As the summer sun shines brighter, it's time to embrace the season's lighter, more relaxed vibe. But before you open the windows and welcome guests, consider giving your home a refreshing edit. Interior designers are urging us to bid farewell to certain items that can make a space feel heavy, cluttered, or just a bit tired. So, what should you be getting rid of before summer ends? Let's explore the top items that designers are begging you to toss out and the reasons why.
Tired, Saggy, Half-Filled Pillows
Personally, I think that tired, saggy, half-filled pillows are a design no-no. They not only fail to support your head but also look unappealing on your bed. It's time to invest in fresh, supportive pillows that will enhance both your sleep and aesthetics. By replacing these pillows, you'll instantly create a more inviting and comfortable sleeping environment.
The Pillows That Came With Your Sofa
In my opinion, the pillows that came with your sofa are a design mistake. They often lack personality and can make your sofa look outdated. Instead, opt for an eclectic collection of patterned and textural pillows. This simple change will elevate your sofa and create a more dynamic and visually appealing space.
Matching Furniture Sets
One thing that immediately stands out is the trend of matching furniture sets. While they may have been considered smart and streamlined in the past, they can now make a home feel more like a showroom than a lived-in space. From my perspective, it's better to mix and match furniture, creating a collected interior that reflects your unique style and personality over time.
Bleached, Whitewashed, or Grayed Wood
What many people don't realize is that overworked finishes on wood can be a design faux pas. Let the natural grains of the wood shine through. Embrace the beauty of its natural state, and you'll create a more authentic and striking interior.
Blankets Covering Your Sofa
Blankets are meant to add comfort and warmth, but covering your entire sofa with them is a design no-no. It's time to streamline your blanket collection and opt for a more intentional use of textiles. By doing so, you'll create a lighter and more relaxed atmosphere in your living space.
The Everyday Tablecloth
Tablecloths covering dining tables should be reconsidered. A table is meant to be used, seen, and patina'd, so a full-coverage tablecloth can be a design hindrance. Instead, embrace the beauty of the table itself and opt for a more functional and stylish approach to table settings.
Faux Florals and Plants
Faux florals and greenery have become commonplace, but it's time to ditch them. Summer is the perfect time to bring in fresh flowers from your yard or your neighbor's. If you don't have a green thumb, get creative with other decor options that will add personality to your home without relying on fake plants.
Overdone Decorative Objects
Too many decorative objects can lend to a cluttered and chaotic home. It's important to curate your decor and create a more intentional and stylish space. Give your eyes a place to rest, and you'll highlight the truly special items in your home.
Rugs That Don't Fit the Scale of the Room
Rugs that don't fit the scale of the room can throw off the proportions and make the space feel small and awkward. It's time to evaluate every rug in your home and ensure that it addresses the furniture arrangement and more of the room. By doing so, you'll create a more luxurious and spacious atmosphere.
Boring Bath Mats
Bath mats that are uninteresting and overused are ready for an upgrade. Opt for colorful and personality-driven bath mats that will add a touch of style to your bathroom. This simple change will instantly elevate the space and make it more inviting.
Cold Lighting—and ‘Big’ Lights
Cold overhead ceiling lights can be a design no-no. Instead, prioritize warm lighting and layered lights in a room. By doing so, you'll create a more inviting and cozy atmosphere that will make your home feel like a warm embrace.
Bedside Table Lamps
Bedside table lamps can be replaced with wall-mounted sconces. Sconces feel intentional and elevated, and they leave your nightstand surface free and clear for the things that matter. Major function points!
Old Lampshades
A fresh lampshade is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to update a room. A tired or poorly proportioned shade can make even a wonderful lamp look dated. By updating your lampshades, you'll instantly refresh your space and create a more modern and stylish atmosphere.
Heavy Blackout Curtains
Heavy blackout curtains are overkill. Having a little natural light in a bedroom, especially in the morning, is good for our natural health cycles. If you need a little more coverage, try layering drapes over a woven shade or wood blinds.
Frameless Mirrors
Frameless mirrors may have been popular in the past, but they're a missed opportunity. Other than in a bathroom, your mirror should always be framed. The frame is an opportunity to add depth to the space with color, texture, and pattern.
Family Photos Everywhere
Family photos peppered all over the house can look messy and dated. Concentrate these to a semi-private wall and make a thoughtful statement. By doing so, you'll create a more curated and stylish space that reflects your family's memories in a more intentional way.
Worn Outdoor Goods
Faded cushions and tired outdoor accessories can make your entire home feel neglected. Take stock of your outdoor furniture, lanterns, planters, and watering cans, and edit as needed. By refreshing your outdoor spaces, you'll create a more inviting and welcoming atmosphere for summer.
Fast-Fashion Seasonal Decor
Just because it's summer doesn't mean we need summer-themed throw pillows and trinkets throughout the house. Instead, invest in timeless decor and lean into making your space feel seasonal with items like bowls of fresh fruit or flowers in vases around your home. By doing so, you'll create a more curated and stylish space that reflects the season without relying on fast-fashion decor finds.
Anything You Are Keeping Purely Out of Guilt
If you're holding on to a decor item as a way to satisfy others, it's time to reconsider. You're not required to live with something simply because someone gave it to you. Keep the memory, photograph the object, and allow your home to reflect the life you are living now.
Not quite ready to part ways with your belongings? No problem! Ask yourself if you still use the item, if it still serves a purpose, and whether you would choose it again today. If the answer is no, then it's time to say goodbye. Another option is to box up the items but let them sit. Before you take my advice and fill up your trash can with faux greenery and seasonal decor, stash those items in a closet and see how long it takes you to miss them. If you forget about those items completely, then you have your answer.
