The biggest summer color trends for 2024 — 7 sizzling shades interior designers are decorating with this season

Interior designers love these sunny summer color trends

Summer color trends are so chic. Here are three of these - a dark blue living area with a beige couch and gold rectangular table, a beige living area with wall art on the walls and a beige couch, and a bathroom with pink wallpaper, terracotta tiles, and a white standing basin
(Image credit: Furniture and Choice / Desenio / Ca' Pietra)

There are so many summer color trends that are sizzling and stylish this year, and I'm in love with all of them.

I've asked interior designers and color experts for the shades their clients keep asking for, and what they themselves are reaching for they've been reaching for. From cozy cornflower blue to sweet, laid back yellow, there are plenty of shades that will help you bring character and chicness in.

Finding out the latest interior design color trends is always useful, whether you want to refresh your home for the season or just want to switch your shades up in a new way.

All these colors are suitable for those looking for small space color trends, as well as for people with larger homes.

Our designers and color experts have recommended specific shades throughout, which we have sought out matching highly-rated buys wherever possible.

The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.

1. Muted yellow

A bedroom with a muted yellow painted wall, a light blue bed frame, light blue and yellow striped bedding and throw pillows, two framed wall art prints, and a brown jute rug underneath it

(Image credit: Glidden)

Sunshine yellow’s sophisticated older sister, muted yellow is the star of the show this summer. 

“Yellow always adds vibrancy, but I’ve really loved incorporating this color in muted tones to create a more polished finish,” explains Priyanshi Jain, interior designer and founder of Pixels & Spaces.

If you’re looking for a specific shade, Glidden’s Color of the Year is a gorgeous example of this. 

“Containing both the power of a primary color and the essence of a neutral, Limitless is a fresh, warm hue that’s the perfect on-trend color for summer,” says Ashley McCollum, Glidden’s color expert.

I think that muted yellow would also look beautiful paired with crisp white bed sheets or a cream couch, such as with the Bourina Herringbone Blanket from Amazon, which has a smooth finish, is versatile, and is easy to care for.

2. Cornflower blue

A wall with white and wavy cornflower blue stripes, a bed with light pink bedding and red throw pillows and blankets, with a wooden chair to the left of it

(Image credit: Sorbet Dreams)

Blue has to be one of the most versatile colors out there, so even though it’s a summer color trend, you can commit to it and be rest assured it’ll stand the test of time.

“Without a doubt, a standout this summer is the use of blue,” explains Andrea Schumacher, interior designer and founder of Andrea Schumacher Interiors. “It’s favored for its calming and cooling properties, making it an ideal choice for creating serene environments.”

I have seen cornflower blue everywhere this season, which I’m thrilled about as it's one of my favorite colors full stop. 

I’m also currently scoping out non-stick pans, so I’ve got the Beautiful Hero Pan from Walmart in my basket, which is from Drew Barrymore’s popular range and is made from durable aluminum.

3. Terracotta

A bathroom with beige wallpaper with pink flowers, brown painted panels, terracotta brick flooring, a bath tub, a standing white basin with gold legs, a wooden stool with a towel on, and a scalloped jute rug

(Image credit: Ca' Pietra)

This Mediterranean shade is a summer color trend and has been one of the interior design trends for this year that hasn’t gone anywhere so far.

“Terracotta is so on trend and blends effortlessly with natural elements like wood and stone,” says Priyanshi. “Color your walls or accessorize your home with this color and bring a sense of Southwest charm,” she suggests.

I like the idea of bringing this in with indoor plants, such as the Bergs Fluted Pot from Anthropologie which is handcrafted in Italy and includes a drainage hole.

It’s also one of the key shades for bringing in Amalficore, which we’ve crowned the design aesthetic of the summer. Our editor Punteha van Terheyden also painted her home office walls and ceilings with terracotta with great impact.

4. Cool-toned marble

A living area with a boucle white curved couch, a circular marble coffee table with a candle, reed diffuser, and two books on top, and a white soft rug underneath

(Image credit: Rowen Homes)

Marble is one of my favorite ways to make a small space look luxe, and the cool-toned version of it is a top summer color trend.

“Natural, cool-toned marble is particularly in vogue, offering a refreshing and serene aesthetic perfect for the warmer months,” advises Andrea. “These materials add texture and visual interest to any space, while their inherent durability makes them a practical choice for long-term use."

This is also easy to bring in through chic decor items. I love the Marble Crafter Dionysus 7-Piece Marble Coaster Set from Saks, which comes with a cute caddy and is a breeze to wipe clean.

5. Digital lavender

A bedroom with a white ceiling with a blue pendant light, a lavender wall with a wall art print, and a bed with white sheets, red striped throw pillows, and a turquoise throw blanket

(Image credit: YesColours)

I’ve seen pastels make big waves this year, and one that has pulled away from the rest as a standout is the lovely lavender.

“Digital lavender is a vibrant and bold shade of purple that adds a pop of color to any space,” suggests Jonathan Faccone, design expert and founder of Halo Homebuyers. “This can be incorporated into a room through accent pieces like pillows, rugs, or artwork, or through bolder choices like painting an entire wall in this hue."

Jonathan also recommends mixing and matching different shades of digital lavender for a layered effect. 

I like the idea of doing this cute decorative pieces like the Daisy Soap Dispenser from Urban Outfitters, which is hand-painted and has a glossy finish perfect for small bathrooms.

6. Soft beige

A beige living room with wall art on the walls, a side table with white decor on it, a beige couch, marble flooring with terracotta pots on it, and a glass arch above it

(Image credit: Desenio)

While bold colors are definitely making a statement, I have also see a trend towards soft neutrals in 2024. 

“Shades like light beige are popular choices right now for creating a chilled-out atmosphere,” says Jonathan. “These colors work well together and can be used to create a cohesive color scheme throughout the house.”

These work especially well as lighting and can be used to create a striking effect, such as with the Hamimi Pendant from Banana Republic that's beautifully textured.

As well as this, Jonathan says they provide a great base for incorporating pops of color with accent pieces. 

7. Gold

A living room with blue floral wallpaper and blue panels, a white beige couch, a gold and marble side table, and a rectangular gold coffee table with a white tea cup, a vase of flowers, and a stack of magazines on it

(Image credit: Furniture and Choice)

Along with muted yellows and soft beiges warming up summer color trends, gold accents are also making a significant impact this season. 

“Incorporating gold not only adds a touch of elegance and sophistication but also brings warmth and richness to a space,” Andrea says. 

This can be as bold or as subtle as you like. For example, I like the Hibiscus Tieback from Anthropologie which gives me all the tropical vibes and comes with all the hanging hardware you need.

“Beyond hardware, we've seen gold being used creatively in peel-and-stick wallpaper designs, offering a luxurious touch that can transform any room into a stylish retreat,” Andrea adds.


By bringing summer color trends into your home this season, you'll be able to create an inviting space that make your place feel brand new and will wow your guests, too.

Now you've scoped out sumptuous shades, you might also want to find matching summer decor trends to complete the look. 

Eve Smallman
Content Editor

Hi there! I’m a content editor at Real Homes. I've been a lifestyle journalist for over five years, previously working as an editor across regional magazines. Before this, I graduated from Nottingham Trent University a degree in journalism, along with an NCTJ gold diploma. I love running, decorating my rented Victorian home, and discovering new cheeses. For Real Homes, I specialize in interior design, trends and finding the best viral buys.