Let the sunshine in this summer

Remember when many people used to change their curtains for summer? It may sound like an old fashioned convention but letting the light into your home this summer can transform your living space.

Changing the textiles in your home is quick, easy, and as liberating as putting on opentoed sandals. Bring in more lightness simply by changing to summer cushion covers that are in lighter, cooler colours than the winter ones.

Try rolling away your heavy winter rugs and stashing them out of sight. Bare floorboards are fine for summer. And, yes, take down the curtains and send them off to be dry-cleaned.

Here in Ireland, drawing the curtains is an evening ritual but this summer try leaving the evening light linger inside. Gauze curtains, for example, are summery and have a lovely way of softening the light.

Or how about dispensing with the curtains altogether and dare to go bare - window-wise

Dressing the table for summer involves runners rather than whole table cloths and why not try some colourful napkins. Bring out a romantic feel with hand-embroidered flowers on textiles, and it’s another way of bringing the outside in.

The summer transformation also involves bringing pattern and colour to your patio in the form of cushions, a table cloth, and an outdoor rug. This will give you the feeling that your whole living room has moved outdoors!

Using textiles to transform your living space doesn’t have to be expensive, although there are plenty of opportunities to spend money on it if you want to. Try re-imagining items you already have, and if you don’t then there’s always a car boot sale at the weekend, so go rummage.

For the past few seasons, things have ratcheted up a notch when it comes to outdoor living decor, and our heatwave temperatures have practically made this a must this year. From furniture and soft furnishings to dedicated crockery, lighting, rugs and even wallpaper, there has never been a better time to turn your garden, patio or balcony into its own stylish outdoor room.

As with any space, it’s important to ask yourself how you want your outdoor living area to feel, as well as what practical uses it will have.

Outdoor furniture can be as big an investment as indoor pieces, so it’s important to shop smart. It’s often better to stick to simple seating with clean lines for these big-ticket items, as it’s so easy to add colour and texture through soft furnishings, accessories and of course, potted plants.

Petite, foldable bistro sets that are easy to pack away are no-brainers for balconies and small gardens, but if you have more room to play with, consider larger modular pieces that can be easily adapted for different occasions, whether it’s hosting a gang for a meal or simply lounging on with the papers on a sunny day.

Alternatively, divide your garden into key zones - some for eating and drinking, near the kitchen or barbecue, and others for relaxing, with more comfortable seating that’s well shaded from those summer breezes.

When it comes to accessories, tropical motifs are a timeless summertime trend, and it is outdoors that they really come to life and we can play with our wild side - think lush green palettes, fun, unabashedly loud jungle prints, and pops of bright, decorative tableware.

String lights, richly patterned outdoor rugs, pretty lanterns and relaxed hanging and swing chairs create a chill, sunny vibe - even when the weather doesn’t co-operate.