Summertime in Australia is the season for entertaining guests, holidaying at home, enjoying the sunshine and spending time with loved ones. It is often the season that we will have an number of guests passing through our homes for Christmas gatherings, festive lunches, holiday drinks and more, so it is essential they are up to scratch! Here at Homemaker The Valley we pride ourselves on providing inspiration for every area of your home whether that be your outdoor entertaining space, the formal dining room or the living room where time is spent with the ones you love. There are a few things you can do this Summer to ensure you have everything you need when entertaining guests, create a welcoming space you enjoy spending time in and decorate in a way that brings you joy! Read on for our top tips!
Switch To Lighter Fabrics
There is no denying that Summer in Australia, especially Queensland can be unbearably hot! Our homes need to reflect the climate, yet also create a comfortable and cosy atmosphere without leaving us feeling hot and bothered. We suggest packing away any faux fur throws, fluffy cushions and other heavy fabrics and try incorporating textures such as linen and light cottons in their replacement. Adairs offer an amazing array of linen cushions in a variety of colours that are perfect for lounging on the sofa in this hot climate. We also recommend having a few light cotton or linen blend throw rugs for when you need a bit more warmth or cosiness on Summer evenings.
Add Pops Of Colour
Adding pops of colour and vibrant sunny tones to your home interior is far from a new concept, but it really does when creating a Summery and welcoming atmosphere in your home. A modern take on adding a pop of colour into your abode is to use subtle tones such as blush pinks, sage greens, dusty blues and warm oranges. These tones pair perfectly with the neutral colours and textural pieces that are popular in current design trends such as rattan, stone, cane and timber. Try adding pops of colour through your home décor accessories, accent furniture or soft furnishings. For the safe option we recommend switching out your home décor accessories to some colourful cushions or adding a gorgeous pastel vase with brightly coloured flowers. If you are feeling a bit more daring, try adding an occasional chair or ottoman in a fun shade such as ocean blue or olive green! Freedom and Oz Design Furniture have some great new season options, so head in store today!
Update Your Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture is often an afterthought when decorating your home as people understandably place more emphasis on the interiors as this is where we spend most of our time. However, summertime in Australia involves a lot of outdoor entertaining, so it essential you have great seating options, functional furniture items and pieces that are easy to clean and ready for use at any given time! If you are a lover of dinner parties, try hosting your next soiree outside as there are some amazing outdoor dining table and chair combinations on the market. We recommend checking out Early Settler for some outdoor dining inspiration and great package deals! If you have some functional pieces already, but are looking to freshen up your space, try adding some colourful cushions or decorative accessories to breathe life into your outdoor area. Don’t forget to head into Remarkable Furniture next time you are visiting Homemaker North for some amazing pieces!
Ensure Your Entertaining Items Are Up To Date
Summer in Australia coincides perfectly with the holiday season, Christmas and the biggest time of year for entertaining and having friends and family over to your humble abode. To ensure you are never left high and dry when the unexpected guest pops by, we recommend stocking up on a few essentials to get you through. Check you have enough serving platters or decorative plates that can cater to a number of different group sizes and a variety of food types. We also recommend ensuring your bar cart is stock with items such as cocktail shakers, stirrers, straws, ice buckets and a combination of glass options. Kitchen Warehouse offer a range of different cooking, serving and entertaining essentials in a variety of different styles, so don’t forget to stop by next time you are at Homemaker The Valley!
Summer Fragrance
Fragrance can make a huge difference in how a home feels and the atmosphere it portrays. We suggest changing your scents with the different seasons that pass to evoke the senses, create a specific vibe or bring memories of nostalgia. Scent is something that guests will always comment on and notice upon first entering your home, so have fun with different fragrances and change it up as and when you please! For Summer, we recommend opting for lighter fragrances such as coconut and lime, fresh linen, basil and mandarin or jasmine and gardenia. These are popular summery scents that can be found in both diffusers and candles from some of our fabulous retailers such as Provincial Home Living, The Sheridan Outlet and Freedom.
Remember that Summer time is there to be enjoyed, so have fun in your home, don’t take it too seriously and enjoy experimenting with different colours and textures!
