10 cheap things you can do that will make your home look stunning for summer
Summer is my favourite season.
There’s a rhythm to life that shifts as the days stretch longer, the skies brighten and everything seems just that little bit more joyful.
It’s the time of year that naturally invites ease, openness and warmth – not just in our routines, but in our homes too.
Whether you have a sprawling garden or a cosy top-floor flat with no outdoor space, summer is the season to make the most of your entire home.
This doesn’t have to mean expensive renovations or a full decor overhaul.
Sometimes, small, inexpensive changes can have the biggest impact.
Here are ten simple and affordable ideas – five for the inside and five for the outside – that will make your home feel like a summer haven:
Indoors: For those without outdoor space (or for a seasonal refresh).
1. Switch up your soft furnishings
One of the quickest ways to signal a new season is with your textiles.
Swap heavy throws and dark cushions for lighter, brighter options.
Think jewel-toned velvets for a bold look or soft lavenders, pale greens and sunshine yellows for a subtler summer palette.
Lightweight linen or cotton fabrics also keep your space feeling breezy and fresh.
2. Bring in seasonal tableware – even if you’re indoors
You don’t need a garden to embrace alfresco vibes.
Treat yourself to colourful outdoor-style tableware – melamine plates, acrylic tumblers, or bamboo salad bowls – that feel fun, casual and summery.
Lay your table with a vibrant runner, some woven placemats and enjoy meals that feel like mini holidays.
3. Add fresh (or faux) flowers in every room
Flowers are the ultimate seasonal refresh. Dot fresh blooms around your home – in the hallway, on coffee tables, even the bathroom.
If you’re on a budget or want longevity, high-quality faux stems can have the same uplifting effect and last all summer long.
4. Use scent to shift the season
Scent is powerful. Swap out woody or spiced winter candles for fresh citrus, coconut, sea salt or fig-inspired fragrances.
A diffuser or a few scented tealights in summery notes can subtly transform the atmosphere of your space.
5. Mirror the light
Summer is all about sunshine.
Reflect more natural light by adding mirrors to darker corners, or repositioning existing ones to catch the morning or evening light.
You could even pick up inexpensive stick-on mirror tiles to create a bespoke reflective feature wall.
Outdoors: Small touches for maximum summer impact
1. Refresh your outdoor cushions
Outdoor cushions take a beating in the elements, so if yours are faded or stained, it’s time for a quick revamp.
Look for affordable cushion covers in bold stripes, tropical prints, or Mediterranean-inspired patterns.
Even a new set of ties or trims can make existing cushions feel brand new.
2. Style your garden table with colourful glassware
Whether it’s a balcony, a courtyard or a full patio, adding a splash of colour to your outdoor dining setup goes a long way.
Think coloured glass tumblers, carafes, or even mismatched vintage finds.
They sparkle in the sunlight and create an instant sense of celebration.
3. Revive tired outdoor furniture
No need to splash out on new furniture – just revive what you’ve got.
A quick scrub-down with soapy water, a coat of spray paint in a bold hue, or a wood stain refresher can make old chairs or benches look brand new.
Add a throw or outdoor blanket to soften the space.
4. Introduce solar lighting
Create evening magic with inexpensive solar lanterns, string lights or LED tea lights.
Line a path, hang lights in a tree, or dot them around your balcony railing. They’re budget-friendly, eco-conscious and they extend your summer evenings outdoors.
5. Plant with personality
If you don’t have a garden, try window boxes, balcony pots, or even a vertical planter.
Look for bright flowers like geraniums, petunias or marigolds – or go for herbs like basil and mint that are both beautiful and practical.
Upcycle old tins or baskets into quirky planters for added charm.
Summer is about creating spaces that invite you to relax, unwind and enjoy.
Whether you’re sipping spritzers on a patio or lounging under a fan in a studio flat, these simple updates can breathe fresh life into your home.
With a little creativity and not much cash, you can make your space feel like a slice of summer paradise.
Liv Conlon is the CEO of ThePropertyStagers which furnishes more than 400 homes a year to make them more appealing to potential buyers, and StagerBoss, teaching women how to launch their own property staging business.
READ MORE: