Your wardrobe isn't the only thing that deserves a summer refresh. The chunky textures, cosy layers and cocooning colours we love to hunker down with in winter can feel heavy and overpowering once the warmer months arrive.
The good news is you don't need to redecorate from scratch. A few simple swaps, from rolling up high-pile rugs to paring back your bedding, can help create a brighter, airier and more relaxed feel throughout your home this summer.
1) Go lighter underfoot
The high-pile rugs that add warmth and comfort in winter can feel heavy during the summer months. Swapping them for lighter materials such as jute, sisal or seagrass instantly creates a fresher, airier feel, while hard flooring such as wood, stone or tile helps keep the room feeling cool and uncluttered.
2) Create visual lightness
Visual clutter and heavy furnishings can make a room feel more enclosed than it really is. Create breathing space by keeping surfaces clear and opting for lighter materials such as pale wood, cane, rattan and woven seagrass. The result is a brighter, airier room that feels cooler without changing the temperature.
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3) Refresh your colour palette
One of the quickest ways to update your home for summer is through colour. While deep, cocooning shades work beautifully in the colder months, warmer weather calls for light neutrals and lively hues. Think sky blues, leafy greens, saturated pinks and chalky whites, introduced through tableware, cushions and decorative accessories. Keeping a neutral base allows you to refresh your scheme with seasonal accents.
4) Pare back your bedding
Summer is the season to strip back the layers. Swap your duvet for a lightweight top sheet and choose breathable fabrics such as linen, cotton or silk to create a bed that feels cooler and looks effortlessly relaxed. Complete the look by storing away heavy throws and excess cushions – a simpler bed feels fresher, lighter and perfectly suited to summer. In this case, less really is more.
5) Style with summer scents
Just as important as colour or texture, scent can instantly transform the feel of a room. Rich and earthy fragrances that feel comforting in winter can seem heavy during the warmer months. Instead, opt for lighter scents with citrus, floral or herbaceous notes to instantly freshen your space. Whether it's a scented candle, reed diffuser or room spray, fragrances inspired by the fresh outdoors can help bring a subtle sense of summer indoors.
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6) Bring the outside in
A cooling breeze is always welcome in summer – simply throwing the windows open can shift the whole mood of your home. At a time of year when the landscape is in full bloom, the view beyond your window can provide rich inspiration. The colours, shapes and textures of sprawling palms, blowsy hydrangeas and rambling roses translate beautifully onto sheets, cushions and more.
