Blog
Summer days!
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
With July almost over, there’s still time for some simple styling to make the most of the summer. Think of your home as a holiday house, and you'll see it in a whole new light. Ocean shades, sunshine yellows and crisp white woodwork really capture the essence of summer along with beach inspired décor, stripes for a nautical look and the feeling of living in a beach house. Muted colours and serene blues make a room feel more spacious by reflecting light, whilst all over white is instantly refreshing.
Accessories enhance a coastal theme; woven baskets and reed matting look beautiful against dark colours, while rope-covered vases, driftwood lamps and natural weathered items such as pebbles and sea glass evoke shoreline textures.
There are many ways to make your garden a summer paradise and a garden room can be a practical way to create new living space for your family. The problem will be deciding whether to have a teenage sleepover den, art studio or office – the options are endless. If it’s done well, a garden room can add value to your home. Buy a professionally designed building from a specialist supplier and hire a builder to install it for best results.
On a limited budget or for something less permanent, have fun converting an existing garden shed. With a coat of paint, strings of lights and a few accessories you can create a relaxing haven where you can unwind with your friends. The internet is full of inspiration so let your imagination run wild.
Make the most of long summer evenings and transform your garden into a stunning space you can use after dark with clever lighting. Mix outdoor lanterns, low voltage lighting and solar lights to make your garden a truly magical place after dark. Add fountains and fire pits to enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor room and don’t forget wraps and cushions for comfort. It’s worth having a pop-up gazebo on standby in case of a downpour!
Harness the relaxing scents of fragrant plants such as jasmine, lavender, rosemary, honeysuckle and roses. A simple canopy or parasol creates shade on sunny days and you can create a family-friendly outdoor space with a summer beach theme. Start with whitewashed walls and decking, add painted garden furniture and introduce colour with nautical accessories from seat cushions and parasols to tableware and planters. A swathe of cobbles and gravel in a flower bed with tall, spiky succulents and low-growing plants, such as sea thrift echoes a shingle beach effect.
You don’t need a large garden to create an exotic oasis. Even on a small patio you can inject colour with ceramic pots or planters. Exotic plants, Moroccan lanterns and bright fabrics will create a tropical feel to last all summer whilst a trickling water feature adds serenity. However you decide to transform your garden, it’s important to choose something that you and your family will enjoy to reap the rewards of your time and effort.
Whilst garden improvements may add the all-important “Wow” factor and make your property appealing to a wider audience of buyers or tenants, they may not actually add to the value of your home, so it’s worth checking before you invest significant money. If you would like a free appraisal of your property for rental or sale purposes and advice on how to add value indoors or out, contact your local Frost Partnership office. Then put your feet up, relax and dream about summer days ahead.
