Simple accessory switches can lighten your decor for summer days

(ARA) - With long days and plenty of sunshine, you're ready for your home decor to fully embrace the light, upbeat spirit of warm weather. You've decided to discard the darker hues in your home and brighten things up a bit.

Re-accessorize the right way - spend your redecorating dollars on items that will give you the most impact for the lowest monetary investment. Here are a few ideas from the home decor experts at Montgomery Ward to get you started:

Switch up wall decor

Giving a room a whole new look can be as easy as taking down a picture and replacing it with something different.

If you're looking to create a brighter, lighter feeling with wall decor, forego heavy canvases or tapestries, dark colors and large, heavy frames. Opt for nature-inspired wall accents in simple materials like metal, and simple styles like lightly framed floral prints. Look for bright colors that bring in the outdoors - like grass green, geranium red, marigold yellow and sky blue. These colors give a complementary pop to virtually any neutral background, plus they'll evoke the upbeat feeling of being outdoors.

Fabric fun

Abundant sunshine is one of the most joyful aspects of warm weather. Doff the drapes and give windows a light, airy and optimistic feeling with sheer, frothy fabrics in light hues.

You can find styles and colors to match virtually any taste and decor theme. The key is to choose lightweight fabrics that won't weigh down the windows or block the welcome sunshine. This type of window treatment has a practical side for summer as well - when the summer sun is so hot that you need to close the blinds, lighter window treatments can help balance the innate visual heaviness of blinds.

Think outside the firebox

Even though you're not using it, your fireplace doesn't have to sit idle. It's easy to dress up a wood-burning fireplace and make it fit into your lighter, brighter summer decor theme. Clean the firebox of ash and debris, and place a lush, green fern inside the fireplace. Or, incorporate the light-hearted feeling of running water by placing an electric-powered fountain inside the fireplace.

Great outdoors

Spending time in your outdoor living space is one of the best treats of summer. The right accessories, furniture and decor can make the time you spend outside feel restful, relaxing and easy - even if you're preparing for the summer's big barbecue feast for friends, family and neighbors.

Outdoor furniture in materials like wicker, accented by colorful cushions, can make your outdoor environment feel light and bright. Create movement and a cool atmosphere with fans, misters and fountains. Think beyond the deck or patio and create separate seating areas in attractive spots throughout your landscape. A resin bistro set, designed to mimic the look of white-painted wrought iron, nestled beneath a tree or near a flowerbed can turn an unused spot into a great place to take your morning coffee or afternoon tea.

Cost-effective, simple and easy-to-do changes can make all the difference in how well your decor reflects the easy, breezy days of summer. Log on to www.wards.com for more accessory and decorating ideas.

Courtesy of ARAcontent