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KEEPING SUMMER IN YOUR HOME ALL YEAR

WHEN the sun is shining outside and our homes are filled with light and warmth it makes us want to keep that sunny feeling indoors all year round.

Unfortunately, the British weather has other ideas. Don’t give up, though, because there are plenty of ways to keep that Summer feeling in your home all year round – and they don’t even have to cost a fortune.

Some are very simple and involve that route the sunshine takes into our homes: WINDOWS.

It may sound over-simple but just cleaning your windows can put a different aspect on a room. We can get used to the marks and blemishes and, let’s face it, the grime that can build up without us even noticing.

A good “springclean” any time of the year allows the windows to do their “job” properly and us to better appreciate the space in which we live. If you’re having any RENOVATIONS done at home, it’s worth considering adding extra windows, maybe into the ceiling. Infinity roof lights or fixed flat rooflights are also good options to let more light flood in and retain your home’s warmth.

Tame your CURTAINS! They often partially block out light without you even realising it. It may be time for new curtains – something brighter and less gloomy that can soon transform a room and help maximise available light.

Consider blinds as a modern option. Bright, well-planned blinds can really open up window areas offering extra space and enhancing the amount of rays coming through. Ask your local supplier about the best type to let in the most light.

Go for SHINY home fittings as they reflect light. Mirrors, glass or shiny metal bounce light and brighten up rooms. Putting a large mirror opposite your biggest window will also really open up that space.

The hall, too, will benefit from mirrors especially teamed with paler walls, lighter flooring and good lighting.

Try strong CONTRAST in a room, especially your main living rom. A black picture frame, for example, emphasises the lightness of everything around it to reveal bright areas you didn’t even know you had.

Take a closer look at your FURNITURE. Is it gloomy and past its sell-by date?

Light furniture brightens up a room instantly. Accessorising cleverly with cushions and throws in pale but warmlooking materials also promotes light and that sunny feeling that Summer brings.

If you can’t afford new furniture currently, paint some existing items with white paint or a bright colour. Perhaps use this opportunity to alter the colour scheme and go for shades that lift your mood.

While you’re re-decorating, it’s worth checking what shape your kitchen TILES are in. Re-tiling can change the look of a kitchen, bringing it up to date and even giving it a Mediterranean feeling if that’s what you want.

However, if you don’t want such a drastic change, consider colourful stick-on splashbacks to give this area a lift.

PLANTS can definitely give a home that airy Summer feeling, bringing Nature indoors. Choosing the right ones, though, and maintaining them are especially important in living areas. If your current plants are dragging them down or – more importantly – blocking out light – either re-pot them elsewhere or invest in new ones. Fake plants are also much nicer and more realistic these days so it’s worth a look at the best.

Try to have three different LIGHT SOURCES in any one room. A lounge might need a central ceiling light – especially a crystal chandelier which is literally brilliant at reflecting light around – and two table lamps.

Remember that uplighting can work best in main general living areas and LED lights or strips under kitchen cabinets can get rid of shadows. LED lights are a real friend as they can cut your bills and, by selecting the type carefully, can cheer up any area with their warm looks.

Nothing makes a room look darker than CLUTTER so now is a great time to just get rid of all the things you don’t need or that you’ve just not put away.

Invest in more cupboards and storage spaces if you must keep them and use those odd corners for shelves to open up areas. FLOORING can cheer you up if it’s warm and uplifting or depress you if it’s just too drab. A light-coloured runner or rug on dark flooring lifts a room. Re-painting floors or opting for light wooden floors is another way to get more of that important Summer feeling.

Vibrant ARTWORK can brighten any room or busy space. How about a fabulous beach view or vista of sun-kissed mountains to take you back to super Summer holidays? A large picture can soon become a pleasing focal point and remind you of blue skies and warm days even on the most miserable day.

Remember that painting any space with sunshine shades like yellows, reds and oranges will also give you that glowing feeling Or, paint your ceiling light blue! High-gloss paint reflects light well and adds a special element to any room.

There’s no point in changes within your home to make it feel more like Summer all year round, though, without addressing your HEATING. Is your boiler working properly or does it need a service or attention? Have you got sufficient radiators for individual rooms?

Wood burners have become very popular in the last decade and part of their appeal is that they look cosy. They’re also very contemporary so can give tired rooms and furnishings a more up to date look

It may sound obvious but simply trimming the TREES AND BUSHES outside your windows makes a difference to the amount of light and sunshine that’s allowed indoors.

Some garden experts recommend never planting trees on the southern side of your home as the sun will be too high for the trees to provide shade in the Summer and can block windows, limiting solar warmth and light in the Winter.

And if there’s a way of bringing the outside in – like bifolding doors in your kitchen or lounge area - this may be one investment that makes sense all year round.