Decorating for the hot season

NAIROBI: The January heat is here with us much to the envy of those experiencing cold biting winters in the West.

Sunny weather helps to cheer our moods and lift our spirits and what better way to embrace the sunny rays than to decorate in a way that draws the sunlight and landscape views deep into the house. Here are a few ideas:

Curtains

Remove heavy drapery and replace with light tapestery curtains which when pulled back, will let in the breeze to cool down the warm temperatures.

Adding cool floral in blues and greens will provide a psychological cooling-down, while uplifting sunny colours such as bold oranges and radiant yellow prints will bring the sunny weather indoors. In rooms where privacy and security is not a major issue, windows can be dressed only with colourful netting sheers without curtains to provide unobstructed outdoor views.

 Floors

With such tropical warm weather, floors can be exposed to reveal their full artistic features. Roll up bulky carpets and replace them with area rugs that will show off wooden, laminated or ceramic tiles or the now trending stone finishes. During this season, bare floors are easier to clean.

 Plants

Indoor plants improve the quality of air in the house which is said to be more polluted than outdoor due to chemical-based cleaners and paints.

There is no better way to clean indoor air than incorporating indoor plants to your furniture arrangement.

If you are not a green thumb, then easy-to-care succulents are the way to go as they can survive hot weather with minimal care. Find a container you love that will inject some of your personality into the room and plant two or three type succulents arranged in symmetry or asymmetry.

Outdoors

The weather is perfect for outdoor snacking by family and friends as they absorb warm sun rays and fresh air. Spruce up outdoor chairs in luminous or neon coloured cushions and dress up tables on verandahs and terraces.

Brighten up the table with fresh flowers in in fuchsia pinks, yellows and oranges accented with white fillers and greenery to provide a pleasant place for the eyes to rest and cool down effect of the temperature.

Add on a platter laden with sun ripened red and orange mangoes and watermelons and you will soon have everyone attracted to your outdoor table in a serene setting.