Summer in the North West brings with it an irresistible charm - longer, brighter days, milder evenings, and that inherent desire to spill outdoors and embrace the season. Imagine the sizzle of a barbecue, the laughter of children playing on the lawn, or simply a quiet moment of calm in your own sun-drenched sanctuary.

At Hurstwood Homes, we believe your connection to the outdoors should be a natural extension of your living space. Our properties are meticulously designed with seamless indoor-outdoor living in mind, featuring generous private gardens and inviting, high-quality paved patios. We pride ourselves on thoughtful design and contemporary features that truly enhance your lifestyle, providing the perfect canvas for your summer dreams.

This guide will provide practical tips and inspiring ideas for homeowners to transform their Hurstwood outdoor space into a personal summer haven, whether for vibrant entertaining, cherished family fun, or simply serene relaxation.

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1. Designing Your Outdoor Oasis: Beyond the Blank Canvas

Your new Hurstwood garden typically begins as a beautifully presented "blank canvas," usually with a neat lawn and a perfectly laid patio. This isn't just a starting point; it's an exciting opportunity for complete personalisation, free from the quirks or inherited maintenance issues of older properties.

The Hurstwood Patio Advantage: Many Hurstwood homes come with - the perfect low-maintenance foundation for your summer seating or BBQ setup, offering a durable and attractive surface that’s built to last.

Embrace the latest trend of multifunctional outdoor spaces, where clever zoning allows different areas to cater to various activities, even in more compact gardens. Your garden can effortlessly transform to serve multiple purposes - from al fresco dining to a tranquil reading nook.

• The Dining Area
  • Placement: Consider how the sun moves throughout the day. While your patio might be attached to the house, think about positioning your dining set to catch the morning sun for breakfast or the evening glow for dinner.
  • Furniture: Focus on comfort and durability. If you're a keen host, lean towards modular furniture that offers flexibility, allowing you to easily reconfigure seating for different group sizes. Look for outdoor sets in rattan, metal, or sustainably sourced wood, ensuring they're equipped with plush, comfortable cushions.
  • Atmosphere: Elevate your al fresco dining with ambiance. String up solar-powered fairy lights or hang stylish lanterns. An outdoor rug can define the dining area, while a portable fire pit adds warmth and a captivating focal point as the evening draws in.
• The Relaxation Zone
  • Seating: Beyond dining sets, carve out a dedicated relaxation space. Consider comfortable outdoor sofas, daybeds, or even stylish individual statement garden chairs - a chic egg chair for a cosy reading nook, or a recliner and footstool for ultimate lounging.
  • Shade: Crucial for unpredictable UK summers. Invest in a large, stylish parasol, or consider a sail shade. For a more permanent feature, a pergola can provide structure and shade, especially when adorned with climbing plants or equipped with a retractable cover.
  • Ambience: Enhance the serenity with a small, self-contained water feature for soothing sounds. Introduce fragrant plants like jasmine or lavender, and keep soft outdoor throws and cushions handy for ultimate comfort and that "outdoor wellness" feel.
• Fun for All Ages
  • Safety First: If space allows for children's play, prioritise soft surfaces like a well-maintained lawn or wood chip under play equipment. Ensure clear sightlines from key indoor spaces and other zones for easy supervision.
  • Activities: Designate space for a small playhouse, a sandpit, or even a discreet, in-ground trampoline for safety and aesthetics.
  • Engagement: Incorporate "space to learn" with a mini vegetable patch for kids, or a creative mud kitchen. And it doesn’t just have to be for little ones, bring back some childhood nostalgia with games for the whole family - think outdoor Jenga, connect four, or classic garden games.

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2. Infuse Your Style: Decorating Your Outdoor Space

Your garden decor should reflect your unique style just as much as your interior decor does. Styling your garden to make it more "you" might seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Creating a characterful, welcoming outdoor space can be as simple as adding a few well-chosen accessories.

Think about the same factors you'd consider when styling your interior: which colours, patterns, and materials work for you? For an integrated indoor-outdoor feel, extend your interior colour schemes to your outdoor space, layering colour and texture to create an inviting setting that reflects your individual style.

