You could change out window treatments, either by taking some or all down for the season, or by changing to lighter fabrics. This assumes privacy and energy issues would not be adversely affected. I do not do this, but many folks do. Then they have the winter curtains cleaned and preserved for the next season. (If I had more energy, I might go for this myself. Not sure how to hang 120" silk panels for storing. I think of our home as a fall/winter home, too.)

This is an interesting question. I tend to want to cocoon in the winter and like my house to feel cozy, but it does sometimes seem to warm-feeling in the summer, but since we have more fall/winter here than summer, it makes sense to plan most of the house decor for winter.

For winter, I think snug and cozy, darker colors, warmer thicker fabrics, more fabric in general, a cozy glow instead of sparkling sunlight. Summer is paler, lighter colors, more sunshine and sparkle, less fuss, more play time, simpler meals, lazy days (well, I keep hoping for the lazy days).

My aunt used to have heavy dark blue drapes over criss-crossed ruffled sheer white priscilla curtains. She'd take the blue drapes down in the summer and just leave the white sheers up, which did make the living room look much lighter and summery.

Taking up an area rug and storing it for the summer can aid in creating a lighter look.

I put away the heavy throws for the summer. I have a much lighter one that I made from a sheet that I use--it's not a thing of beauty, but my cats prefer to sit on my lap when there's a throw. It creates sort of a hammock effect between the arm of the chair and my lap, which they prefer to just my lap or just the arm of the chair (the spoiled creatures that they are). You could also store some of your sofa pillows for the summer to create a more streamlined, less fussy, more summery look. I find I tend to use tablecloths more in winter and either placemats or a bare table in summer. Maybe put away some of the decorative objects around your house in summer and bring them out again in winter.

In my living room, I put a small Oriental rug on the coffee table in winter, which helps to warm the room up. It comes off in summer. In the bedroom, I have a winter down comforter with a duvet cover and a summer lightweight pale colored bedspread.

You could also do more subtle touches. Using ceramic vases in winter and sparkly glass vases in summer. White china in summer, colored in winter.

I live in Southern California, where some would argue that it's always summer. I store my throws in summer (although nights can be cool here), but in general, I don't get all fussed about seasonal changes. I live in a house, not a department store. Having said that, I think changes in flower colors or indoor plants can freshen up the place.

I change my artwork seasonally; I have art for all 4 seasons.

I change out the beds from thick winter comforters to light cotton bedspreads. I put away the wool throws in the LR.

But mostly I set up the porch by getting out the furniture and cleaning it all up. The door to the porch stays open most of the time bringing in sunlight and frest air.We do a lot of our summer living on the porch . I just wish I had a sleeping porch too.

I open up the front door too (we have a screen door on it) and the upstairs windows. Since I live in a center hall colonial, opening up the front door brings in so much light and a cross breeze that the house just feels like summer.

I know it isn't really a change in decor, but in our house, it really sends the message that summer is here. I feel lucky I live in a climate zone where we really don't need AC beyond 3-4 days in the summer, and I can get away with doing this.

If your furniture lends itself to slipcovers, lighter fabric slipcovers are great for summery atmosphere--as opposed to, say, burgundy chenille or moss green velvet, etc.

Perhaps I should have addressed this query only to people who actually *have* winter versus summer. Idee, I'm not trying to treat my house as a department store. Just looking for ideas for subtle (as my title says) changes, not a complete overhaul of my inventory.

Since DD has a 1/2 day at school today so I figured I wouldn't accomplish much outside the house, I devoted my morning to putting away the heavy throws, switching around a few pillows, and generally clearing out some clutter. And opened a few windows even though it's barely 50 degrees. I feel better!

I'm also looking forward to switching my heavy comforter to the lightweight quilt in my bedroom, but our nights are not warm enough yet for that!

gracie, I was looking at my artwork today before I saw your response... thinking about not necessarily replacing, but maybe rearranging. How fun to have art for all 4 seasons!

Sueb20: I hear you! We live in an area with 4 seasons as well. I don't change out a whole lot. I actually leave blankets in a basket, b/c once the AC is on, I get chilly when I sit to read or watch tv.

It may just be me, but I feel as though I close the blinds earlier in the winter and keep that snuggled up feeling for those long, darker months. I do a major spring cleaning--windows, baseboards, behind furniture, etc and then it somehow feels to me like I've prepared for the nicer weather to come. For me, that's enough to feel as though I'm ready for the next season, if that makes any sense.

Sorry I don't have much to contribute in the way of making small changes. I opened windows this week as well...it just feels so refreshing, even if it's still a bit chilly!

