10 Key Jobs to Get Your House Summer-Fit
Summertime and the livin' is easy– and so is giving your house a scrubbed-up sunny face to welcome the upcoming season
Imagine if there were no seasons. Even though summer is a favourite time for many people, endless summer would pall after a while and we might find ourselves eager for crisp autumn mornings or an excuse to light a fire and hibernate under a quilt. I love winter and early spring here on the Sunshine Coast, for just those things, but at the first burst of bougainvillea and the sound of kids playing on the beach, it’s away with the heaters and on with the ceiling fans.
Refreshing your house for summer is achievable with minimal effort and at a modest cost. It’s worth doing for the optimism and energy that often comes with a change. Discover how to prepare your house for an easygoing summer with just a little elbow grease and some fun jobs, too.
Refreshing your house for summer is achievable with minimal effort and at a modest cost. It’s worth doing for the optimism and energy that often comes with a change. Discover how to prepare your house for an easygoing summer with just a little elbow grease and some fun jobs, too.
2. Freshen your sofas and cushions
If your sofas and armchairs are flattened and food-spotted after a bit of couch potato inaction, buck them up with a wash and blow-dry. Remove fitted cushions and vacuum up crumbs, five cent coins and other detritus. Use a quality carpet foam cleaner and don’t over-wet, then brush up. Be careful with spot-cleaning – do a test patch first.
Consider loose covers for sofas upholstered in velvety or woolly fabrics in deep shades. Buy them ready-made or invest in custom-made covers that you’ll use year after year.
HOT WEATHER LEATHER: As beautiful as leather furniture is, peeling your clammy skin off it is a summer bummer. If you don’t want to hide it completely, drape with cotton or linen throws and pile plenty of cushions.
If your sofas and armchairs are flattened and food-spotted after a bit of couch potato inaction, buck them up with a wash and blow-dry. Remove fitted cushions and vacuum up crumbs, five cent coins and other detritus. Use a quality carpet foam cleaner and don’t over-wet, then brush up. Be careful with spot-cleaning – do a test patch first.
Consider loose covers for sofas upholstered in velvety or woolly fabrics in deep shades. Buy them ready-made or invest in custom-made covers that you’ll use year after year.
HOT WEATHER LEATHER: As beautiful as leather furniture is, peeling your clammy skin off it is a summer bummer. If you don’t want to hide it completely, drape with cotton or linen throws and pile plenty of cushions.
A cushion makeover works magic on a jaded sofa. No need to buy more inners – just pop a new cover over the old. Avoid blocks of colour and tiny cushions – this picture shows how to mix-and-match generous cushions in a medley of patterns for a lovely lighthearted feel. Unify the elements in the room by repeating the cushion colour around the space in different tonal strengths. .
Fish fabric: P Kaufmann Indoor/Outdoor; key fabric: Premier Prints Gotcha
Sew an easy cushion cover
Fish fabric: P Kaufmann Indoor/Outdoor; key fabric: Premier Prints Gotcha
Sew an easy cushion cover
3. Give your bathroom the works
Even well-ventilated bathrooms get the blues. Slip on rubber gloves and get cracking. Once it’s squeaky-clean, add zest with some new towels, greenery, candles and an array of bath time lotions and potions.
TOP TIP: Put the heavy musky perfumes away. Citrus notes, such as my favourite sharp lemon verbena, and minty green aromas, are a subliminal way of saying ‘summer’.
INDULGE: Light a fragrance candle before you jump in the bath or shower – it’s so nice to towel off in a cloud of fresh scent.
Learn how to make your own scented candles
Even well-ventilated bathrooms get the blues. Slip on rubber gloves and get cracking. Once it’s squeaky-clean, add zest with some new towels, greenery, candles and an array of bath time lotions and potions.
TOP TIP: Put the heavy musky perfumes away. Citrus notes, such as my favourite sharp lemon verbena, and minty green aromas, are a subliminal way of saying ‘summer’.
INDULGE: Light a fragrance candle before you jump in the bath or shower – it’s so nice to towel off in a cloud of fresh scent.
Learn how to make your own scented candles
Summer glare from uncovered bathroom windows can be uncomfortable. Curtains aren’t a great option, but shutters give instant low-maintenance summer appeal. They provide privacy and softer light, especially the sleek narrow-bladed versions, well-suited to modern bathrooms.
4. Dream up an immaculate bed
Fact: we spend more time lurking in bed in winter and spring than in summer. Revamp a tired bed: strip it completely, remove electric blankets, turn the mattress (both upside down and end-to-end), wash or replace mattress protectors and make a fresh start. Crisp, pristine-clean sheets are a joy on warm nights. Basic white bed linen opens up a wide choice of complementary colours, from muted earthy neutrals to sorbet pastels and dynamic primaries.
