Five Tips for Getting Your Home Summer-Ready

The sun is beaming, and the neighborhood pool is open—summer is finally here! Before booking vacations and restocking sunscreen, you have some seasonal preparations closer to home. To help you refresh your home for the summer months, we’ve compiled practical approaches to cooling your space, updating your decor, and preparing your outdoor area.

Upkeep Your Air Conditioner

As temperatures creep up, you’ll need to remember some essential tips for preparing your home for the summer heat. Routine maintenance for your home’s HVAC system is vital to keeping your living space cool and limiting the impact of seasonal allergies from ill-maintained AC systems.

Replace your air filter. Your air conditioning filters gather allergens while trees bloom in the spring, so replace them when summer hits. Experts advise replacing filters every 90 days, an average that decreases with the number of pets or people with respiratory conditions in your home.
Clean your vents. If it’s been a while since you’ve dusted those vents, then there’s no time like the present. Wipe down all your vents before letting cold air blast dust through your home.
Sweep out leaves. Be sure to remove any debris from previous seasons that may be cluttering your air conditioner and blowing additional allergens into your living space.

Watch Your Energy Usage

Energy consumption in the U.S. always skyrockets during the summer. The AC is running, your kids are home using electricity during the day, and you may even be pumping a pool, all of which combine to give you a costly electricity bill. Being conscious of when and how your family uses energy will save you money while also helping the planet.

Keep interior doors open. Leave indoor vents and doors open to keep air flowing and cool your home evenly.
Reverse your ceiling fans. In the summer, your ceiling fans should turn counterclockwise to push cool air down and help draw moisture out. Doing so will also allow your AC system to run more efficiently.
Do laundry in the morning and evening. Your washer and dryer make up a hefty portion of your energy bill, so to keep costs down, do your loads before or after the sun is high in the sky.
Avoid the oven. Ovens heat your home and use a significant amount of energy, so if you need to bake a cake, plan to do so after the sun goes down.
Run sprinklers before sunrise. Not only is watering your lawn during the day less effective, but it also wastes water. Setting your sprinkler system to run at night will help keep your grass and the environment happy and healthy.

A man grilling fish and vegetables on a backyard grill during a summer day.

Prepare the Outdoors

Since you can now get some good use out of your patio, you’ll want to make sure everything is ready for your inaugural grill session of the season.

Clean your grill. Heat your grill to loosen any gunk you’ll need to scrape off, wash the grates and burners after disconnecting the gas line and letting the grill cool. Remember to check the propane level.
Wash outdoor linens. Any patio furniture with cushions left out to experience the elements needs to be cleaned.
Bugproof your patio. Nothing ruins a garden party like mosquitos, so explore pest prevention options like citronella candles, traps, and sprays to keep insects at bay.
Clear out your gutters. While this outdoor chore may not affect your upcoming barbecue, clogged gutters can lead to leaks and potential flooding.
Light up your yard. Patio lighting is for more than just aesthetics—it’s for safety. Hang some string lights and lanterns, especially near stairs and corners.
Get gardening. In addition to planting new flowers, you’ll need to add more mulch or soil, fill in bald patches of your lawn, and clear out weeds.

Update Your Decor

Who doesn’t love decorating? Accessorizing your living space is a fun way to welcome the warm summer aesthetic, but that shouldn’t necessarily involve dropping hundreds of dollars on all-new interior design. Here are some simple ways to liven up your home for the summer season that won’t break the bank.

Store your blankets. Fluffy pillows and knit throws are great in the winter but don’t quite fit in June. Move these items to your attic, basement, or a personal storage unit.
Bring in greenery. Plants aren’t just for your garden. Place some seasonal greenery and flowers around your home to bring the beauty of the outdoors in.
Add summery scents. Light candles and incense with citrus, floral, and beachy scents to appeal to additional senses.
Incorporate natural colors. Dark shades aren’t seasonal, so bring neutral and pastel colors into your home. These shades compliment natural light well, so take inspiration from nature.
Display some memories. If it’s not in your budget to buy a million beachy rugs, drapes, and wall prints, consider displaying photos and sentimental items from past summers and vacations, adding a personal touch to your summer decor.
Thrift new pieces. Vintage and antique items compliment the summer atmosphere well, and buying secondhand can be an affordable and eco-friendly way to add unique flair to your home.

An open-concept room in a home with summery decor, plants, and large windows.

Deep Clean Your Home

Though spring cleaning may have passed, keeping your home clean is year-round. Whether you need to move things to storage or scrub your floorboards, here are some ways to declutter and organize your home for the summer.

Plan a deep cleaning day. No one wants to devote a whole day to cleaning, but if you knock it out all at once with help from the entire family, it can be quick, painless, and fun! Delegate responsibilities like dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing, and assemble a team to tackle larger projects like reorganizing the garage and cleaning out cabinets.
Donate what you no longer need. Be realistic about what winter possessions must be packed away and what pieces you’ve outgrown or don’t use. Clothing and household items can be sent to your local donation center, while used sheets and blankets can be given to animal shelters.
Find a storage solution. Make room in your basement, garage, or attic to stow away seasonal decor and extra belongings. You can also consider renting a storage unit to remove the clutter entirely. Check out our recent blog, “Storing Your Winter Gear: Making Room for Summer Fun,” for more tips on de-wintering your home.

Clear Up Your Home for Summer With Daffodil Storage

For a convenient solution to all your storage needs this summer, Daffodil Storage is here to help. We offer a wide range of personal storage and business storage solutions to serve communities across western Washington, including vehicle storage for anyone needing a place to park their RV or boat between vacations.

Find us at a Daffodil Storage facility near you, and start your affordable, dependable self storage journey with us today!