Image Credit: Piglet In Bed

Last summer was a tale of two extremes – on the one side, we welcomed the chaotic confidence of a Brat Summer, all attitude and lime green (inspired by Charlie XCX), and on the other, the quiet poise of demure dressing and soft girl aesthetics.

This year, however, TikTok has ushered in a gentler, more whimsical mood with the rise of the Dilly Dally Summer.

With over 14K posts and counting, the trend celebrates the simple joy of taking your time – whether that’s aimlessly wandering, flipping through a book, or lying on the sofa doing absolutely nothing.

This slow-living sentiment is making its way into our interiors, too.

Homes are becoming softer and more thoughtful, designed not just for living but for lingering.

Think sun-drenched corners perfect for lounging, vintage finds that tell a story, and tactile fabrics that invite you to touch.

The palette is taking a mellow turn too with earthy greens, soft neutrals, and sun-faded florals – evoking long afternoons with nowhere to be.

As with the TikTok trend, the message in design is clear: there’s beauty in slowing down, and our homes should make space for that.

“The Dilly Dally summer is an emerging trend on TikTok, influenced by a societal shift in prioritising our health and wellness,” explains Anna Ross, curation manager at Not On The High Street.

“This involves embracing hobbies such as gardening, baking and crocheting, which have previously been associated with grandmas or those of an older generation, but are now being taken up by Gen Z and Millennials.”

Anna says Dilly Dally interiors are all about slowing down and embracing a Martha Stewart-esque aesthetic.

“This trend lends itself perfectly to interiors, as more people turn their homes into a self-care sanctuary, where they can relax, enjoy their Dilly Dally hobbies and embrace a much slower pace of life.”

Just as the #dillydally hashtag encourages us to savour small moments, our homes are evolving into sanctuaries that champion calm, comfort and creative stillness – every nook a quiet invitation to dilly‑dally.

From introducing gentle colours and natural textures, to embracing lived-in charm, here’s how to embrace the chilled out vibe in your home.

Go green

Bringing greenery into your home, whether via a potted fern, a windowsill herb garden, or cascading ivy, is a simple way to embrace the Dilly Dally interiors trend, encouraging moments of pause, care, and quiet connection with nature.

“One of the most popular Dilly Dally summer trends we’re seeing is gardening, so it’s no surprise that you can incorporate it into your home through lush greenery,” explains Anna.

”Peace lilies, Snake plants, Monstera and English ivy are all great plants for evoking feelings of calm and creating a peaceful sanctuary in the home.” 

She suggests mixing them with grounding earthy colourways such as rich browns, terracotta, deep greens and neutral tones to create an earthy sanctuary where you can relax and enjoy your Dilly Dally hobbies.”

Carve out a reading nook

Carving out a cosy corner to read, even if it’s just a well-placed armchair by a window, offers a gentle nod to the Dilly Dally interiors trend, inviting you to slow down, switch off, and savour a quiet moment away from the rush.

“If reading is your Dilly Dally hobby of choice, a reading nook is the perfect way to incorporate it into your interiors,” explains Anna.

“Create a cosy space in your living room where you can relax with a cup of tea and your favourite book, escaping into a world between the pages.” 

To do this, Anna suggests using an alcove to create book shelving and adding a cosy armchair beside it where you can curl up.

“Bonus points for adding a soft pillow and blanket for the chillier evenings,” she adds.

“If you don’t have an alcove, don’t worry you can store your books more unconventionally, such as piled up on the floor or next to a fireplace.”

Curate your quality

Opting for good quality materials and thoughtfully chosen home accessories is one simple way to tap into the Dilly Dally interiors trend.

“People are increasingly choosing to invest in good-quality, timeless pieces that suit a slower pace of life,” explains Jessica Hanley, founder and CEO, Piglet in Bed.

“A handmade ceramic mug for their coffee in bed in the morning, linen tablecloths they take the time to lay out before friends arrive for breakfast, or a gingham housecoat that’s always on hand for a quiet stroll through the garden.