TOP TIP: Even though life is too short to iron sheets, why not iron pillow slips and the fold-over of the top sheet, using a spritz of fresh-smelling linen spray.
Make a simple headboard you can change with the season
Fact: we spend more time lurking in bed in winter and spring than in summer. Revamp a tired bed: strip it completely, remove electric blankets, turn the mattress (both upside down and end-to-end), wash or replace mattress protectors and make a fresh start. Crisp, pristine-clean sheets are a joy on warm nights. Basic white bed linen opens up a wide choice of complementary colours, from muted earthy neutrals to sorbet pastels and dynamic primaries.
TOP TIP: Even though life is too short to iron sheets, why not iron pillow slips and the fold-over of the top sheet, using a spritz of fresh-smelling linen spray.
Make a simple headboard you can change with the season
Yellow, grey and white is such a pretty combination for a summer bedroom. Work this mix for a look you could live with all year round. Colour your summer world with bleached blues, navy, pale yellows, the gamut of whites and creams, sage green, earthy tones, blue-greys, aqua – save the moody aubergines, burgundies and chocolate browns for winter warmth.
For handcrafted pure cotton bedding, see designer Steven Alan. His range is handwoven in collaboration with Eco Tasar, a co-operative that supports rural Indian spinners and weavers.
SLEEP WELL: Natural fibres are the only way to go for cool sleeping. Cotton and linen are the fabrics of the moment for bed linen.
For handcrafted pure cotton bedding, see designer Steven Alan. His range is handwoven in collaboration with Eco Tasar, a co-operative that supports rural Indian spinners and weavers.
SLEEP WELL: Natural fibres are the only way to go for cool sleeping. Cotton and linen are the fabrics of the moment for bed linen.
Ditch the mohair, faux fur and chunky knit bed throws in favour of gauzy fringed cottons and floppy linens in soft summer colours.
TOP TIP: Now is the time to have winter blankets and bed covers cleaned and stored, ready for next chilly season. Slip a couple of fragrance sachets into the folds and wrap in clean sheets rather than plastic.
TOP TIP: Now is the time to have winter blankets and bed covers cleaned and stored, ready for next chilly season. Slip a couple of fragrance sachets into the folds and wrap in clean sheets rather than plastic.
5. Summer-ise your fireplace
How we love wood fires when it’s cold outside. But there’s nothing sadder than a dirty, empty fireplace. Horrible job as it is, once the cleaning is done, pop in a storage trunk, basket of books, group of pillar candles or a large mirror propped in front.
More: Have a Hearth: Make Your Fireplace Look Smokin’ Hot All Year Round
How we love wood fires when it’s cold outside. But there’s nothing sadder than a dirty, empty fireplace. Horrible job as it is, once the cleaning is done, pop in a storage trunk, basket of books, group of pillar candles or a large mirror propped in front.
More: Have a Hearth: Make Your Fireplace Look Smokin’ Hot All Year Round
6. Be picture perfect
Moving artwork around changes the mood of a room. Give some pictures a vacation in another area and have a selection of holiday photos custom-printed and mounted. Pick ones that evoke happy, relaxed thoughts. Summer seems to bring out inner creativity – you might like to try putting brush to paper yourself.
Moving artwork around changes the mood of a room. Give some pictures a vacation in another area and have a selection of holiday photos custom-printed and mounted. Pick ones that evoke happy, relaxed thoughts. Summer seems to bring out inner creativity – you might like to try putting brush to paper yourself.
7. Buff your outdoor area
Unused decks and courtyards attract dust, leaves and other debris over the cold months. Get yours party-ready with a thorough going-over with a hose, broom and scrubbing brush. Wash chairs and tables, shake out rugs and mats, and spray for insects that may have camped in nooks and crannies.
TOP TIP: Cushions/squabs in outdoor fabrics are a great investment. They can be salvaged if left outside in the rain and are stain-repellent and easy to brush clean.
Unused decks and courtyards attract dust, leaves and other debris over the cold months. Get yours party-ready with a thorough going-over with a hose, broom and scrubbing brush. Wash chairs and tables, shake out rugs and mats, and spray for insects that may have camped in nooks and crannies.
TOP TIP: Cushions/squabs in outdoor fabrics are a great investment. They can be salvaged if left outside in the rain and are stain-repellent and easy to brush clean.
Reboot your barbecue. Throwing up the lid of the barbecue, lamb chops at the ready, to find remnants of last season’s sausage sizzle puts a dampener on a party. If you’ve been a wise squirrel and followed the tips in 9 Ways to Keep Your Barbecue Area in Tiptop Shape, this won’t happen.
Organise some extra seating for an influx of summer visitors. If space is at a premium, buy a few inexpensive timber storage trunks from a hardware shop. As they are not the most stylish pieces of furniture, cover with a padded squab and pile on some colourful cushions. They can be easily shuffled around to become side tables and plant stands. The handy storage for cloths, bunting, toys, string lighting, candles and mozzie nets will keep the area uncluttered.