If your garden is looking a little bare, or you're looking for a few ways to revitalise your space without breaking the bank, here are some ideas for infusing personality and trendiness:

• Outdoor Rugs: These are one of the easiest ways to define zones and add a pop of colour and texture to your patio.
• Outdoor Lighting: Beyond functional light, think decorative outdoor lanterns, solar-powered strings of fairy lights, or even festoon lights to create a festive atmosphere.
• Outdoor Candles: Sweet-scented citronella candles are perfect for both ambiance and keeping summer evenings bug-free. Large pillar candles in hurricane lamps add a touch of sophistication.
• Garden Wall Decor: Don't forget your vertical space! Add outdoor mirrors to reflect light, metal wall art, or vertical planters to bring greenery to walls.
• Garden Ornaments: From sleek, modern sculptures to quirky ceramic gnomes, an ornament can be a fun focal point that showcases your personality.
• Outdoor Planters: Beyond just holding plants, the planters themselves can be decorative. Choose from terracotta, glazed ceramic, metal, or woven designs to complement your aesthetic.
• Outdoor Throws & Cushions: These are essential for comfort and for layering colour and texture. Opt for weather-resistant fabrics that can withstand the elements but are soft enough to feel inviting.

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3. Bringing Life to Your Landscape: Planting & Greenery

Infuse your Hurstwood garden with life and colour, opting for plants that thrive in our climate and contribute to a low-maintenance, beautiful space.

• Low-Maintenance Planting (Perfect for New Homeowners):
  • Shrubs & Evergreens: These hardy plants are key for year-round structure and colour, requiring less upkeep as they're long-lived and don't need annual replacement.
  • Perennials: Choose varieties that return year after year, reducing your effort.
  • Containers: Advise using large pots for less frequent watering and greater impact. Group them for a lush, layered look.
  • Groundcover: Helps suppress weeds and provides continuous greenery, tying elements together.
• Colour & Interest:
  • Add vibrant splashes of colour with seasonal bedding plants, which are easy to change out with the seasons.
  • Soft fences and walls with flowering climbers like self-clinging ivy or climbing hydrangea for low-effort vertical greenery.
  • Vary plant heights and textures to create visual depth and ensure interest throughout the year. Natural colourways, with earthy tones of pebble, sandstone, taupe, and walnut, can create a calming and grounding feel.
• Sustainable Touches:
  • Pollinator-Friendly Plants: Encourage buzzing bees, butterflies, and hoverflies by including native UK plants such as lavender, foxgloves, buddleia, salvias, rosemary, and thyme. Even the smallest spaces can become pollinator havens.
  • Composting: Consider a small compost bin for kitchen and garden waste. It's an eco-friendly way to create nutrient-rich soil while reducing landfill waste.

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4. Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow: The Hurstwood Advantage

One of the standout features of a Hurstwood Home is the effortless connection between your interior living spaces and your outdoor areas, designed for true indoor-outdoor cohesion.

• Large Glazing & Patio Doors: Our designs often incorporate expansive glazing and high-quality patio doors that fully open up and extend your home. This creates an immediate visual and physical connection, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out.
• Matching Materials & Aesthetics: For a truly cohesive look, consider echoing interior colour palettes or materials in your outdoor design. For instance, selecting outdoor furniture or accessories in natural tones like soft taupes, sand, or even terracotta can create a seamless flow from your interior décor.
• Integrated Spaces for Entertainment: Our open-plan kitchen/dining areas are typically positioned to lead directly into the garden - perfect for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining.
  • Effortless Gatherings: Hosting barbecues, garden parties, or simply enjoying family meals becomes incredibly easy with direct access to your patio and garden.
  • Outdoor Viewings: Imagine making a normal evening dinner special by moving it outdoors. Or, for major events, set up a projector for an outdoor cinema experience to watch the Wimbledon finals or crucial football matches with friends and family on a warm summer evening. Your garden can become a unique entertainment hub!
  • Comfort & Convenience: Make entertaining easy by having a portable bar cart for drinks and snacks, and ensure there's ample, comfortable seating available with versatile modular pieces or extra outdoor cushions and beanbags.

