10 Ways to Refresh Your Home for Summer

These fresh and foolproof ideas will have you soaking up the sunny season in no time.

After a winter many of us in the northern hemisphere thought would never end, summer is finally here. The bright mornings are filled with the sound of birdsong, while the evenings seem to stretch on forever. And thanks to the warm weather, even the act of hanging your linen out to air-dry feels less of a chore (yes, it’s the simple things).

It’s natural to want to emulate this new-season optimism inside, and there are easy changes you can make to reflect the mood. Keep reading for simple, life-enhancing swaps.

1. The big bedding switch

Shake off the double-digit TOG duvet and opt for a lighter filling (or, why not layer one of our new quilted bed covers over a flat sheet?). We could harp on here about the breathability of flax linen, but if you’ve shopped from us already, you’ll know first-hand the benefits of this wonder fibre. Echo the midsummer palette with pale shades of Limoncello, Rosewater or Oatmeal.

2. …and textile swap

Think of your home furnishings as possessing the same seasonal qualities as your wardrobe. That doesn’t mean repeat buying everything, but try resting dark velvet cushion covers in favour of rustic linen, and rotate blankets for lightweight throws. The same applies to tablescapes – the time is now for pretty gingham tablecloths and citrus-hued placemats, and flourishes to channel alfresco dining.

3. Crack those windows

‘Warm bed, cool room’ is a mantra to sleep by. Embrace mild temperatures by flooding spaces with fresh air 24/7; if your windows can be vented for security, then leave them open until late autumn to maximise airflow. And pack away that heater in favour of a fan.

4. Deep clean

You don’t have to subject yourself to scrubbing your entire home; your most-used piece of furniture (hello bed!) is a good place to start. Babs, the internet’s favourite mom, has a clever tutorial for spring cleaning a mattress. While you’re at it, wash and line-dry mattress toppers and pillow protectors for maximum cleanliness.

5. Take it outside

Whatever your outdoor space, make it primed to enjoy at the first sign of a sunny day by setting up a seating area. Adding home comforts such as a rug and cushions will make your morning coffee irresistible, and offer an instant, calming connection to nature. For night-time, add some lanterns or festoon lights.

6. Think seasonally with scent…

Swap out heavy winter candles (trim the wick and make sure they are covered before stowing away) for soft floral notes such as jasmine, and herby accents of basil. A large candle on an outside table with a glass of something chilled in hand is summer’s answer to hunkering down with a hot drink and a candle in the winter. If mosquitoes threaten to ruin the fun, look for scents infused with citronella.

7. …and flowers

Even if all you have is a balcony, pot some bright blooms you can tend to, such as geraniums – or try growing a sunflower from seed. For inside, look for seasonal branches (or forage for quick-growing plants such as cow parsley) and arrange haphazardly into rustic pitchers.

8. Faff with your displays

If your coffee table hosts an artful arrangement of chunky design and art books, why not rotate them for nature and travel-themed reads? Destination books are a fun escape to leaf through at the end of a busy day – our range of Assouline titles will take you from Bali beaches to Italian trattorias without moving from the sofa! Do the same with a mantelpiece or shelving unit; ‘shopping’ your own homewares to create new vignettes is a fun and free pursuit.

9. Clear out

If you never got around to that spring clean, it’s never too late to have a little purge. Say farewell to gadgets you never get around to using; do an inventory of your pantry or dried food drawer; and part ways with decorative items which no longer spark joy. Rehome as much as you can on local neighbourhood apps such as Olio, NextDoor or Facebook Marketplace.

10. Just do it

That wall you’ve been meaning to paint, that table you’ve been meaning to sand… set your alarm an hour early for a week and attack your to-do list. Prioritise a task which will impact your day-to-day the most, like creating a feature wall in a living room, or tending to dirty grout in a bathroom; you – and your home – will feel so much better for it.

Holiday cut-off dates:

These fresh and foolproof ideas will have you soaking up the sunny season in no time.

10 Ways to Refresh Your Home for Summer

These fresh and foolproof ideas will have you soaking up the sunny season in no time.

1. The big bedding switch

2. …and textile swap

3. Crack those windows

4. Deep clean

5. Take it outside

6. Think seasonally with scent…

7. …and flowers

8. Faff with your displays

9. Clear out

10. Just do it

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