Not getting away this year? Don’t worry, you can recreate your favourite destinations at home with some simple, easy to get your hands on, accessories.
Get that holiday vibe on the go with these cool decorating ideas.
Now that summer has finally arrived, we usually start thinking about jetting off on that longed-for break. With many travel restrictions still in place and perhaps a lack of appetite for sitting on a plane wearing a mask, many of us will be staying at home this year. If you’re planning a staycation summer, why not give your home a mini facelift and create that holiday vibe with these easy décor tips.
They don’t need to be permanent fixtures so you can always look forward to the fun of changing it all around for autumn and winter (although if you want to have a beach theme in your house all year round, that’s ok too!)
Coastal Chic
It’s easy to bring some beach house glamour to your home this season. Turn your bathroom into a beach retreat with some cool accessories such as nautical style ornaments, dishes and candle holders to create a seaside vibe. Or, pick up some scented candles – something with a beachy scent reminiscent of your holiday. Try Seychelles by The White Company or Wood Sage and Sea Salt from Jo Malone…these are divine, as are Yankee Candle’s At The Beach, Coastal Living and Dreamy Summer Nights.
If you feel creative and fancy getting to work on a coastal colour scheme, perhaps give one wall a lick of paint to enhance the overall effect. Blue shades work well against a clean, calming white backdrop. Add in some decorative shells and you’ll feel transported to the shores of New England.
After a long hot day, you can enjoy soaking in a nice bubble bath or a refreshing shower, dreaming of carefree sun-kissed days by the sea.
Sunset Lounge
Fancy being a bit more Marrakesh than Mile End? You can also jazz up your living room to create the feel of an exotic holiday destination. A home décor style that still seems to be popular is the Moroccan look. With some accessories and a little imagination, you can transform your lounge into a desert-style oasis.
Invest in some tile print cushions or an Arabian style rug for the floor where you can picture your very own magic carpet ride. Add in some jewelled tea light holders and Moroccan lanterns for dreamy atmospheric lighting when the sun goes down.
Festival Season
One thing that will be missing from the summer of 2020 is big outdoor music events. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all our beloved festivals have been shelved but, that doesn’t mean we can’t recreate the atmosphere at home – even if it’s only the two of you and a set of Sonos speakers! Buy some cheap fairy lights and drape them around your garden if you have one, and if you don’t, you can always throw them over some potted plants in your house or window box. Scatter some picnic blankets around the sofa or on the floor and simply hang out on them, reliving those magical Glastonbury moments.
You can still don your flowery headband and your wellies if that’s your thing then pop on some banging, classic tunes on Spotify and you’re all set. Just think – no queues for the toilets!
Flower Power
A vase of fresh flowers can really enhance the look and feel of any room and in summer, you have such a great choice of blooms to pick from. Place some roses or sunflowers in a vase and make them the focal point. Not only will they look beautiful but their fragrance will bring the scent of summer to your home.
Destination Dining
Food usually features in many of our holiday memories. Eating freshly caught fish by the sea on the Amalfi coast or enjoying sizzling Tapas in a tree-lined plaza in Seville – tastes and smells can conjure up images of all our holiday hotspots so why not introduce a Mediterranean twist to your own kitchen?
Even something as simple as a rustic bowl filled with lemons can brighten up a dull table. Introducing some tropical print glassware or a picnic crockery display can also invoke the spirit of summer, inspiring you to create some mouth-watering food and drink at home.
Choose a colourful pitcher and matching glasses to sit as a centrepiece or place a cocktail shaker on your worktop next to a jar of brightly-coloured straws for an instant summery feel. If you want something more permanent, you could add some Andalusian style wall tiles for a Spanish vibe or if you can’t stretch to such a big job, simply buy some tiled coasters. Adding a few terracotta plant pots to your floor or window ledge will tie in nicely with a Mediterranean theme.
Go shake up a Margarita and get to work on some Spanish or Italian dishes that will bring those summer dining dreams to life. It might be a while before we can book up for a fortnight of sun, sea and sand on distant shores but, for now, you’ve got the next best thing.