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Your Hurstwood Home offers a fantastic foundation for creating an outdoor space that’s truly an extension of your lifestyle. It's not just a garden; it's a versatile sanctuary for relaxation, vibrant entertainment, and precious family moments.

Our commitment to quality, modern design, and thoughtful layouts means you inherit a property with inherent potential for an exceptional summer lifestyle. Discover how the seamless flow from your stylish interiors to your private outdoor haven can transform your everyday.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your summer living? Explore Hurstwood Homes developments across the North West and find a property with the outdoor space you've been dreaming of.

As the days grow longer and brighter, it’s the perfect time to breathe new life into your interiors. Whether you're looking to freshen up your space for summer or channel the effortless elegance of a show home, a few seasonal styling tricks can make a big impact.

At Hurstwood Homes, our beautifully designed show homes are created to feel welcoming, stylish and unique - and with these summer-inspired décor ideas, you can bring that same warmth and personality into your own new build home.

Here’s how to give your interiors that sun-drenched, show home feel this summer.

Embrace Baked Earth Tones

Soft ochres, sunbaked pinks and clay-like reds are having a design moment, and for good reason. These earthy hues bring a grounded, sun-kissed aesthetic that works beautifully in any modern home, especially when balanced with neutral caramels or biscuit tones.

How to style it:

• Paint a feature wall in muted terracotta or dusty pink for a warm focal point.
  
• Layer in natural textures like jute rugs or linen cushions to complement the colour palette.
  
• Add contrast with a mustard throw or leafy green foliage to keep the look fresh.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: These tones shine in our open-plan kitchen/dining spaces, where natural light enhances their warmth and creates a calm, cohesive flow from indoors to outdoors. See our Instagram for inspiration.

Add Texture with Natural Materials

Minimalist interiors don’t have to feel cold. The secret to a serene yet inviting space lies in layering textures. Summer is the ideal time to introduce soft, tactile materials and organic elements that add depth and dimension.

How to style it:

• Choose lightweight linen or cotton throws in calming neutral tones.
  
• Add sculptural touches with curved ceramics, rattan accessories or wooden side tables.
  
• Swap out heavier winter textiles for breezier fabrics in khaki, cream or stone.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Our living rooms and bedrooms are the perfect blank canvas for layering textures and creating a relaxed, retreat-like atmosphere.

Make the Most of Your Shelves

Whether it’s a kitchen shelf, hallway alcove or living room bookcase, styled shelving can instantly elevate your space. It's a simple way to inject character, colour and personal flair into your new build home.

How to style it:

• Lay out items on the floor before arranging them to test combinations.
  
• Use books or boxes to vary height and create interest.
  
• Mix materials like ceramic, wood, glass and metal for a curated, balanced display.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Our homes offer ample storage, so shelves can stay clutter-free and reserved for curated styling – just like in our show homes. We love this tip, we adopt this in our show homes to add personality, colours, textures and display our favourite things! With plenty of storage in our homes, save some of your shelves to achieve your look!

Introduce Summer Nostalgia

Ruffles, stripes, frills and bows - nostalgic homeware is back, bringing a light-hearted, countryside-inspired charm. The key is to strike a balance with clean, contemporary pieces.

How to style it:

• Add frilled cushions or scalloped lamp shades for a soft, playful touch.
  
• Choose pastel hues or candy stripes to evoke vintage charm.
  
• Ground the look with neutral furniture or modern silhouettes.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Our interiors are designed with timelessness in mind, giving you the freedom to layer seasonal trends like these with ease. This gives that summer feel to your home - think sunny picnics or summer holidays! It also helps to add texture as well as a bit of fun to your home - your home is meant to feel like you after all!

Refresh Your Table for Summer Dining

Summer is all about relaxed, joyful living and your dining table can reflect that. Whether it’s an alfresco meal or morning coffee with the windows open, make your table a visual treat.

