10 Summer Tips to Refresh Your Living Room for the New Season
From holidaying in your own front room to making the most of natural light, there’s plenty you can do to welcome in the summer
We wait eagerly for summer so we can embrace the great outdoors without a coat. But while we’re enthusiastic about rushing out of the house, it’s also worth sparing a thought for our interior décor: just as we revamp our wardrobes for warmer, brighter days, our homes merit a makeover to accommodate the new season, too. Happily, there’s no need for a complete overhaul – just a tweak here and there is enough to make you feel as if summer’s in the air, whether you leave the house or not.
Decorate with seasonal blooms
Bring the outside in with plenty of fresh cut flowers that look, feel and smell like summer. From blue and green to purple and pink, hydrangeas in their many colours are a versatile choice, but you can’t go wrong with crisp white to refresh any scheme.
Bring the outside in with plenty of fresh cut flowers that look, feel and smell like summer. From blue and green to purple and pink, hydrangeas in their many colours are a versatile choice, but you can’t go wrong with crisp white to refresh any scheme.
Use bursts of colour
Touches of zesty colour here and there are easy to incorporate by swapping out accessories such as light shades and cushion covers. For cohesion, a piece of art with a summery theme can be used to tie together your new colour scheme.
Looking for sofas? Find yours on Houzz
Touches of zesty colour here and there are easy to incorporate by swapping out accessories such as light shades and cushion covers. For cohesion, a piece of art with a summery theme can be used to tie together your new colour scheme.
Looking for sofas? Find yours on Houzz
Go green
We know it’s summer when nature turns green and abundant, so make a point of bringing that richness inside. An arrangement of lush foliage lends a cooling, refreshing vibe to interiors and is a quick way to make even the gloomiest of rooms come alive.
We know it’s summer when nature turns green and abundant, so make a point of bringing that richness inside. An arrangement of lush foliage lends a cooling, refreshing vibe to interiors and is a quick way to make even the gloomiest of rooms come alive.
Colour me happy
Nothing complements sunshine and fine weather like bright colours. Even if you’re colour-shy, you can embrace a cheery palette through pastel and candy shades. The colours used in this room are perfectly uplifting, and could be dressed down for winter with darker cushions and a deeper rug.
Explore 12 ways to give pastels a contemporary twist
Nothing complements sunshine and fine weather like bright colours. Even if you’re colour-shy, you can embrace a cheery palette through pastel and candy shades. The colours used in this room are perfectly uplifting, and could be dressed down for winter with darker cushions and a deeper rug.
Explore 12 ways to give pastels a contemporary twist
Tone down your lighting
The combination of soft task lighting and natural light in this living room evokes the delightful sense of long summer evenings. Throw those windows open to get the most of the day’s light, enjoyed from the comfort of your warmly lit sofa. Sunflowers are the perfect summery finishing touch.
The combination of soft task lighting and natural light in this living room evokes the delightful sense of long summer evenings. Throw those windows open to get the most of the day’s light, enjoyed from the comfort of your warmly lit sofa. Sunflowers are the perfect summery finishing touch.
Go light on fabrics
While rich, dense textures are comforting in winter, summer calls for lighter, gauzy fabrics that are cooling on the skin. It doesn’t get much more summery than the fluttery style of these white linens, complemented perfectly by the pale blue gingham curtains and cushions.
A set of made-to-measure loose covers means you can easily adapt the look according to the season.
Discover more white living rooms
While rich, dense textures are comforting in winter, summer calls for lighter, gauzy fabrics that are cooling on the skin. It doesn’t get much more summery than the fluttery style of these white linens, complemented perfectly by the pale blue gingham curtains and cushions.
A set of made-to-measure loose covers means you can easily adapt the look according to the season.
Discover more white living rooms
Holiday at home
There’s no mistaking the distinctly Balearic feel of this glamorous white lounging space. To re-create a holiday vibe at home, look towards your favourite summer destination for inspiration. Whether you go for rustic Côte d’Azur colours, heavy Moroccan patterns or, as here, bohemian floor cushions and the hint of a languid sea breeze, there’s no shortage of ideas.
There’s no mistaking the distinctly Balearic feel of this glamorous white lounging space. To re-create a holiday vibe at home, look towards your favourite summer destination for inspiration. Whether you go for rustic Côte d’Azur colours, heavy Moroccan patterns or, as here, bohemian floor cushions and the hint of a languid sea breeze, there’s no shortage of ideas.
Play with space
Think outside your usual furniture arrangement to change your seasonal view – do you have a great source of natural light that’s not being exploited? Rearrange your seating to make the most of a window onto the outside world. Organic textures, such as driftwood, and the cheery colour scheme make this an irresistible summer sun spot.
Think outside your usual furniture arrangement to change your seasonal view – do you have a great source of natural light that’s not being exploited? Rearrange your seating to make the most of a window onto the outside world. Organic textures, such as driftwood, and the cheery colour scheme make this an irresistible summer sun spot.
Pare it all down
In the summer, décor can take a back seat to sunlight, greenery and warm weather. Let all that natural beauty pour in from every angle, keeping soft furnishings and window treatments understated.
TELL US…
What updates are you planning in your home for the new season? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
In the summer, décor can take a back seat to sunlight, greenery and warm weather. Let all that natural beauty pour in from every angle, keeping soft furnishings and window treatments understated.
TELL US…
What updates are you planning in your home for the new season? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Simply swapping the artwork in your living room can lift your décor a treat. Choose a light, bright theme in punchy hues or watercolours to lend your room a fresh and sunny vibe.
Discover tips to help you choose and display artwork in your home