Summer means salty hair, bare feet in the grass, and long, lazy days! The warm season also brings bright, fresh produce and lots of chances to whip up delicious treats. But with families at home and vacations to plan, things can also get a bit stressful. This summer kitchen refresh will start you off on the right foot, ready to tackle whatever the sunny days throw your way.
Give your kitchen décor a fast and fun update.
The heart of your home is a perfect place to bring in a bit of summer joy. These quick style swaps can be completed with ease!
Switch up your cabinet hardware.
You’ll be amazed at how much a simple hardware upgrade can freshen up the look of your kitchen. For the easiest swap, measure your current cabinet handles and drawer pulls and choose a new set of the same size. We love modern, clean lines in warm gold or chic matte black!
(Photo courtesy of cB2)
Try out a new rug.
Who says kitchen floors need to be strictly functional? Try tossing down a vintage runner or door mat in an easy-to-clean indoor/outdoor style. Bright colors and bold patterns are especially welcome in summer! Make sure to place it on top of a grippy rug pad so it stays in place in high-traffic areas.
Swap paper napkins for brighter, reusable cloth styles.
Eco-friendly and stylish – two of our favorite things! Here’s your nudge to take a break from paper napkins and switch to washable cloth ones. There are thousands of styles available at various price points. A great starting point is basing colors off of artwork or other décor in your kitchen. Find a color that pops and select napkins in that shade.
(Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn)
Get organized for busy days.
Despite our best efforts, summer isn’t all ice cream and sunsets! But with a few minutes of preparation now, the crazy days will go by much smoother.
Fill a basket with fruit.
If you’re anything like us, healthy snacks are the first to be forgotten when things get busy. Grab a cute basket, place it on an island or table where you can see it, and fill it with fresh fruit after every grocery trip. Apples and oranges are easy, while summer favorites like peaches and kiwis help keep it interesting!
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Create easy-to-reach bins for kids.
Summer with kids at home can be especially hectic. Keep little bellies full and encourage independence with special snack bins right at their height. Think mini yogurts and juices on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or breakfast bars in the lower half of the pantry. Keep necessary silverware and napkins in the same bin and congratulate yourself on a few extra minutes earned!
Finally freshen up your utensil drawer.
If your potato masher spends more time trapping your drawer closed than squashing spuds, it might be time for a quick clean out! Pull everything out and separate into piles. Everyday silverware can stick together: long, skinny spoons and spatulas make a good group and strangely shaped can-openers and garlic presses make for another. Place each group into its own drawer pile before sliding everything back in.
Save some fresh summer recipes.
Turning on the oven is the last thing we want to do on a 90-degree day! Spend a few minutes gathering no-oven-required recipes on your Pinterest board or in your recipe box. This summer salad is a favorite in the LimeLife home office. Pair it with leftover chicken from the grill for a tasty meal.
Peach and Tomato Salad
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
3 medium peaches, pitted and cut into wedges
2 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 oz crumbled feta cheese
Torn basil for garnish
For the vinaigrette:
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients. Place peach and tomato wedges on a platter. Drizzle the vinaigrette over top and sprinkle with cheese and basil.
What’s your favorite summer recipe? Drop it in the comments or tag us in a picture!