How to style it:

• Use a gingham or linen tablecloth to set a summery tone.
  
• Display fresh-cut flowers in a statement vase.
  
• Add terracotta plates or floral napkins for Mediterranean flair.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Our open-plan kitchen/dining areas often lead directly into the garden - perfect for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining. Bring the outdoors in with pretty blooms, gather flowers to place on your table for colour and freshness and add florals to your tableware for an allround fresh feel.

Create a Statement Hallway

Your entrance sets the tone for the rest of your home – so make it count. This often-overlooked space is ideal for experimenting with bold styling and personality.

How to style it:

• Add a patterned runner or vibrant rug to energise the space.
  
• Use a statement mirror to reflect light and enhance size.
  
• Introduce unique lighting or sculptural wall hooks for a creative touch.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: With flowing layouts and spacious entrances, our homes give you the freedom to make your hallway an extension of your interior style.

Try Yellow Drenching

Bold yet uplifting, yellow drenching – using a single sunny shade across multiple surfaces – is one of the standout interior trends of the season. It’s a fun way to bring joy and cohesion into a space.

How to style it:

• Opt for a soft ochre or buttery yellow for a more subtle effect.
  
• Carry the colour across walls, skirting boards and cabinetry.
  
• Keep furnishings minimal to let the colour shine.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Our light-filled rooms are perfect for colour drenching. Start with a smaller space like a snug or home office to experiment confidently.

Reclaim Upholstery

Upholstered furniture is enjoying a well-deserved comeback - think plush bedframes, padded benches and soft, sculptural seating.

How to style it:

• Add an upholstered bench at the foot of your bed or in the hallway.
  
• Refresh tired pieces with new fabric or slipcovers.
  
• Choose sun-washed tones or relaxed neutrals for a laid-back summer look.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Our generously sized bedrooms give you space to embrace statement upholstered pieces and create cosy, luxurious nooks.

Update Your Gallery Wall

Ditch the grid - today’s gallery walls are eclectic and personal, showcasing everything from prints and mirrors to collected objects and stories.

How to style it:

• Mix framed art with sconces, hats or other 3D elements.
  
• Use different frame sizes and materials for a layered look.
  
• Let the wall evolve over time for a more natural, authentic feel.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: Open-plan living areas in our homes offer the perfect backdrop for gallery walls that tie spaces together and reflect your personality -  it allows you to show off everything you love, whether its personal memories or your favourite thrifted picks.

Let There Be (More) Light

Great lighting transforms a room especially on those longer summer evenings. Layer your lighting to create ambiance, depth and functionality.

How to style it:

• Combine ceiling lights with wall lights, floor lamps and table lamps.
  
• Use warm-toned bulbs to keep the atmosphere inviting.
  
• Add personality with neon lights, fairy lights, paper lanterns or sculptural shades.
  

Hurstwood Homes tip: With high ceilings and well-placed windows, our homes make the most of both natural and artificial light - helping you style your space beautifully from day to night.

Ready to Style Your New Build Home for Summer?

Explore our latest developments or visit one of our show homes to see these seasonal styling ideas in action. For more interior design inspiration and home styling tips, sign up for our newsletter and follow Hurstwood Homes on social media.

Discover Newchurch Meadows - Final Homes Available Now

Cotton Meadows Coming Soon

There’s something about spring—longer days, lighter mornings, and a fresh breeze through the windows—that brings renewed energy and optimism. It’s the perfect time to refresh your space and recapture that ‘just moved in’ feeling. Whether you’re settling into a brand-new new build home or looking to breathe new life into a home you already love, a spring clean is a simple way to rejuvenate your surroundings.

At Hurstwood Homes, we design energy-efficient new build homes with thoughtful layouts, modern materials and long-lasting quality—making it easy to create a space that feels fresh, functional and welcoming all year round.

Here are our top tips for giving your new home a seasonal reset—room by room.

