Experts Reveal Top Interior Design Trends for Summer

Trends can be hard to keep up with, especially when every few months, something new springs out of the woodwork. While you can let your interior design stay the same long enough for trends to fall out of and back into fashion (I’m guilty of this), there are small touches you can do this season to keep up with the latest summer décor!

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the design options, or your living room is 10 years overdue for a makeover, we’ve got your back. Here are what 10 experts say are the hottest summer trends for interior design.

Desert Meets Beach

When asked about what’s popular this summer, Lori Dennis, of Lori Dennis, Inc., had this to say:

For summer 2019 the trend is: desert meets beach. Reminiscent of Mediterranean locales, crisp whites, sandy creams, saturated accent colors, and natural woods will dominate the design landscape. Organic lines, rounded edges, and woven materials in furnishings and accessories will continue to be popular. The indoor-outdoor trend is still going strong, with evermore stylish furniture and lighting that blends the lines of interior and exterior.

Lori Dennis

Lori Dennis, ASID, LEED AP, leads the top interior design firm in Los Angeles, is a speaker, bestselling author, and star of HGTV’s “The Real Designing Women.” Her firm specializes in luxury, high end interior architecture and healthy living. A multiple award-winning designer, Lori has been profiled in magazines, websites, and TV on six continents, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, LUXE, Dwell, People, New York Times, House Beautiful, Coastal Living, Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Energize the Room

Designers at the Décor Aid firm suggest embracing a lively aesthetic:

Curved furnishings were a reoccurring trend at design shows the world over as they make for a more playful and unexpected alternative to more straightforward, slightly rigid silhouettes. Neon, from small doses via decorative accessories to a boldly hued sofa, hasn’t looked so viable since the ’80s. And neon hues are great for energizing a room and making it sing. The key here is to use neon as a statement-maker in a room while keeping all the other elements subtle. And though decorative fringe has been an essential in creating a luxurious feel, it looks all the more visually interesting paired with lighting fixtures and other elements for a twist on the classics.

Decor Aid

International interior design firm Décor Aid provides clients with premium decorating services centered around their lifestyles and vision while providing a transparent fee structure, a dedicated product manager, and vetted professional contractors, renovation specialists, and paint services.

Dare to Live Spare

Want to slow down and relax this summer? Michele Ranard of Hello Lovely follows a “timeless and tranquil” approach that is sure to lighten your room – and your mood.

Pared-down interiors with breezy, uncluttered, un-fussy style are not a design trend as much as a timeless approach to summer decor that won’t change year to year. On Hello Lovely Studio, I spotlight timeless and tranquil decor inspiration, which encompasses a range of design styles. Folks sometimes associate “timeless” with antiques and Old World style, but it’s more fluid than that.

Visit each room in your home with a critical eye. Except for art and photos you love, store away those items that don’t offer function, comfort AND beauty. You’ll probably end up with a sweet pile of donations for charity (and maybe a tax return). Do you need 10 books on the coffee table? Try subtracting all but three and see if the newly lightened look lifts your mood as well. Is the fireplace mantel crowded with seasonal décor? Dare to live more spare. Have an area rug with warm, wintry colors? It may have been perfect for fall and winter, but it’s too heavy for summer. Roll it up and swap it for a natural jute rug, or leave the floor bare for the summer months.

Remove heavy window treatments unless they are necessary for privacy, and let the sunshine in! Introduce coastal or beachy nods to summer to welcome the season to your home, even if you call home a land-locked urban apartment. Don’t go kitschy granny or knick knack-y nautical though. Let thoughts of natural materials and oceanic color palettes guide you.

Seagrass baskets, seashells, decor accents with scrubbed or raw wood finishes, potted tropical plants, rattan chairs and ottomans, and blue and white pillows. Even a simple branch in a clear glass cylinder vase on a console table in an entry or the kitchen table can impart a tranquil vibe and add a light, organic layer to the mix.

Michele Ranard

Hello Lovely is a decor inspiration blog by professional writer, Michele, with lovely interior design inspiration to create timeless and tranquil rooms. Decorating ideas, renovation stories, and designer spotlights feature French country, Farmhouse, and Shabby chic style. More than a collection of home decorating tips, the decor site invites you to say “hello” to a more peaceful milieu at home.

