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With the Great British Summer nearly upon us once again (who’s counting?), we’re slowly updating our homes to reflect the warmer climate. There are many functional outdoor things you can do – think cleaning your BBQ, planting flowers and freshening up your patio, but there are also plenty of things you can do to bring the outside in.
Outdoor decor and summer accessories are a great way to match the ambience of the places further afield with a higher temperature all year round. Here are eight ways to update your home for summer and ease your home into the hotter weather, whilst maintaining a luxury sense of style of course.
1. Be bold with your colour choices
With more natural light and longer days, summer is the perfect time to refresh your interior with some brighter and more experimental colour choices. Make the most of sunlight and go for light and bright or dark and moody; your room will be able to handle the latter thanks to the increased influx of natural rays. Alternatively, is there a colour that you’ve been waiting to try out? Now is the time.
2. Lighten your textiles
While velvet and thick wool cushions are perfect for the months you need to be cosier, they’re not ideal for the sticky heat in summer. Opt for lighter fabrics such as silk and linen to keep you interior fresh and clean. Our Dappled Beetle Linen cushions are perfect for both living rooms and bedrooms in the summer but still remain sophisticated with a flat, high lustre sheen. For the cooler evenings, wrap up in our Ombre Cashmere Throw, or drape it over furniture to add texture and a sense of cosiness.
3. Brighten up your artwork
You don’t need to redecorate the entire house to get ready for summer; a few key changes can update the look and stop you from reaching for the paintbrushes. Opt for bright and floral pieces that are uplifting and help to bring the outside in. David Schofield’s Balloons in a Blue Sky painting will bring joy and light to any room.
4. Bring the outside in
Plants and flowers are a great addition whatever the weather, but as your garden should now be fully in bloom, you can take cuttings and bring the outdoors in as summer decor. Small posies are a great way of making an impact without cutting down the entirety of the garden, plus they look great in AUTHOR’s crystal posy bowls. Made in England, these hand-blown and hand-cut full-lead crystal are modern in design and make a wonderful summer addition.
5. Choose natural materials
Natural materials such as wood and rattan are ideal for easing into the summer months. Nothing says garden party like a big piece of outdoor rattan furniture! While you’re wining and dining your guests, you’re going to want to incorporate the look into your spread. Wooden serving boards and serveware are a brilliant way of creating a striking table with little effort. This walnut platter board, exceptionally hand-carved by Louise Forbes, is the perfect starter for a lazy lunch with friends. Just sit back and let your guests help themselves.
6. Mix and match patterns
As we mentioned earlier, summer is all about stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s a chance to be a little more creative. Clash patterns and colours to create areas of interests and invest in changeable items such as cushions, curtains and dinnerware with prints. AUTHOR’s wide range of eclectic fabrics will have you swooning at the very sight.
7. Get ready to entertain and go al-fresco
Eating outside is a real treat so make the most of it and ensure your outdoor dining game is spot on, right from the dinnerware down to the napkins. to the With cocktails in mind, it’s time to give your drinks cabinet a clear-out and prepare it for the entertaining ahead. Our whisky tumblers and cocktail napkins would make a great addition and are sure to have everyone staying for the long haul.
8. Perfect your summer scent
We’ve spoken before about the importance of using scent in your home. A fresh summer scent can take you, and any visitors away to other places (preferably to hotter ones). Fragrance is extremely personal but the ideal summer scent should be fruity or floral. Try our square scented candle which features sweet amber with delicate notes of jasmine petals and a hint of nutmeg.
Want more interior design tips? The AUTHOR team is here to advise on any aspects of design and furnishing. If you would like any further advice or interior design tips on how to make the most of your interior space, please do get in touch.
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