Paste it
From pretty pinks to muted blues and yellows, pastels are the go-to palette for summer. Fill your space with furnishings and accessories in muted shades and you have a calm yet colorful summer vibe. “Use pastel-colored bedding and bold colors like throw pillows with floral prints that can brighten up the space,” says Amardeep Gulri, founder and chief designer at Deco-Arte. You can also consider painting your wooden furniture in your favorite pastels.
Create a green space
Cool colors like green and shades of blue can help bring a sense of calm. If you don’t want to get down to painting your walls in colors, “create a vertical garden in your yard or wherever you have a double-height wall,” suggests Nilanjan Bhowal, principal architect, Design Consortium. Green wall-paper with matching decorations also helps to create a relaxing space. Indoor plants such as succulents, palms and snake plants are also recommended.
Add your favorite fragrance
Flavored scents like jasmine or water lily, like vanilla, can help you stay calm and feel refreshed even on hot days. “Add fragrance in the form of candles, fresh flowers, incense sticks, etc. around your home,” says Gulri. He recommends placing it in your living room, bedroom and bathroom. Aromas like lavender and chamomile are also said to have soothing properties that help you relax after a tiring hot day. Use these as a pillow mist to unwind at the end of a day.
Go for floral arrangements
From bright daisies to pink petunias, summer calls for spaces decorated with fresh, fragrant flowers. Place a large vase in your living room or small ones in your bedroom and brighten up any dull corners. “For a quick and easy way to add character to your decor scheme and bring the outdoors inside, add fresh flowers in bright and bold colors. Grow some turai creeper with its beautiful yellow flowers,” says Chandrika Sahay, director and principal architect at Meraki Design. African violets , begonias, peace lilies, poinsettias make for beautiful arrangements.
Keep it cool
It’s vital to keep the inside of your home cool, and there are ways to do that besides switching on the air conditioner. “Add some visual interest to your home by creating a unique corner with a pani urli. Fill it with water lilies and complete the look with brass artefacts. It will add a touch of natural beauty to your home and give it a summery vibe that suits the season,” says Sahay. Other practical ways include using white lights instead of yellow bulbs and maximizing ventilation.
Go for sheer curtains
Hot days call for airy and breathable spaces which means removing any heavy, dark-colored upholstery and replacing it with breathable fabrics. “Replace heavy curtains with light curtains or blinds that allow plenty of natural light to enter. Use colorful, indie curtains with motifs and light curtains that flow with the breeze,” Gulry says. Use fabrics like cotton, linen, lace, voile and stay away from silk.
Put some sticksFurniture
Cane or bamboo furniture can be both rustic and modern in its appeal, and can fill spaces without looking too heavy. Think of a set of chairs and tables for the balcony or side-table for your room, which can lighten the look of your space and subtly complement all the other heavy wooden furniture. “Cane furniture is a great way to add a touch of summer to your interior. Consider adding a few pieces of outdoor furniture like wicker chairs or tables to bring the outdoors in,” says Sahay.
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