Let’s face it. The summer home is where we retreat from the regular humdrum of everyday life to relax in the simplicity and freedom of alternate surroundings. It serves a much different purpose from the year-round house, which is why its interior design shouldn’t be treated the same. Here are five simple tips to ensure your summer space is everything you need it to be the next time you’re looking for a little rest and relaxation:
1. Inside Inspiration
Bring the outdoors inside by incorporating elements of your cabin’s natural surroundings in the décor. If your cabin is on a lake, place some decorative clay fish on the living room table or hang vintage fishing rods above the fire place. For that beachside summer retreat, decorate with dried shells, sand dollars and starfish. The forest getaway can be enhanced with paintings of luscious fir trees, rolling rivers or shy deer. Take pride in your location by highlighting its best components in your interior design. You’ll be especially grateful for those details when stuck inside on stormy days.
2. Recline & Relax
Your summer getaway is meant to be a place of relaxation and escape. When picking furniture and accessories, choose pieces that have that extra comfort factor, even if it means forgoing style. Whether it’s an overstuffed armchair, plaid ottoman or knitted throw blanket, that feeling of coziness will pay off tenfold when you’re snuggling up next to the fire with a cup of hot cocoa.
3. Second Chance
Don’t be afraid to go a little wild with the interior. This is your summer escape, meaning it’s OK to push the boundaries a bit and try things you may not dare do at home. Go for that bold wallpaper you’ve had your eye on but have been too nervous to try. Take some risks with your furniture patterns, and give yourself permission to roll a funky hue of paint on the walls. Cabins are already the place we send those odds and ends that don’t have a place in the décor of our full-time home, but we just can’t seem to throw away. These spaces can be eccentric by nature, which is why it’s appropriate to let loose and try new ideas. Avoid making it look like a replica of your actual home – after all, this is where you go to leave behind the reminders of your everyday life.
4. Thrifty Additions
Give your summer space character as well as functionality by finding items at thrift stores. This economical and environmentally friendly way of shopping is perfect for cabin living rooms in need of essentials – such as throw pillows, lighting and furniture – as well as long-treasured knickknacks looking for a new home. Keep an eye out for quality pieces, whether it’s a wool blanket or wooden table, as they are likely to stand the test of time, if they haven’t already. Give back to your favourite second-hand shop by donating those pieces from your cabin you no longer need or are ready to switch for something different. By collecting quality items from such places, you’re sure to create a space with charm and intrigue.
5. Practically Speaking
When decorating your cabin, choose low-maintenance elements that are easy to keep clean. Summer spaces are usually subject to more dirt and mess than year-round homes, with sand being trucked through the living room after a day on the beach or firewood scraps littering the floor. Rather than spending your entire holiday cleaning, design your retreat with components that are quick to dust off or easily hide dirt. Opt for darker furniture over light-coloured fabric that is less forgiving with stains and smudges. Instead of carpeting, go for hardwood or tile flooring scattered with rugs that can be beat out on the porch. Remove white surfaces that show fingerprints and dust, and replace them with a darker option. These adjustments will allow you to put down the duster and pick up that summer drink.
Transforming your summer home’s living room into a restful refuge doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. When choosing your décor, keep in mind the feelings of comfort and peace you may seek when visiting your cabin or cottage. By recreating those sensations in the interior, you’re sure to have a personal oasis you will never want to leave.