House Rules: How to have a ‘summer house’

Seasonal redecoration is something that, as far as I know, no one ever does. Despite what interiors magazines might have you believe, it’s difficult to picture anyone putting away their knick-knacks four times a year to repaint and re-paper in hot summer sizzlers, glowing autumnal tones, winter warmers and fresh spring greens.

Those articles do strike a chord though, because as daylight changes, casting shafts from fresh angles, it can act as a trigger for lingering dissatisfaction with grubby paintwork, slightly shabby curtains or, as is the case in my bedroom, wallpaper that’s held up in places with drawing pins.

Summer is particularly tricky, especially if you’re not jetting off to get away from all of the above for a couple of weeks on a beach where they don’t speak English. The light is stronger, you’re at home more, and you’re frankly pining for the exotic. So, short of throwing cans of sunshine yellow and Mexican red at your livingroom, what can you do?

Your first option is to accessorise. Head to Avoca, Dunnes Stores, Ikea, Harvey Norman or the emporium of your choice, and splash out on a couple of throws, scatter cushions (if you must), and possibly a selection of plates and bowls in this season's vibrant hues. Lampshades, forgive the upbeat interiors- speak, can be, quite literally transforming. Distribute your booty around the place, and then get back to the traditional Irish summer pastime of parsing the weather forecast to divine the true meaning of "sunny spells and scattered showers".

Sunshiny music

But for the ultimate get away from it all summer at home staycation experience? Get yourself some Europop, or similarly sunshiny music (I’m rather liking Ariana Grande’s

Into You

, which I know I’d never listen to in any other season). Sprinkle sand liberally about the place including in bed, see if you can’t get hold of some mosquitoes, add something to the water to make it dodgy to drink (depending on where you live, you may be able to skip this step), buy vile rosé to serve warm plus some treats from the exotic section of

Lidl

, then just let yourself go. Trust me, it’s easier than redecorating. Give yourself a week or so, and you’ll be delighted to come “home”. Guaranteed.