With summer fast approaching, your wardrobe isn’t the only thing in need of a little sprucing up. Your home could use a little TLC of its own, and we’re breaking down some quick and easy ways to brighten up your home just in time for the summer months.

Cleaning and Clearing Out
They don’t call it spring cleaning for nothing. When was the last time you can remember given your house a good thorough cleaning? Everything from windows, carpets, dusting, and kitchen appliances are often neglected for months on end, but there’s nothing like that summer sun shining through crystal clear windows and sparkling countertops to brighten up your home after a long winter.

Clearing out unnecessary items and junk will also instantly open up any room in your house. Take a look around your home at all the things you have, but don’t really need. We all have tons of accumulated knickknacks, papers, magazines and even furniture that serve no real purpose other than to take up valuable space.

People often say a clean environment leads to a clean mind and who doesn’t want to start the summer of fresh and relaxed? By clearing out items you don’t need, you’ll be able to look at the rooms of your house in different ways, even notice some of the architectural beauty and possibilities you didn’t see before.

Lighting
The effect lighting can have on a space are incomparable. Simple things like accent lighting, ambient and natural light and even curtain stylings can brighten or darken up the rooms of your house.

Accent lighting is used to bring focus to specific areas of a home. Since most rooms focus on a main source of light it’s difficult to create any accent pieces. Try dimming the main light source in a room and add accent lights along the walls to highlight pictures or lamps to create some contrast within the room.

While accents certainly help define the style of a room, natural light will open any room up tremendously. As Phoenix already carries such a high supply of sunlight, you might as well utilize it. Things like sheer curtains and wide spacing windows allow for the most light to shine in.

“Vertical lines are key in opening up any space,” says Deborah Wecselman, creator of DWD Inc. (Will link DWD Inc. to website). “Vertical drapes or curtains will make any room look more grandiose. Use translucent linen to brighten the area and let the natural light shine in.”

Accents
Incorporating accent pieces into a room can change its entire mood. Accents can be anything from decor pieces to uses of specific colors throughout the home.

“Try using gold accents to reflect light in the room and brighten a space,” Wecselman says. “Gold accents are trendy and edgy, so don't be afraid to hang a sunburst mirror on an open wall to add some lightness and unique modernity to the space.”

You can even incorporate popular colors like this season’s neon trend in decor accessories like throw pillows or candles and knickknacks to give your home a fun new vibe this season.

Different decor pieces can help instantly brighten a space. Things like new vases or lamps can help shape a room. Also, don’t be afraid to bring in lots of flowers or new plants. While time-consuming in their care, they instantly add a fresh look to your home and are always welcoming for you and any guests that come by.

A few swipes of a duster and some minor accents will help give your home an all new glow that will be perfect for all of those summer afternoons entertaining guests and basking in the Phoenix sun.