katie.lacy@letsgetcoffee.co.uk, Author at Modish Living

How to make your outdoor furniture last longer and look great

After two years of us all spending more time (and money) in our gardens, outdoor furniture such as teak furniture is as popular as ever – and with very good reason. It is very hard wearing, perfect to tolerate our ever-changing British weather and with these garden furniture care tips, you can keep your outdoor sofa set, your teak garden furniture and your patio bistro set looking great for years to come.

Protect your outdoor furniture from the elements

The weather is your main enemy when it comes to outdoors. Protect your furniture from the elements and cover your outdoor dining table and chairs when not in use – we recommend investing in a well-fitting cover or a thick and secure waterproof sheeting. Over winter when you are not very likely to be using your furniture for long periods of time, check the cover for any holes and tears, or if you have space in a shed, garage or even a conservatory, store it indoors for the cold and wet months – much as we don’t like extreme weather your garden furniture is the same!

No matter what your garden furniture is made from, be that bamboo, rattan or hardwood, it will not like extreme cold. Cold and ice will affect the strength of it over time. If water gets into the furniture, it will expand as it freezes and start to break down the materials, so it is best to get it into a dry area and out of harm’s way before the temperatures get below zero.

Keep it clean

Just as you would your reclaimed wood furniture indoors, it is important to remove dust and dirt from your PE rattan furniture and teak outdoor furniture regularly, this will stop dirt from becoming ingrained and built up over time. Dirt and dust are also abrasive and will weaken or fray areas as it is rubbed in during use.

Simple cleaning steps….

Sweep dirt, debris and leaves off your outdoor bench, outdoor sofa set or outside table and chairs using a soft brush. Don’t forget to pay attention to the corners and underneath the benches and chairs.
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean inside hard-to-reach areas within the weave of the furniture.
After you have removed as must dust and dirt as possible, you can give your garden furniture a wash down – a warm and breezy day is perfect for this. Wash everything down with warm soapy water using a light washing powder or fabric conditioner.
It is much better to allow your furniture to dry in a shadier area – if it is in direct sun, it could dry out too quickly.
However tempting, never use a jet wash to clean your outdoor furniture – the pressure could be too high and you could end up damaging it.
Regularly cleaning your patio table and chairs will keep them looking great and in tip-top condition.

Don’t forget garden cushions

Garden cushions on an outdoor corner sofa set ensure you get comfort as well as good looks! Most of these are covered in water resistant fabric – these should be fine during a shower …..but they are waterproof not downpour proof! So to keep them looking as good as possible and help them to last as long as possible it really is best to keep them undercover or bring them indoors during changeable British weather – just make sure they a fully dry to avoid any mold or mildew build-up.

Storing tip: place a couple of tumble dry sheets between the cushions when you store them for winter. It will help keep them smelling fresh before you get them back out for spring.

You can also treat the cushions with an outdoor fabric protector to help protect them from not just rain, but spills and any other other marks.

See our fabulous new Outdoor Furniture collection and make your garden, patio or balcony a stunning space to relax in.

Top tips to help you adjust to daylight saving time

top tip to help you adjust to daylight saving time

This weekend the clocks go forward an hour and it starts to feel as if spring and summer are finally coming…at last! And as lovely as it is to enjoy the longer days and to let the light flood into our homes, it can also mean an unsettled week or two for some of us. Losing that one hour a day can play havoc with our body clocks making it more difficult to get to sleep at the usual time and leaving us feeling groggy in the morning. To help your body clock adjust quicker, here we have some small changes you can make to your bedroom to help your body clock adjust quicker. From hiding tech in a bed table to placing a rustic wardrobe in front of an adjoining wall to muffle sound, see our handy tips and enjoy nothing but sweet dreams.

Changes to make in the bedroom to adjust to daylight saving

1. Hide away technology

We are told by sleep experts over and over again to switch off phones an hour or so before sleep – not only is there the issue of blue light but we are bombarded by news, adverts and other things that will stimulate us. It’s a great idea to put it on charge away from the bed on a wooden chest of drawers or dressing table at the other side of your bedroom. Likewise, you should not watch TV just before bed – a gentle read is a better way to get ready for sleep. Even LED alarm clocks can be detrimental to sleep – consider a sunrise alarm clock for your bedside instead.

