Image Credit: DFS
Gelato interiors: 8 ways to introduce the sweetest decorating trend of the summer
If your idea of the perfect summer involves a pistachio gelato in one hand and a wander through a colourful Italian piazza, you’re not alone.
This season, the humble ice cream parlour is serving up more than cool-down treats, it’s also inspiring one of the freshest looks in interiors.
Think pistachio greens, raspberry pinks and creamy vanilla tones, alongside terrazzo surfaces, checkerboard floors, vintage café detailing and furniture with deliciously rounded, scoop-like shapes.
It’s easy to see why the trend has taken off.
As we move away from pared-back neutrals and stark minimalism, we’re craving homes with a little more warmth, fun and personality.
Gelato interiors deliver all the feel-good factor without the sugar rush, blending nostalgic café charm with contemporary design.
“Gelato interiors are all about bringing a sense of joy, playfulness and sunshine into the home,” explains Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi.
“The inspiration comes from the soft, appetising shades you’d find in an artisan gelateria – pistachio green, lemon sorbet, strawberry pink, peach, lavender and creamy vanilla – colours that make a space feel lighter, fresher and more uplifting.
“It’s exactly what many people are looking for from their home décor during the summer months.”
Lucy says there’s a strong sense of nostalgia behind the trend too.
“It evokes memories of sun-drenched holidays, leisurely afternoons in cafés and a slower, more relaxed way of living.
“As people continue to look for home decor that feels comforting and optimistic, Gelato interiors are a great way to add a touch of personality without it feeling too overwhelming.
“I think the key element about gelato interiors though, is that it’s not about actually turning your home into an ice cream parlour.
“The appeal lies in the feeling these spaces create. Inspired by warm summers, they combine artisan craftsmanship and playful design to create schemes that feel relaxed and effortlessly stylish.”
Whether it’s a minty splash of colour in the kitchen, a ripple of strawberry pink in the living room or some terrazzo tiling on the floor, here’s some simple yet effective ways to give your home a scoop of gelato style.
Adopt a pastel palette
The calming nature of soft pastels has made them a long-term favourite in interior design for summer. But gelato-inspired pastels aren’t sugary; they’re sun softened.
“Think peach that’s been warmed by the Mediterranean sun, pistachio that’s slightly muted, terracotta that’s faded over decades and buttery yellows that feel naturally weathered,” explains Lucy.
“That’s what makes the look sophisticated, rather than overly sweet.”
Blush pink is a versatile pastel that can be used as a primary wall colour or as an accent.
“It pairs beautifully with white or grey to create a sophisticated yet cosy ambience,” explains Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
Lavender may have fallen out of fashion in recent years, but according to Melissa it is proving popular once more and evokes tranquillity.
“Lavender has a subtle richness that makes a room feel luxurious and restful,” she explains. “Combine it with soft whites or deeper purples for a harmonious look.”
In the bedroom Melissa says baby blue offers a clean and crisp feel and is ideal for those who want a light and airy bedroom.
“Pair it with white furniture and bedding for a timeless look.”
Pistachio everything
If there’s one shade leading the gelato craze, it’s pistachio green.
“Influenced by the viral Dubai chocolate trend, pistachio green is making a significant impact on interior design,” explains Melissa.
“The vibrant green hue of the filling has inspired a desire for pistachio green interiors, which offer a fresh and calming aesthetic.”
Unlike more intense greens, the shade isn’t overpowering, instead, it evokes a sense of nature and wellbeing, helping to reduce stress and promote tranquillity.
“It’s an excellent choice for those who want a subtle pop of colour without straying too far from neutral tones,” Melissa adds.
Introducing pistachio green doesn’t necessarily mean repainting every wall in the hue.
“Consider statement pieces like a pistachio green sofa or armchair, which can become a focal point in your living room.
“Alternatively, green fitted wardrobes are an excellent way to integrate the colour into bedrooms or dressing areas.”
Accessories provide an easy way to experiment with different tones and shades.
Think cushions, throws, rugs or lampshades.
“Even smaller accents, such as vases or photo frames, can introduce this colour slowly.
“If you enjoy DIY or decorating on a budget, painting smaller furniture pieces like side tables or shelving units can bring a pop of colour without overwhelming the space,” Melissa continues.
“In terms of materials to complement pistachio green with, Melissa says natural textures like wood and rattan work wonderfully.
“These materials reinforce the earthy feel of the colour and add tactile interest,” she explains.
