SUMMER HOME MAKEOVER IN 2023

WE’RE now in the months of the year when the light is at its brightest each day and – even with the vagaries of British weather – we can expect at least some sunshine.

So, let the sunshine in with a Summer home makeover that can cost as much or as little as you like.

Start with the place where Nature thrives: outside. The simple act of PRUNING TREES in your garden really helps preserve natural light in your home.

As Spring prompts that great growth spurt in trees and bushes so the danger of available light being affected increases. Pruning your trees and bushes ensures they thrive and your home still gets the maximum amount of light inside.

If you have large trees, it might be worth calling in a tree surgeon to get the job done safely and efficiently as they have the knowledge for the job and know how to keep trees healthy.

It’s easy to forget that the state of your WINDOWS dramatically affects the light coming into your rooms. Just cleaning them effectively makes a difference but large, uninterrupted panes of glass can really brighten any room, especially your lounge or kitchen where much of daily life happens.

Consider replacement and go along to your local window supplier to see what’s available. Getting someone referred to you because they’ve done such a good job elsewhere can also boost your confidence in a supplier.

Or, if you need to find a company in your area from an accredited source just go to websites like TrustATrader at https:// www.trustatrader.com

Investing in patio doors or bi-fold doors is another great way to get the outdoors indoors and bring the sunshine in. Again, using a supplier who has been recommended is usually best, especially when you can see their handiwork locally.

DOORS can also play a big part in making dingy areas much brighter. Your front door is the most important door in your home because it’s the first thing that visitors see as the portal to your life and also influences that pivotal room, the hallway.

Having new glass panes in your old door or going for a new, modern door with all the great designs currently on offer can make such a difference to this welcoming area.

DE-CLUTTERING your hall – and, actually, many of your rooms – makes a real difference to the amount of light and space there.

In the hallway, tidy away coats, boots and shoes in cupboards. Invest in a new, bright stair-runner to give a splash of colour and consider re-decorating your hallway with bright colours that bounce light around to create an open feeling.

You don’t have to opt for stark white, either, even though this may be useful in some rooms. Warm, golden colours and neutrals give the impression of light and lift the spirits immediately.

Check your plasterwork beforehand, though. If your walls are not smooth and even it’s worth getting in a plasterer before you start re-decorating to get the most from your investment.

And when you’ve got those lovely new, bright walls, don’t be tempted to hang too many pictures or have dark furniture here. Keep that airy feeling – although a cleverly placed large MIRROR can be your friend here and move that light around even more.

This trick with a well-placed, attractive mirror can work in many rooms, especially if you use it to reflect light into normally shady areas. Or try glass tiles as a good option for bathrooms and kitchens if you prefer not to install mirrors.

Opting for a GLOSS PAINT is also a great way of reflecting more light off the walls and back into your rooms. Take a look at the colours you want for different areas and see if there is a glossier version of that shade. This can work particularly well in normally dark rooms with minimum light available.

Is now the time to ditch that old shade you’ve had for 10 years and try something more modern and, quite literally, illuminating? There are plenty of beautiful modern shades around and if you combine them with LED lights you’ll see those darker rooms suddenly come to life all day long.

Use floor and table lamps to light up specific areas of your home for the evenings. The choice out there is huge now and smart styles can really complement the new décor in your home.

One simple way of improving light in your lounge in particular is to simply REARRANGE YOUR FURNITURE. Move that sofa to a different area or angle, add a coffee table and lamp and suddenly you’ve got a brighter area to sit watching TV.

If you’ve got a recliner, move it nearer a window to get the best light for reading: natural light.

De-clutter here, too. It’s amazing the amount of household items we have around us that could be stored away to make room – and light – in much-used areas.

CHANGE YOUR CUSHIONS to match a new colour scheme or to create a new one. Echo this in a colourful throw on your sofa and pick out the colours in artwork on your walls. This kind of co-ordinated look can give a real Summer-y feel to your main rooms.

A new RUG will do the same job, perhaps picking out those main colours again. It doesn’t require a huge investment to make your rooms look fresh and different this Summer.

If you have a statement wall in your lounge, why not change it? If you just do this one wall, you may feel more like splashing out on more expensive, colourful wallpaper that lifts the whole room.

Bring Nature into your home with INDOOR PLANTS. We all love a bit of greenery and in the Summer months with the doors open, a pleasant breeze blowing through and attractive houseplants placed around it’s easy to feel at one with Nature. Look around your home as, sometimes, just upgrading smaller items like kitchen handles can give rooms a really fresh, lighter look.