2. Use the bed for sleeping only

For some of us, reading in bed before we turn the lights out is the perfect prep for a good night’s sleep, but some experts say that to sleep better you should only use your lovely solid wood bed frame for sleeping. If you struggle to nod-off, try adding a small armchair in to the bedroom and read from there – your body will connect bed with sleep and this may help you drift off easier. Plus, if you are in bed already it can be tempting to read “just one more page”!

3. Remove light and sounds

Blackout blinds or curtains are a must-have for light sleepers, but as well as blocking out the light to help promote healthy sleeping, think about blocking out sounds as well. If you live in a terraced or semi-detached house, not only do you have to contend with outdoor noise, but sounds from next door may disturb your precious sleep. Furniture against the adjoining wall can help muffle the sound from your neighbours, so move a rustic wardrobe or a solid wood chest of drawers against the wall to reduce any disturbances.

4. Give your bedroom a good clean

Another lesser known environmental disruption to your sleep is dust. As we move away from the colder winter months and start swapping duvets and storing blankets back in the wooden blanket box at the end of your bed, the dust in the air might get up your nose and disturb you at night. Give your bedroom a good airing and vacuum and dust the surfaces of your wooden bedside table or other rustic furniture you have in the bedroom.

See more ideas and inspiration for your bedroom here…..

3 Mother’s Day dining table deco inspiration

rustic dining table with layers of linen table cloths and hanging plants

With Mother’s day on Sunday, you may be wondering what to do to make it a extra special. After two years of not being able to celebrate with the most important lady in your life, this year you can truly spoil and pamper your mum and show her exactly how much you care. Instead of taking her out to eat, plan a special meal for her at home where you can gather around your reclaimed wood dining table and create the perfect setting that you know she will love. And why stop at lunch? From a casual Mother’s Day brunch to start the day off right to an exquisite afternoon tea with all the trimmings, not to mention a sumptuous evening meal, take a look at our gorgeous ideas of how to dress your rustic dining table and throw your mum a Mother’s Day to remember.

How to style your dining table for Mother’s Day

1. A special Mother’s day brunch

Not everyone wants all the fuss of a big lunch and a casual family brunch is the perfect gathering on any Sunday, especially Mothering Sunday. Styling should be laid-back but still set for a special occasion. If you have a rustic wood dining table then opt for on-trend wicker place mats rather than a table cloth, and pick homely earthenware crockery to help create a natural rustic look. To bring a wow-factor into the scheme, why not create a wonderful display of dried flowers and grasses in the centre of the table. Top food suggestions for brunch are pancakes, salmon and avocado, brunch burritos or poached eggs and bacon on crumpets.

2. A popular afternoon tea

There is something quite decadent about afternoon tea. It’s a very proper ritual and one that deserves a stylish and elegant setting. The serving dishes, teapot and cake stand are the important elements that should feature on your table and this is the time to get your fine china out! A crisp plain white table cloth (make sure you iron it!) on your dining table, whether that’s a small reclaimed wood dining table or round kitchen table, will give your afternoon tea a wonderful hotel feel! Dainty flowers are what is required to style a Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Think pretty spring blooms dotted around the table in glass jars of varying sizes. You can even decorate your cake (home baked or not) with pretty edible flowers and a dusting of icing powder.

3. A decadent Mother’s Day dinner

This is where you can go more formal and all-out. For an extra special Mother’s day meal channel your inner creativity and create a spectacular table display. If you have a beautiful solid wood dining table you may want to keep some of the beauty of the tabletop on show, so rather than a tablecloth, add a runner to help create contrast and colour and make more of an occasion of the table. Layer a couple of runners on top of each other along the length of the table or have two symmetrical pieces hanging across the width of the table. For the centrepiece, go big – your mum can always take the display home with her after! Add a large display of her favourite flowers, along with plenty of greenery to bolster it up. Or create a hanging display similar to ones that were popular at Christmas and weave in a wonderful display of botanical beauty. Position an array of different sized candles and you have a dinner table setting that not just your mum will be proud of.