“Brass or gold finishes on fixtures and hardware provide a touch of luxury, creating a refined contrast to the soft green.”
Scoop your furniture
It’s not just the colours taking inspiration from the gelateria, furniture is getting in on the act too.
Steer away from rigid straight lines and instead look for softly curved sofas, rounded occasional chairs and sculptural tables that echo the smooth, satisfying shape of a freshly scooped ice cream.
“Scoop shaped sofas, rounded coffee tables and softly shaped chairs make a room feel more welcoming and relaxed than rigid, angular furniture,” explains Victoria Robinson, interior expert at Hillarys.
Add in playful accessories
If a full gelato makeover feels a step too far, playful accessories are an easy way to dip into the trend.
“Gelato interiors don’t take themselves too seriously,” explains Lucy.
“Adding in accessories with personality are the raspberry ripple moments that lift a room – decorative trays, Colours of Arley striped cushions, and sculptural candleholders.”
Introducing coloured glassware to a summer tablescape or kitchen shelving is another simple way to hint at the look.
“Layering in coloured glass through vases, lamps or candle holders will catch the sunlight beautifully throughout the day, adding little flashes of colour that feel joyful rather than overly styled,” Victoria explains.
Rather than matching everything perfectly, Lucy suggests layering different textures and tones.
“The aim is for the space to feel as though it’s a curated collection of flavours, rather than having been bought as a complete set,” she adds.
Get speckled
Terrazzo is another easy route into the aesthetic because it already has that confetti like mix of colour built in.
“Terrazzo introduces character, texture and a subtle retro nod without dominating a space,” explains Victoria.
“Pair it with checkerboard details or vintage bistro style seating and you capture that cafe chic charm people are drawn to right now.
Get the gelato look in your seating
To recreate your favourite spot in the coffee shop/gelato, Melissa recommends making sure your seating reflects comfort and relaxation.
“Vintage cafe seating is thoughtfully designed to make customers slow down, savour their drink and spend time with people in a way our homes can’t always offer,” she explains.
“A deep armchair, cushioned window seat or a tufted bench can mirror the inviting aesthetic of a cafe.
“While incorporating a pop of colour through soft furnishings can add a playful, joyous element to your new favourite seat in the house.”
Cafe seating prioritises socialising, so Melissa suggests keeping your space small, intimate and facing each other, as opposed to being side-by-side and facing a screen.
“Adding books to a room can further embrace a vintage cafe aesthetic,” she continues.
“Whether you incorporate fitted living bookshelves, simply stacking a selection of books on a coffee table, or using book ends to display a selection of magazines – incorporating reading material of any kind can encourage people to relax and unwind.”
Mix in metallics
A great way to introduce contrast in light, pastel-coloured spaces is by incorporating metal finishes in lighting, switches, and hardware.
“These elements provide balance to the cheerful, softer tones while creating a modern and sophisticated atmosphere,” explains Massimo Buster Mianle, Founder and Creative Director of Buster + Punch.
“Adding a sharp accent with dark hardware, such as black or brushed metal, helps to define strong architectural features, bringing visual interest and definition to the space.
“The combination of soft pastels and metal finishes blends a sense of subtle nostalgia with contemporary design, grounding the room without making it feel overwhelming.”
Know when to pull back
The secret to getting the look right is restraint.
Rather than filling every room with pastels and playful prints, choose one or two signature elements, a pistachio-painted sideboard, a terrazzo coffee table or coloured glass accessories, and let them shine against a more neutral backdrop.
Victoria says it’s less about recreating an Italian ice cream parlour and more about bottling a feeling.
“A handful of well chosen pieces will feel effortlessly chic and quietly nostalgic,” explains Victoria.
“Too many and it can start to look themed rather than a stylish home.
“Dreamy terrazzo, coloured glass, curved furniture and subtle café-inspired touches all work together to create rooms that feel sociable, relaxed and just a little escapist.
“It’s holiday energy, translated into everyday living,” she adds.
Using handcrafted finishes will also stop the scheme feeling overly polished.
“They introduce warmth and personality that make a room feel collected rather than styled,” explains Lucy.
“This can be natural stone, mouth-blown coloured glass and textured linens.”
Want more inspiration? Read: How often should you REALLY wash your bedding during summer? and 8 interior collaborations that need to be on your radar this summer. And check out All set for a Kennedy summer? 12 ways to get the Love Story look in your interiors
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