20 easy style updates
Smart tricks and clever buys
1 PICK THE RIGHT VASE
Fresh summer flowers are an instant mood changer, whether picked from the garden or a supermarket buy. Keep a selection of vases in a utility area, including a wide-necked vase or pitcher for posies and bouquets and a narrownecked one for longstemmed flowers.
2 ADD A POP OF PATTERN
Transform a plain cabinet or bookcase into a statement piece by lining the interior with an eye-catching wallpaper. Choose a busy geometric design or a bold standout colour.
3 TRY A SLATTED FINISH
Give walls a modern wood-strip finish with smart panels. Available in a range of finishes, these panels are easily applied to walls and ceilings; simply screw them in place.
4 GO FOR ‘IN AND OUT’ PIECES
Choose practical woven furniture that can be used indoors and out over the summer months. This rustic natural jute pouffe doubles up as an extra seat or side table.
7 DOUBLE UP ON TABLES
Choose multi-tasking outdoor furniture to make the most of space if you have a small garden or patio. This cheery nesting coffee table slides in and out of action as needed.
5 GO BIG WITH BOLD BOTANICALS
Ditch dreary blinds that blend in and make a statement with a bold, standout design. Like hanging a piece of art at a window, choose an oversized botanical or large-scale floral.
6 SHOW YOUR DARK SIDE
Commit to colour and use a palette of dark, dusky shades on both walls and woodwork. Keep continuity by choosing colours that are similar in tone, such as forest green with midnight blue.
8 STYLE UP YOUR SURFACES
A sideboard or long shelf makes the perfect display area for a mini arrangement or vignette. Use favourite art as a backdrop and cluster items in front, choosing pieces of varying sizes.
9 CHOOSE A SHADY SPOT
Position a garden table in a sheltered area so you have a refuge from the sun. If there’s no natural shade, try a pergola; fast-growing climbers will create coverage in no time.
10 UPGRADE AN OLD SHADE
Work in a few woven details to refresh a tired dining scheme. Start by swapping an old fabric pendant for a rustic basket shade hung low over the table, with woven mats and tableware to match.
11 MAKE THE GARDEN GLOW
Hang lanterns from the branches of a tree to illuminate a favourite bench or decorative feature. Choose solar designs that will power up during the day.
12 ADD AN EXTRA TIER
Invest in a tote-able side table that can be used inside or out. Handy if you’re eating alfresco or have the family over, this stylish two-tier table has a large handle so it’s super-easy to grab.
15 BAG SOME BRIGHT PICNICWARE
Stock up on extra summer tableware for outdoors. Opt for practical bamboo or melamine pieces that won’t shatter if dropped on hard paving.
13 CREATE AN EASY-CHANGE DISPLAY
Line a wall with narrow picture ledges and paint walls and shelves to match for a chic look. Arrange favourite prints and treasures; it’s easy to rearrange if you fancy a change.
14 FREE UP SOME WORK SPACE
Tackle crowded countertops by adding an extra layer or two of storage. Run a narrow shelf just above the surface and a row of hooks higher up, so cookware is in easy reach.
16 PAINT A FAUX HEADBOARD
Create an easy focal point that won’t cost a fortune by painting a colourful arch on the wall behind a bed. Use a pencil and length of string to help mark out a semicircle, before filling in with paint.
17 COLOUR-THEME A PICTURE WALL
Instead of a random mix of artwork, choose pieces in colours that complement each other to give a gallery a cohesive look. Paint the wall a toning shade so that the background brings out the colours of your art.
18 ELEVATE OUTDOOR GREENERY
A variety of pots in different sizes is an easy way to add layers of foliage. Blur the lines between indoors and out by grouping plants so they can be seen from inside, too.
19 ORGANISE UTILITY ESSENTIALS
Invest in a stash of inexpensive caddies to hold cleaning and laundry supplies. Neater than having everything out on show, baskets are easy to grab and carry around, too.
20 SQUEEZE IN A SLIMLINE SET
If outdoor space is limited and a full-sized table and chairs too bulky, opt for a spacesaving bistro set. Neat and compact, this bar table and stool set tucks into a corner so takes up minimal floor space.