Check out more dining table decor inspiration…..

What should I put on my dining table?

See how our lovely customers styled our dining tables

How to style a rustic dining table with leather seating

Our top 5 reclaimed wood furniture picks

With tonnes of character, warmth and not forgetting the eco-friendly benefits, reclaimed wood furniture is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s not just used to make the classic farmhouse dining table anymore. FSC certified salvaged wood is used to make the most gorgeous and striking pieces of furniture that will blend into any style of home be it modern, minimalist or retro. Being solid wood and hand-finished these are investment pieces that you will want to keep in your home for many years to come.

Most of our best-selling pieces are those crafted from reclaimed and repurposed wood. Here, we’ve pulled together our top 5 favourite collections to tempt you….

1. The Standford Collection

This top pick of our customers combines reclaimed wood with industrial style for a timeless collection of classic industrial furniture. You can transform any room in a home and give it a modern industrial or rustic look with this best-selling range. Whether you’re looking to introduce a few industrial elements or to turn and entire room over to this loft-living style, the Stanford collection has something for the bedroom, living room, dining room and hallway.

What we love most: the nail holes and marks of its previous use clearly visible in the wood, along with the distressed finish to the black steel legs.

2. The Farringdon Collection

Forever popular, this really is one for the modern country home. The Farringdon collection has everything a space desires, from a sturdy extendable table to a rustic TV stand. Crafted from wood salvaged from old factories which is then crafted into glorious everyday pieces of furniture, the variations in wood colour, the natural undulations give a glimpse into the history of the wood, ensuring each and every item is genuinely unique and one-of-a-kind.

What we love most: the light lacquer finish that adds a contemporary grey hue to the wood.

3. The Dorset Collection

Reclaimed wood furniture doesn’t have to be all about dark wood as the Dorset shows us. Still crafted out of 100% solid reclaimed wood, this collection is part finished in distressed white paint to bring a light and airy feel to each piece. For the dining space there is a range of dining tables, including the popular trestle style table, solid wood sideboards as well as a complete range of living room furniture, helping you to bring in reclaimed furniture without it dominating the whole room.

What we love most: the distressed white finish and natural imperfections ensure the wood gets better with age.

4. The Luxe Kensington collection

This exquisite furniture collection combines rustic reclaimed wood with industrial, but this time the industrial features are in polished stainless steel that elevates the collection to something far more glamorous. The Kensington sideboard, for example, would catch the eye of anyone who walks into your dining room or living room, whilst the best-selling reclaimed wood dining table with protective glass top makes this diva of a dining table suitable in a family home as well as a minimalist contemporary space.

What we love the most: the rustic finish of the wood is achieved by first sandblasting then cleaning old reclaimed railway sleepers – how cool is that?

5. The Beam collection

When it comes to beautiful bedroom furniture then the Beam collection definitely deserves a mention. A solid wood bed is a firm favourite in the bedroom, and if you’re choosing a forever bed, the Beam collection is handcrafted to last for years and years. Expertly made from solid reclaimed beams, Beam is made to order guaranteeing you are buying an authentically unique piece of furniture and not an off-the-peg item. With bedside tables and a wooden chest of drawers you can furnish your bedroom using sustainable furniture and in the knowledge that it will last a lifetime. The collection also includes a range of industrial dining tables and wooden benches, along with a collection of solid wood living furniture, such as wooden sideboard and rustic TV stand.

What we love the most: it’s made right here in the UK and is made to order.

Find out more about reclaimed wood and why it’s the eco-friendly, not to mention stylish, choice or visit Modish Living to shop our favourites.

Top tips to successfully mix metals in the home

Want to give your home the wow factor? Whether you prefer modern or rustic furniture, a sure-fire way to elevate the interior of your home is by adding a sparkling array of mixed metal accents. And you don’t have to be an interior designer to get it right. From glittering gold to burnished bronze, polished silver to powder-coated steel, a mix of metals will help make your home shine. Here we set out some top tips for styling metals in your home.

