Destination: Home – What your summer holiday can teach you about your home renovation.
Destination: Home – What your summer holiday can teach you about your home renovation.
Summer has a way of changing our perspective.
Whether you're spending a fortnight exploring somewhere new, escaping to the seaside for a few days, or simply taking life at a slower pace, stepping away from home often helps us notice the things we take for granted.
It's remarkable how often my clients return from a holiday with fresh eyes. They realise what worked beautifully in the places they stayed, what frustrated them, and what they wish their own home offered. Those observations can become some of the best starting points for creating a home that truly supports everyday life.
What will you bring home with you?
As you enjoy your summer break, pay attention to the spaces around you. Not because they're perfect, but because they make you feel something.
Perhaps it's the calm of a beautifully organised bedroom, the ease of having everything tucked neatly away, or the soft lighting that makes an evening feel instantly relaxing. It might be a hotel bathroom that feels like a spa, or a holiday cottage full of character and personality.
Ask yourself:
What made you instantly relax?
Which spaces felt effortless to live in?
Was there anything that made daily life easier?
What details would you love to add to your renovation and recreate at home?
Often, it's not the expensive features that leave the biggest impression. It's thoughtful design that quietly makes life feel better.
Five ideas worth bringing home
1. Better storage means a calmer home
One thing holiday accommodation often does well is making everything easy to find while keeping clutter out of sight.
When every item has a place, mornings run more smoothly and the whole house feels calmer. Clever storage isn't about having more cupboards. It's about designing storage around the way your family actually lives.
2. A fresh perspective changes everything
Stepping away allows you to see your own home differently.
You may suddenly notice the room that's become a dumping ground, the hallway that never quite functions, or the awkward kitchen cupboard you've simply learnt to live with.
Those little frustrations are often the biggest opportunities for improvement.
3. Bring back the feeling, not the furniture
Many people return wanting to recreate the atmosphere of a favourite hotel or villa.
Rather than copying the look, think about what created the feeling. Was it natural materials? Layered lighting? Soft textures? A connection with the garden? A simple, uncluttered layout?
The most successful interiors capture an emotion rather than imitate a style.
4. Design for easy living
Holiday homes tend to feel wonderfully uncomplicated.
Durable materials, practical layouts and spaces that are easy to maintain allow you to spend more time enjoying life and less time managing your home.
A well-designed home should work just as hard during everyday family life as it does when you're entertaining guests.
5. Peace of mind before you leave
If you're heading away this summer, it's also worth thinking about how your home feels while you're not there.
Simple measures such as smart lighting, security cameras and timed lighting can provide reassurance, allowing you to truly switch off and enjoy your holiday.
When you come home...
The first few days after a holiday are often when inspiration is at its strongest.
Instead of unpacking and carrying on as normal, take a few minutes to make notes.
Write down:
What you loved.
What frustrated you when you walked back through your own front door.
Which spaces no longer work as well as they could.
The feeling you'd like your home to create every day.
These observations are incredibly valuable because they're based on how you want to live, not simply what's fashionable.
After all, the most successful homes aren't designed to impress other people. They're designed to make your everyday life feel easier, calmer and more enjoyable.
If you know the feeling you’re after but can’t quite pull it together, this is exactly what we work through in a designer half-day consultation.
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