Summer is so close we can smell it! The scent of freshly cut grass and the summer haze is nearly upon us. We’ve finally made it through the cold, dark, and grey months and come out the other side. As we race into June and July, it’s time to take a long, hard look at your house. Let’s be honest, there hasn’t been much time for redecoration over the winter, has there? As summer rolls in, take this opportunity to make a fresh start. Redecorate and add some new touches to brighten up your property.
Today we’ll show you a few tips and tricks of the trade to get your home in ship-shape. We’ll help you give it a whole new lease of life and find a new way to enjoy the house. They’re all simple, decorative ideas. A lick of paint here, a good tidy there. Set aside your next free weekend and tackle one or two of these projects. Trust us, by the time summer hits, you’ll be pleased you did! Without further ado, let’s jump straight into our list.
- Front door and windows
Often, when we do our spring clean, we forget about the outside of the home. Remember, that’s where everyone’s first impressions come from. The front aspect of your property can take a beating over the winter. The harsh winds, rain and cold temperatures can wreak havoc on the your front door and windows. Take a paint brush to the front door (you might have noticed the paint peeling off). Then replace the fixtures and fittings with shiny new alternatives. When it comes to the windows, give them a good clean and replace and fixtures here too.
- Hallway
Your next big job is the hallway. We have a tendency to let the house entrance get out of control. We dump coats, bags and keys all over the place. Shoes build up and it causes mayhem at the door. You’re also doing a lot of damage to the walls, skirting board and floor with constant scuffs and bangs. Give this a complete renovation with an organised area for bags and coats. Experts have called this a ‘landing strip’, and it will help reduce the clutter in your hall. Next, hang some mirrors and let some light into the dark corners.
- Fresh paint
Sometimes, all your home needs is a fresh lick of paint. It’s amazing the difference it can make, and it’ll feel like a whole new house. Interior designers like to choose a colour palette throughout the home, so everything gels together. Try this in your property. Light neutral colours still work wonders in the kitchen. But, then try a deeper, richer tone for the cosy living room or study. The right choice of colour can help set the mood and give each area of the house its own ambience. It’s an easy home renovation, and you can have it finished in no time.
- Give your furniture a new lease of life
Before you put the paints away, ask yourself if your furniture could do with a facelift. Try painting a wooden chest of drawers white for a fresh summer look. You can do the same with a wooden wardrobe. Some interior designers are taking this further and painting stools and coffee tables bright colours. Everything from yellow to neon green can alter the entire feel of a room. Using bold accent colours will modernise your furniture and bring new life to the home.
- Finishing touches
As avid interior designers ourselves, we know that the devil is in the details. We often find ourselves feeling down about the state of our kitchen cabinets and other units. Rather than investing in a complete kitchen renovation, just replace the details. It will save you thousands and make a bigger impact than you’d think. Replace the handles with new, modern alternatives. Try painting them or even wallpapering inside the cupboard. Simple, easy additions!
- Tidy up the lawn
We’ve spent a fair amount of time looking at interior ideas. Now let’s look outside. Over the cold, harsh winter, our gardens suffer a battering. Ice freezes and kills our soil and grass. The wooden fences and furniture can splinter and crack in the cold too. Spend a weekend nurturing your garden back to life. Spread new grass seeds or invest in an artificial lawn to make life easier. Repair and repaint any woodwork such as fences or sheds. Finally, get rid of all the winter weeds, deadhead the flowers and plant new bloomers.
- Bring nature in
Sticking to the nature theme, summer is the perfect time to bring the outdoors in. Nature and summer go hand in hand and it will freshen up your home instantly. Start with various flowers and vases around the home. You could then take advantage of floral, or even forest, wallpaper. Visit Wallpaper Ink and take your pick of nature themed wallpapers. You’ll bring life into the house and give yourself a sense of calm. Did you know that greenery and fresh flowers helps boost the mood of a home’s occupants?
- Replace tired curtains with blinds
Sure, the thick, chunky curtains were great over the winter. It was cosy and warm over Christmas. But, with summer creeping in, you’re looking for a light, airy feel instead. Take down the old curtains and replace with light blinds or thinner curtains. The house will flood with light and the perception of space will increase. It’s an easy job and you can quickly put the dense curtains back up when winter rears its ugly head.
- New bedding
Is there anything better than getting into bed with fresh, clean and new sheets? As the evenings get warmer, it’s time to replace the thick winter sheets with a thin duvet and fresh linens. Firstly, they’ll freshen up your bedroom if you opt for a light, neutral colour. Secondly, it will keep you cool during those stuffy summer nights!
And so we come to the end of our list, folks! We hope you’ve found some tricks that work for your home. Get started this weekend and spruce up your home for summer.
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