Being at home over the last two weeks during Alert Level 4 may have had you thinking about ways you can update your interior. Thrown in with some unseasonably warm weather and this could have extended to your outdoor living too!
To help get you started, our interior experts have put together all their tips for refreshing your home for spring.
Make the Outdoors Your New Focal Point
As the weather begins to warm up, now is the time to focus our attention back to our outdoor living spaces. The outdoors should be your new focal point so rearrange furniture to take in the view and for optimal indoor/outdoor flow. Be wary of the changing sun as we head towards the new season though and be sure to protect furniture and furnishings from UV light as it can be particular harsh in summer.
It can be helpful to think of our outdoor spaces as an extension of our indoor living so consider how you can link the design between these two spaces. Bring some greenery inside with new pot plants, use similar textures throughout and add soft comfort to your outdoor spaces with cushions and rugs designed for the elements.
Spring Clean
Nothing says spring like a good clean! Air out duvet inners, pillows and feather cushions and give your heavy winter throws and blankets some time on the clothes line before packing them away for next winter. Rotate your mattress to extend its life, dust your blinds with a feather duster or soft cloth and use an upholstery attachment to vacuum your curtains.
Wash down your outdoor furniture, getting rid of any spider webs and dirt that may have accumulated over the last few months. If needed, sand and re-oil teak to bring it back to life. Take this opportunity to give some love and care to your leather & fabric upholsteries. If you are unsure on the best way to care for your furnishings, talk to our consultants for some expert help for your particular piece.
Consider Your Windows
Windows are key elements of an interior, bringing in warmth and light as well as ventilation. In preparation for the summer sun, consider new window furnishings to help keep your home cool.
Large north and west windows without proper shading can let an unbearable amount of heat in during summer, not to mention wreck havoc on your furnishings with UV damage. Sheer curtains and Luxaflex sunscreens are a great option, allowing you to shield the sun and retain a certain level of daytime privacy, while also letting the view in. The new LumiShade by Luxaflex is also worth considering. It features individual fabric vanes with two-in-one light filtering and room darkening panels. These vanes can be angled to change the amount of light entering a space or closed completely to darken the room. The individual vanes are not linked with chains at the bottom so you can walk through them easily for great flow between your indoors and outdoors.
A Luxaflex awning placed strategically over one of your windows or doors is another worthwhile investment for the warmer weather. It will simultaneously prevent the harshest rays from getting into your home, while also creating shade for outdoor entertainment areas.
De-clutter, Organise & Re-arrange
Take note of your surroundings and edit your interior to give it a lighter summery feel. Have you accumulated unnecessary items over winter? Use this time to de-clutter, donating unwanted items to charity. In the words of the famous Marie Kondo, if an item no longer ‘sparks joy’ then its time for it to go.
Invest in baskets and containers to store various items, from linen and towels to food and pantry items. It is amazing what a well-organised space can do for your well-being while creating a fresher feel for spring.
Re-arrange and swap out items from different rooms. Move artwork and accessories around to create a new look. Winter furs and chunky knits can be stored away for the warmer months. Replace them with light throws made of linen and soft cotton.
Use Accessories to Refresh Your Look
Accessories are a great way to update your interior seasonally. They allow you to try out new trends without committing and are a simple way of giving your home a summery feel. Change out cushion covers, fill a new vase or two with some spring flowers and add a splash of colour to your walls with artwork. To give your accessories longevity, consider creating a winter and summer set that you can pull out to instantly to change your look.
Think of Your Interior as Always Evolving
The best way to keep your interior always looking fresh is to think of it as always evolving. Just like with accessories, you can update one or two items of furniture every so often to give your interior an entirely new look. A feature wall of wallpaper can add some personality, a new rug can anchor a space and a lick of paint can transform your look. Interiors grow with you so consider what items your love and ask us for advice on where to start!
If you would like help refreshing your interior for spring, are team are here to help! Although our showrooms remain closed during Alert Level 3 & 4, our team are all working remotely and can still help with everything interiors via a ‘Virtual Consultation’.
We can run these consultations in a number of ways, depending on what is most convenient for you-whether you want to video call, send us your floor plans, have a chat on the phone or simply send us a photo of your space- we can help!
If you would like to learn more or book a time you can simply email directly on [email protected] or click here.
We also have a great range of furniture, accessories, beds and linen available in our online store, which can be shipped via contactless delivery during Alert Level 3. You can shop the range online here.