Summer has just turned up, unforgivably late to the party. And yes, there may be drizzle, chilly evenings and the odd unexpected storm over the next three months, but there'll also be Aperol spritz... We all know in our heart of hearts that British summer is basically rubbish, except for a handful of glorious days, which is precisely why we need to emphasise the vibe of the season, irrespective of the conditions. So here are seven ways to make your home feel like a summer holiday (and we don’t mean turning the heating back on again.)
White out
Forget tropical prints and bright shades, if you really want to channel summer straight to your home, white is the only colour you need. It’ll make your spaces feel lighter, airier and more spacious even after the the nights begin to shorten (the solstice is only a few weeks away after all.) If you only do one thing, paint your floors white – you’ll be walking on sunshine all year round!
Courtesy of Ikea.
Creased up
Already swapped your winter duvet for a summer one? Well done – you’re more like your mother than you care to admit. But there’s more to making your bedroom summer-ready than decreasing the tog of your duvet. Linen is a natural fabric, meaning it’s breathable and absorbent, so you’ll be able keep your cool all night though when the heat wave hits (we live in hope.) Oh, and it looks great crumpled up, creased and un-ironed – our prayers have been answered.
Linen duvet cover set, £49.99, H&M.
Courtesy of H&M.
Night on the tiles
Moroccan-style floor tiles are the stuff that dreams and Pinterest are made of, but your landlord probably won’t thank you for tiling over the vinyl in the bathroom or kitchen, so here’s an alternative if you can’t install the real deal. Graham and Green’s tile mats bring a piece of Marrakech to your interior in a flash and can be used to cover up any dodgy lino situation.
Moroccan Tile Mats from £75, Graham and Green.
Courtesy of Graham and Green.
Soap opera
Just as you’d change your fragrance for the summer months, swapping your regular bath and body products in favour of holiday-esque scents will instantly whisk you away to sunnier climes – if only for the time it takes to wash your hands. Nesti Dante’s Il Frutteto lemon and bergamot soap will transport you to a Sicilian lemon grove, while its Paradiso Tropicale bar, infused with Tahitian lime and mosambi peel, will take you to the South Pacific – all for less than a fiver.
Weave in
To put it in food terms, rattan is Marmite. You either can’t get enough of the stuff, or it just brings back uncomfortable flashbacks of your Aunt and Uncle’s conservatory circa 1985 (a whole decade after it was first fashionable.) Well, for those of you who love it, you’re in for a summer of love, because it’s back in a big way. It’s the ultimate indoor/outdoor material, so you can use it in your garden or move the party inside if (read: when) the heavens open up.
Towel off
Swap your thick terry towelling for something a little lighter for an instant summery feeling. Go for hammam style, linen or tasselled designs such as these Anatolian towels by Toast to evoke a holiday vibe every morning – you’ll be halfway to feeling like you’ve just stepped out of a sparking blue sea (well, almost.)
Anatolian striped bath towel, £45.00, Toast.
The last straw
If you’re not keen on the full-on 1970s look of rattan furniture, try hanging a collection of straw bags, hats and baskets on your wall instead. Similar to the qualities of rattan, anything woven from straw, bamboo, jute or hessian is shorthand for summer, so is a cheap way of inserting a little sunshine indoors. Go to town with a full wall display, or just add an accent by hanging your pieces on hooks by the door. Hello, summer.
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