Whole Home Spring Clean

Start with a full-house deep clean to set the tone:

• Dust from top to bottom – Ceilings, light fittings, door frames and skirting boards often collect more dust than you think.
• Vacuum and mop – Don’t forget under furniture and in those hidden corners.
• Clean the windows – Sparkling glass lets in more natural light and makes your home feel bigger and brighter.

Spring styling tip: Swap out heavy winter throws and cushions for lighter textures and pastel shades. A few small touches can transform the mood of your entire new home.

Kitchen Deep Clean

In modern new build homes, kitchens are often open-plan, bright, and central to everyday living. A spring clean here sets the tone for the rest of the home.

• Clean all appliances – Use eco-friendly products like lemon and baking soda to freshen the fridge, oven and microwave.
• Declutter your surfaces – Keep countertops clear to maintain that clean, new-build look.
• Organise your cupboards – Clear out expired food, wipe down shelves, and store like with like.

Quick upgrade: A bowl of fresh citrus fruit or a vase of daffodils instantly adds a seasonal pop of colour.

Bathroom Refresh

A clean bathroom always feels luxurious—especially in an energy-efficient new home where design and comfort go hand-in-hand.

• Polish taps and tiles – A good scrub around the grout lines will restore the sparkle.
• Wash all textiles – Towels, mats, and even your shower curtain.
• Sort out cabinets – Recycle empty products and tidy up the essentials.

Hurstwood Homes' energy-saving water systems ensure you’re enjoying comfort with lower running costs—ideal for busy households.

Bedroom Reset

Create a calm retreat and get your bedroom spring-ready:

• Wash bedding, pillows and duvets – Nothing beats that freshly laundered feeling.
• Declutter wardrobes – Make space for lighter spring clothing.
• Deep clean under the bed – A quick vacuum can dramatically improve air freshness.

Finishing touch: Add a subtle scent with a diffuser or linen spray for a peaceful, restful vibe.

Living Room Lift

The heart of the home deserves a little love too:

• Vacuum upholstery – Cushions, sofas and rugs often hold more dust than we realise.
• Dust electronics and shelves – Including behind TVs, on bookcases, and under furniture.
• Switch out accessories – Lighten the mood with spring colours and soft floral accents.

The open living areas in Hurstwood’s new build homes are made for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying everyday life—so give yours the seasonal attention it deserves.

Hallways & Utility Rooms

Often overlooked, but essential to a full deep clean:

• Tidy the entryway – Sort coats, shoes and umbrellas. Swap the doormat for a new one.
• Clean the utility room – Wipe down appliances and shelving. Restock your cleaning supplies in style.

New Build-Specific Spring Clean Tips

If you’ve recently moved into your new build home, a spring clean can help remove lingering builder’s dust and help you feel fully settled:

• Dust walls and ceilings – Even if they look clean, fine particles can remain from construction.
• Vacuum with a HEPA filter – Helps trap the smallest dust particles and improve indoor air quality.
• Wipe inside all drawers and cupboards – Especially in kitchens, bathrooms and wardrobes.
• Clean or replace air filters – Great for air quality in energy-efficient homes with modern heating systems.

Bring Spring Indoors

Celebrate the season with these final touches:

• Open your windows – Let fresh air circulate and blow away any stuffiness.
• Add greenery – Indoor plants like aloe vera or peace lilies boost both mood and air quality.
• Refresh your scents – Think citrus, mint or light florals to match the season.

At Hurstwood Homes, we create more than just houses—we design homes where you can live well, grow, and enjoy every season. Whether you’re enjoying the benefits of a brand-new, energy-efficient new build home or giving your existing space a well-deserved spring clean, now is the time to reset, refresh and rediscover the joy of your surroundings.

Ready for a fresh start this spring?
Find your dream new build home with Hurstwood Homes – designed for energy efficiency, modern living, and effortless upkeep.

Final phase at Newchurch Meadows is ready to move in – don’t miss your chance to own a spacious, stylish home in the heart of Rawtenstall.

Cotton Meadows is coming soon to Barnoldswick – combining countryside charm with contemporary comfort.