We’re well into July now, and if you’re looking around your home thinking it still feels a bit heavy for the summer season, don’t panic.
The good news?
You don’t need a complete overhaul to give your space that fresh, contemporary summer feel. Sometimes the most effective changes you can make are also the simplest.
We’re often asked for advice on quick ways to refresh a room, especially when it comes to the changing seasons.
Whether you’re hoping to create a lighter atmosphere for lazy Sunday mornings or want your home to be ready for impromptu summer gatherings with friends (because let’s face it, the sunshine can be unpredictable), these quick updates can be implemented within a day, and will transform how your room feels without requiring weeks of work or a hefty budget.
So here are some easy ways to update your home for summer…
Start with your palette
The fastest way to update your home for summer and give your room’s energy a shift is to lighten your colour palette.
This doesn’t mean repainting everything to be stark white.
Instead, think about introducing soft neutrals, warm whites, and those beautiful muted hues that capture summer’s relaxed spirit.
Swap out darker cushion covers for lighter alternatives, or add a few pieces in gentle, sun-bleached tones. Even something as simple as changing your lampshades to cream or soft linen will instantly make your room feel airier.
These small colour swaps create a foundation that feels summery without looking like you’ve followed a trend.
Lean on natural materials and textures
Summer decorating is all about opening up your home and bringing the outdoors in.
The easiest way to achieve this is through your choice of materials. Replace heavier winter textures with natural fibres that breathe and feel good to touch.
Linen and cotton are your best friends at this time of year. Swap out velvet or wool cushions for linen ones in soft neutral tones.
If you want to go a step further, replace heavy curtains with lightweight voile panels that let more light filter through.
These natural fibres not only look fresh but also help your room stay cooler and more comfortable on hotter days.
And don’t forget about layering different textures!
A boucle cushion alongside smooth cotton, or a knitted throw draped over linen upholstery creates visual interest while maintaining that relaxed summer vibe.
Add tactile elements
When updating your room for summer, think beyond just how things look – consider how they feel.
A tonal rug in natural fibres can ground your space while adding warmth underfoot for those cooler evening breezes.
Lightweight throws in breathable fabrics serve a practical purpose while contributing to your room’s layered, lived-in feel.
These tactile elements shouldn’t be afterthoughts. They’re what make a room feel genuinely comfortable and inviting.
Choose pieces that you’ll want to touch and use, rather than items that just look the part.
Refresh your art and decorative objects
One of the most overlooked ways to update a room for summer is switching up your artwork and decorative pieces. You don’t need to redecorate entirely – sometimes just rotating what’s on display can completely alter the feel of a room.
Consider pieces in natural finishes: stoneware vessels, wooden bowls, marble accents, or anything with a tactile, organic quality.
Raffia baskets aren’t just practical for storage. They add texture and that relaxed, coastal feeling that works beautifully in summer.
If you have artwork that feels heavy or dark for the season, try temporarily replacing it with lighter pieces, or even create a small gallery wall with prints in simple, natural frames.
The goal is to create visual breathing room that complements your lighter textiles and colour palette.
Incorporate living elements
Nothing brings summer into a room quite like fresh greenery. Plants and flowers aren’t just decorative – they actually improve the air quality of your home and create that connection to nature that makes a space feel alive.
You don’t need to become a plant expert overnight.
Start with something simple, like a statement plant in a beautiful pot, or invest in a striking vase that you can fill with seasonal flowers from your garden or local florist.
Even a few well-placed succulents can add to a room without requiring much maintenance.
TOP TIP: Choose plants and flowers that suit your lifestyle. If you travel frequently, opt for low-maintenance options.
If you love fresh flowers, establish a weekly routine of choosing new stems. The effort you put in should feel sustainable, not stressful.
Making it personal
As you update your home for summer, remember that the goal isn’t Instagram-perfect styling. It’s about creating an authentic space that feels true to you and genuinely comfortable for summer living.
The best rooms feel curated over time, not designed in a single weekend.
Focus on making changes that enhance how you actually use your space rather than just being purely aesthetic.
If you love entertaining, make sure there are comfortable places for guests to sit and surfaces for drinks. If you prefer quiet mornings with coffee and a book, prioritise good lighting and a cosy little reading corner.
Many of these summer updates can be achieved without needing a huge budget.
Swapping cushion covers costs far less than buying new furniture. Rearranging what you already own costs nothing but makes a real difference.
Shop from within your home before you go out to buy anything new. You might have summer-appropriate pieces stored away that you’d forgotten about.
Sometimes the best updates come from rediscovering items you already love.
Looking ahead: Creating your dream summer space for 2026
While these quick updates can have a big impact on how your room feels right now, we know that many of our clients start thinking about bigger changes as they spend more time in their homes during the warmer months.
If you’re finding yourself dreaming of an extension that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living, or are envisioning an open-plan space perfect for entertaining, now is actually the perfect time to start planning.
Major renovations and extensions require significant lead time, especially if you want to be ready for summer 2026.
Starting conversations now about creating that dream entertaining space – perhaps with bi-fold doors opening onto a terrace, or an open-plan kitchen-dining area that flows beautifully for gatherings – means you’ll be ahead of the planning curve.
At Natalie Holden Interiors, we often work with clients who begin with simple seasonal updates and then realise they’re ready for something more transformative.
If you’re feeling inspired by the changes you’re making now and wondering what might be possible with more substantial alterations, we’d love to explore those ideas with you.
Click here to book a free consultation with our award-winning interior design team, and start making those summer visions come to life.