With the summer solstice now behind us, many Britons are looking for ways to hold onto that holiday feeling as days begin to shorten. Experts suggest simple changes around the home can help extend the summer ambience well into the season.
Johanna Constantinou, Interior Trends Expert at Tapi Carpets & Floors, has shared practical advice on making the rest of summer feel like it is stretching on, focusing on colour, scent, texture, lighting, and connecting indoor and outdoor spaces.
“Colour choices set the tone. Leaning into a summer palette of sandy neutrals, butter yellow, soft white, and pale blue offers a gentle rather than bold colour story, meaning it works well as the seasons shift. A warm white or butter yellow paint captures the golden quality of summer light, creating a calming backdrop that mirrors the natural light of long summer days. Painting a feature wall or updating cushions and accessories in these shades can refresh a room without a full redecoration.”
“Scents can transport a room into holiday mode. Using fragrances like coconut and citrus around the home psychologically promotes a holiday feel. Citrus also has a cooling effect, with its bright, zesty notes triggering alertness and cutting through the sense of heavy, stagnant air, while coconut evokes beach days as it is often used in sun cream. Research into aromatherapy supports the uplifting qualities of citrus essential oils, which can help boost mood and energise the atmosphere during warmer months. Diffusers, candles, or room sprays with these fragrances offer an easy, low-cost way to maintain that vacation mindset even when back at work or dealing with everyday routines.”
“Bringing in natural textures like rattan, jute, and light wood evokes an outdoor living feel. Swapping a thick wool carpet or rug for a woven jute or sisal one adds warmth underfoot without feeling heavy, thanks to their breathable, lightweight qualities and natural aesthetic that complements relaxed living. The same principle applies to bedding: swapping thick duvets or velvet throws for cotton or linen sheets promotes a feeling of cool, both visually and physically.”
“Lighting is another easy way to extend that summer ambience. Using warm-toned bulbs and dimmers where possible softens the light and mimics golden hour. Layering table lamps, floor lamps, and string lights, rather than relying on overhead lighting, brings a warmer glow throughout the home and creates pockets of light that feel inviting as evenings draw in, helping maintain a sense of extended daylight and relaxation.”
“Blurring the line between indoors and outdoors with large, leafy plants gives a garden-adjacent look, while keeping a few surfaces clutter-free creates an airy, open sense of space. A trailing pothos, a fiddle-leaf fig, or potted herbs on a windowsill add organic texture, especially in natural planters like terracotta or rattan, while an uncluttered console or coffee table gives the eye somewhere to rest. Houseplants also improve air quality, contributing to a fresher home environment, and maximising natural light through clean windows and strategic mirror placement can further amplify the bright, open feel. Combined with an earthy, neutral palette, a room can start to feel like a true extension of the outdoors.”
Tapi Carpets & Floors, a UK retailer with over 220 stores, offers a range of flooring options, including jute and sisal styles suitable for these seasonal updates.
These small adjustments, from updating soft furnishings to introducing sensory elements like scent and texture, require minimal investment but can have a noticeable impact on well-being. With many people spending more time indoors during variable British weather, these expert-backed ideas offer accessible ways to combat the post-solstice dip in mood, whether refreshing a living room or updating a bedroom.