There’s nothing quite like a heatwave to test your interior decisions. Suddenly, the boucle armchair feels like a trap, the once-cozy rug is holding heat like a sponge, and your carefully styled space starts to feel... a little too full. But, if the air feels heavy and the mood is wilting, a few small changes can make all the difference!
Here’s five ways you can style summer-friendly interiors…
Because the best blooms aren’t just for the big day, they deserve to be part of your everyday!
1. Pare Back the Palette
In summer, I gravitate toward cooler tones that feel fresh and reflective. Soft whites, pale clay, chalky grey, mineral green… anything that brings down the visual “temperature” of a space.
Even if you’re not ready to repaint or re-wallpaper, you can still shift the palette through cushions, throws, or lighter-toned artwork.
Just reducing the contrast in a room can help it feel more expansive and restful.
2. Re-think Texture and Weight
Summer has a way of making everything feel heavier..so I like to counter that with pieces that feel light and breathable.
This could mean swapping out thick upholstery for linen slipcovers, layering in woven textures like rattan or cane, or simply removing one or two elements that are tipping a room into visual clutter.
It’s also a great time to bring in natural materials with a matte or tactile finish, surfaces that feel calm under the hand and quiet to the eye.
3. Let the Light In…Gently!
I love working with light, not against it. While heavy curtains and blackout blinds can feel like a welcome escape from relentless rays…you may find that they may things worse…trapping heat and blocking movement.
Instead, try diffusing the sunlight. Sheer panels, soft roller shades, or slatted shutters allow air and brightness to filter through without overwhelming the space.
Filtered light also brings out the best in textures and soft finishes, giving the room a gentle glow that’s completely different from winter’s warmth.
4. Create Visual Breathing Room
One of the fastest ways to cool down a room? Give it space. I always suggest editing rather than adding in summer. Remove a rug, clear off a surface, leave a few corners untouched—it’s amazing how much calmer a room feels when it’s allowed to breathe.
Give the eye places to pause.
5. Go with the Flow
Summer calls for movement, not stiffness. I like to style with that in mind, lighter arrangements, open layouts, and pieces that feel easy rather than fixed. Even something as simple as pulling a chair away from the wall, or placing a mirror where it catches a breeze, can shift the mood.
Anything that adds to the sense of air circulating, even visually, helps. Summer interiors don’t need to be sparse, just softly in motion.
Final Thoughts
Remember, little changes can transform how a room holds heat, light, and energy. And when done well, summer interiors can feel just as comforting as winter ones, just on a completely different frequency! I hope you enjoyed these tips - for more interior insights and inspiration, see below…