Dressing Your Home for Summer

As the days grow longer and the garden comes into its own, our homes seem to ask for a lighter touch. Dressing your home for summer isn't about a dramatic overhaul. It's about small, seasonal shifts that let the warmth in and lift the whole feeling of a space.

Start with what you can swap. Heavier throws and deep tones can be packed away in favour of lighter linens in soft whites, pale blues and gentle greens. A change of cushion covers alone can make a sofa feel freshly summery, especially when you bring in a botanical print or two.

Bring the outside in. A simple jug of garden cuttings, a bowl of lemons on the table or a few stems of lavender by the window does more for a summer room than any amount of clever styling. Nature is the easiest decorator you'll ever hire.

Don't forget the spaces beyond your walls. A lantern on an outdoor table, a soft cushion on a garden bench and a trailing plant in a weathered pot turn a patio into another room of the house. Perfect for long, light evenings spent outdoors.

Summer styling is, above all, about ease. Let in the light, keep things simple, and surround yourself with the colours and scents of the season. Your home will feel all the more beautiful for it.

Written by Eleanor Hartley