Celebrate the approach of summer at your apartment

Rejoice! Summer is just around the corner. Time for long evenings with lots of daylight, backyard BBQs and beach parties, and warm afternoons spent lazing by the swimming pool.  Enjoy the best that the season has to offer and spend a little time and energy sprucing up your apartment to match. Here are a few fun ways to best enjoy the longest days of the year.

Make a plan for that balcony or patio: Yes, it’s easy to ignore whatever small private outdoor space you may have access to at your apartment during the winter months. But during spring and summer you should take advantage of your designated outdoor space. Clean off your existing outdoor furniture, if you own any, or go shopping, if you don’t. Find ways to make your outdoor space somewhere you’d really like to spend time, whether that means adding an umbrella to shield you from the sun, a few plants to water and watch grow, or even picking up a beach-read paperback and a padded lounge chair.

Refresh your home bar: Summer drinks are lighter, fresher and fruitier than those served in winter. If you’re a fan of tequila, work on perfecting your margarita recipe. Citrus based cocktails like greyhounds, lemon drops and mojitos are also great summer-time beverages. Make a list of the alcohols and mixers you’ll need and hit your nearest wholesale beverage vendor.

Change out your bedding: If you have a dark colored comforter, sheets, or heavy blankets on your bed, time to lighten the load – both in volume and color scheme. If you don’t like white sheets, there’s always a pastel alternative or a nice neutral beige…or even greige. The same goes for curtains – dark colors are only going to make those hot days and nights warmer! If your apartment doesn’t have an air conditioner and you endured a sweltering summer last year, consider purchasing a portable unit, or at least a really nice fan, to get you through the warmest months coming up.

What’s your must- have summer apartment amenity?