How to mix metals in your home

Going for Gold

For all-out glamour, gold will bring a certain uncontested decadence into your home. Gold is timeless and can effortlessly transform a room with its connotations of luxury and class. A rustic coffee table with a gold metal frame, for example, is a great way to add a chic twist to a traditional piece of rustic furniture. We love how the Chelwood Nordic Reclaimed Wood Console Table really catches your eye with its rustic beauty, whilst the straightforward design maintains its character and charm. If you’re worried about having too much bling, why not introduce subtle gold accents in the form of gold ornaments, lighting or gold detailing on cushions and throws – we’re talking grandeur here, not gaudy. When it comes to colours, gold is a precious metal that can really shine when styled with shadowy neutrals or warm shades – think comforting rusty oranges and reddish tones. If you prefer cooler shades, create a serene environment with plenty of interest by paring gold accents or furniture with cooler jewel tones such as emerald greens and sapphire blues.

Hi-ho Silver

For an elegant and polished look that never goes out of style, you can’t go wrong with silver. We love how the sleek silver metal base on our best-selling Standford Large Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table adds instant sophistication to this piece of reclaimed wood furniture, whereas the texture and rugged nature of the wood brings a balance to the flashiness of the metal. To complete the look or gradually integrate silver into your home, you can use silver accessories such as candle holders, vases or hanging clocks to add a sparkle to any room. Like gold, silver is also a precious metal that can truly shine in many types of interior schemes. It will enhance bold colour schemes such as majestic purple, crimson red, royal blue or deep sea green, and whilst it will add shine, it won’t take your attention away from the richness of the colour. Pastel colours however do just the opposite, particularly pinks, blues and mint greens, which work well to embrace and complement the metallic qualities of silver.

Bold as Brass

If you are looking to add a subtle pop of metal to a room, brass is great for quietly elevating an interior that oozes opulence and style. Burnished or matte brass pairs superbly with reclaimed wood furniture, but we also love how the warm and earthy tones of brass complement the golden hues of mango wood furniture. Our Ashington Mango Wood Dining Table with it’s X-shaped end frame is a great example of how mango wood creates such a lovely design. Alternatively, you may want to opt for brass accessories such as doorknobs, art frames or mirrors, which are also great for adding a subtle but modish look to your home. To create an art-deco feel, you might consider pairing brass accessories or statement pieces with dark and bold colour schemes such as a deep turquoise or a rich grey. For lighter interiors, it can also complement pastel colours beautifully. Baby pinks or pistachio greens paired with brass help create a pretty and softer aesthetic.

Matte le Black

Matte black steel is the metal for you if you want to add a contemporary and urban feel to your space. The industrial style takes inspiration from when we began converting old warehouses into living spaces and has become an increasingly popular design trend since. Key and statement industrial furniture pieces such as our Rocco Industrial Rustic Oak Spider Leg Dining Table and industrial sideboard can help you easily achieve this raw aesthetic in your home. The rough sawn wood combined with matte black steel frame and handles create the perfect juxtaposition of modern and vintage materials. If you wish to achieve a cohesive industrial look, we would suggest exposed brick walls, a statement vintage sofa and industrial-style accessories such as pendant lights, lampshades or metal clocks. However, the beauty of the industrial look is that you can mix it with other styles. You can truly embrace a minimalist design and simply accessorise with black steel ceiling lights or pipework style shelves to achieve the authentic stripped-back style or take a prettier approach and blend muted colours and soft textures into your scheme.

Get some more inspiration…

How to style chairs with your industrial dining table

Industrial dining table with faux leather dining bench

Photo: Rocco Spider Leg Dining Table with Lansford Dining Chairs

The dining table in your dining space really has to be the star and an industrial style dining table with its mix of reclaimed wood and cool steel or dark metal is a timeless and stand-out choice that fits in all styles of homes. But it’s all well and good having a striking industrial dining table, but what seating should you choose to put around it?

First and foremost you have to look at the space available in your dining room – if the space is small, imposing dining chairs will make it look cluttered. Ideally, you need a minimum of one metre around your table to place chairs and allow people to move freely. It’s also worth considering if the dining chairs can fully tuck under the table when not in use to maximise the space, as well as allowing space for a wooden sideboard and other dining space storage.

