It may be summer, but mornings can still feel sleepy and even a little slow to start. While part of that could be attributed to not being a morning person, your surroundings could also be helping to create monotonous mornings. That doesn’t mean you need a complete home renovation. Sometimes, all you need is a few small changes to make a big difference. Try one or more of these home projects to brighten your summer mornings.
Always Catch the Rainbow
Miss the rainbow after the last warm summer rain? Make sure you always catch a spectrum of colors by adding a rainbow window decal to your room. These suncatchers function just like a holographic prism. As the sun begins to rise and light shines through your window, it creates a mesmerizing decorative pattern of rainbow colors and light that bounce off your walls, floor, and ceiling. Experiencing a symphony of colors is sure to start every day with a smile.
Bring the Outdoors In
Biophilic interior design, or design that incorporates nature into our indoor environment, has been trending for the past few years – and understandably so. The integration of natural light, materials, and plants helps to create a peaceful, calming atmosphere and adds a warm and welcoming beauty to the home. Soft sunlight, bright greenery – what better way to start your morning? Here’s how you can embrace biophilic design this summer:
- Incorporate Natural Materials: Change the entire look and feel of your home by incorporating natural materials, like bamboo and rattan, by switching your current lampshade with a basket light fixture, repurposing wood to create a coffee table, or even by adding a jute rug.
- Maximize Natural Light: Reposition furniture or anything else that’s blocking light from entering through your windows.
- Plants, Plants, and More Plants: Decorate one or more rooms in your home with plants, whether that’s by adding plants to your kitchen or by your bedside. It’ll do wonders for your home decor! There are also quite a few health benefits of growing plants, including stress relief (a big benefit for mornings!). Don’t have a green thumb? Faux plants will do the trick!
Break Out the Paintbrush
From rainbow decals to a fresh coat of paint, nothing brings joy to everyday life like a little color! Take a cue from those blooming summer flowers by crafting your own accent wall with a vibrant paint color like fuchsia, coral, yellow, or sky blue. It’ll really make any neutral decor pop.
Live in an apartment or are just hesitant to paint an accent wall in your home? You can still add color! Repaint a piece of furniture – coffee table, chair, nightstand, dresser – with a summery color. You could also tell your own color story with your decor. Use bright throw pillows and blankets, hang paintings and photography, add an accent rug or any other decor you love.
Make an Indoor Herb Garden
As beautiful as they are, creating outdoor gardens requires a lot of time and commitment. That’s why many turn to indoor herb gardens instead. They don’t require much space, sunlight, or gardening experience to grow and thrive. Another bonus? They’re right at your fingertips for cooking or adding to a nice cup of morning tea!
Herbs that work well indoors include mint, lavender, basil, thyme, rosemary, and more herbs in the mint family. Just be sure to place your planter in a bright spot in your home, like a windowsill.
DIY Candles
Adding visual beauty isn’t the only way to make your morning a little brighter. Awaken all of your senses with simple homemade candles. They add a cozy morning ambiance and scent, even when they’re not lit. And they’re not hard to make, either! All you’ll need are soy flakes (or beeswax pellets), candle wicks, and a few ingredients you’re likely to have on hand – a saucepan, mason jars, and a spatula. You can also add any dye or fragrance oil you want! Some great summer-inspired scent ideas include grapefruit, orange, bergamot, and coconut.
1.Add water to a saucepot, then place a heat-safe bowl inside.
2. Pour the soy flakes or beeswax into the bowl and let it melt at medium-high heat.
3. Turn off the heat and stir in any fragrance oil or dye (if desired).
4. Dip the metal end of the wick into the wax. This helps the wick stick to the bottom of your mason jar. You can also use a wick sticker.
5. Pour the wax into the jar and let it cool and set before trimming the wick.
6. Light and enjoy as you sip your morning coffee or get ready for the day!
Refresh Your Furniture
If a bedroom or patio chair has seen better days, try your hand at reupholstering. To get in on this sustainable interior design trend, remove all the old fabric and disassemble the chair as needed, depending on how worn or damaged the batting, springs, or other parts are. Then, you can begin making measurements, finding a fresh summer fabric, and attaching it to the chair. Reupholstering will completely change the feel of your space and brighten your morning to boot!
Worried about making a mistake? You can always get an inexpensive chair at a thrift store to practice on first.
Breathe New Life into Your Mornings
You don’t necessarily need to perform a complete overhaul of your home or your daily routine to make each morning feel bright and cheery. With just a few simple changes, you can transform your morning, and consequently, your whole day. Add more color to your decor, nourish indoor plants, or take on any creative summer home project that’ll bring you – and your home – more joy!
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