Read my top tips to make your home feel summer-ready – from swapping curtains for blinds to let in the light to introducing floral fabrics to add life and joy to your space. Embracing natural materials, dressing your bed with soft linen bedding in summer shades and getting a BBQ to cook summer feasts outside, I love making changes to my house in the summer.
Change curtains for blinds
Changing your window dressings in the summer to make the most of all that summer sunshine is a must. If you have heavy lined curtains to keep you warm in the winter, they can keep in too much heat in the summer. Remember last year’s heatwave? Swap heavy curtains for lightweight curtains made of crisp natural fabrics like linen or cotton or, even better, change them for blinds in the summer months.
With blinds you can really splash out on an expensive designer fabric because you don’t need as much to make an impact as you do with curtains. I often encourage my clients to go for it with blinds because they are relatively easy to change should you fancy a new look.
Roman blinds are the most popular style as they suit most interior schemes and can be used to add a splash of colour to your room.
Alternatively, roller blinds work well in darker rooms because they can allow natural light into a room whilst giving privacy when needed. They are great in kitchens and bathrooms where windows can be smaller.
Go floral with your fabrics
Floral patterns are always on trend and are perfect for summer. Floral prints can seem intimidating at first, but once you have a few guidelines, they’re not difficult to work with – and they’re guaranteed to add life and joy to a space. From pretty and romantic to classic or contemporary, florals are a timeless favourite that never go out of fashion.
The key is to mix it up with contrasting styles – put ditzy blossom prints next to big flamboyant blooms and layer up cushions, furniture, upholstery, wallpaper and paintings for a full-on floral vibe. Florals can be used all over the home.
From small chintzy florals to large botanical florals, blowsy vintage florals or bold modern florals, there’s a floral for you whatever your interior design style.
Give your bedroom a revamp
Heavy duvets and quilts, electric blankets and chunky blankets are essential in the winter, especially with our fuel bills so high recently. In the summer, pack them up in vacuum bags (great for space saving) and store them in your attic. Fresh new bedding in pretty, summery shades will make your bedroom feel completely different. I am a big fan of linen bedding for its softness and the way it comes in so many wonderful, muted colours. Go for pretty shades of pink and blue and invest in a light silk bedspread; it can be a welcome extra layer on colder summer nights and really give your bedroom that boutique hotel vibe. While you are at it, buy some new cushion covers to really change the look of your bedroom.
Embrace natural materials like rattan
Natural materials like rattan are durable, environmentally friendly, and are really on trend this summer. Did you know rattan was a tree-climbing vine? No longer stuck in the 1970s, retailers and manufacturers are becoming ever more creative with rattan, making wonderful furniture in incredible shapes that are just not possible if made from wood.
Rattan furniture goes with so many interior styles – from Scandi and minimalist to bohemian and Japandi. It’s a light material so perfect for coffee table and chairs that need to be moved around often. A beautiful rattan occasional chair can really look stylish and light compared to a big bulky sofa or armchair. They can be a bit rough so add soft furry cushions to add comfort and style.
Get yourself a BBQ
Food just tastes better when it’s cooked in the fresh air. Al fresco cooking is relaxed, sociable and fun.
If your outside space is small, there are lots of compact and portable BBQs on the market. Just think about position so you don’t smoke out your guests! Bigger spaces can look at built in BBQs which are more permanent and can cater for larger numbers. Love pizza? Go for a pizza oven.
If you have a bigger garden, look at building an outdoor kitchen dedicated to al fresco cooking. Create a space for preparation, plan in storage and add a sink and even a fridge to make it as functional as possible. Plant herbs nearby for easy access and you have the ultimate entertainment space.
So, what do you think? Will you be updating your home ready for summer?
