5 ways to create a summer staycation at home
By Liz Toombs, C.I.D. Owner, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors and Out of the Box Room Design

Beat the summer heat and brighten up your interiors! Traveling can be pricey, so why not budget the money elsewhere and have a staycation? Here are my five ways to have a staycation this summer by giving your interiors a sunny disposition. 

1. Jazz Up your Walls

Don’t be boxed in by your walls. For added flare, try stenciling on a graphic design or stamping a floral pattern onto one wall in a room. Inspirational quotes in an office space are great motivators (Photo). 

2. Bring Nature Inside
Even if you feel as though you lack the blessing of a green thumb from Mother Nature, there are plenty of low-maintenance plants from which to choose. Try a hassle-free cactus that requires little watering, or a charming orchid to display in a windowsill. Need a craft for the kids too? Buy some plain clay pots and let them paint their own design on them. 

3. Bright Accessories

Be bold and daring! Consider featuring the colors Radiant Orchid, Brilliant Blue or Celosia Orange in your accessory choices and you’ll be on trend. These are the season’s hottest colors as reported by the color experts at Pantone. In a neutral room, a pop of a bright color makes a loud statement (Photo). 

4. Repaint Your Front Door

Pick a color that compliments the sunny weather and that makes you smile. In as little time as an afternoon, the front of your house will be refreshed by a splash of color that will be sure to boost curb appeal (Photo). 

5. Tackle a DIY Project
Summer is the best time to accomplish some of the items that have been at a stand-still on your Pinterest boards. Be proactive! Shop at a Flea Market or antique store and look for a piece that has a solid foundation, aka “good bones”. Then, be adventurous and completely revamp it to your own taste. In the end, you’ll have a unique piece and a story to tell. 

You can also take up a bathroom remodeling project. A macerating toilet or upflush toilet can be easier and much less costly to install. Unlike regular toilets that rely on gravity to flush, upflush toilets come with a macerating pump with heavy-duty stainless steel blades that aid in grinding waste and transporting it to your septic tank. This is easy to install because it doesn't have a ventilation requirement.

About Liz Toombs, C.I.D. - The Kentucky-based Liz Toombs owns Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors as well as the DIY service, Out of the Box Room Design. Toombs is a University of Kentucky graduate and Certified Interior Decorator (C.I.D.) who offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.  Read more on PolkaDotsAndRosebuds.com and OutOfTheBoxRoomDesign.com.