Summer is finally here and just as we’re spending more time outside enjoying the longer days, it makes sense that we want our homes to feel bright and airy inside too.
So, if you’re looking for décor tips to brighten up your new home this summer, we’ve got some great ideas for you. From making use of mirrors to harnessing the extra natural daylight, here are some easy and budget-friendly ways to totally transform your interior:
Clear the clutter
Every good interior refresh should begin with a clear-out.
If a room is full of clutter, there will be less space, making it appear cramped and dark. Therefore, decluttering will help a room to feel more spacious and brighter instantly.
Have a good sort and give away anything that you no longer use or simply don’t like anymore. Make sure anything left over has a home – even if it’s a decorative bowl for keys and phone chargers – so that nothing is just hanging about, taking up valuable space and soaking up light! You’ll be amazed at the difference a clutter-free space makes.
Change the colour scheme
If you’re looking for brightening interior ideas, then switching to a lighter wall and ceiling colour will not only reflect more light back into the room, but it will instantly make it feel more spacious.
White or off-white shades offer the highest light reflectance value, but if you prefer a hint of colour you could opt for light greys or soft pastels. A soft sheen finish instead of matt will double its reflecting properties too.
If all-white’s not for you, why not incorporate a feature wall? Choose large patterns or geometric shapes on a white or light-coloured background to add interest while still utilising light-reflecting colours.
Let the sunlight in
We all know that sunlight is extremely beneficial to our mental and physical wellbeing. Exposure to natural light helps boost energy levels and productivity, as well as regulate our sleep patterns, so it’s important to make sure we get enough of this valuable resource as possible.
In our homes, this means making sure windows are clean, free of clutter, and not surrounded by heavy or excessive material.
Windows also need cleaning, inside and out, at least twice a year to remove dirt and streaks and to keep light maximised inside your home.
Another great tip for preventing blocked sunlight is to avoid tall plants or ornaments on windowsills. Instead, opt for smaller, frame-height plants and decorations that will still allow plenty of rays in. Replace heavy or dark drapes with sheer curtains to create a light and airy feel in social spaces such as your lounge and kitchen, but keep your heavier drapes for bedrooms, as having a darker room is more conducive to a better and cooler night’s sleep.
Say it with floral displays
When it comes to easy décor tips for brightening your home, a vibrant houseplant or a striking vase of summer blooms will add instant vitality to any room. Oversized plants such as monstera, kentia palms and yuccas look great grouped together in a corner or stood by your sofa and are long-lasting and easy to maintain.
Another way to display your plants is to hang them in pretty baskets or fabric holders from walls or ceilings to create a natural and earthy vertical focal point.
Opt for light furniture & accessories
When choosing furniture, look for simple and minimal pieces in light colours or woodgrain that allow light to flow around them. Bulky, overly decorative or dark items will take up more space and light.
If you already have a piece of furniture in a darker shade, you could consider upcycling it by painting it in a light colour, whitewashing it or sanding it down to achieve a lighter effect.
Similar results can be achieved with a few well-chosen accessories. A lovely cream throw, for example, can brighten up a dark sofa, and light neutral bed linen can instantly add a glow to a dark bed frame. Dark flooring can also be lifted with a large light-coloured or patterned rug.
Use reflective surfaces
Mirrors can be used to reflect incoming natural light around a room and also have the added bonus of making a room appear larger too.
Place wall mirrors opposite windows and lamps to reflect the light or go bold and add a floor-to-ceiling panel or a statement free-standing mirror to really amplify the reflections.
Accessorising with reflective surfaces also has a similar effect. Have a shop around to find furniture and fittings with reflective accents, such as chandeliers, metallic lampstands and door handles. You could even create a feature wall with a light metallic wallpaper.
Go bold with art
Whether you’ve got a darker colour in your room and don’t have the budget to re-decorate or you want to break up a plain white wall, one or two large statement prints can add brightness and impact without clutter.
Go for large, bold prints or graphic drawings on a large white canvas. Try online stores such as ink&drop and etsy for energising prints that won’t break the bank.
Be sure to visit our Peter Ward Homes Blog hub for more interior ideas for your new home.