Sue, I've really been thinking of doing as Kitchendetective suggests, & changing my curtains in the den for Spring/Summer. That would mean getting another 3 pair of curtains. I love my current curtains, but they seem very autumnal/wintery. I have pillows that match, so I would change the pillows too, and, as you did, remove the heavy throws (or I may keep ONE in there that I'm just really fond of!) I've really thought about this a lot, & while I may miss my current curtains since I like them so much, I think it would be a refreshing seasonal change. I clearly see the den from my kitchen & sunroom, & just a little from the dining room, so even from other rooms, I think it would feel cooler & airier with lighter curtains in the den during the summer. We shall see!

Yes, flowers in the house & open windows do bring the feeling of Spring into the home! I have urns & pots of pansies at my front door & pansies in a bed near the driveway that also remind me that Spring is near. My bulbs are shooting up through the soil too...Yay!

In my previous house I changed the bedding from dark to light colors come Spring, but here I have light colors all year round on the bed. I just layer on quilts in the winter & haven't missed the deeper colors in the bedroom. Maybe the yellow walls make it feel warm in winter, but light & airy in summer!

Take pics & show us your seasonal updates! I think it's fun to greet & celebrate the seasons with our decor!

Living in Central Florida- we only have 2 seasons- Summer and Fall!!! I keep apothacary jars, vases and large compote dishes on my dining room table that I rotate 2x a year. In the winter and fall I use small silver ornaments and pine cones, and in the summer and spring I use seashells. It is inexpensive and at least it feels like a change in the house. Of course during the holidays, I add other things to the table- pumpkins, pilgrims, etc. to keep the kids happy!

I know what you mean...I want to lighten and brighten for spring and summer. Bring flowers home is always a nice touch.

I change quilts on the my bed. The fall/winter one is tan with sage green and cranberry accents. The spring/summer one is white with pastel colors. It really lightens the room. Changing involves changing out the dust ruffle, too. Bit of a hassle, but worth it.

We have blinds in the breakfast nook so the winter sun pouring through the south facing window doesn't cook us. But in the summer, the sun has shifted enough we don't need the blinds. I raise the blinds and loop the cords out of the way for the summer.

A metal container hanging by the front door gets seasonal silk flowers.

We take up some of the rugs in the bathrooms and entry ways.

Replace candles with flower vases.

Clean off surfaces...I guess that just good spring cleaning, but I know I will want to spend more time outside than inside cleaning as the season warms. Clearing the clutter off all available flat surfaces really helps.

Rearrange the furniture. There's just something freshening about moving the couch to a different location.

Off to clean off a counter....

Throws, throw pillows, floral arrangements, plants. If you have a mantel, that's a nice place to denote a change of season.

Dinnerware is another possibility. I have a lot of blueware, but would like to add more white for the spring and summer.

Someday, when my house is done, I'll start making a few changes for the different seasons, but right now there's just too much to do to worry about changes of season. :)

I changed out the silk flower arrangement and hand towels in my powder room this past weekend. I had dark red orchids and a rust red hand towel. I used the same vase but changed to miniature white calla lilies with some sort of pale yellow spray. I changed the hand towel to and off white with embroidery.

I also change out my kitchen towels, pot holders and place mats each season.

My colors are the same as your's in the LR. And I love them!

What I do is in the summer add an expensive but pretty quilted throw, folded over a chair to add summer colors.

You can buy throw pillow covers, and even pillow shams to put in the LR to add more color.

I've been stocking up on new houseplants too, along with a couple of silk flower arrangements.

Know what the best thing about "our" colors are? Since I'm also a nester, when it gets very hot in the summer on those loooong bright days, I close my shutters, and pretend it's Winter. lol.

Sueb20, i change out for the spring/summer season by bringing in ivory. Black lampshades, leopard-print throw pillows, gold/brown throw, florals, candle holders/candles and even a few accessories, ALL get changed out to ivory. I'm planning to make ivory slipcovers for the 2 slipper chairs too, and may have a slipcover made for the sofa.

Changing out for the seasons makes me feel i've moved into a new home. ;o)

I live in California, in a house not a department store.
I also have more of a winter house with dark wood, brown leather furniture and fall colors. I do change things seasonally. For starters I kept my wall color and rug color and window treatments a neutral, that would go with all seasons colors.

Great suggestions here so far. I second the Mantel for decorating seasonally. I change the mantel for holidays and seasons. Now I have two rabbits on it and a white wreath and scattered eggs for Spring and Easter.

