How to refresh your home on a budget this summer

Maybe it’s the vibrant colours of summer or the longer days filled with sunshine, either way, there’s something about this season that inspires a home refresh. Luckily, you don’t need to hire a designer or break the bank to ‘summer-ise’ your home. Keep scrolling for our list of simple, affordable ways to elevate your surroundings – no special skills required!

Peel-and-stick wallpaper

We know what you’re thinking, we said minimal skill and we meant it! Hanging peel-and-stick wallpaper is infinitely easier than hanging traditional wallpaper with paste. 

• Peel off the backing at the top of the strip
• Slowly press the paper against the wall from top to bottom
• Gently remove the rest of the backing as you go 
• Use a Stanley knife or scissors to carefully trim the excess 

It’ll instantly transform your space, peel straight off when you leave your rental (or want to change things up again!), and is surprisingly affordable. So much simpler and cleaner than painting the room! Hint: Dunelm has some amazing options for summer.

Shop your own space

This is, and will forever be, one of our favourite ways to update your home. Walk around your space and take note of your home decor pieces. We’re talking prints, candles, plants, that kind of thing. Collect them up, arrange them on your dining table, then use them to redecorate. Seeing each item in a different spot will make your spaces, and the items themselves, feel new again. 

Give your coffee table the summer treatment

Your coffee table is the centre of your living space – so use it! We love a candle plate and pine cones for winter, mini pumpkins and spiced scents for autumn, and for summer? We’re all about colourful blooms, travel-themed coffee table books, and vibrant, citrus-scented candles – like this gorgeous 4-Wick Grapefruit Scented Candle from Lower Lodge Candles. 

Put plants everywhere

Our simplest but arguably most effective summer refresh tip? Add plants in every room – the bigger the better! It’s all about bringing the outdoors in, ensuring you truly benefit from the mood-enhancing qualities real greenery provides.

Update your artwork

For a summery update, prioritise vibrant tones, playful prints, and colourful frames. Alternatively, try a tranquil summer vibe with minimal artworks in neutral colour tones and wooden frames. As for affordability, online stores such as Etsy and The Poster Lounge offer downloadable artwork you can print yourself at a fraction of the cost.

Sophie Cook