at home. John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have a lot of great ideas about how to design your home. Keep reading to learn about some of our favorite tricks to transform your space this summer!

Bright Summer Colors

One of our favorite things to do is to match the accent decor in a room to the season. This helps keep your space looking fresh without having to totally remodel, repaint, or redesign. Think of it as a mini seasonal redesign instead. One of the best ways to bring summer into your home is by using bright colors that give off a cheery, sunny feeling. Yellow is a great choice to imitate the beautiful sunshine, and it has been shown to boost feelings of happiness in some instances. You can also go with the colors of orange, green, bright blue, and even pink. Think of tropical fruit when looking for a fresh, true-to-summer palette.

Replace Heavy Materials

If your home is decorated with a lot of fuzzy blankets, knit pillows, and heavy or dark curtains, then summer may be the perfect opportunity to redecorate. Choose fabrics like satin, cotton, or even a light linen to give off a feeling of airiness. You would be surprised how changing out some of the fabrics in your design can drastically change the look. It is important to keep in mind that you may want to have detachable blackout curtains to use when you need to sleep in, as lighter fabrics will allow more sunlight into your room.

Summer Scents

Just like the scent of pumpkin brings on thoughts of fall and the holidays, summer scents can transform your home to feel fresher and ready for a great season. Scents that make you think of being outside or on vacation are great choices... Linen, cotton, sea salt, daisies, etc. While candles are almost always a great way to disperse scent, in the summertime it may be better to use a wall plugin to avoid producing any extra heat inside the house.

Use Nature to Accent Your Design

Nothing says summer quite like bright flowers and fresh greenery! Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to keep plants alive indoors. This is particularly hard in rooms that may not have a lot of natural light. But don't worry! John Elliott Interiors has a showroom full of beautiful faux plants and trees that look incredibly realistic. These plants can add life to your design without the added work of having to care for a real plant.

Summer Interior Design at the Lake 

If transforming your home into a summer haven sounds like a wonderful idea, let John Elliott Interiors help you achieve your dream look! Stop by our home interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks to pick out beautiful furniture, artwork, and plants that all say "summer is here". You may love your new look so much that you'll keep it around all year long!