Summer in the UK is a tricky beast. Often unpredictable and occasionally unbearably warm (we said occasionally,) it can be difficult to curate an interior and a garden that works all year-round. While it would be nice to overhaul your aesthetic whenever you feel like it, that’s just not sustainable for the planet or your wallet. Below, we’ve listed 10 minor tweaks and tips for a summer home refresh.

Keep your bedroom feeling fresh with airy whites 

It’s a nice day for some…. White bedding. Your bed takes up a considerable amount of floorspace in the bedroom, which is why styling it with some crisp white cotton bedding will keep it feeling spacious, airy and light. Great for reflecting heat in a south-facing bedroom, white bedding is often the choice for luxury hotels, giving your bedroom that well-earned getaway vibe. 

Celebrate the small pockets of outdoor joy

Sure - we’ve all got a Pinterest board featuring sunken outdoor firepits, hand-built garden cabins and meandering paths surrounded by flowers, but we probably all need to manage our outdoor expectations somewhat. You can still create an enjoyable outdoor space without requiring a landscaping budget or a horticultural degree. If you haven’t already, invest in some timeless, affordable garden furniture and use that as your centrepiece for dedicating an area of the garden for relaxation. Other affordable items that make a huge difference in the great outdoors are solar-powered lights and some bird feeders, so you can enjoy the sound of birdsong with your morning coffee.

Add touches of jute for laidback summertime luxe

Jute rugs should be your go-to for powerful interior accents that bring warmth, texture, depth and a subtle rusticism that is intrinsically linked with the great outdoors. While you might be thinking jute is a solely summery material, it’s actually an incredibly versatile choice favoured by interior designers the world over for all four seasons.

Choose bright, joyful patterns

While the good weather might not be consistent throughout the summer months in the UK, you can go about bringing the sunshine indoors via ‘dopamine decor.’ Centred around personal pleasure, the dopamine decor trend is all about adorning your space with things (and colours) that make you happy. While the science behind it is well, sciencey, the basic principle is that when we look at something we like (i.e a photograph of a sunset, the vivid turquoise of our favourite jumper,) our brain’s reward centre lights up. Just look at this joyous Aspen house tour and tell me the decor doesn’t make you feel happy.

Incorporate linens into your space

Linen brings with it the three sacred Bs of summertime. Breeziness, bougie-ness and breathability. Whether you choose to bring it to the bedroom with some luxurious linen bedding or elsewhere in the home via throws, cushions and textile hangings, linen can work well both indoors and out. Evocative of a summertime wardrobe, linen is also a great option for creating privacy without drowning the room in thick curtains or blocking out the natural light. 

Think carefully about your baseline colour scheme

Fresh whites layered with greens and blues are the best for summer, with pops of vivid accents adding further personality. Before you go all-out and dedicate an entire room to a strong colour, ask yourself first if a fresh white background wouldn’t work better - sometimes this can be a more cost-effective option and a chance to look at your colourful interior accents through a different lens.

Consider adding stripes - both outdoors and in!

From The Beverly Hills Hotel to Capri’s famous Fontelina beach club, stripes are known to exude summertime sophistication. Iconic, luxurious and ensuring those dopamine feel-good vibes mentioned above, stripes are a surefire way to boost the summertime aesthetic. We love the idea of striped seat cushions for your outdoor space, or a seasonal tablecloth to lift your dining area indoors. 

Allow your rattan accents to take centre stage

Summer is the season when rattan (and other natural materials) come into their own. Accessories such as rattan planters, handwoven lampshades and boho side tables strike just the right balance between summery and inter-seasonal, with rustic charm and artisan-composition meaning they will also create cosiness and texture in the winter months too. 

Botanical paintings, murals and more…

Hand-painted decorative details are on the rise. From ‘paint your own lampshade’ experiences to artisan greetings cards adorned with your favourite flowers, there are lots of clever and budget-friendly ways you can bring a touch of botanical bliss to your home. If you’re the artistic type, you could go full-on Michelangelo with a decorative ceiling scheme, or instead choose to press your favourite stems and preserve them forever in a pretty picture frame. 

Re-think your layout to improve the indoor-outdoor flow

Tis’ the season to be outdoors. Taking a moment to reconsider your layout can make all the difference in how your home feels throughout summer; for example, moving dining tables near patio doors can help you feel as though you’re dining alfresco, and moving any tall furniture away from the window will ensure your rooms are flooded with light.