With longer days, warmer weather, and a renewed sense of energy, many homeowners seize this opportunity to refresh their exterior and interior living spaces, creating a more comfortable living experience.
This article will explore various home improvement ideas that you can do this summer to inspire you to make the most of the season.
Home Improvement Ideas
Fix Plaster Imperfections
Exterior and interior walls and ceilings can suffer from imperfections, such as dents, holes and cracks, which can make your home look tired. Plastering can create a base for you to paint or wallpaper over, giving you a smooth finish. As plaster can take a long time to dry due to its high water content, which must slowly evaporate before applying paint, it’s worth taking advantage of the early summer warmth, but not when it's too hot. Attending to these small details can enhance the overall quality and ambience of your home.
Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting is one of the most affordable yet transformative home improvement solutions, instantly renewing the ambience and energy of any living space. However, the smell can overpower a home. For a more ventilation-friendly approach, consider tackling this task during the summer months to avoid lingering smells for people with sensitivities. Give your space a new lease of life by trying a bold, drenched look or adding an accent wall. To brighten the room and amplify natural light, opt for light hues and subtle shimmer finishes over matte ones.
Summer is also the perfect time to paint your home’s exterior, fences and doors. The warm, dry weather makes it more comfortable to work outside and helps the paint dry evenly, minimising the risk of peeling or bubbling. Not only does a fresh coat of paint improve your home’s architectural appearance, but it also protects it from the elements.
Revamp the Flooring
For practical purposes, the early summer months are an ideal time to update your floors. Not only is the temperature stable during this time of year, which reduces issues that can cause new flooring materials not to settle properly, but you're also less likely to track in mud or debris, keeping new flooring clean during and after installation. For a budget-friendly update, consider sanding and refinishing wooden floors or adding stylish rugs for a quick refresh.
Kitchen Upgrade
The warm weather allows you the convenience of cooking a barbecue and dining in your garden, making it easier to navigate some of your home improvement ideas without a functioning kitchen. You can transform your space with simple changes, such as refreshing cabinet handles, swapping out light fixtures, or adding a new backsplash and tiles, which can significantly enhance the aesthetics and ambience of your kitchen without the need for a complete renovation. Moreover, completing the upgrade before winter ensures your new kitchen is ready for the holiday season and indoor gatherings.
Replace the Bathroom
If you’re considering renovating your bathroom but only have one bathroom, consider starting the project in the summer. This will provide a fun opportunity for those willing to turn the backyard into a makeshift wash area while the outdoor temperature is warm enough. Additionally, summer is a convenient time for such renovations, as the ventilation and dry weather accelerate processes such as tiling, grouting and painting.
Clear Garage Space
Summer’s dry spouts can be an excellent opportunity to pull everything out and give your garage a thorough clean and sort. To maximise your space, consider reorganising with shelves, wall hooks or storage bins. If the room permits, you could even partition your garage to create additional space for a workshop, gym or an office for remote work. A tidy, functional garage not only looks better but also enhances your home’s overall appearance and resale value. Decluttering during the summer months can also motivate you to sell unused items either online or at a local car boot sale, potentially earning extra cash for holiday spending money or for other home improvement ideas.
Wash the Windows
Summer’s clear, sunny days make it ideal for washing windows, as you can spot streaks and dirt more easily. For best results, use a mixture of vinegar and water or a high-quality commercial cleaner. Try not to neglect wiping down the frames, sills and screens, which can accumulate dust and grime. Not only do sparkling windows give your home a polished look, but they can also help flood your interiors with natural light.
Crack Bridging Paint
Crack bridging paints contain elastic properties that allow them to stretch over minor imperfections, preventing water ingress and surface degradation. It also helps maintain a smooth, uniform finish even in fluctuating temperatures, particularly useful for older homes or buildings with settling issues. In the UK, where freeze-thaw cycles are common, this type of paint can be especially valuable, for it acts as both a cosmetic and functional solution, extending the life of render or masonry while keeping your home looking restored and well-kept.
Repoint Brickwork
Over time, mortar between bricks can erode due to weather exposure, leading to potential water ingress, pest infestation and structural issues. If you notice cracks or gaps, consider hiring professional home improvement specialists to assess and repoint brickwork. Summer is the ideal season for repointing brickwork, as the dry conditions ensure the mortar cures properly. A well-maintained brickwork can enhance your home’s durability, prevent pest infestation and improve kerb appeal, making it a wise investment for long-term maintenance.
Clear the Gutters
A clogged gutter can quickly lead to water overflow, damaging your roof, walls and even your home’s foundation. Therefore, it’s essential to clean them out months in advance of the rainy season to ensure proper water flow, reduce the risk of damp or mould and avoid costly repairs down the line. It also gives you time to inspect your gutters and roof for cracks, sagging or other signs of wear.
Improve the Garden Landscape
Summer is the perfect time to transform your outdoor space into a relaxing area that can also be utilised for socialising. You can enhance your garden landscape through simple tasks, such as mowing the lawn, adding solar lighting, and planting flowers, to more ambitious projects, like installing a patio or building raised garden beds. Consider plants that thrive in various seasons and are beneficial for pollinators while also acting as a deterrent to unwanted pests. A well-maintained garden not only provides a peaceful retreat for you and your family to enjoy, but it also increases your home’s aesthetic value.
About the Author
Patrick Brown
Patrick is the owner of My Elegant Home, Birmingham's premier painting and decorating and home renovation firm. With over two decades of experience transforming homes and businesses across the West Midlands, Patrick's passion for perfection and eye for detail have earned My Elegant Home a reputation for high-quality work at affordable prices.
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