The Post-Summer Reset every home (And Family) Needs
Summer is one of my favorite seasons — sunshine, late nights, family time, and so many sweet memories.
But by the time August rolls around, my house usually tells the full story of it all. The kitchen island somehow becomes a mix of sunscreen bottles, bug spray, and school supplies. The living room? Piled with pool towels, extra blankets, and the occasional stray flip-flop no one wants to claim. That’s usually when I know it’s time to hit reset.
The good news is, refreshing your home doesn’t take a full makeover or a big budget. I like to start small — swapping out bright summer pillows for softer neutrals and layering in textures like a knit throw or a velvet cushion. Last week, I tossed a new pillow on the sofa and draped a blanket across the armchair, and suddenly my kids decided that was the new best spot in the house. It’s proof that even the tiniest changes can shift the whole mood of a room. It quickly became a perfect recipe for their latest fort, but that’s another story! Haha!!
Let’s take a quick pause from pillow fort and messy kitchen talk to admire this gorgeous Fall color inspired staging install from this week!
Next, I tackle the clutter zones (because if I don’t, they just keep growing). With the help of Rose from The Thoughtful Home, we are working room by room, drawer by drawer to reorganize my home after a wild Summer! For us, one of our main clutter zones is the foyer table!! My trick? Baskets. I love woven baskets because they look pretty, but they also corral all the “stuff” — remotes, cords, even the random Lego pieces that still sneak their way in. Clearing surfaces gives me such a sense of calm, and it instantly makes the house feel more put together.
Then comes my favorite part: setting the mood. When the days start getting shorter, I trade in citrusy summer scents for something cozier, like cedarwood or cinnamon. I can’t wait to get my Fall Pura diffuser scents! I ordered Pumpkin & Sweet Vanilla and White Pumpkin. I’ll switch on the lamps instead of the overhead lights, and it completely changes the vibe. Add in a few candles at night, and suddenly the house feels warm, calm, and ready for slower evenings.
Finally, I always bring in a little greenery. Sometimes it’s clipping hydrangeas from the backyard, sometimes it’s grabbing a new plant for the windowsill. Either way, fresh greens breathe life into a space in a way nothing else does — it’s the finishing touch that makes everything feel fresh and intentional again. For fresh plants, check out Hallowed Ground in Oella. It is the most darling shop with a fabulous owner who will answer all your questions!! Trust me, I had lots when I first started on my plant loving journey!
Refreshing your home after summer doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about slowing down, layering in a little softness, and creating those cozy corners that feel like you. When I take these small steps, my house shifts from summer chaos back to being the calm, welcoming place I love — just in time for fall.
What design questions do you have? Leave us a comment so we can help!!