Open the door. Close your eyes. Breathe it in. Summer is finally on its way.
As the seasons change so do our homes. And, whilst those changes may range from the insignificant to a total makeover, including units, worktops and appliances, you’ll want to replicate that feeling of freedom and positivity that only summer can bring.
To that end, here at HCSupplies we’ve come up with 3 great ways you can easily update your kitchen into something that’s dark and downright depressing, to one that fills your heart with summertime joy.
Bring the outdoors indoors
Something that we have seen over the past 12 months is the trend for greener interiors. The benefits of houseplants have been known for many years: They help keep your air rich with oxygen and provide an altogether more harmonious atmosphere. However, this green revolution isn’t just about plant life. It’s about blurring the boundaries between the indoors and outdoors, which is why summertime is the perfect time to try this out.
There are many houseplants which thrive in the warm and slightly humid environment that your kitchen provides. Some of the best houseplants for your kitchen include:
- Aloe Vera
- Boston Fern
- Kentia Palm
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
These are some of the most hardy of houseplants and require very little care. Just place a few on your worktop and remember not too water too much, as they will soak up most of the water they need from the steamy air in your kitchen.
However, one other great way to bring the sunshine indoors is to use your outdoor furniture in your kitchen. A patio table and chairs will make dining feel slightly more al fresco, even when the great British rain keeps you inside.
With those boundaries well and truly blurred, we feel this is a trend that will simply keep on growing!
HCSupplies summer kitchen tip: Try and make one aspect of your kitchen just that little bit greener. Whether it’s by adding a few houseplants, or even a herb garden, it’ll certainly make things feel more natural and will let your summer kitchen flourish.
Repaint in fruity pastels
As kitchen colour schemes go, pastels really help to invoke the look and feel of those summer months (think Henley regatta, and you’re along the right lines!). Pastels were big in interior design last year and are set to hang around for a while to come.
Whilst pastel colours may not be quite right for, say a unit or a laminate worktop, the most direct way to apply them is to paint your walls. And the great thing is, there’s a whole rainbow of pastel colours to choose from. You could pick the obvious baby blues and dusky pinks, but why not try a grey or beige?
If repainting is a step too far, you could simply introduce pastel colours through your choice of accessories. Pastel towels, cushions and table coverings will certainly help to infuse your summer kitchen with a fresh and revitalised feel. Plus, if you want to really be on-trend, make sure your pastels form a retro or geometric pattern – they are all the rage!
HCSupplies summer kitchen tip: Whether it’s a simple feature wall or a full range of accessories, by introducing pastels into your summer kitchen you will soften the look, which is just right for a time of year when the harsh glare of the sun can often make you squint!
Go metallic
There seems to be no let up in the desire for different types of metal surfaces in our kitchen, and this summer, there’s no exception.
In recent times, bronze has stepped forward as the metal finish of choice, ahead of the ever-popular copper, but silver and gold finishes are also making quite an impact. Not too long ago, every single kitchen tap you’d ever see would be chrome-plated, but now there is a switch to different metallic finishes, adding that personal touch to proceedings. Your choice of kitchen worktop is also key here. Look for laminate worktops that contain metallic flecks for a summer kitchen that sparkles.
HCSupplies summer kitchen tip: Chances are, there’s already plenty of metal in your kitchen. You just need to find a way to display it! Build in some storage hooks and purchase a set of copper saucepans, or simply accessorise with metallic pots and storage containers.
Take a leaf out of our book and you’ll have the perfect look for any summer kitchen.