Industrial is an unpretentious and laid-back style that places function ahead of aesthetics and there are lots of different styles of dining chairs to pick from. Let’s look at what type fits this timeless table best…

Keep it industrial with faux leather dining chairs with metal legs

Photo: Cleo Faux Leather Dining Chairs with Rocco Industrial Rustic Oak Dining Table

This option keeps the industrial theme going, but you can choose from a whole range of seat styles depending on your own personal preference and the size of the room. From an elegant thin metal leg to a more chunky industrial dining chair, with or without armrests. A bonus is that faux leather is vegan-friendly and the quality is so good today it is hard to distinguish them from a real leather dining chair…..apart from the cost, of course! Another huge plus with faux leather chairs is that they are wipe clean – perfect for wiping off any spillages or of course, little sticky fingerprints.

Room for everyone with dining benches

Photo: Cleo Grey Faux Leather Corner Dining Bench and Low Dining Bench with Standford Industrial Dining Table.

Dining benches have come a long way since the medieval days! They are as popular in traditional farmhouse style kitchens as they are in elegant and sleek dining rooms. A reclaimed wood dining bench with industrial legs will always be a perfect match for an industrial dining table, add a cushion or two and a small throw and it will look like something straight out of a designer magazine. If you choose a dining bench with no back it will also make your dining area appear bigger as there is no back of the chairs breaking the space up. As mentioned above they are also a great way to squeeze a few extra guests around the table.

A faux leather dining bench is also a good option, especially if you need people to squeeze up a bit from time to time, to make an extra bit of room around the table.

Add some soft velvet contrast to the industrial look

Photo: Knightsbridge Velvet Dining Chairs with Knightbridge Industrial Dining Table

Industrial style does not have to be solely about thick black chunky legs, it can also be an elegant take on this loft-living interior style. Pair sumptuously upholstered dining chairs with a polished metal or slim coated steel to your industrial or reclaimed wood dining table to glam up your dining space and add a softening contrast. A velvet dining chair in a rich colour will brighten the space, such as blue, green or even yellow. If you prefer something more classic stick to neutrals hues, such as cream, taupe or a soft grey. And of course, always think about who will be sitting on the chairs before making a purchase. Fabric chairs may not be the best choice if you have young children with permanently sticky fingers, but if you enjoy hosting dinner parties with friends and like to linger around the table into the early hours, an upholstered chair would be a very comfortable choice. If you’re worried about how to look after your upholstered dining chairs think about the colour and texture and what works best in your home.

If you enjoyed reading this, check out more of our Ideas & Inspirations or come and be social with us @modishliving.

Just landed: New reclaimed industrial furniture for loft style living

Ironbridge Industrial Reclaimed Wood Extending Dining Table

Loft style living is a perennial trend that just gets cooler with age and our latest collection of industrial furniture, Ironbridge, is a classic take on this ever popular interior scheme. With a mix of cool industrial steel and 100% FSC certified reclaimed wood you can guarantee each piece has individual character, history and natural beauty. Discover more from the new Ironbridge Industrial Reclaimed Wood Furniture collection and let yourself fall in love with industrial living…

Industrial style dining table

An industrial dining table is always a crowd pleaser and here we have two different styles of industrial dining room tables to tempt you with. First off, there is the Ironbridge Industrial Extending Reclaimed Wood Dining Table that as the name suggests, has the added benefit of being extendable – did someone say dinner party? The wooden extendable dining table is crafted from solid reclaimed wood full of unique knots, grains, splits and proof of its previous use, whilst the sturdy black metal X shaped legs at either end of the table, along with exposed metal bolts, elevate the industrial mood in an instance. We love the smooth butterfly mechanism of this extendable table stored within the table itself, making quick and light work when you want to extend.

10 of our best extendable dining tables

Next we have the Ironbridge Industrial Reclaimed Wood Dining Table with an eye-catching central solid star-shaped black steel leg. This design detail marries perfectly with the rustic top of the reclaimed dining table bringing together the two key elements that typically make up the industrial style – wood and metal. It’s also great if you love to entertain by removing troublesome table legs and allowing more seats to fit around the table.

