Summer in Mallorca can reveal the truth about a home. It is the season when properties are often at their busiest: family arrives, friends come to stay, terraces are used from morning until late at night, bedrooms are full, there’s a queue for the bathrooms, kitchens work harder and outdoor spaces become an extension of the house. So summer is a VERY useful time to notice what is working, and what is not.
A home can look beautiful for most of the year and then reveal its weaknesses when it is being used at full capacity. You could discover that your guest bedroom has nowhere practical to store luggage, or the terrace is unbearably hot by midday. There could be nowhere to store pool towels, beach bags and shoes, or the kitchen could feel too small once several people are trying to use it at once. These are not necessarily dramatic design failures. But often, they are small details that become impossible to ignore once daily life puts pressure on the property. If the position of the bin in your kitchen has started a row, then we’ve got to talk!
Notice Which Rooms Nobody Uses
One of the most useful questions to ask yourself during summer is simple: which spaces are we actually using? If one area is consistently underused, there is usually a reason.
A formal sitting room may look immaculate but remain untouched while everyone gathers in a smaller, but more relaxed part of the house. A beautifully furnished terrace may be ignored because it has no shade at the hottest time of day. It could be that the dining room is rarely used because the furniture is uncomfortable or the route between the kitchen and table is awkward. In my experience good interior design in Mallorca is not about forcing people to use a room in the way it was originally intended. It is about understanding how people naturally live and adapting the space accordingly.
Is There Enough Shade?
Outdoor living is central to life in Mallorca, but in summer, and especially after the summer we have had this year, shade is just as important as sunshine. If your terrace can only be enjoyed early in the morning or late in the evening, it needs rethinking. Pergolas, awnings, planting, parasols and carefully positioned outdoor furniture will all make a significant difference. The aim is not simply to create shade, but to make the exterior of the property work throughout the day.
In my interior design projects a successful outdoor space offers different places to sit, eat, relax and escape the heat. For me, good Mallorca interior design should always consider the relationship between the inside of the home and the exterior spaces around it.
Look at Your Guest Accommodation
Holiday homes are often designed with entertaining in mind, but it is only when guests actually arrive that you discover whether those spaces work properly.
Ask yourself:
- Was there enough wardrobe space for everyone?
- Can guests open up a suitcase without blocking their room?
- Is there somewhere to charge a phone beside the bed?
- Does the bathroom have enough hooks, shelving and storage?
- Is there enough privacy between guest bedrooms and family spaces?
Small improvements can make a guest room, and your own personal experience as a host, feel dramatically more comfortable without requiring a complete renovation.
Pay Attention to Storage
Summer creates extra clutter: beach towels, inflatables, hats, shoes, suncream, sports equipment, shopping bags and luggage all need somewhere to go. If these items constantly collect around entrances, bedrooms or terraces, it is a sign that the property may need better storage. Bespoke cabinetry, concealed cupboards, benches with storage and well-planned utility areas can all make a home feel calmer and easier to live in.
Good storage is rarely the most glamorous part of interior design, but it is one of the things that has the greatest impact on how a home feels day to day. It is also one of those areas where working with an experienced interior designer in Mallorca can help you find solutions that are practical without compromising the look of the room.
Think About How People Move Through the House
When a property is busy, problems with circulation become immediately obvious. People may have to cross through the kitchen to reach the terrace, only to find dining chairs blocking the walkway or a badly positioned sofa interrupting the route through the room, while doors clash with furniture and guests have to pass through private spaces to reach a bathroom. These are all things that can go unnoticed when only one or two people are in the house.
Summer gives you the opportunity to see how your home performs when it is really being lived in. This is often where a fresh pair of eyes from a Mallorca interior designer can be particularly useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is summer a good time to review how my Mallorca home works?
Summer puts a property under more pressure than any other season. With more guests, more time spent outdoors and every room being used more intensively, it quickly becomes obvious where a home is working well and where improvements could make daily life easier.
What should I look out for in my Mallorca home during summer?
Pay attention to the spaces that nobody uses, areas that become too hot, poor storage, uncomfortable guest rooms, awkward furniture layouts and outdoor spaces that lack enough shade. These small frustrations can be very useful when planning future improvements.
Can an interior designer in Mallorca help with just one room?
Yes. Not every project needs to be a full renovation. I work with homeowners on individual rooms and smaller design challenges, as well as complete Mallorca interior design projects.
What is a Day with a Designer?
My Day with a Designer service is designed for people who need focused professional advice without committing to a full interior design project. It can be used to rethink a room, solve layout problems, review colour and furniture choices or create a clear plan for improvements.
How can I make my Mallorca home more comfortable in summer?
Shade, good air circulation, well-planned storage and comfortable outdoor furniture can all make a significant difference. The best solutions depend on how you use your property and where the problems occur during the hottest months.
How can I improve storage in a holiday home in Mallorca?
Start by looking at where clutter naturally gathers. Bespoke cabinetry, concealed cupboards, storage benches and better-designed utility spaces can all help. Good storage should make the home easier to live in without dominating the room.
When should I start planning changes for next summer?
The end of summer is an ideal time. The problems are still fresh in your mind, and then gives you more time to make decisions, source furniture and materials, and complete any work before the following summer.
Do I need a full renovation to improve how my home works?
No. Sometimes a change in layout, better lighting, improved storage or a different use for an underused room can completely change how the home feels and functions.
How do I start working with an interior designer in Mallorca?
The first step is simply to talk through what is not working and what you would like to change. From there, I can advise whether your home would benefit from a Day with a Designer, help with a specific room, or a larger interior design project.