The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, known as the Summer Solstice, began on June 20th. This event marks the beginning of a new season, which ends on September 22nd. With this, latest interior design trends for summer emerge that promise to transform spaces into true oases of comfort, functionality, and style, embracing the unique characteristics of summer.
The importance of seasonal design cannot be underestimated. Adapting decor to the seasons allows you to refresh the decor and adjust the space to the needs and spirit of the season. In summer, we look for spaces that convey freshness, luminosity, and a touch of lightness. It's the time to open the windows, let natural light in, and integrate elements that bring a feeling of the outdoors into the home.
The long, sunny days, high temperatures, and an atmosphere of lightness and relaxation, typical of summer, are reflected in the interior decoration. Through vibrant and bright colours, natural and sustainable materials, and decorative styles that refer to nature, areas become fresher and more welcoming, ideal for relaxing and enjoying hot summer days.
Summer decor is an interior design approach that adapts spaces to reflect the characteristics and spirit of the year's hottest season. This generally includes the incorporation of elements that bring freshness, luminosity, and lightness to the area, such as:
Light, vibrant colours, such as white, beige, and pastel tones, help reflect natural light and create a feeling of space. Lively and cheerful colours, such as turquoise blue, emerald green, sunshine yellow, and coral, add energy and vitality to spaces.
Summer decoration mainly uses natural materials such as linen, cotton, rattan, bamboo, and light wood.
Take advantage of natural light through large windows, light and translucent curtains, and strategically placed mirrors.
Summer decor often features patterns inspired by tropical landscapes and nautical themes, such as palm leaves, marine motifs, and blue and white stripes.
Combining different textures, such as lightweight fabrics, natural fiber rugs, and textured throws, adds depth and visual interest to the space, keeping it warm and inviting.
Sustainability continues to be a priority in interior design, with an increasing focus on eco-friendly and natural materials. Certified wood, bamboo, cork, organic fabrics, and recycled materials are popular. In addition to being environmentally friendly, these materials bring a feeling of tranquility and connection with nature, which is highly sought after in the summer months.
What are the best natural material options for summer?
Certified wood and bamboo: Use furniture and coverings made of wood certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or bamboo. Bamboo furniture in living areas or balconies brings a tropical and sustainable touch.
Organic and recycled fabrics: Incorporate organic fabrics such as cotton and linen into curtains, upholstery, and bedding. Rugs made from recycled or natural materials like jute and sisal are also excellent choices.
Ecological paints: For walls and ceilings, opt for ecological paints with a low content of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), ensuring cleaner and healthier indoor air.
Plants and vertical gardens: Use plants to improve air quality and create a relaxing atmosphere. Vertical gardens are a modern and sustainable solution for bringing nature indoors, especially in urban spaces. Biophilic Design, a concept that seamlessly integrates natural elements into interior spaces, is gaining traction. This design approach is particularly relevant to summer trends as it emphasizes the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, mirroring the season's focus on bringing the outdoors in.
The Mediterranean style, with its relaxed elegance, is perfect for summer. In 2024, we see an updated version of this style, which combines traditional elements with a contemporary touch. The best way to ensure that your interior design project matches the Mediterranean style is through a moodboard.
The Mediterranean style refers to houses in the coastal regions of Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and North Africa. Inspired by the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean-style decoration conveys the warmth and freshness of the region. Therefore, colours such as green, blue, and white are always present.
In general, houses of this style have large openings and terraces. Walls often feature plaster or stone finishes, terracotta floors, hand-painted tiles, rattan furniture, and stone details. Stone details are one of the interior design trends for this summer. Using natural stone, such as marble, in kitchen countertops, fireplaces, dining room tables, or architectural details brings a feeling of solidity and connection to the earth.
The McCool coffee table from ALMA de LUCE, with the body in Negro Marquina marble and Estremoz white marble with a polished finish, is one of the pieces you can choose to integrate into your project. If the goal is to implement this style in a dining room, experience the elegance and beauty of the Bonsai dining table.
Colours have transformative power in interior design. In summer 2024, vibrant and tropical palettes are trending. Emerald green, sunshine yellow, turquoise blue, and coral bring energy and vitality to spaces. These colours can be used on walls, furniture, accessories, or small details like cushions and rugs.
For example, incorporate sunshine yellow and coral into elements like a sofa, pillows, throws, or artwork. These colours can be combined to create a cohesive and lively room. The Andorinha armchair from ALMA de LUCE, with its Mostaza soft velvet upholstery, will bring the feeling of the sun to a dining room.
Furthermore, an excellent option to give a room a summer look is to combine several vibrant colours, creating an eclectic palette that reflects the exuberance of summer.
Maximalism is back, celebrating individuality and personal expression. The inhabitants' personality is reflected in a mix of patterns, bold colours, eclectic art, and unique pieces. Unlike minimalism, which focuses on simplicity and functionality, maximalism embraces complexity and abundance.
Combine different patterns and textures in a space, such as patterned rugs, cushions with various designs, and blankets with rich textures. This combination creates a visually stimulating area full of personality.
A curious trend in maximalism is "jungle fever" where interiors are decorated with tropical plants, animal prints, and botanical motifs. This trend creates a vibrant room, improving air quality and residents' well-being. And what better time of year than the summer to implement jungle fever?
Using different textures and layers adds depth and visual interest to spaces. Combinations of fabrics, such as linen, velvet, and mesh, as well as textured rugs and cushions, are a strong trend for summer 2024. These textures not only enrich the space but also provide comfort and warmth.
“Playful patterns are making a splash as a top summer interior design trend. From vibrant geometric shapes to whimsical floral prints, this trend adds a cheerful and energetic vibe to any space. It’s key to embrace the joy of mixing and matching patterns that create a personalized and lively atmosphere indoors and outdoors, especially ones that capture the essence of summer.”
Ginger Curtis, founder of Urbanology Designs
Today is the perfect day to start thinking about the summer decor. These trends can be a starting point. Are you ready to bring summer indoors? Which of the five trends will you use, or which was a big no?
See some inspirations on Alma de Luce's Pinterest that may help you to understand some of these 2024 summer trends, also suiting your needs, your tastes, or your client's desires. Once you're inspired, want some help getting started? Contact us here. 😉
Also, stay tuned to our blog for more information and curiosities from the universe of architecture, interiors, and design!
