Cost Effective Summer Homes Ideas

Add a splash of summer to your home

With this chopping and changing weather it’s hard to tell what the weather’s going to be like from one day to the next. Annoying? Yes. Don’t you just hate it when you’ve finally planned that family picnic, with relatives coming from far and wide then it pours down with rain? Even though it’s not your fault, you know people secretly resent eating their soggy sarnies, inside your living room, trying to pretend for the kids’ sake that they are having a good time. The good news is, that even though summer outside can be unpredictable, inside your home is a different matter. Here are our top tips to bring the outside in, and how to make your home more ‘summery’.

1. Fresh cut flowers make you smile. If you’ve got green fingers, then pick your own blooms and add vases of them round your home. Just seeing them will remind you it’s summer (even if it is raining outside). I also like to add a big vase if flowers in my bedroom, so when I wake up that’s the first thing I see. Bright colours work well in plain rooms, whereas plainer more simple flowers can be used in more busy rooms.

I also like to add a vase of flowers at the sink where I wash up. Not only can they take away nasty whiffs of any leftovers, but it can be quite therapeutic to look at the flowers before you wash up. Local fruit shops and supermarkets all sell a range of flowers to suit everyone’s budget. If you go just before they close you can often pick up a few bunches at a fraction of the price. They tend to come with flower food that you can add to their water which will help them last longer. Don’t forget to change the water every few days, so it doesn’t smell.

2. A big bowl of seasonal fruit. Strawberries, plums, cherries - all great summery fruits. Add a big bowl to the centre piece of your table. Not only will it look nice to have all the bright colours around, but it will also remind you that you should be having up to 5 pieces of fruit and veg a day. It also makes a great after dinner dessert. Chop up lots of different fruit and get the kids to load them up on a wooden skewer. Fruit kebabs always go down well with kids. Tinned pineapple, strawberries and grapes all sit really well on the skewers. Give them a quick blast in the freezer to make them a cool snack.

3.  Make your own ice lollies. Even if it’s raining, it still feels muggy, so why not refresh your palate with an ice lolly. Simply pour fresh fruit juice into ice lolly containers (available in all good supermarkets_, whack in a couple of ice lolly sticks- or sometimes the come supplied. 2 hours later you can be sucking on your very own ice lolly.

4. Tuck away all the winter duvets and get out the lighter blankets. The togs on winter duvets are much higher than winter ones and can make you feel restless. Have them dry cleaned and store them ready for next winter. You can buy great storage from Argos that sit under the bed, or if you’re tight on space try the suction bags they sell. Simply put your clean duvet in the bag, sealed it as directed then suck the air out of the bag with your vacuum, couldn’t be easier. All you’re left with is a flat package that can be safely stored in your loft or anywhere else you have room.

5.  Thick jumpers, woolly tights, heavy winter coats - should all be put to one side. If you have time, storing your winter clothes will make you feel as if summer has arrived. Either hide them away in another wardrobe or bag them up and out them in the loft. That will make plenty of room for your floaty summer dresses, gladiator sandals, Tee-shirts and maxi dresses! Waking up and seeing you summer wardrobe will encourage you to think summery thoughts.

6. Update your make-up. In summer there’s no need to hide behind thick layers of foundation. Choose a lighter foundation with SPF protection in it. Add a flick of bronzer to your cheeks and lip gloss for a lighter summery look. Don’t forget the fake tan if you are going to dare to bare all on the beach.

7.  Give rugs a good airing. Know is the perfect time to pick up any rugs that you may have on wooden or stone flooring. Before you store them away hang them on the line outside and give them a good beating. I use an old broom handle to whack mine. You might want to cover your mouth with a piece of material (bandana style) and where your shades as it can get really dusty. You might get some funny looks off your neighbours but when you see all that winter dust flying away you will see that it is all worth it.

8. Open all the windows. Summers a great time to air out your home. Simply open the windows and let the clean summer air detox your home of all the winter blues.

9. Update your summer furniture. If you’re wooden outdoor furniture is looking a bit drabby, sand it down then add some varnish to seal it again. I’m no expert so ask a helpful person in your local DIY store for advice. Or if you’ve got some spare cash why not treat yourself to some new outdoor furniture? Alfresco eating on a warm summer night is always nice.

10. A lick of paint. Light colours always make your room seem so much bigger. Summers a great time to redecorate as concrete sets quicker, paint dries faster and there are more hours of light to get the work done. Even if it’s just a small job, like painting your kitchen or your hallway it will make you feel like summers arrived.

These top tips were bought to you by Floorell, www.floorell.co.uk