Skip to Content

Give Your Apartment a Summer Glow-Up: Easy Refresh Ideas for Renters

A bright living room with a plush couch, a central coffee table, and shelves lined with various books.Summer is an ideal season for giving your living space a new look and feel. Even small, simple changes can transform an apartment into a lighter, brighter, cooler, more welcoming space for the summer months — no expensive renovations required! We’ve rounded up our top tips for a summer apartment refresh you’ll love, from renter-friendly decor ideas to ways to stay cool!

Small Changes for a Big Impact

An apartment refresh can be affordable and doesn’t require making any permanent changes to your home. In fact, a refreshed living space can boost comfort, improve your mood, and make entertaining more enjoyable, all without breaking the bank. With just a few small changes, you can complete an affordable refresh that is easy to implement on a busy schedule.

Start with a Clean Slate

Decluttering to create more breathing room is one of the best places to begin an apartment refresh. If decluttering feels like too much, consider tackling it in small, manageable steps. Here are a few simple things you can do to cut down on clutter around your apartment:

  • Remove items that are unwanted or no longer needed.
  • Tidy up your storage spaces.
  • Give away belongings you no longer use.
  • Pare down crowded spaces.

Any apartment refresh starts with reducing clutter, which instantly opens up rooms and makes them feel lighter. Decluttering also helps you see what you already own, and you may uncover things you aren’t using that could fit into your redecorating plans.

Bring Summer Comfort Indoors

Although heavy fabrics feel cozy in cooler weather, they can be too much once summer arrives. To refresh your space quickly, replace heavy fabrics with lighter-weight alternatives. For example, consider cooling bedding, sheer window curtains, and lightweight throws instead of heavier options. Using lighter colors and fabrics can also help create a cooler, brighter atmosphere in each room.

For those who aren’t drawn to all-neutral spaces, adding seasonal pops of color can be a great way to energize a room. In fact, a few season-inspired accents can quickly brighten your space and get your apartment summer-ready. With the right colors, you can transform a room without spending a lot. Colorful pillows, artwork, and seasonal accessories offer an easy way to refresh your decor for the season.

Maximize Natural Light

The long days of summer offer a great chance to let sunshine brighten up your apartment. Natural light can lift your mood and show off your favorite possessions at their best. For more natural light, keep your windows clean and remove anything that blocks the sun from entering. Choose lighter window treatments and position mirrors strategically to brighten up dark corners. The right amount of natural light can make small spaces feel bigger and any apartment feel more welcoming.

Extend Your Living Space Outdoors

A summer refresh isn’t complete without bringing in a bit of the outdoors. If you have a balcony or patio, summer is the perfect time to turn it into a comfortable outdoor oasis you’ll love relaxing in. Try renter-friendly touches like cozy seating, extra cushions, string lights, and an outdoor rug for your balcony refresh.

Bringing in natural greenery is another effective way to refresh your living space. Potted plants, vines, or shrubs that are easy to care for can bring texture, freshness, and visual interest to any space. Given the right elements, your balcony or patio has the potential to become a favorite summer gathering spot.

Keeping Summer Organized and Guest-Ready

An apartment that’s refreshed and summer-ready includes practical organization along with guest-ready details. For instance, clutter tends to gather around entryways, closets, and areas used for gear storage. By investing in some organizing bins or cabinets, you can corral your favorite summer supplies while keeping your apartment clean and relaxing.

Part of this is making sure the setup suits both you and the guests you host. You might set up a beverage station, designate a spot for game night essentials, or add comfortable seating and dining, all of which help ready your apartment for guests. It also makes hosting a more enjoyable, easier experience for you!

Your Summer Glow-Up

A few simple seasonal decor updates now can help you achieve a full apartment refresh without a major expense.

On the other hand, if you’re on the hunt for a rental home you’ll love all year long, give your local Real Property Management Inspired office a call! We offer quality rental homes in your area. You just might uncover a home that complements your lifestyle in every season!


This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Readers should consult with licensed professionals regarding their specific circumstances.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.

The Neighborly Done Right Promise

The Neighborly Done Right Promise ® delivered by Real Property Management, a proud Neighborly company

When it comes to finding the right property manager for your investment property, you want to know that they stand behind their work and get the job done right – the first time. At Real Property Management we have the expertise, technology, and systems to manage your property the right way. We work hard to optimize your return on investment while preserving your asset and giving you peace of mind. Our highly trained and skilled team works hard so you can be sure your property's management will be Done Right.

Canada excluded. Services performed by independently owned and operated franchises.

See Full Details