Summer, officially at least, began last Saturday. Though with heatwaves in April/May and prolonged rain showers throughout June, the concept of summer seems to be lost on us Britons. More reason to try and capture some sunshine and summer vibes and incorporate them into our home then, right? 😎
In this week's blog post, we give you some tips on how you can take advantage of the extra light and warmth to create a calming atmosphere and an inviting interior you will love.
1. Keep things neutral
The best way to use summer to your advantage in your home is to make use of natural light. Try to keep to neutral colours as darker ones, like those found in some wooden furniture is fine is smaller amounts as rich colours are warm and cosy, however, the idea here is to make your home feel like a continuation of the outdoors. Keeping to light wood, high-gloss or even metal like gold and chrome in your furniture works wonderfully as it doesn't interrupt the light or look too imposing.
Pastel or spring colours like baby blue, blush pink, sage green and ochre/sunflower yellow are recommended for the soft furnishings like curtains and cushions as well as the walls as they keep things as light as possible. Even forgoing wallpaper altogether is an option. Keep the walls painted a bright white is great for smaller rooms or those on a budget.
In a show home property where the objective is to generate buyer desire, increase market value and inspire potential buyers, maintaining any natural light in the property is critical and makes a huge difference to people's impression of the house.
2. Cooler accent colours work just as well as warmer ones
In winter, a smaller room, or one that doesn't have as much natural light flowing through, warmer colours like forest green, burnt orange and navy blue, and darker materials like dark wood, leather and stone are preferred as they are warm and cosy. They act as the perfect antidote to a dark, wet commute home or a frosty and damp morning. When the outside consists of grey days and freezing temperatures, cosying up to with a sky blue cushion or light grey throw doesn't feel very nice. However, cooler colours have a similar effect to natural ones in summer in that they bring the light in and create a wonderfully refreshing look so don't be afraid to opt for blues, greys and light greens that might otherwise be seen as cold.
3. Avoid busy textures/patterns
Summer is all about relaxing and enjoying the lovely weather, and if your goal is to reflect this in your home, keeping the interior calming and inviting is important. Choosing busy textures or patterns on the walls, floors or in soft furnishings distracts the eye and in some cases can feel quite claustrophobic. This isn't to say that you can't use patterns or texture at all. They add depth and work well to break up larger areas like plain walls, and adding cushions to a plain sofa or bed is always recommended.
Subtle pieces of textured furniture here and there, like a rustic and dark wood coffee table or an accent chair also help make a room look very homely. We just advise against the jungle wallpaper or rainbow-striped rug in this case 😉
4. Use ornate accessories sparingly
Similarly, you want to avoid using rich, eccentric ornaments and accessories. When we create a show home, we want to make the property look lived-in and reflect the target market of the developer, but we also have to take into account the size and shape of each room as well as the lighting. This can be done by orienting furniture, such as sofas and beds, in a way so that they face the light and provide people with an open space with which to socialise or relax, but it is also important that we consider the accessories and the way they might disrupt the light or flow of the space. Large ornaments/statues in tight spaces or that stand too tall will look imposing and take away from the welcoming atmosphere. Similarly, rich leather storage trunks, marble figurines or giant vases won't look very natural in a living or family room where the aim is to keep things neutral and bright. Instead, these items are more suited to an office/study, or separate reception area in a larger, more luxurious house.
5. Don't be afraid to go with a theme
While we recommend keeping things quite neutral and avoiding busy or overwhelming looks, that doesn't mean you can't stick with a specific theme for the design of a specific room or even the whole property. In fact, with lots of light and open space, it can enhance the room and add character, especially if your theme plays on the local geographical area or culture. For example, in a coastal property, you may want to show prospective buyers (or yourself, for that matter, if you plan on living there) what life by the seaside can be like, so a nautical theme would work very well. A Bohemian theme is also a great idea, encouraging people to enjoy the great outdoors and complementing the sunshine nicely.👍
If you'd like to learn more about our interior design service, feel free to get in touch!
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