Home DIY projects to get done over summer

With summer now well and truly upon us, it’s time to consider a seasonal home refresh. From a Saturday rearranging session to a DIY paint project, here are some ways to elevate your space for the warmer months.

Rethink. Reset. Reorganise.

“Revise your floor plan, making sure there are clear pathways from room to room,” says professional organiser Robyn Amott from Bless This Mess. “It instantly maximises space and improves flow.”

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Fling open the windows, let the light in, and roll up your sleeves.

“Now is the time to freshen up your home,” she says. “Clean windows using water, detergent and a household mop to clean the glass, then hose off. Clean the filters in the air-conditioner, and run bicarbonate of soda and vinegar through the dishwasher and washing machine.”

Carefully hand-wash cushion covers and blankets, and give shutters and blinds a good wipe down.

“Dust settles, so use a damp cloth that captures rather than releases dust into the air,” Amott says.

Consider available storage space and edit any items without purpose.

“It helps open up the space,” Amott says. “Categorise your items and find them new homes. It’s the most effective way to find order.”

Fresh paint

Nothing transforms a space like a tonal switch-up by way of a little paint. “Summer is a great time for painting projects because the weather is so good,” says Zarina Fernandez from The Workspace Stylist.

Refresh spaces quickly by repainting scuffed skirting boards, and camouflage a split-system air conditioner by painting it the same colour as its wall.

“Nothing is worse than an ugly air-conditioner standing out on an off-white or feature coloured wall,” says Fernandez. “It’s an easy DIY that can be done with a spray paint like Rust-Oleum.”

Take your colour cue from the season, choosing tones and textures that feel like summer.

“Terracotta, browns, greens and creams are making a huge comeback,” says Fernandez. “Experiment with textures, swapping out your woollen blankets and winter cushions for lighter weight items like cotton throws and linen cushions.”

Restyle

“I always feel calmer when I have less,” says designer Simone Haag. “The home is a metaphor for self – if our house feels cluttered we tend to feel cluttered, and if the home is calm, we feel calm.”

Amott agrees, and says surfaces tend to accumulate the most clutter.

“Think of a surface as a horizon,” she says. “When styling, group items in threes, for example three candles or three plants. The less interrupted your horizon the cleaner, crisper and less cluttered it will look.”

Haag’s favourite styling tip is visualising all of her accessories in one room together.

“I know my styling works if there a sense of cohesiveness which is omnipresent throughout the home,” she says.

Hang art

Hang art that has been lingering unframed or leaning on walls, and spend a Saturday fossicking markets for pre-loved objects to repurpose.

“Engage with the opportunity for exploration of a new aesthetic direction,” says Haag. “Old things can feel new again when bought out of hibernation and located in a different spot amid different pieces.”