Put away the throws on the couch. Or change the color of the throw and throw pillows, and accessories in the room.

Wow Gracie01, I have to say picking art out is tough enough, I don't think I could do it for every season. That is amazing. Plus I don't have the storage if I did.

I too, change the bedding for the seasons and use lighter colors in the spring/summer months.

I change the front porch to reflect the season or the holiday.

I second the spring cleaning and window washing idea.

The removing of the drapes idea and leaving the sheers was a great idea.

Better Homes and Gardens.com is a good sourse for seasonal decorating, you might go look there for some ideas.

Have fun with it!

I switch out a few accessories. In winter, I have some dried twigs or eucalyptus in the vase on my buffet, which has fresh flowers from my garden in spring, summer and fall. On a side table in the living room, I have a small bowl with tiny spruce cones in it during the winter; I leave it empty in the summer.

I used to have summer throw pillows and winter throw pillows for the sofa, but when we switched houses and sofas I haven't replaced them all yet. I would like to have two sets of living room curtains, one for summer and one for winter, but since I haven't settled on a first pair yet, I guess that'll have to wait!

My house is in similar colors, and I do live in an area with distinct seasons (although winter is definitely the longest!) I have found that my seasonal decor really takes place in three areas: an entryway table, the kitchen island, and the TV armoir (wish we had a mantle!) Right now I have a glass vase filled with wooden tulips on my entry table, on my island I have a bronze jewelry "tree" on which I have hung beaded and glass Easter eggs, and there is a subtle spring wreath on my armoir. In the summer I'll add a few brighter flowers to my spring wreath, change out my tulips for something (a bunch of shiny pinwheels would be fun) and I'll put a live plant in a bright ceramic vase on my island. Pumpkins and sunflowers will take over from Sept to Thanksgiving. For Christmas I put a twig reindeer and shiny cone-shaped trees on top of the armoir, our Nativity on the entryway table, and a vase filled with candycanes and surrounded by pinecones on the island.

I love the idea of the apothecary jars with seasonal things in them.

Southern Ca. here, too.
We have:
Autumn leaves Oct.-Dec.
Wintry, bare branches Dec.- March
Nights in the 40's( morns, too recently).
Cozy gray days and rain( yea!)
Early spring brings blooms in Feb.
Four Season Lite! So, yes! I do switch
much as others here have described. Acorns,red
berries, pine cones go away, replaced with branches of
blossoms( real and fake . Throws are removed
or replaced. Bedding changes, etc. etc.
To me, a house feels stale without these fun changes.

Here -- My house has a lot of deep rich "winter" tones -- so I do switch things around for the hot summer months in Dallas.

I switch out the artwork (usually one of the old portraits) over the mantel in the living room, roll up the rugs and stash them and change around the accessories for a lighter, brighter and "cooler" look.

And I switch the bedding on our bed and in the guest room.

In the kitchen -- the tablecloth switches to greens and neutrals.

And I keep my fruit in veggies in old bowls around the kitchen -- and the fresh summer ones really help to change the look too!

I adore fresh flowers -- but usually use bouquets or bunches of herbs from my garden.

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

We have a green, wool upholstered love seat and sofa. In the summer I have two yellow matelassés that I tuck onto both pieces. It makes the whole room look and feel lighter.

I also agree that lighter curtains can make a room feel like summer. I just love crisp white eyelet panels, lace, embroidered, or cut work. If you don't need privacy . . . replacing heavy drapes with just valences change the look completely also!

Aggh... I'd love to change my LR drapes for the season (they're basic velvet panels w/ a print valance) but my windows are an odd size, so it's an investment. The panels I have were bought as 96" (I think, whatever that standard size is) and hemmed to 88" or something like that. I could take the drapes down, but they hide the fact that the valance isn't quite wide enough (doesn't quite go to the end of the curtain rod!), could take the valance down but it hides the fact that the wood trim at the top of the window is a disaster.... See how things work around here?

Sue, country curtains has panels that are 84" and 90". Would either of those lengths work?

homebodymom, I love your dining chairs! OMG.

Anyway, I don't do much. Tulips are my favorite flower, so I always have them during spring. Otherwise, fresh flowers are a totally random occurrence.

Mostly it's the throw pillows on the sofa ... they get changed about three times a year.

Oh, and the bowls of potpourri ... I have winter and fall, need something spring-y, I guess.

I have a winter house also, and no room to store extra window coverings, etc. I finally made one of the bedrooms more summery with cool colors and white bedding. It gives me a break from all the other warm rooms. I'd love to do light slip covers though.