Something’s shifted. Walk into homes this summer and you’ll notice they feel like someone actually lives there. Designers are watching their clients ditch the pursuit of perfection for homes that have personality, tell stories, and work for real life. The linens get wrinkled. The vintage glasses don’t match. The outdoor furniture stays outside year-round because it’s actually durable.
Here are the biggest trends designers are noticing this summer, and why they’re worth paying attention to.
Natural Materials
The woven revolution is in full swing and it’s casting a much wider net than the typical rattan revival. “I’m always going to say yes to woven accents,” Shea McGee of Studio McGee tells ELLE Decor. “Whether it’s a rattan light fixture or a vintage cane chair, those natural materials add so much texture and warmth. They give a little nod to coastal style without being too literal.”
Interior designer Susan Petrie agrees, and has also seen her clients making a decisive shift away from traditional window treatments. “My clients have pivoted from requesting light and simple drapery to matchstick shades,” she tells us. The appeal is practical: “When the sun filters through them, they can cast a beautiful light. Plus, the natural materials add an element of warmth to any space.”
Clive Lonstein has seen the same: “We’re loving matchstick blinds as a great summer edition. Their natural weave brings a textured warmth that conjures a beach-like feel.”
Intentional Drama
After years of minimalist restraint, designers are witnessing clients’ hunger for spaces with personality. «This summer, I’m gravitating toward contrast both in color and in style,» Keren Richter, co-founder of White Arrow tells ELLE Decor. “I’m also exploring decorative drama, such as incorporating tassels, swags, sheen, and a nod to 1930s Old Hollywood glamour.»
Designers Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon of the Brownstone Boys have also seen this shift toward bold expression. “Maximalism is having a renaissance,” they wrote to us. They’re seeing clients embrace pattern-on-pattern layering, rich jewel tones, and rooms that tell a story through art, books, and textiles.
Earthy Colors
The color palette of summer 2025 is decidedly earthy yet optimistic. “I’m loving all the sun-washed tones we’re seeing—soft clays, warm sands, sage greens,” Shea McGee says. “They feel really calm and grounded.”
Designer Amy McCoy reports that clients are gravitating towards the warmth of terracotta flooring and embracing “pastel color drenching,” which, she says, is an effortless way to refresh any space.
ELLE Decor A-List designer Jamie Drake is working with “woven and painted wall coverings in shades of blue, aqua, and straw,” he says, while the Brownstone Boys are incorporating “sun-washed tones and touchable textures like terracotta, mossy greens, vintage linens, and corded velvets.”
The New Outdoor Room
Outdoor spaces are being treated with the same design rigor as interior rooms. “Our summer must-try is the outdoor bar with an herb garden, or as I like to say, my very own herb cocktail garden,” designer Autumn Pochiro tells us. She envisions herb living walls paired with stocked bar carts below, complete with basil, rosemary, and mint. Her outdoor designs feature bold sectional seating, vibrant mood-boosting colors, cordless lighting, and of course, fire elements.
Laura Sotelo of Olive Ateliers is taking a romantic approach to outdoor design and is focusing on spaces that balance softness with sculptural furniture. Her philosophy is creating spaces “inspired by leisurely lunches in the garden, spaces meant to be savored.” She’s incorporating wrought iron chairs with graceful detailing, textured cushions, and thoughtfully collected accents.
Effortless Entertaining
There is a growing emphasis on spaces designed for connection. “What resonates right now is the art of effortless hosting,” founder of Bespoke Only Melissa Lee tells ELLE Decor, like rumpled linens, mismatched glasses, and tables that look lived-in. She says her clients are increasingly drawn to low-maintenance spaces.
Jamie Drake is responding to this desire for relaxed gatherings by creating spaces that prioritize comfort and flexibility. “I am installing massive upholstered sofas and deep mattress like window seats loaded with bolsters and pillows, all covered in delicious nubby textiles,” he says. “Also, furnishing for big gatherings—dining room tables that seat 20. On a porch we are using four matching tables that can be configured in various ways, giving flexibility for an intimate dinner for four people or a crowd of 24!”
Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE Decor, where she oversees the brand’s social media platforms, covers design trends and culture, and writes the monthly ELLE Decoroscope column. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, art, and lifestyle.
