Tasks To Refresh Your Home And Prepare For Summer

If you live in a region that has four distinct seasons, then you know your home’s interior can have different vibes in the summer and the winter. While the weather plays a large role in these varying aesthetics, there are also many ways you might want to prepare for the upcoming season. To ensure your home transitions seamlessly into summer, there are several tasks you should complete in spring.

To refresh your home in anticipation of the summer, swap out heavy blankets, thick curtains, and winter bedding for lighter, breathable alternatives. Ensure you clean all fans, check air filters, and inspect your AC units. Change throw pillows to add fun summer colors, and get rid of interior clutter. Wash the windows, prepare the grill area, organize the garage, and consider switching up your home’s fragrances.

Spring is a season of transition and rejuvenation. Just as the world outside changes significantly, your house can adjust as well. To ensure your home looks its best and is ready for the summer, below is a list of easy tasks to prepare for the hot, sunny summer ahead.

13 Tasks To Help Transform And Prepare Your Home For The Summer

1. Swap Out Heavy Curtains

Heavy curtains and drapes are effective at improving your home’s insulation, and can help keep your heating bill down. Once spring hits, however, they are no longer necessary, and likely don’t match your colorful spring aesthetic. Clean and store your heavy curtains, then replace them with lighterweight ones. Curtains are a great way to change the look of your room, and something more transparent will let more natural light into your home.

2. Change Bedding

Another area of your home that requires a transformation in the spring is your bed. In the winter, you likely use heavy comforters and have multiple insulating blankets nearby to stay warm. In the summer, you want your bedding to keep you cool, not hot. Each spring, wash and store your winter bedding, then swap it out for light, breathable sheets and blankets. Changing your bedding ensures you will sleep well and stay cool throughout the night without relying on air conditioning.

3. Prepare Air Conditioners

An air conditioner is used in the summer, but you should ensure it's functioning properly beforehand. After the winter, take the time to clean, inspect, and test your air conditioning unit. If you have an HVAC system, ensure it is properly maintained. Change the air filters so it operates optimally during the summer, when you use it most.

4. Revamp Patio And Grill Areas

Most outdoor spaces go into hibernation mode in the winter. As soon as spring arrives, however, it’s time to clean and prepare your exterior spaces for a busy summer outdoors. In addition to removing furniture from storage and performing general cleaning, prepare your grill and fire pit areas. Ensure the grill is clean and functioning properly. Fill propane tasks so you are ready to cook at a moment’s notice.

5. Wash Windows And Glass Doors 

Winter weather can leave windows and glass doors filthy. As soon as it’s warm enough to work outside, wipe windows and exterior glass thoroughly.  Cleaning windows helps your home look new and fresh and lets in more natural light. 

6. Get Rid Of Interior Clutter

Since most people spend more time inside when it’s cold, there tends to be a lot of clutter in interior spaces when the season finally ends. Part of spring cleaning is addressing and removing excess stuff from your home, so it looks sleek and open instead of dirty and cluttered. Spring is an excellent time to donate clothing and unwanted home accessories. 

7. Dust And Clean Fans

Fans get a lot of use, especially in the warmer months. Every type of fan attracts dust, and these cooling and air-circulating devices require regular cleaning. In the spring, deep-clean the fans in your home. Start with ceiling fans, and then clean your oscillating and table fans. Wipe off all dust and grime so they will look new again. Avoid using wet clothes when cleaning electronics, and always unplug the device before cleaning it. 

8. Replace Heavy Throw Blankets

Throw blankets are fantastic for making a living room cozier. They are made from different materials and vary in thickness. In the winter, you’ll want to use your heaviest throw blankets to stay warm on cold days. In the summer, store your them away and replace them with light cotton blankets. Consider investing in colorful or light-colored blankets to bring warm earth tones into your home.

9. Switch Up Your Home’s Fragrances 

Smells go a long way in creating a mood and aesthetic in your home. Winter smells are often filled with spice and evergreen, especially around the holidays. As you transition your home from winter to summer, you should also change its fragrance.  Crisp linen, citrus, and floral notes are all fantastic ways to accentuate the lively mood spring brings. You can use potpourri, essential oil diffusers, or scented candles to bring these new smells into your home.

10. Organize Your Garage

Your garage is another area of the home that tends to get messy in the winter. Before you start your DIY projects this spring, thoroughly clean and organize the garage. A dirty garage isn’t only an eyesore, but it’s also potentially dangerous. Having your tools clean and in their proper place will make it easier to perform all your spring home and outdoor maintenance tasks.

11. Change Seasonal Decor

While some photos and artwork are displayed year-round, many decorations are seasonal. Flowers (dried and fake), vases, figurines, wreaths, and even table runners are often representative of a specific season. Once spring arrives, it’s time to store all your winter and holiday decor for the year. Replace it with fresh decor that brings life and vibrance to your home. Whether you stick to holiday themes or a color palette, use decorations to refresh your home this spring.

12. Add Vibrant Throw Pillows

Throw pillows, like blankets, come in various materials, colors, and textures. Plush, oversized throw pillows in deep, moody colors are perfect for the winter. With spring, it’s time to swap out dark and fuzzy pillows for lighter ones.  Throw pillows are a cheap and effective way to change the look of a room, and are great if you're looking to bring a cheerful aesthetic into the home this summer.

13. Pressure Wash Outdoor Areas And Furniture

Winter can cause some serious stains and damage to your outdoor spaces. The deck, patio, and outdoor furniture all need a deep cleaning once the weather warms up. While you can try various methods to clean your home’s exterior, a pressure washer is a great tool for this task. It's important to use the proper setting to not damage wood, vinyl siding, and other materials when set to a high setting. This is a great way to remove stubborn dirt, mildew, and other stains that develop over the winter.

Summing Up Tasks To Refresh And Prepare Your Home For Summer

Every home needs some attention in the spring. While spring cleaning can help, there are several other ways to refresh your home this season and prepare it for the summer. Some of the best ways to switch up your interior aesthetic to make it more summer-friendly include replacing curtains, bedding, throw blankets, and pillows with lighter, more breathable options.

Clean and prepare the grill and outdoor spaces, remove interior clutter, and organize the garage. Use a pressure washer to remove winter stains and dirt, change seasonal decor, and bring new, refreshing smells into your home with essential oils, candles, or room sprays.

Related Guides:

• What's The Difference Between Spring And Summer Decor?
• How To Make Your House Feel Like Spring
• How To Add Springtime Color To Your Home Without Painting