With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to embrace the interior design trends set to dominate the scene this season and beyond.
Below, five interior experts share their top predictions for the summer, revealing what trends we can expect to see.
1. Pastel and iridescent colour palette
Amy Wilson, interior designer for 247 Curtains and 247 Blinds predicts we will see plenty of rustic tones and effortless interiors.
“With the latest interior trend of ‘mermaidcore’, we can expect this growing interest in pastel colours to continue throughout the summer season. Since last month we have seen a 372% increase in searches for ‘pastel interior’, indicating this move from bright and bold colours to a softer aesthetic to be one of the biggest trends of 2023.
“Incorporating pastel colours into existing space can be as simple as swapping out soft furnishings, moving away from busy patterns to lighter and more simple designs. Think pastel yellow curtains and baby pink bed linen. Finish with a few iridescent and curved accessories.”
2. Create a ‘downtown bedroom’
Jonathan Warren, bed specialist at Time4Sleep comments: “This summer we’re expecting to see elements of the ‘downtown bedroom’ trend begin to peak in popularity, particularly in smaller bedroom spaces.
“This trend has seen a 10,000% increase1 in searches year-on-year according to Pinterest trends and is centred around creating a downtown feel in your space, emulating New York-style apartments – which are usually tight on space!
“To lean into the trend, start with a neutral base such as an upholstered white ottoman bed or a wooden bed before adding your own personal touches to your walls with murals, prints and even showcasing your favourite vinyl.
“By combining these DIY elements with greenery, such as artificial vines to bring nature into a city space, you’ll be on your way to creating the ‘downtown bedroom’ trend.”
One of the easiest ways to bring the cultural vibrancy of New York into your own bedroom is with a wall mural. From Keith Haring to Banksy, the city’s walls have become canvases for some of the most iconic artists – and with Graham & Brown reporting a 127% YOY increase for sales of murals, it’s clear this aspect of the ‘downtown aesthetic’ is one we’ll be seeing a lot of.
Paula Taylor, Stylist at Graham & Brown, says “The downtown aesthetic calls for bedecked walls, but creating these personalised displays can prove both difficult to curate and time-consuming to execute. If you’re looking for alternate ways to achieve a similar look, murals offer a stylishly sophisticated and modern take on this trend.”
3. Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden
As the Summer months see us all spending more time outdoors, it’s not only interior trends that designers are predicting to be big. If you’re looking to revitalise your outdoor living space consider drawing on the Mediterranean aesthetic.
Marlena Kaminska, Designer at ValueLights says, “We’ve noticed a growing interest in garden features which nod to vacation hotspots – and influences of the Mediterranean have been particularly popular.
“When it comes to garden design, many people forget to think beyond the functionality of the space. To capture the carefree essence of the Mediterranean, you should focus on transforming any seated zones into hubs for both socialisation and relaxation.
“A really simple but impactful way to elevate the ambience of these areas is through outdoor lighting. Festoon lights and outdoor string lights are popular choices for those looking to add a cosy, inviting atmosphere to their space. These lights are incredibly versatile, and their placement can be adapted to suit the shape and size of your garden – why not try wrapping them around any railings, fences or trees to define the borders of your garden and cocoon the space in a warm glow.”
“Portable lanterns are also a great choice for placing on any outdoor tables or benches – especially if out-of-reach of an electrical source – creating inviting focal points for socialisation that can be enjoyed long into the summer evenings.”
4. Coastal cowgirl
Coastal Cowgirl is the new trend to take over social media platforms, with searches increasing by 200% in the past month on Pinterest. Whilst mainly spoken about as a fashion aesthetic, designers expect to see this take over the interior world as well.
Lucy Ackroyd, Head of Design at Christy says: “Inspired by the fusion of Californian beach fronts and country ranches, the two merged together result in an easy-going, effortlessly cool aesthetic that mirrors the natural landscapes around them.”
“The colour palette of coastal cowgirl features sandy yellows, oak oranges, cactus greens and ocean blues. Take these colours up your walls and carry them through soft furnishings such as rugs or throws to seamlessly pull each room together. Using deep blue colours for your bedding is really clever as it mimics both denim and the ocean.”
“Natural materials such as wood, rattan and wicker are also crucial to the aesthetic to get that rustic feel. Bring this out in your furnishings where possible; for example through coffee tables, shelves and chairs. Don’t forget to decorate with plants such as fan palms and succulents to continue bringing the outdoors in.”
