You can simply brighten up your home by putting the heavy drapery away and making the widows a focal point. While the light is great during the day - especially if you don't need to turn on interior lights - you may dislike the cavernous black holes that they become late at night. For privacy and appearance, keep up the retractable blinds during the day and put them down at night behind a sheer curtain.

Decorating your rooms with mirror will also lighten your place as they capture the sunlight and bounce it around. This doesn't mean a major change in your decor but you may find moving a large mirror to a different wall will optimize the light reflection in the room. Try it across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.

Moving the furniture into a 'summer arrangement' can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. If you normally place the living room furniture to focus on the fireplace consider turning them to face away. This can open up the space and make it more inviting for summertime get together. If you barbecue you might even switch the dining and living room area around if it will give you a better flow for entertaining and enjoying the evening sun during meals.

Roll up the area rugs, leave the table bare and get rid of excess blankets, pillows and other 'comfy' materials that tend to warm up the space.

If you have plenty of storage space (you've packed away all the winter clothes and drapery so you should be fine) you might like to use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the furniture. Not only will it brighten the room, but they can come off easily to be cleaned so you needn't worry about a stain - which is never a good look!

You can bring outdoor in by decorating your rooms with a large tropical with palm leaves. Adding some colorful cut flowers will add further summer appeal. However, too much of anything is not good. Don't clutter your rooms with so many plants it feels like a conservatory.

By adopting some of these simple ideas, your home will easily surround with summer feeling.