See how to make the most of a small outdoor area
See how to make the most of a small outdoor area
The bane of Aussie outdoor living, the mosquito, will be an uninvited guest this summer. Discourage flying visits and enhance your verandah by hanging floaty fabrics to waft them away. Hang several metres of muslin, cheesecloth, mosquito netting or curtain sheers on giant rings or eyelets on a doweling rod for inviting semi-protected ambience. Tie a big knot in the bottom or let them drift.
LITTLE BITERS: Lightly spray curtains with a mixture of 1 cup each of water and witch-hazel and 20 to 30 drops of rosemary essential oil. Wage non-chemical warfare by planting catnip, rosemary and marigolds around the area.
LITTLE BITERS: Lightly spray curtains with a mixture of 1 cup each of water and witch-hazel and 20 to 30 drops of rosemary essential oil. Wage non-chemical warfare by planting catnip, rosemary and marigolds around the area.
8. Make early plans for summer fun
With the silly season just around the corner, it gets harder to gather party people together. Put some dates in your diary now, send invitations and start planning for a long lunch, barbecue or dinner under the stars. Well-planned festivities will be more enjoyable not only for your guests, but for you.
ENJOY: Take advantage of the golden weather to dine alfresco as often as possible. Give your entertaining a sense of occasion with a centrepiece – it could be as simple as a wooden box and found bottles holding wildflowers, a glass bowl of summer berries or a row of tin lanterns.
With the silly season just around the corner, it gets harder to gather party people together. Put some dates in your diary now, send invitations and start planning for a long lunch, barbecue or dinner under the stars. Well-planned festivities will be more enjoyable not only for your guests, but for you.
ENJOY: Take advantage of the golden weather to dine alfresco as often as possible. Give your entertaining a sense of occasion with a centrepiece – it could be as simple as a wooden box and found bottles holding wildflowers, a glass bowl of summer berries or a row of tin lanterns.
If you live near the beach, pick up a supply of tidal treasures and store them to grace your table at a moment’s notice. For a quick and inexpensive centrepiece, arrange them on a bamboo mat with something tropical from the garden.
More: Striking Dining Table Settings to Impress Guests
More: Striking Dining Table Settings to Impress Guests
9. Hang summery holiday signs
It would be a tragedy if Santa passed you by. It’s not too early to drum up Christmas anticipation with some sign writing. Paint your invitation to Santa on a chalkboard or weathered timber paling. My favourite Christmas message that I hang every year says: ‘This house believes in Santa’. It works for me!
It would be a tragedy if Santa passed you by. It’s not too early to drum up Christmas anticipation with some sign writing. Paint your invitation to Santa on a chalkboard or weathered timber paling. My favourite Christmas message that I hang every year says: ‘This house believes in Santa’. It works for me!
Announce the arrival of the season with some feel-good signs that puts you in the holiday spirit – even if you live miles from the beach!
10. Make summer wine
Mix crushed ice, sliced citrus fruit, freshly squeezed juice and bruised mint in a beautiful jug and top up with soda and sparkling red or white wine. Grab a glass, head outside and drink a toast to the wonderful summer that’s just around the corner.
TOP TIP: If you have a glut of lemons and oranges, squeeze juice, sweeten to taste and freeze in ice trays. Unmould into a ziplock bag, seal and pop back into the freezer. You’ll have instant zest to add to summer punches and spritzers.
TELL US
Do you have a favourite season? Tell us how you give your house a seasonal feel.
READ MORE
Take It Outside: 20 Amazing Outdoor Kitchens
10 Patio Additions to Bring on Summer in Style
13 Ideas to Get Your Barbecue Area Summer-Ready
Mix crushed ice, sliced citrus fruit, freshly squeezed juice and bruised mint in a beautiful jug and top up with soda and sparkling red or white wine. Grab a glass, head outside and drink a toast to the wonderful summer that’s just around the corner.
TOP TIP: If you have a glut of lemons and oranges, squeeze juice, sweeten to taste and freeze in ice trays. Unmould into a ziplock bag, seal and pop back into the freezer. You’ll have instant zest to add to summer punches and spritzers.
TELL US
Do you have a favourite season? Tell us how you give your house a seasonal feel.
READ MORE
Take It Outside: 20 Amazing Outdoor Kitchens
10 Patio Additions to Bring on Summer in Style
13 Ideas to Get Your Barbecue Area Summer-Ready
Houses can develop a closed-up atmosphere over long, cold periods, especially if air is recycled through air-conditioning and heating systems. Fresh air is free and a good old-fashioned airing is step one. Throw open windows and doors and invite the first summer zephyrs to whisk away any last traces of indoor living – damp, fireplace, cooking and shut-in pet smells have no place in a summer house.