Get your home ready for summer with these simple interior hacks
Usually, summer would mean spending most of your time outdoors, lapping up the sunshine with a drink in hand and the BBQ sizzling away in the background.
This year though? Not so much. With the weather so unpredictable, we’re anticipating spending A LOT more time indoors.
But don’t despair. Here are a few handy tips to help you capture that summer feeling in your home, so you can still enjoy those sunny heat-wave vibes:
1. Bring the beach home Don’t worry – we’re not suggesting literally filling your handbag with hundreds of shells that you’ve scavenged from the beach. Just a few simple sea-themed accessories will make your home feel like it’s set for summer.
As well as shells, try introducing faux coral and fossil ornaments, such as this vibrant red Staghorn coral from OKA (£159).
2. Fill it with Florals Whether it’s on the catwalk or in the home, nothing says summer quite like a floral print. Keep it from feeling chintzy by introducing a bold modern design, such as the striking mix of foliage and florals in the Castanea wallpaper from House of Hackney (£165 per roll).
Source: Instagram.com/houseofhackney
3. Get hold of some garden furniture Make it feel like you’re out in the sunshine (even though, let’s face it, you’re most likely not) by bringing a your garden furniture indoors. A simple small wrought iron table and chairs perfectly fit a forgotten corner and give your room a Victorian conservatory vibe.
If you’ve already got some garden furniture – great. If not, this pretty blue bistro set from Waitrose Garden (£119.99) would work great both inside and out.
4. Notch up some natural materials Using wood and stone in the home might sound like you’re in for a major overhaul, but there are plenty of ways to add quick, inexpensive touches of natural material.
Wicker baskets, simple ceramic vases and seagrass rugs will all help capture the outdoors and introduce some additional tactility to your room. This striped seagrass rug (from £79.99) is great for adding a natural touch.
5. Lay on the linens Indisputably the most summery of all fabrics, linen has a lazy nonchalance to it which perfectly suits the season. Light and durable, it gets softer over time making it just as good for bedding as it is for tablecloths and runners.
Pick pastel ice-cream shades to add a little colour to whitewashed interiors. Try these stone-washed pink linen napkins from Linen Me (£8.99) for a small splash of linen.
Source: Instagram.com/linenme
6. Mix and match Bright colours never fail to bring a sense of sunshine into a room. Capture this by mixing and matching vibrant shades and patterns – the more they clash the better.
Worried about it being too overwhelming? Start with soft furnishing such as scatter cushions for an easy way to add colour without the commitment of redecorating or buying expensive furniture. These colourful cushions from Lulu & Nat(from £25) are a perfect place to start.
Source: Instagram.com/@luluandnat
7. Pile in the plants Weather not letting you get outdoors? Create your own indoor garden by introducing a little bit of greenery to your living space. Try succulents as centre pieces, larger leafy trees as focal points and hanging baskets to add interest without using up foot space.
Voila –your own private jungle (even if the temperature outside isn’t quite so tropical).
Source: Instagram.com/md_homestyling