Get inspired by the latest interior design and décor ideas for summer 2024
Summer is just a few weeks away, and now is the time to begin updating your home for the season. Wondering what design styles will reign supreme this year? Interior designers from across the South weigh in to share nine home trends that will be all the rage this season. Bring on the bright colours and botanicals!
Botanical Prints and Caning
“Botanical prints and caning are on my brain all the time but especially during the summer months! I recently have specified Riley Sheehey’s Botanical Cream wallpaper for a client’s pool bath and love the antique botanical prints I picked up at the Paris Flea Market this past fall. As for caning, my mind immediately goes to Dior Maison’s Rattan Cannage Provence trays and accessories!” — Hallie Henley Sims, founder of Hallie Henley Design in Houston, Texas
Indoor-Outdoor Living
“We will see the boundaries blurred on more indoor and outdoor spaces by using features like large windows, sliding glass doors, and seamless transitions to outdoor patios, decks, or gardens. We will also see more lightweight fabrics such as sheers, linen, and cotton being used outdoors for draperies on a porch or in upholstery.” — Elizabeth Burch, founder of Elizabeth Burch Interiors in Nashville, Tennessee
“We’re going to see a lot of outdoor areas that feel like an extension of the interior. Whether you have a large yard or a tiny terrace, people will capitalize on this space, making it personal—an extension of the décor and style on the inside and a reflection of their values. This can be a single chair and table to have a cup of tea and reflect, or a large lounge space for lazy, long, summer evenings.” — Laura Hur, founder of Lorla Studio in Kensington, Maryland
Playful Patterns
“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 in Dallas, Texas
Raw Materials
“Raw materials such as wood imbue spaces with a sense of heritage while seamlessly bridging the gap between indoor comfort and outdoor beauty. Whether it’s the rich warmth of oiled wooden furniture or the rustic charm of natural-toned poolside benches, these elements add texture and character to interior settings.” — Mary Lambrakos, founder of Lambrakos Studio in Houston
Biophilic Design
Biophilia continues to be the darling of interior design, it’s definitely having a moment. This trend, which seamlessly integrates natural elements into interior spaces, is gaining traction. By incorporating indoor plants, expansive windows, and organic textures, biophilic design breathes fresh air into our homes. — Ginger Curtis
Quiet Luxury
“Quiet luxury is truly a ‘less is more,’ understated elegance. It refers to the quality of elements and materials in a space versus a specific aesthetic or fleeting design trend. It focuses on timeless items with personal investment or meaning rather than simply another piece of disposable décor.” — Elana Mendelson, founder of Elana Designs in Potomac, Maryland
Brighter, More Saturated Colours
“While there has been a persistent trend of using neutral and pastel palettes, people are now eager to embrace boldness, especially as temperatures rise and individuals seek refuge near water bodies like resort pools, lakes, and beaches. Vibrant hues beautifully complement the blues of water and the greenery that typically surrounds these natural or manmade landscapes, inspiring people to bring those refreshing colours indoors.” — Holly Hickey Moore, founder of Holly Hickey Moore in Dallas
“Incorporating vibrant pops of colour is the perfect way to infuse a space with energy. Whether it’s through an interesting rug or a playful throw pillow, these bold hues offer an opportunity to introduce unexpected allure.” — Mary Lambrakos founder of Lambrakos Studio in Houston
Game Tables
“I hesitate to call it a trend, as game tables are a classic addition to a space, but I’ve absolutely seen an uptick in clients’s requests to incorporate them into their homes over the past year. Personally, I love that they’re multifunctional pieces that give reason to use what might otherwise be an underutilized room. They’re also one of my favorite ways to create a second seating zone.” — Lindsay Speace, founder of Lindsay Speace Interior Design in Raleigh, North Carolina
Outdoor Kitchens
“Everyone loves dining al fresco, especially as the weather warms up. Outdoor kitchens are going to continue to grow in popularity this summer. They don’t don’t need to be large or fancy, but having some countertop space, a grill, and maybe even some type of refrigeration makes cooking and eating outside a breeze.” — Laura Hur