Summer is one of the best times of the year. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the mood is more fun and cheerful. And if you want to make that fun summer mood part of your everyday experience, you need to bring that summer feeling inside your home.

Instead of just packing away those winter woollies and calling it quits, why not give your home some summer loving as well? Adding pops of colour and fresh touches to your house is a simple way to fête the upcoming season and have your interior reflect the warm weather mood.

Besides, the changing of seasons is always a perfect opportunity to switch up your decor and give your home a new, fresh feel – and summer is no different. Before summer is in full swing, you’ll want to take full stock of your decor and look for opportunities to change your style to reflect the mood of the summer.

Here are some of Homefulness tips from organisation experts to get your home ready for the warmer season.

1. Send winter packing and declutter

Those cosy cushion covers and layered throws are a must for winter. However, in summer, they can make interiors feel overly cluttered and stuffy in the heat.

If you can’t see yourself snuggling into that pile of velvety cushions or tucking that faux fur rug over your knees, it’s time to pack them away where they’ll stay clean and fresh for next winter.

Soft furnishings aren’t the only things we tend to collect – decorative knick-knacks have a habit of building up as well.

Try to clear out as much unnecessary clutter as possible to get that easy, breezy summer vibe. You don’t want a totally blank canvass, but you do want some room to breathe. This is actually the most important tip to consider since summer is about space, light and air, not about clutter. Once you leave only the relevant objects in your room, you can also rearrange the furniture to maximise space. You can start adding other elements that we will suggest on the following tips, but remember to keep it simple.

If you find this step overwhelming, never forget that professional organisers such as Homefulness are here to help. We will always find a way to create more storage or to organise your belongings in a smartly appointed living space.

2. Ditch the dark

When it comes to making a space feel lighter and brighter, there’s nothing more powerful than colour.

Dark, deep colours like burgundy are a great fit for the colder months, but they can feel out of place in the sunny weather. When it starts to get warmer, ditch your darks and replace them with light, summery tones that are a better match for the season.

Summer is all about fresh, juicy hues, so replace winter’s intense tones with cool, ice-cream pastels or palettes inspired by fruity sorbets or tropical prints.

Nautical blues and whites are also timeless choices that pair well with natural materials like wood, linen, cotton and cane.

There’s no need to completely overhaul everything you own; they key is to bring that summer lightness into each room. If you have dark furniture, lighten them up with lighter toned pillows or a throw. This season has some incredible textile prints to choose from, and they make amazing accents to add personality to any summer space. Choose from bold tropicals, delicate florals, exotic geometrics and more. Don’t be scared to mix and match for a more eclectic feel as summer is the perfect time for light-hearted fun. Be playful with your choices.

3. Bring the outside in

Summer is the perfect excuse to garnish your home with flowers and plants which they can bring real life into any interior. Indoor plants are making a huge comeback at the moment: they’re a perfect way to introduce a touch of summer into your home.

If you have flowering bushes or trees in your garden, trim off some of the branches to fill a large vase. Or trim some flowers for a table-top arrangement. Nurseries and farmers markets are also full of fresh, seasonal flowers and plants, and they’re an easy and affordable way to liven up your kitchen, backyard or any room in your home. They can flourish in the summer sun, creating a real summer aroma and a beautiful setting.

Tropical-styled delicious monsters (monstera deliciosa) are a gorgeous choice for a pop of lush green, but simple succulents and air plants are also trendy and attractive. One of our previous post explains how to choose plants for each room of your house.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, get miniature fruit trees that not only thrive indoors but also produce scented blossoms and fruit as well.

If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry, plants aren’t the only way to embrace the outdoors. You can also introduce natural materials like raw wood, sandstone, seagrass and loose-weave linens to bring nature into your home. You can also print some floral artwork and have it temporarily replace those skiing holiday photos!

4. Take the indoors out

There’s nothing better than alfresco entertaining on a balmy summer’s day, so give your outdoor areas a little love to make them as enjoyable as possible.

Outdoor entertainment areas are popular with property buyers so don’t be afraid to invest a little money in this area, it’ll pay off down the line.

Candles, lanterns and torches can help you enjoy your outdoor space even at night, and can be romantic additions as well. If you want to create the best summer night ambience and add an additional touch to your summer nights, you can place lanterns both inside and outside your house.

5. Fill up your fireplace

Chances are, your fireplace isn’t going to see much action this summer. So why not use the warmer months as an opportunity to step outside of the box and use the interior of your fireplace for decor?

You can fill your fireplace with anything that adds visual interest, like flowers, pieces of decor, a sculpture or even a painting. Using your fireplace in this way adds an unexpected and sophisticated design touch that will quickly become the conversation piece of your living room.

6. Enhance natural lighting

With longer days, inviting natural light into your property will result in a brighter home. Big windows, strategically placed mirrors, and any opportunity your house has to add natural light into the interior, will help you bring the summer sun into your house. Additionally, rearrange your space to maximise flow, take-out items and move items around to allow for the best access to natural light and movement within the space (open up those curtains !).

7. Bring in summer scents

Our brains are stimulated with colours, smells and textures, so create a multi-sensory environment that you enjoy. A good way to do this is by adding candles, or oil diffusers. There is nothing better than walking into a fresh smelling home. Check out our previous blog post to make sure you know how to make your house smell amazing.

With these tips, you can design your interior space and discover that it can be transformed into something unique, where you can relax and enjoy summer!

Never forget that summer is a time for simplicity. The last thing you want to be doing when the sun is shining is organising stuff indoors, so a little bit of prep during the spring/beginning of summer will go a long way! Baskets, trays, boxes, and the like are great ways to corral your stuff, but you can also purge different areas of your home to be more simplified. You can always contact Homefulness if you need any help setting up an organisation system.

Have an amazing summer everyone!