“These are practical, considered choices that make every day routines feel a little more intentional.”

Layer up

Layering up with cosy textures – think soft knits, washed linens, and plush cushions – is a comforting way to embrace the Dilly Dally interiors trend, creating a space that encourages lingering, lounging, and living at a slower pace.

“One fail-safe way to create a self-care sanctuary in your home is by layering a plethora of soft textiles such as blankets, pillows and throws,” explains Anna.

“Layer pillows and cushions in different textures and colours on your bed.

“From deep, earthy velvet pillows, linen bed sheets, and soft, wool throws that create a warm, inviting space.”

Anna says you can replicate this on your sofa, too.

“Don’t worry about everything matching, either,” she adds.

“Choose colours and materials that make you happy, boosting your mood and mental wellbeing, which is what the Dilly Dally trend is all about.” 

Alongside layering them on your bed and sofa, try incorporating them in more unconventional ways, too, like having a basket of blankets in your living room or kitchen so you can be cosy at all times. 

Clear the clutter

Clearing away the clutter helps create a sense of ease and breathing space – key to the Dilly Dally interiors trend, which favours thoughtful simplicity and rooms that invite you to slow down and just be.

“Clear surfaces and put away unnecessary clutter,” suggests Suzanne Roynon of Interiorstherapy.com.

“It’s difficult to relax and impacts self-esteem to exist in a messy, unkempt space.   

“Obviously as an interiors therapist I’d normally say ‘ditch the clutter’ full stop, but we’re dilly-dallying here, so tidy away for the time being and promise to recycle it when the winter arrives,” she adds.

Choose a calming colour palette

Toning down strong colours in favour of softer, more neutral hues is a subtle way to embrace the Dilly Dally interiors trend, creating a soothing backdrop that encourages calm, quiet moments and an unhurried pace of living.

“Choosing a relaxing colour palette can make you feel at ease, setting the tone of your space with neutrals like white, beige or off-white to make the room feel light and airy,” suggest Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture And Choice.

“If you want to add pops of colour, light greens and blues bring in the natural element while still keeping the space feeling relaxed.” 

Let your home tell a story

Letting your home tell a story, filled with curated mementos, vintage finds, and treasured keepsakes, is a simple expression of the Dilly Dally interiors trend, where every object invites reflection, nostalgia and the joy of lingering in spaces that mean something.

“Displaying your mementos will give your home a personal touch,” explains Amthal.

“This can be through artwork, souvenirs from your travels or photographs.”

However, it is worth trying to curate what you want to showcase.

“Having too many accessories can make the space feel cluttered and overwhelm the room,” Amthal warns.

Incorporate the outside inside

Bringing the outside in via nature-inspired linens, botanical prints, and breezy fabrics helps blur the line between home and garden to create a space that feels fresh, restful, and rooted in the moment.

“A summer spent outdoors is a summer well spent, so it’s a good idea to introduce elements of the outdoors inside,” explains Amthal.

“Sheer curtains made from linen or cotton invite natural lighting in, while wooden furniture or flooring will make the space feel more inviting.

“Cosy textures like plush fabric, a jute rug or limewash walls make the space feel comforting,” Amthal continues.

“Decorating with indoor plants is a great way to liven up your home while also kickstarting a potential gardening habit.”

Pare-back your decor

A final way to bring the Dilly Dally feel into your home is to lean into comfort and simplicity.

“Layering natural materials like linen and cotton, along with contrasting textures and light summer layers, will help your space feel easy and unfussy,” explains Jessica.

“Soft, nature-inspired colours work well too – think earthy greens, warm neutrals, and muted shades that bring a gentle, calming energy without feeling flat or dull.”

Looking for more interiors inspiration? Take a look at 9 style lessons we can learn from And Just Like That… interior or Fashionable fungi: How to get the mushroomcore look in your home. And check out Labubu interiors have arrived! 11 ways to embrace ‘cutecore’ in your home

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