To finish the industrial look check-out the Ironbridge Industrial Reclaimed wooden dining bench. With the same style legs as the fixed top dining table, it looks equally as smart with the wooden extendable dining table. Or why not mix and match your seating with the Ironbridge dining tables and combine industrial style faux leather dining chairs with the dining bench? If you’re not sure what will work best, take a peek of our blog on what chairs go best with an industrial dining table for some expert advice.

Style tip: Industrial style is all about functionality so you can soften the look in the accessories and decorative pieces you choose for your room.

Lofty industrial storage

As you would expect from reclaimed furniture the wood bears beautiful markings and nail holes to give a hint about its previous life and with exposed nuts and joints the industrial look is embraced yet further. Any of the tables from this collection will make a style statement in your dining space.

The Ironbridge industrial furniture collection makes storage sexy…… honestly! Available in the collection are two storage essentials for the dining and living rooms – an industrial sideboard and an industrial tv unit. What we love about both pieces is the genuine rustic vibe they ooze. The Ironbridge Industrial Reclaimed wood sideboard features plenty of storage in three tall and deep cupboards, but it’s the facade of the doors that will catch your interest. The beautiful reclaimed wood has been set in an attractive X pattern that is part industrial, part farmhouse, creating an interesting mix of styles.

For the living space or an open plan family room, the Ironbridge industrial TV stand will fit right in. It has everything you would expect from a stylish yet practical piece of reclaimed wood furniture. Two long open shelves and two drawers for hidden storage – the drawer handles and unit legs are black steel to continue the industrial feel, whilst the classic modern design make it a timeless addition.

Discover the full Ironbridge Industrial collection here or for some more interior ideas and inspiration, see all our blogs.

We’d love to know what you think about our new Ironbridge Industrial collection. Share your thoughts and ideas of how to style it on Instagram!

How to declutter your wardrobe responsibly: 5 top tips

Pile of clothes to donate or keep for how to declutter your wardrobe responsibly blog

With the promise of spring around the corner, we can start to look forward to a rise in temperatures and longer days. A change in season always brings an opportunity for a wardrobe clear-out and whilst it’s the perfect time to get rid of items we haven’t worn, or are ever likely to wear again, and make room in our rustic wardrobes for some fabulous new spring and summer clothes, it’s important to make sure we do this responsibly.

The benefits of decluttering our clothes is much talked about and there is something very satisfying about emptying our wooden wardrobe and wooden chest of drawers and creating an ordered and streamlined capsule collection for the new season. However, we’re all about recycling, repurposing and reducing our impact on our planet, so it’s important to declutter our wardrobes responsibly. Just like our reclaimed wood furniture that is given a new lease of life, here we look at the best ways to give your no longer loved garments a new home.

5 Ways to clear your wardrobe with a clear conscience

1. Sell them

This is the best way to re-home clothes you’ve fallen out of love with and the great news is, there are a host of websites that make this easy. From Depop and Vinted to E-Bay, resale sites will not only give your clothes a second chance, but it also feels good to get some money back. They are also an option for when you want to buy something new for your wardrobe – instead of going to the high-street or online, check out some pre-loved clothes first.

2. Swap them

Another great way of ensuring your clothes don’t end up in landfill is to swap them with friends or pass on to those who can make use of them. Children’s clothes are perfect for this, especially old school uniform. Most schools have a second-hand shop or check with the teacher before you chuck-out an old stained shirt – they make perfect smocks for craft and painting time. You can even organise a clothes swap evening with friends – a fun way to get together, whilst also being able to pick up something new to you.

3. Donate them

We all think we’re doing the right thing when we donate clothes to a charity shop, and yes, it is a thoughtful choice, but it is important to be mindful when doing this. Charity shops get so many donations now and often very little is saleable or usable. Those jumpers with small holes in the armpit or a coat with a button missing may not be saleable in a charity shop and by donating, you are only moving the problem around. Look for charities that help people who need actual clothes and make sure what you’re giving them is in a good condition.

4. Recycle them

Clothes recycling bins can be found all over the UK making this an easy option for many. It’s a great option for pieces that are too worn to resell or donate and can be made into anything from car seats to cleaning cloths. Check with your local council to find your nearest clothing bin.

