9 METHODS TO GET YOUR HOUSE READY FOR THE SUMMER

Summer is a fantastic season to maintain your property because of the pleasant weather.

Summer is lovely, from the blazing blue sky to the humming bumblebees. The ideal time to prepare your house and outside space for the lovely, warm days ahead is now, with alfresco dining season just around the corner (if you haven't already started).

1. REFRESH THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE

Due to the summer's consistently dry weather, outdoor painting projects are best completed during this time (most of the time). Usually speaking, April through October is the greatest time of year for exterior painting. Nevertheless, avoid painting your door or window frames during a heat wave since the paint may end up drying too rapidly.

A splash of color can dramatically improve your curb appeal. You should add painting tasks to your to-do list, such as repainting your front door, painting your garden fence, and touching up window frames that need some TLC.

Charles Taylor, director of sustainable decking company Composite Prime, warns that by the time summer arrives, your garden fences and walls may be in disrepair due to the effects of rain and cold weather. "Use a layer of good quality outdoor paint to restore a more uniform color after sanding or brushing the worst-affected areas."

2. DECORATE IN VIBRANT SUMMER COLORS

Want to enhance your house for the season? For a relaxed atmosphere at home, choose bright colors like oranges, zesty yellows, and pastel blues. You may zone a space with paint, add a few sea-green turquoise scatter pillows to your sofa, or buy fresh bed linen that feels as light as summer mornings.

According to Sam Hood, co-founder, and chief creative officer at Amara, "Summer is an exciting season to play with your home furniture and it's the perfect moment to add splashes of color and texture." "Be bold and choose bright colors, geometric patterns, and a variety of tactile materials." A bed or sofa may change the atmosphere of a space by adding a statement cushion.

Pick warmer colors that mimic the weather outside, such as sunlight yellows and burned oranges.

Yellow is the color that will make any room instantly happier. "Sunny yellow" adds a hint of coziness and happiness, making it ideal for fostering a positive atmosphere in the house. According to Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown Paints, "Yellow is also a tranquil color, especially when paired with cold, calming tones like greys and mild, muted blues."

3. DEEP CLEAN YOUR BBQ

Barbecues should preferably be cleaned after each usage, but it is also advised that they occasionally undergo a comprehensive cleaning. The time is here to put on your Marigold gloves and clean up so that you may enjoy dining outside as the summer approaches. It's crucial to frequently clean yours because if layers of old, burned food and surplus oil are left in there, a fire hazard could result.

"Start cleaning your barbecue's interior. Close the hood after turning the grill on at the highest temperature setting. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes, lift the lid and use a metal grill brush without bristles to clean the grates. To avoid burning yourself when cleaning, use caution, advises Sophie Herrmann, a representative for Jeyes Fluid.

Go to the "grill box" inside the grill, which may be cleaned out with warm, soapy water. Use an old metal knife or an old spatula to scrape the edges of the grill chamber if a lot of grease and food particles have already hardened. Finally, using a specialized product, clean the filth, difficult stains, and any burnt-on food. Clean your grill well before storing it if you intend to keep it for longer than two months to preserve its condition.

4. IMPROVE YOUR OUTDOOR FURNITURE

cleaning up that hanging egg chair from the previous year? Looking to update your outdoor furniture collection? With a little care, you can transform your outdoor sofas, chairs, and tables right now from worn-out to fantastic. Use warm, soapy water to clean up dirt, cobwebs, dead leaves, and other debris from the recent spring storms and the harsh winter weather. It's a cheap approach to upgrading what you already own rather than purchasing something new.

To get rid of accumulated gunk, pressure wash hardwood furniture sets and benches. Try giving the furniture a makeover with weather-resistant paint or a varnish coating if the space still needs a little sprucing up. You'll quickly dazzle visitors.