Bold and Dramatic

Want an all-eyes-on-me aesthetic for the summer? Elizabeth Rishel of Within the Grove fully supports the look:

One of the design trends that has been catching my eye as we approach summer of 2019 is not being afraid to try a bold pop of color. This can be seen through the use of a rug (or even the layering of rugs) and pillows in a space. The more adventurous are going for a bold accent wall where you can be a little more dramatic.

By going bold in one area of a space, you’re able to keep the rest of the space bright and airy to tie in with the feeling of summer arriving. These are also design aspects that one can easily change out with the ever changing trends and seasons. I honestly believe at the end of the day, these moody pops of color provide a sense of comfort and a bit of fun that we all want with the summer months.

Elizabeth Rishel

Elizabeth Rishel of Within the Grove is a DIYer who loves to empower others to learn how to tackle DIY home projects and decorate their home. As she takes on the challenge of redesigning her home, she’s committed to documenting and sharing with others how to do the same.

Go for Comfort and Warmth

Break away from monochrome and embrace color and patterns with advice from blogger Samantha Shue of The Décor Spot.

There are so many interesting interior design trends in 2019. I’m seeing a lot bold patterns on wallpaper, deep forest greens and blues on exteriors. I hate to say it, but I think we are moving away from the all-white kitchen fad, as I’ve noticed an increase in darker kitchens.

Oversized lanterns and pendants, along with mixed metals and lots of natural light, are also on trend. I plan on doing a zen style in our master bathroom and I think it’s one of those looks that will never go out of style, similar to decorating with white oak. Having wood accents throughout your home creates a sense of comfort and brings a warm atmosphere to the space.

Samantha Shue

Samantha Shue created The Décor Spot to share her love for design, recipe creating and her home building journey. It’s a place where you can come and find your creative side.

Bright & Beautiful

Chicago-based design M. Grace Sielaff offers ideas on how to channel Mother Nature in your designs for the summer:

The sweet flavor of summer starts with a fresh new season of entertaining and outdoor living with color. This year summer outlook trends are equally bright and beautiful. We’re seeing carefree colors such as bright sunny yellow combined with cerulean hues, pink peacock, and sweet lilac. Butterfly and floral motifs in magenta, ruby combined with neutrals. It a great feeling because the sun is shining!

Keep your eye on breezy fabrics, and wallpaper in bold patterns and organic forms. View our mood board must-have decorative in blissful shades of summer.

M. Grace Sielaff

M. Grace Sielaff, Allied ASID, is a Chicago-based award-winning, multidisciplinary designer, founder of Gracie Peach Studio, Top 200 Designer influencer in the Home Design Industry by Fixr. Her firm specializes in luxury, high-end interior architecture in Chicago, with projects nationwide.

Celebration of the Home

Amongst making a statement with tile layouts bringing out modern pastels, the design team of Balance Design in Atlanta suggests bringing in a bit of everything to honor memories and family.

We’re leaning into the maximalist movement, especially in tablescapes. Bringing meaningful pieces onto your dining table is more than just utilitarian — it’s an expression of family, personality, and community. Maybe you’ll mix your grandmother’s Wedgewood china with vintage shop dessert plates, topped off with assorted fabric memos for napkins.

Incorporate local foliage from your garden or farmer’s market, mix in candles wabi-sabi style, and you’re ready for a beautifully cooked meal (paella anyone?). We see this movement as a celebration of the home as a gathering place for friends and loved ones, and a way to create a beautiful night with beautiful memories.

Balance Design Team

Since inception in 2002, Balance Design has found that careful listening and collaboration create the most original yet timeless and authentic interiors. Utilizing environmentally sustainable materials, local artists and craftspeople, hand knotted rugs, and unique furnishings, Balance Design is a collaborative team of creatives and analysts working together to provide you with not just beautiful designs, but also a memorable and enjoyable experience that you are an integral part of.

