Most of us spend our summer days enjoying the outdoors, barbecuing and just lounging in the sun. However, we still like to have updated looks and changes around our home to keep things appealing and interesting.

Over the next few weeks I’ve decided to give you some ideas on small, quick fixes/ changes that can help you keep dabbling in the décor design while still enjoying the summer sun.

You could possibly call these ideas your “weekend makeovers.” Or if it’s too ambitious for that short time frame, break it into two or three segments and enjoy the changes along the way.

So, now that you know it’s possible, make a plan. Some of the ideas can be used in any room of the house, others are room-specific. You decide what best suits your needs.

Rev up with paint — (Two tips) Consider the walls, but don’t forget the trim. Paint trim a lighter or darker shade of the wall color. Use white for trim if everything else is colour.

Tell a story — Cover massive areas of wall space with framed photos and choose pieces that are meaningful, such as vacations, family portraits, landscapes or colourful restraurant menus.

Country style — Mix antiques with new fabrics to create a rustic and elegant look.

Divide and conquer — Bookcases are a natural room divider, especially those with no back, as they can be filled with candlesticks, photos, books and can compliment both rooms.

Toss on colour and pattern — Rather than buying slipcovers for your furniture, find shawls, throws, quilts then fold into rectangles to cover the entire back or seat tucking them into the crevices.

Re-invent beds — Soften sleek lines of a contemporary four poster bed by hanging fabric or a curtain from the rod above the head of the bed.

Pair curtains and blinds — A new look is to add whichever of the two is presently missing. Curtains soften the look where blinds let you easily control light.

Replace curtain rods — Rather than a standard rod, use coat hooks every six to eight inches. This idea is great for casual areas, such as mudrooms, sun porch, or cottage rooms.

Trim your curtains — Add pom poms, or tassel fringes, velvet or grosgrain ribbon to the inner and outer edges.

Bring shutters inside — Replace curtains/blinds with louvered shutters and attach with hinges if you intend to open and close.

Nature inside — Use a garden bird bath as a corner filler or a hallway prop.

Show off rugs in non traditional ways — If you don’t have the floor space, try draping over a stair railing, hang as a tapestry on a wall or place at the head of a bed that does not have a headboard.

Perk up pillows — Add your own trimmings (vintage or new) to store bought pillows, mini tassels, buttons, sequins/rhinestones.

Change the hardware — Exchange doorknobs, hinges, and door stops with old ones from antique shops and salvage stores.

Monogram it — Iron on embroidered letters to lampshades, pillow cases or dining chair covers (look for fonts that suit your style).

Recover old pillows — Use scarves, shawls and tablecloths.

Accessorize the accessories — When hanging mirrors, plates or any items think about ways to add visual appeal with ribbon, rope etc.

Style the kitchen sink — Spring for an elegant faucet to create a focal point.

Remember: Great finds are everywhere, and not just on websites. Search places like second-hand shops, salvage companies, and garage sales. Keep your eyes open, take your time when searching and always bring a notepad and pen to jot down locations where you have seen the jewels that will soon be yours.

At the end of the day, whether it’s new or it cost $1, make sure it is useful because when an item catches your eye, sometimes logic goes by the wayside. We always want to make our investments work for us.

Happy Decorating!