Summer is just around the corner – and if you've had cold water poured over your plans to parade along foreign shores in your most stylish swimwear, why not dress your home for a summer staycation instead?
We can all bring a little sunshine into our homes with the right interior touches, whether that’s bright floral fabrics, sand and sea shades, crisp cottons and light linens, or even just a fresh summer fragrance.
Here are our top tips on giving your home a bright summer makeover.
Shore thing
Bring in rattan furniture, natural sisal rugs, and heaps of cushions in cool aqua, crisp white and sandy beige. Add in wooden accents like driftwood or lime washed oak, a few stylish coastal accessories, and mirrors to reflect natural light.
Bedding plans
You may have already swapped your winter duvet for your spring or summer one, but changing the bedding for cool white cotton or soft linen will also help give you a summer vibe.
Summer scents
Whether you’re dreaming of flower-filled gardens, salt water and sandy beaches, or dappled forest glades, you can find a candle or diffuser that will transport you to your location of choice. Look for fragrances like rose, gardenia, orange blossom, sea salt, pine, geranium and vetiver, and fill your home with the scents of summer.
Let’s take it outside
Imagine you’re inviting friends to your dream holiday villa by creating the perfect place for summer entertaining. Hang lights from trees or along walls and fences, fill large mason jars with battery operated fairy lights, pop bright cushions and throws on garden chairs, and consider investing in an on-trend fire pit for late nights toasting marshmallows under the summer stars.
Swap it out
Replace dark velvet cushions with bright floral ones, and warm wool throws with light linen. If you have a dark wall, stand a side table against it topped with a bright, flower-filled vase and a lamp sporting a sunny shade.
Citrus chic
Big bowls of lemons, limes and oranges are not only good for those summer cocktails and fruit punches – they also make a great summery style statement piled high in a white bowl in the kitchen.