Bring Back Mid-Century Modern

Don’t feel like the ocean is calling your name? Denise Mohler of Happy Haute Home offers an alternative:

The biggest home design trend for summer 2019 is directly correlated to the increasing popularity of mid-century modern style. The timeless quality of the style existed from the 1930s – mid-1960s. The style embodies clean lines, gentle, organic curves, and non-traditional contrasting materials.

Functionality is very important with form following function, uncluttered and sleek lines with geometric forms, and minimalistic design.Materials such as plastic influenced mid-century modern designers. These non-traditional materials include Plexiglass, Lucite, and vinyl. Wood is also a staple in this design style and paint colors range from bright (from the 1950s) to earthy tones (of the early 1960s). Confused as to what this looks like? Think AMC’s Mad Men.

Denise Mohler

Happy Haute Home is a Home Decor and Lifestyle Blog, written by Denise and includes inspiration to make every house a home. Decorating and renovation ideas come from the author, who has renovated several houses and is presently working on fixing up her French Country home.

Trust Tried-and-True Designs

If major changes makes you a bit nervous, Becky Marshall of Flipping the Flip recommends leaning on trends that have retained their popularity throughout time.

Our homes are so personal, and though interior trends may come and go, pulling from great ones that resonate can help create your dream home. Two welcome ones I’m seeing for summer also have staying power potential. As a lover of color, seeing walls painted in saturated, deep jewel tones and blacks warms my heart. They bring such graciousness and depth to a home.

Another fabulous one that I can get behind any day of the week is the indulgent combination of amplified texture, pattern, and shine. The exuberance, joyfulness, and flamboyance is strikingly exciting, just so much fun.

Becky Marshall

Becky Marshall is the author of Flipping the Flip, a tip-filled blog documenting her journey of undoing everything done by a house flipper, turning her house into a home. A DIY’ing Thing Maker, she has a vast resume spanning theater, television and film, interiors and architecture.

Mix it Up

If you’re the kind of person who likes to think about color schemes and materials, Liz Hartmann has the perfect advice:

 Part of the reason that I love following along with design on social media is because I’m able to see how different design trends vary around different parts of the country, or even the world. There are always a few trends, however, that seem to be consistent across the board, and I love seeing how everyone puts their own personal spin on them.

One trend that is everywhere right now is that of “mixed materials.” In particular, natural wood as a design element is huge right now, and I personally can’t get enough! From kitchens to bathrooms, and every room in between, there is always somewhere to showcase a natural wood design feature. I have been seeing a lot of open wood shelving (I want it EVERYWHERE in my house), natural wood in the kitchen – such as an island, countertop, or vent hood, or even a natural wood accent wall in a small bathroom or bedroom.

Wherever I see it, I know that I am loving the way that the wood elements seem to create a complementary contrast against cabinets or tile that everyone (myself included) are “ooohing and ahhing” over. So go ahead – mix some materials in your home this summer! Another thing that you might consider mixing, if you want to stay on trend this summer, is paint colors.

That’s right – paint accents are back, but this trend is a bit dark. I mean that quite literally, too, because I’m talking about dark paint colors. And I mean about as dark as they get. Black paint, in particular, is a big trend right now, and in the right setting, I’m on board with this one too. I’m generally more of a “light and bright” kind of gal, but if this is done right, it can be really stunning. I have been seeing lots of black doors, black kitchen cabinets, or even black accent walls.

This trend is big risk/big reward, so I would definitely tread lightly while designing around this trend. Having a particularly bright room, or adding light and bright accents is key to success here. But, again, if done correctly, you might be surprised to see how the dark can brighten your mood!

Liz Hartmann

Liz Hartmann is a DIY blogger and Home Stager in the Chicago area whose heart skips a beat for all things home decor.

The Big Takeaway?

Whichever trend you decide to go with, make sure it’s an expression of yourself and your lifestyle. And the best part is that you don’t even have to work with an interior designer to incorporate these into your home! Bring new life to your home this summer with sweet lilac, open wood shelving, or an oceanic color palette. These designers have shared their favorite trends; now it’s time to open the windows and let the sun shine through.