Spring Home Refresh Guide: Colours, Textures & Natural Light Inspiration
A list of 6 easy and inspired ways to brighten your home for Spring with Louise @ uneeka.home.
Bluebells and primroses are flowering in the uneeka garden and the honeysuckle is beginning to grow like wildfire. While we unpack our new outdoor furniture and colourful Bali parasols we have noticed that the garden is starting to smell summery, the birds are twittering with enthusiasm, the light is twinkling and we have a surprising, but not unwelcome parade of cats using our hedgehog highways and sunning themselves on benches and under bushes!
While the days become lighter and the evenings longer, the dappled light falling into your favourite space can be a reminder to rejuvenate and refresh your home inside and out. We love to chat with our customers and hear about their home projects, plans and ideas. Recently a lot of the chit chat has been about refreshing the spaces we inhabit, both inside and out for the warmer spring and summer months.
These are some of our thoughts on the questions we’re frequently asked. They reflect our personal perspective, and as with all creative work, there’s rarely a single right answer — but we’re happy to share our ideas with you!
Click here to see our outdoor furniture collection and our collection of parasols.
1. What colours would we choose for a spring/summer - inspired interior?
Nature provides reliable inspiration for a calm environment. Harmonious palettes that reflect the shift in season with its warmer days include restful green, gentle terracotta, soft, summery blues, creamy primrose yellows and shell-like calico. uneeka has grown up and is based in Cornwall. We love exploring the beautiful Cornish landscape, capturing photographs as we go and finding inspiring colour combinations in the hedgerows, fields, coastline, and those magnificent wide-open Cornish skies.
Cropping areas of these resulting photographs, narrowing down favourite colour combinations, matching the colours with paint company colour swatches, fabrics and patterns is fascinating and inspiring. Essentially we make not only a visual diary of a lovely walk but also a seasonal mood board, nature providing us with a multitude of subtle colour combos. Talking of Interior Design Moodboards, has anyone been to Charlotte's popular 1 Day Interior Design course? Keep an eye on this page for the next one.
2. How could natural materials and textures be incorporated into the home for a Spring/Summer seasonal refresh?
Natural, breathable fabrics such as relaxed linens and cottons are lightweight, cooling and particularly good for summer duvets, pillowcases, curtains and cushions.
Translucent, overly long, delicate voiles hanging at the window will allow light to gently filter through from outside to inside. The fabric gently moving with the breeze adds a sense of tranquillity and coolness to the longer and warmer days. Glass and glasslike surfaces can add a touch of magic to interior and outdoor environments. At the uneeka.home showroom in Truro, we enjoy experimenting with mirrors, vases and glass pendant lighting to reflect natural light, with an aim to add the illusion of space, sparkle and shimmer, creating a luminous and uplifting environment.
Click here to see our collection of Mirrors to help you update your space.
Our favourite uneeka lighting for summer includes natural materials such as woven Rattan and Bamboo shades. These shades are understandably very popular, natural woven materials add a suggestion of texture to a room. Due to the open weave, no shade whatever its size, is perceived as being ‘heavy’, as light and space are able to travel through adding to the illusion of gentle airiness. And let’s not forget the all important atmospheric light and pattern which the weave of the shade creates on the ceiling and walls as we drift into the end of the day.
3. How could soft furnishings be updated for a lighter, more seasonal look?
Spring is the perfect time to give your Sofa a Spa Day. Our sofas are the dependable companions of every home — we sink into them, nap on them, watch our favourite shows, chat, read, play games, laugh, and even cry. Now it’s time to give them some well-deserved TLC.
Clear and Clean: Start by pulling the cushions off and vacuuming the entire sofa. Don't forget to clean between the cushions and under the frame where dust tends to gather.
Spot Clean: If you’ve got any stains or marks, spot clean the fabric using a mild detergent and a soft cloth. For tougher stains, check the fabric care label for specific cleaning instructions.
Freshen the Cushions: Take the cushion covers off (if removable) and wash them according to the label. If they’re non-removable, try gently steaming them to freshen them up.
Fluff and Plump: Give the cushions a good fluffing to restore their shape and comfort. You can also lightly beat the cushions to release trapped air and make them feel bouncier.
Rearrange and Accessorise: Once everything is freshened up, reassemble your sofa and add a couple of new cushions for that summer touch. Our feather-filled linen cushions, with their light, airy patterns, can add a burst of sunshine to your space.
Protect and Preserve: Consider adding a fabric protector to keep your sofa looking great longer, or use a throw to keep it safe from everyday wear and tear.
Browse our collections of new cushions.
4. What are some easy ways to declutter and reorganise your space?
Decluttering your home in time for the summer months is a refreshing process. Tackle one space at a time, what do you want to keep, what can be sold online or donated, what needs discarding completely?
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Carefully launder and neatly fold away woolly jumpers, this will help preserve shape, keep them soft and save them from moths, put cashmere in the freezer for 48 hours (it will kill any potential moth hazards) before sending to the dry cleaners,
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Launder or air and then store heavy throws, winter cushions and rugs.
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Organise cupboards - more lost treasure!
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Clean out your cosmetics to make way for new fresh summer smells, a uneeka staff favourite is our wellbeing range by Bloom Remedies all made locally in Marazion.
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Utilise shelves, drawers and containers to maximise and clear surfaces
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Treat yourself to some lovely St Eval Summer smelling candles, such as Seasalt, Bergamot & Nettle, Rhubarb, the choice is endless and joyous.
Feeling Better?
5. How to bring more natural light into your home?
Maximising Natural light can enhance aesthetics and mood and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Small and thoughtful tweaks can make a huge difference to the natural light in your home. Did you know that the majority of natural light comes in the top 20% of a window?
Keep the windows clean inside and out in order that the summer sun can shine in.
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Clear and wipe down window the sills and window frames, hoover/wash window blinds and curtains
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If replacing blinds consider mounting above the window to benefit from the most light
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Pull back curtains exposing more of the window. Use clothes/coat hooks as interesting tie backs (we have lots of designs to choose from)
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Trim/prune outdoor trees, plants and bushes outside of your windows to encourage light levels.
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Mirror placement opposite windows to reflect light around the room - opposite or adjacent to windows. Careful placement can reflect light and make the space feel brighter and larger
- Open shelving , floating cabinets and bedsides will encourage light to flow through your home more freely by leaving the floor more visible and reducing visual bulk.
6. What other homeware pieces can you add?
Adding art prints that are inspired by nature and the change of seasons visually connects us to the outside world with all its freshness and colour. Our Botanical Prints at the Home Store remind us of the great outdoors, even when we are inside and the weather is dreary.
Introduce greenery in terracotta or natural fibre planters and baskets. Our faux plants are terrific for introducing a bit of reliable green into a dark corner and my goodness haven’t faux plants come a long way!
From soft furnishings and thoughtful decluttering to maximising natural light and adding nature-inspired decor, small changes can make a big impact. This spring, take the opportunity to rejuvenate your home both inside and out, creating an inviting environment that captures the beauty and tranquillity of the season. So go ahead, give your home the refresh it deserves — it’s time to embrace the new season with open arms and a little creative flair!
