Summer Decor Ideas
Earlier this month, I appeared on Virgin Media Television’s Ireland AM to give some easy ideas on how to spruce up your home for the summer. There’s no point in those ideas going to waste now that the show has aired, so here they are!
On the set of Ireland AM with Martin King and Katja Mia.
1. Swap your curtains for voiles.
Curtains in your living room or in your kitchen can be cosy in winter, but during the summer they can feel very heavy and bulky so swapping them out for a voile curtain will allow more air to pass through the house and give a feeling of lightness and ease. Like when you’re on holidays abroad! There are lots of pre made affordable voile curtains available which can simply be slid onto your existing curtain pole for the summer, and if you want to change back to your curtains again later in the year, it’s a very easy swap. Try Home Focus at Hickeys, IKEA or any store that sells pre-made curtains.
Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors
2. Paint your tiles.
So many of us have plain, boring tiles in our bathrooms, hallways or even in the kitchen. We’d love to change the tiles, but it can be an expensive task. The solution? Paint your existing tiles using a tile stencil or masking tape. You need patience, but it will transform your tiles and save you a fortune while you’re at it. You’re best to use paint specifically for tiles as it is very hard wearing. Your local paint shop will give you guidance on what paint to buy, but I used Tikkurila Temadur 20 paint with a matching paint hardener mixed into it. If you’re worried about the size of area to tackle, I’d suggest your downstairs bathroom if you have one. It’s usually one of the smallest areas in the house and it’s the one place that most guests will see when they visit so feel free to take a risk! You can buy stencils in places like Woodies, B&Q , Etsy or from Dizzy Duck Designs.
Credit: Jen Rothbury
Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors
3. Refresh an old lamp.
If you have an old lamp lying around the house or have found a really cheap lamp somewhere (like the grey one below from Woodie’s), consider revamping it. Get a can of spray paint or a small paint tin with a built in primer, cover the bulb section and power lead with tape to protect them, and paint the lamp base in a colour of your choosing. I used Rust-oleum All Surface Paint in Bowness Blue on the lamp below. Finish the lamp off with a contrasting lamp shade like the yellow striped shade below from Pooky. If you want more muted tones in the winter, simply pack it up and put it away, ready to bring it out again next spring or summer.
Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors
As an extra tip, you could also add colourful framed prints to a sideboard or shelf to complement the lamp. You can get 2 or 3 framed prints and layer them one slightly in front of the other. As they are sitting on the shelf, they don’t need to be hung on the wall and can easily be stored away if you want more muted colours in the winter. The prints below are from Desenio and The Poster Club.
Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors
4. Reupholster an old chair or stool.
If you have an old chair or stool that might look very worn or dated, think about giving it a new lease of life by getting it reupholstered. There are so many fabric options to choose from whether it’s plain, textured or patterned and lots of suppliers provide stain resistant or easy clean fabrics which are great for homes with kids or pets. I went with a gorgeous baby blue on the old Parker Knoll chair below (which we think is at least 70 years old!), bringing a beautiful coastal feel while being a stain resistant fabric so it’s practical too! The fabric is Amalfi Denim by Clarke & Clarke.
Credit: Paula McCarthy Interiors