Everybody loves easy home improvement tips such as improving storage areas to keep your home free from clutter, organising your wardrobes and re-grouting any tile work.
A fresh coat of paint, upcycling some old furniture, or adding new, seasonal home accessories such as wall hangings, textiles, indoor plants and lighting, can be just the thing to spruce up your home.
When the summer blossoms and temperatures rise, it can be an inspiring time to implement some new home decor around your house or apartment. Light fabric such as muslin or cotton is ideal when it comes to curtains, for instance, and creates a fresh, airy ambience. An outdoor space like a terrace, patio or balcony, can also be transformed with a few simple accessories or garden furniture. While some home repairs are best left to the professionals, there are many projects and tasks that are simple to undertake.
Summer DIY for indoors
When it comes to summer DIY jobs, focus on bringing the outdoors in. Whether that means placing fresh flowers in a vase, cleaning your windows and opening them up to allow air to flow through your home or switching up your bedding for lighter cotton sheets and a summer duvet. Summer is a great season to celebrate in terms of interior design. Floral and tropical prints will brighten any living room or bedroom.
Preparing to upcycle
If you plan to repair, repaint or upcycle a piece of furniture, it is worth having all the tools and equipment you need to hand before your start. For wooden furniture, start by sanding it down to create a smooth, fresh base to work with. Old paint can generally be removed by using a chemical stripper or, if you prefer more natural solutions, a vinegar or citrus-based cleanser combined with sanding. If there is old glue on the piece, removing might take a bit more time, but it is possible. Scraping tools, acetone-free nail varnish remover and vinegar can all work wonders on helping to clean up stubborn, dried glue.
Summer DIY for outdoors
Any outdoor space in your home, whether it’s a garden, balcony or terrace, is best enjoyed in the warm summer months. Decorating and preparing it for summer parties, lazy weekend mornings and quiet coffee breaks is a great way to maximise the space you have, while also ensuring you can get the most out of bright summer days. With a few easy purchases and some creative thinking, the outdoors is a relatively straightforward space to dress in a home.
- Garden furniture such as a table and chairs can be found in a range of sizes to suit small and large outdoor spaces
- A barbecue or pizza oven is a great way to enjoy outdoor summer dining with family and friends
- Textiles like cushions with linen covers, outdoor mats and cosy throws can make outside spaces feel more inviting
- Potted plants and herbs are great for adding greenery to your garden or balcony, plus, home-grown herbs means you always have access to the likes of parsley, rosemary, chives and basil for cooking
- If you have space, a hammock or sun lounger is a great way to truly bring the holiday feeling to your garden
- Fire pits with surrounding seating are becoming increasingly popular across the UK, plus, it is relatively easy to a fire pit build yourself
- If you have a lawn, prepare it for summer by trimming and cutting it regularly, using fertilizer, and ensuring it is well-watered
There are many plants and flowers that grow well in summer and are easy to maintain. They can add a splash of colour to your garden and inspire a feeling of summer. If you prefer low-maintenance plants, pot for peonies, lavender, hydrangeas and petunias. More adventurous gardeners may like to choose more tropical greenery and plants like birds of paradise, hibiscus and orchids.
Mirroring seasonal changes and occasions in your home – both indoors and outdoors – throughout the year is a great way to reflect the time of year while changing up the atmosphere in your home. Cosy soft lighting for winter can be replaced with airy, open windows and tons of natural light in summer. Spring’s freshness after the winter can be inspiring for a spring clean while the warmth of autumn colours can prompt a retreat, more zen mood when it comes to interiors.