Sensational House

In winter, all you want to do is curl up next to a fire, covered in a plush throw, sipping a mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine. Summer, however, is completely different. Those things are too heavy and warm for the bright days of an English summer; there are many things you can do in your home to make the entire décor perfect for the long, lazy season.

Let it flow

The last thing you want in the summer is a home that is as cosy as it was over the winter. One of the easiest ways to make your home breezier is to move your furniture back so that people and breezes can flow easily. Take the room’s focus away from the fireplace and move it towards the windows.

Brighten up

Switch out darker, more sombre colours for brighter, lighter hues. Painting several times a year is unrealistic, so instead of changing wall colours, try changing accents like cushions, curtains and rugs from dark, cosy colours to light ones. Even your leather furniture can be lighter: Natuzzi furniture, for example, comes in a wide range of lighter shades that can feel airy in the warmer months and cosy in colder times.

Close the fireplace

Fireplaces are great focal points in a room, but they are useless during warmer months. Why not change its function; clean it out and put in white candles. That way you can still enjoy a glow without the heat. Put some sand or rocks in the candle holders to stabilise the candles and to bring to mind bonfires on the beach.

Change up the details

Try putting out some new accessories. Shells, cushions made from lighter fabrics like cotton or linen, and trinkets that reference the outdoors ensure that the great weather surrounds you, even when you’re stuck inside. You can even get a chaise longue, like one from Natuzzi, to bring the relaxation of lounging outside inside.

Open up the windows

When it gets incredibly hot and humid, you will want to literally open up all of the windows, but what can you do about the bugs? Put up curtains that are lightly coloured and made from gauzy fabrics to make the room feel incredibly bright and fresh during the lovely weather – cool air in, bugs out.

With all these easy ways to change the feeling of your rooms, your home should be ready for summer in a weekend. Then you can fully enjoy the light, warmth and respite that summer brings.