When the warm weather finally arrives, rooms that seemed warm and cozy can suddenly turn stifling. Here are a few strategies to bring in some fresh air.

Open the windows—and the window treatments. Less light and warmth in the winter often means lowered blinds, shades pulled down, or curtains covering the sides of your windows. Pull up those shades, experiment with tiebacks, and let that fresh air and sunshine in.

Change accessories to clear and colored glass bowls and orbs; use natural elements like dried moss and grasses.

Put sand in a bowl and fill with shells or candles. A cluster of skinny multicolored tapers looks like fireworks; votives add chunks of summer color. If you have young children, a fishbowl filled with sand and shells brings the beach home, is fun, and is relatively safe from spills.

Roll up your wool rug and put down an inexpensive faux sisal. They are nearly impervious to spills and stains — many can actually be hosed off — and give your room an instant beach house feel.

Change your furniture, moving the focal point away from the fireplace and towards the windows.

Fill the fireplace with greens, dried flowers, white candles, or cover with a firescreen. You can make your own using hinges and pieces of plywood. Paint or decoupage.

Move your artwork. Even the most wonderful painting can become part of the scenery when it stays in the same place for too long. This is particularly true of small pieces. Rotate—play—enjoy the new view.