Claire Garner, Director at Claire Garner Design Studio- clairegarner.com, Shares her Tips on How to Breathe New Life into Your Interiors this Spring & Summer

Move your Furniture

We can all be creatures of habit.... and so often we can become stuck in our ways, and this can be the same for our homes.... 'oh the children used to play there' or 'well that side table has always sat on that side of the sofa'. The wonderful thing about furniture.... is nothing is welded down - now is the time to be brave, and try mixing it up.

I would recommend looking at your spaces with fresh eyes, as if the rooms were empty, and think how you would like to use your space and what you enjoy....and if you can, I would recommend doing this across multiple rooms together... as something that once served a purpose - might no longer be the case. Then look at what you do have, and how it might be useful in a new way....maybe now is the time to move that large sofa to create a snug room or put that armchair in the window for a relaxing solo reading space. Remember, you can always change it back, so feel free to go wild! 

Freshen Up!

So often when we're approached by a client they might be ready to 'get-rid' of items they've had for a long time.... but sometimes these pieces might have excellent bones - and they just need a bit of TLC. New fabric, stripping wood and even a simple lick of paint can be enough to refresh and add some new life! Now is also the time to grab those paint charts and freshen up that wall-paint, whether it's small touch-ups or a whole new wash of colour - trust me, you will be so pleased you did it! 

Update the Details

Hardware can completely transform the look & feel of a space... this might be on your kitchen cupboards, wardrobe doors or a chest of drawers.... getting the right hardware can create that professional finish, it's also a much more cost-effective way to elevate your design

Have a Good Sort Out

I think it goes without saying that there is always something to do and sort out around the house.... but in true Spring clean style, my advice would be to go through those cupboards and spaces you've been putting off. Clear out the items you just don't need anymore and move the ones you use regularly to more convenient spaces.