5. Repurpose or fix them

A missing button, broken zip or small hole in the armpit of a jumper doesn’t have to mean the end of our favourite fashion buys. Whilst not many of us would go as far as to darn socks in today’s age, we should look at mending an item before discarding it. If your skills aren’t up to the task, take your clothes to a local sewing and alteration shop.

If the garment is beyond repair, in the same way a reclaimed wood dining table is crafted from wood used before, you can repurpose the material of your once loved clothes. Old clothes are great in a wooden blanket box to use as dress-ups for kids and adults alike, whilst old towels are ideal to use as cleaning cloths or face cloths, certainly better than reels of kitchen roll and cotton wool.

How to spring clean your home fast: a cheat’s guide to cleaning

It’s a dirty job but at this time of year, the annual Spring clean is a “must” if you want your home and beautiful reclaimed wood furniture to look sparklingly fresh when the sun starts streaming through your (newly cleaned) windows. This guide is for those who hate cleaning and want to get their spring clean done and dusted FAST!

Tips to speed clean your spring clean

1. Declutter as you go along

We think this is one of the key elements to keep on top of all the housework and avoid an overwhelming clean-up as the seasons change. Our first and most important recommendation is to make decluttering a way of life. When we spoke with professional organiser, Vicky Silverthorn of You Need a Vicky, she said one the easiest changes you can make in your home and life to is to learn to live with less. This makes decluttering easy and quick work.

You don’t need to do this alone – get the kids helping with this! Set the timer for 15 minutes and clear and put away as much as you can in the time. Do this every evening or at least a few evenings during the week and you’ll really notice the difference.

2. Start in the most used rooms first

When friends pop over, most of the time you walk through the hallway and head straight into the kitchen or living room, possibly with a quick visit to the bathroom. So, we suggest you spend the majority of your cleaning time in the rooms that get the most use from you and your guests. In the living room, remove the cushions from your sofa and vacuum under the seats to clean away all those crumbs that seem to accumulate between the seats. Next, give cushions a good plumping and neatly fold any throws – this only takes a few minutes, yet will instantly freshen your living room. In addition, quickly dust the surfaces of your rustic coffee table or wooden side table, so they gleam when the sun shine on them.

In the kitchen or dining space, straighten any items standing on your rustic sideboard and clear away any clutter that has built up on the corner of your worktop or corner of your reclaimed wood dining table. Another trick is to polish the taps, kettle, toaster and any other metal accents and details to make the space instantly sparkle!

Top tip – always dust the highest pieces of furniture first so that any dust fall down to the floor. For wooden furniture, including reclaimed wood furniture, you should only use a damp cloth to dust with as this will actually pick up the dust rather than spread it around or waft it back into the air. You can also gently vacuum the surfaces with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and particles.

Finish with a quick vacuum to make the room look fresh and clean.

3. Make the beds

Making the bed in bedrooms is one of the oldest and quickest tricks to helping the room looking tidy! You can have the most gorgeous solid wood bed but it will always look a mess if the bed sheets and covers are a crumpled mess. Therefore, make this one of the first jobs every day. Not only is it a positive way to start the day, it’s also much nicer to get into a made bed at the end of the day rather than climb into a tangle of sheets, helping you get the best night’s sleep.

4. Clean windows

Clean windows will do wonders for your space. Nothing looks worse than a tidy room with the sun trying to pour through dirty windows. According to Caroline Forte, Director of Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, you only need to clean your windows once or twice a year. Tackle the job room by room and start with those you use more regularly.

Top tip: Forte suggests wiping one side the window horizontally and the other vertically so if any streaks form, you can easily see if they’re on the inside or outside.

5. Reduce the number of ornaments

Check your reclaimed wood shelving, tabletops and surfaces and keep only those ornaments you need, love or use on a daily basis. Ornaments really are dust collectors and often come with irregular shapes that are tricky to wipe down. Keep a few select items you love or need – this really will help keep your cleaning time down. Another option is to keep your decorative pieces in a wooden display cabinet with glass doors to make it harder for the dust to get to things.

Looking for more spring cleaning tips? Take a look at our Inspiration & Ideas and make sure you visit Modish Living to discover all the storage furniture you need.