Summer decorating is all about lightening up and simplifying your look. And I always think that a re-edit of accessories and textiles keeps things looking fresh.

Ten years ago a “summer refresh” meant slipcovering the sofa, swapping covers on the toss pillows, changing out area rugs and drapes in the main living areas, and beachifying the accessories pretty much all over the house. I look back at my summer decorating plans and feel envious of the time and energy I had back then!

This is the first summer in a few years that I’m making some summery swaps. (Let’s face it, the last two years didn’t really feel like summer, you know?) And, now that I’m living in a smaller place and a completely different lifestyle from Las Vegas to Chicago, my summer decorating plans are simple, focusing on the living/dining area.

I’m using these five elements to guide my choices:

• Color: Creamy whites and natural neutrals are the perfect jumping off point for summer.
• Texture: Wood – think light and smooth like driftwood on a beach.
• Pattern: Stripes – from wide awning stripes to thin ticking stripes, stripes are made for summer!
• Accents: Greenery and shells – the beachier the better.
• All-stars: Kraft paper and jute twine – these humble materials are summertime décor powerhouses and can transform a multitude of items.

The good thing is, I’m mostly re-using things I already have, just in different arrangements or cleverly camouflaged. And none of my new finds were expensive.

To start, I pulled out my small bin of corals and shells and gathered up natural-colored table runners and white or neutral accessories. This step helps you see what you have so you can decide what to use where. (I do this for holiday decorating, too.) Then let the fun begin!

Lighten up

First, for the sofa, to summerize a couple of Pottery Barn toss pillows, I only had to turn them over to their linen back side. Then I added a few ivory pillows from other rooms instead of the teal I usually have here, and a lighter weight ivory throw. In just minutes it looks lighter and brighter!

Add new textures

For the sofa table I found a small wood tray and a strand of wooden beads at TJ Maxx. (About $30 total.) I added a faux succulent and an antique Coptic cross for interest. I love this look!

Mix things up

Not to be forgotten, the coffee table gets a white blown glass candle holder and a small potted plant to freshen up the everyday accessories. The living room summer look is complete! It really does feel lighter in here.

Feel nostalgic

On the dining table, I wanted to hint at the wicker paper plate holders we used at family picnics when I was a kid. I found seagrass charger plates at Amazon. French market stripe napkins are tied simply with jute twine (about $3 at a hardware store).

Jute twine also makes an appearance on decorative glass bottles that I made about 10 years ago. (I couldn’t believe I still had them and that they survived the move.) Empty and wash a tall, slender bottle (I think these were olive oil and Thai chili sauce!). Wrap jute twine around the neck of the bottle, securing each end with a bit of hot glue. I added a cork and a small shell. I also love to wrap the twine around clear glass votive cups for a look that can go well into the fall.

Go all in on neutrals

For the sideboard in the dining area, I covered the books I use for display risers in kraft paper to neutralize them, and filled my aunt’s vintage vase with shells. (If you don’t have kraft paper, brown paper grocery bags work just fine!) I can’t decide if the grouping of smaller decorative items is fussy and distracting, so I’ll live with it a few days and see if it grows on me. And that’s the thing about decorating: we get to play with arrangements until something feels just right.

I used the 5 guiding elements for a summery look in my living and dining area, but working in these colors, textures and patterns will work in any room. Try swapping a comforter for a simple white cotton blanket in the bedroom, or using jute twine to tie a shower curtain to the rod instead of fussy curtain rings. The possibilities are truly endless!

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