Summer Projects You Can Do and Enjoy!

There’s something about summer that makes us want to roll up our sleeves and tackle those little projects we’ve been putting off all winter. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and spending time outdoors naturally inspires us to freshen up the spaces we enjoy the most.

You don’t need a big renovation budget to make a noticeable difference. In fact, some of my favourite projects have cost very little—they just required a bit of creativity, a little elbow grease, and a willingness to see old things in a new way.

A Fresh Coat of Paint Works Wonders
While working in my garden recently, I noticed how faded my shutters had become after years of sun exposure. They were looking tired, so I decided it was time for a makeover.
After removing them, giving them a good cleaning, applying primer, and finishing them with two coats of paint, the transformation was incredible. Once they were back on the house, everything looked fresher and more inviting.
It’s amazing what a little paint can do.

One Person’s Old Chairs…
That same weekend, a friend mentioned she was replacing her Muskoka chairs and wondered if I’d like the old ones. Absolutely!
I brought them home, cleaned them thoroughly, primed them, and painted them to match my shutters. After a few days of drying, they looked like a brand-new set around our fire pit.
The best part? They were free. Sometimes the best decorating finds don’t come from a store—they come from friends, neighbours, or the side of the road on garbage day!

Garden Décor with a Creative Twist
One of my favourite summer trends is decorative garden mushrooms, and one of my talented friends created her own version using thrifted wooden salad bowls and old wooden spindles she already had tucked away in her basement.
The finished mushrooms look absolutely charming nestled among her flowers. She even made an extra set as a gift. It’s the perfect reminder that with a little imagination, everyday items can become beautiful garden art.

Don’t Forget About the Inside of Your Home
Summer is also a wonderful time to rethink the furniture you already own.
One of my favourite transformations was turning an antique dresser into a coffee and tea station. Its generous drawers now hold mugs, coffee, tea, sugar, and serving pieces, while the top houses the coffee maker, kettle, and a few decorative accessories. It has become one of the most-used spaces in the home.
Another client wanted her new house to have a lighter, coastal feel. She already owned a console table that fit the room perfectly, but its dark finish no longer suited the look she wanted. Rather than replacing it, we simply painted it a soft, lighter colour. The result completely transformed the room for a fraction of the cost of buying new furniture.

Shop Your Home First
As an interior designer, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that beautiful spaces aren’t always created by buying new things. Often, the best design begins with what you already own.

Before heading out shopping this summer, take a walk through your home, garage, basement, or shed. You may find a forgotten piece that’s ready for a fresh coat of paint or an old item that could serve a completely new purpose.

With a little creativity, you’ll not only save money—you’ll create something that’s uniquely yours.

What Will You Create This Summer?
Whether it’s refreshing your shutters, rescuing an old chair, creating whimsical garden décor, or giving a favourite piece of furniture a brand-new purpose, summer is the perfect time to get creative.

Remember, every great project starts with simply seeing the potential in something that’s already there.

Happy creating, and enjoy every sunny day this beautiful summer has to offer!