Washing outdoor furniture is one of those tasks that is simple to put off, but the Kärcher team claims that utilizing a pressure washer can easily give the furniture a new lease of life and ultimately save you money. In addition, cleaning is very painless, utilizing a pressure washer saves about 80% more water than using a conventional scrubbing brush and garden hose.

5. KEEP YOUR ROOM BRIGHT AND SPACIOUS

Remember to switch heavy blankets for light throws, dark bed linen for summer lights, and thermal curtains for billowy voiles even though our winter coats may have been stored away for another season. Some techniques to explore include opening windows (remember to clean them), strategically positioning mirrors to reflect light, and putting plants on sideboards.

Founder of Interior Kollection and Sanel Konyar advises, "Refresh your home by switching out darks for bright and light." If your home tends to lean more towards autumnal colors, add some joyful color with soft furniture or embrace the botanical trend and include plants and animals into your decor with prints and other decorations.

6. PREPARE YOUR GARDEN

It's time to get your garden ready for summer now that the dangers of frost have passed. Clean up any fallen leaves, rake the lawn, pull weeds, trim bushes and plants, and water your allotments regularly (particularly if you want a bumper crop of fruit). Consider introducing quick-growing annuals like night-scented stocks, sunflowers, sweet peas, and cornflowers if your garden is starting to appear a little sparse.

After that, it's time to wow your visitors with thoughtful finishing touches and design a truly stunning area for relaxation. Invest in hanging egg seats, install outside lighting along your fence, get a sun lounger, set up a garden sofa for lounging, and complete the design with metal outdoor furniture. And remember to bring cozy outdoor cushions.

'An outdoor table is a perfect choice for the patio,' the experts at Nöa & Nani say. 'It may be utilized to serve beverages when socializing or to create more of a decorative element for pots, plants, and other garden items. For the ideal, harmonious outdoor arrangement, experiment with layers to create depth and look to employ things of various sizes in complementary colors.

7. WATCH FOR THE PRESENCE OF MOULD

Due to higher temperatures and humidity, mould spores prosper throughout the summer. Check your home for a build-up of water, make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated, check sinks and tubs for leaks, and remember to keep washing machine doors open after use.

The best advice is to scatter Peace Lilies throughout your house. These cunning plants can soak up extra moisture in the space, preventing the establishment of mould and mildew.

8. FILL YOUR HOME WITH GREENERY

The best way to prepare your house for summer, according to Richard Ferguson, Homebase's Home & Furniture Purchasing Manager, is to add a little greenery inside. A quick and simple approach to accomplish this is simply gathering and painting a number of garden twigs. As additional favorite flowers bloom, you can then supplement this with ribbons, daffodils, and other decorations. If you want to add a little character, consider utilizing glass bottles or a metal watering can in a vintage style. You can be fairly creative with how you choose to display them.

9. CLEAN YOUR WINDOW

Now that the snow, sleet, and rain have (hopefully) passed, it's time to clean your windows, get rid of any mould, and restore their luster both inside and out.

According to Adam Pawson, Head of Digital at Safestyle UK, "Smears on windows can be quite annoying and impair the aesthetic of your property, but there are many ways to ensure that they disappear."

Uncertain about where to begin? Here are some quick ways to clean your windows:

1. Before you start, make sure you're using a microfibre or paper cloth to remove any dust. Marks and stains should easily come off of uPVC window frames. Use a soft white cloth to stir some warm water and dishwashing solutions into a bowl. A colored cloth should not be used because the dye may discolor plastic.

2. Adam offers the following advice: "I would propose utilizing a spray made of one part distilled (white) vinegar to ten parts warm water, which can be put directly to a cloth and then pressed evenly against the glass." Before applying the solution, put some baking powder on the towel for a little extra sparkle; this will help with cleaning.

3. Don't forget about your window frames.

Our interior window frames are vulnerable to getting clogged with dirt and debris, yet it might be simple to disregard them. Start by opening the window and using an old toothbrush to remove any filth, dust, or cobwebs that may be lodged in the frame before tackling these difficult-to-reach spots.