Summer is a time for relaxing and recharging, so a full home renovation might not be on the agenda. But by adding a little colour and texture you can give your home a whole new feel. We asked IKEA interior designer Elin Stierna to share her home furnishing tips for the season.

1. Mix materials

I really like using natural shapes and patterns, and then adding lots of really great textures. At the moment I’m into coloured linen and natural materials like bamboo and raffia. These days you can get fabrics that don’t just look good but have extra benefits, like the IKEA range of duvets and pillows with cooling properties that really keep you comfy on hot summer nights.

2. Play with pink

I’m a big fan of pink this summer, and really anything goes, from soft, dirty shades to hot pink. Pink always makes me feel so happy and invigorated.

3. Add bold accent colours

I like to start with neutral tones, like grey, white and black. Then I add splashes of colour to change things up and bring the look up-to-date. On the catwalk for summer there were lots of strong tones like saffron (more golden than mustard) and shades of green and pink. The 2020 Pantone Color of the Year, Classic Blu, is also on trend.

4. Dare to mix prints

As long as you use a neutral base you can’t go wrong! My other top tip is to try to make sure all the patterns have something in common. For example, this summer I like including playful prints that all have splashes of bold colours.

5. Refresh with affordable accessories

For a quick summer update, I would go for some pretty curtains in a summery shade and some solar powered lighting for the garden or balcony. Nothing says summer like lazy outdoor evenings with friends and family.