Does your home need a summer reset? 10 changes you can make to give your decor a seasonal refresh
So far this summer the sun has been playing ball, perhaps a little too much ball if we’re honest as the UK is already on its third heatwave (and counting).
But while we’ve swapped our warm woolies for lighter linens, the same can’t necessarily be said for our homes, which still feel like they’re dressed for winter.
“Summer naturally changes the way we live at home,” explains Kunal Trehan, interior designer and founder of Touched Interiors.
“The days become longer, natural light floods our rooms, and we instinctively spend more time entertaining, relaxing and connecting with the outdoors.
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“But your interiors should evolve alongside those seasonal shifts.”
If you’re already a fan of a Sunday reset, you’ll know the magic of how a few simple tweaks can leave your home feeling fresher, calmer and sorted for the week.
A summer reset works in much the same way, but for the entire season.
Think small, easy updates that help your home feel lighter, brighter and ready to make the most of those long summer days.
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“Refreshing your interiors for summer doesn’t actually require a complete redesign,” Kunal explains.
“In fact, the most successful seasonal updates are often the simplest.
“By adjusting textures, colour, styling and layout, you can create a home that feels calmer and more in tune with the season, whilst preserving the timeless foundations of your interior.”
With that in mind, we asked the interiors experts for their favourite ways to give every room an easy seasonal reset.
Is your home ready for a summer reset? Image Credit: Arighi Bianchi
Dress your home for the season
Think of this as packing away your home’s winter coat.
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Switching heavy throws, cushions and chunky knits for lighter fabrics is a quick styling trick that instantly puts your interiors in a summer state of mind.
“Heavy bouclé, velvet and thick knits naturally absorb light and create visual weight,” explains Kunal.
“During summer, replace them with washed linens, crisp cottons, lightweight wool blends and natural textures that feel cool both visually and physically.
Even changing cushions, throws and bedding can transform the atmosphere of a room.”
Your bedroom needs a cool over too, particularly if you’re struggling to sleep in the heat.
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“Swap in natural materials like cotton or linen for bedding and soft furnishings,” suggests Melissa Denham, interior design expert from Hammonds Furniture.
“These fabrics allow air to flow more freely and help prevent heat and moisture from becoming trapped, creating a more comfortable environment to sleep in.”
When it comes to furniture, Melissa says opting for materials such as solid wood, rattan or bamboo can also help the feel of a room, staying cooler to the touch than plastics or heavily varnished finishes.
“Layering these lighter, breathable materials throughout your home helps create a space that feels naturally lighter, fresher and better suited to the warmer months,” she adds.
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Switch out heavier materials for lighter linens. Image Credit: Piglet In Bed
Refresh your colour palette
Summer sunshine has a funny way of changing a room.
With spaces flooded with natural light, it’s the perfect season to experiment with a fresh palette, whether that’s warming up your neutrals or introducing a bolder splash of colour.
“Choose lighter tones to help reflect the natural light,” advises Melissa.
“Soft or warm off-whites, muted neutrals, stone tones and pale greys with warm undertones can help make a room feel open, while also softening the overall look.”
Nature-inspired palettes work well here too. “Sage offers a soft, understated way to introduce colour that seamlessly combines with other earthy tones and materials for a harmonious and serene environment,” explains Melissa.
“Olive also adds warmth and depth, particularly when used alongside natural textures like stone.
“You can also integrate green through houseplants, textiles and painted furniture.”
For the brave, summer is also the perfect time to embrace more playful colour scheme.
“From jewel-toned pink and burgundy hues to organically inspired blues and greens – bolder shades will add impact and liveliness to your space,” Melissa adds.
A summer colour palette doesn’t have to be white – a nod to nature works well too. Image Credit: Earthborn
Introduce colour through accents, not commitment
Switching up your palette doesn’t have to mean repainting your living room every time the seasons change.
Instead, let colourful accessories do the heavy lifting, adding fresh pops of colour that are easy to change again when autumn rolls around.
“Rather than repainting walls every season, introduce colour through artwork, accessories and soft furnishings,” suggests Kunal.
“This year I’m seeing sophisticated sun-washed tones replacing brighter summer palettes; soft terracotta, olive green, buttery yellow, mineral blue and warm sand all bring warmth without overpowering a scheme.”
You can also add a pop of colour via your artwork. Image Credit: Beach House Art
Create visual breathing space
Clear the clutter, keep the character. Summer styling is less about filling every surface and more about choosing the pieces you really love.
Editing your displays creates breathing space and lets each item have its moment in the spotlight.
“Summer is an ideal opportunity to edit shelves, coffee tables and consoles, removing anything that feels visually heavy.
“Giving beautiful pieces room to breathe helps to create a calmer, more refined home.”
Declutter to create visual breathing space. Image Credit: Armac Martin
Shop your own home
Give old favourites a new home.
That neglected lamp in the spare room?
The chair that’s become a clothes horse? Summer is the perfect excuse to move things around and see your home with fresh eyes.
“One of the simplest styling tricks is to move pieces between rooms,” explains Kunal.
“A lamp, occasional chair, side table or piece of artwork can feel completely different in a new setting.
“It costs nothing but often makes your home feel freshly designed.
You’ll be surprised at how much of an impact moving things around can have. Image Credit: Pooky
Style with seasonal materials
Every surface tells a story, so make yours feel seasonal.
Swapping a few accessories for natural textures, handmade pieces and fresh greenery is an easy way to give your home a summer personality without adding clutter.
“Refresh shelves and coffee tables with natural ceramics, sculptural glass, woven baskets and handmade vessels filled with seasonal foliage,” suggests Kunal.
“These tactile materials reflect natural light beautifully and introduce subtle texture without adding unnecessary clutter.”
Think natural when it comes to your material switch up. Image Credit: Hillarys
Blur the boundary between indoors and out
Whether you have a sprawling garden or a tiny balcony, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out can make your home feel bigger, brighter and more connected to the season.
“Summer is about creating a seamless connection with nature,” explains Kunal.
“Position furniture to maximise garden views, open sightlines wherever possible and repeat materials between interior and exterior spaces.
“Layering plants of different heights, rather than relying on a single statement plant, creates a more considered and luxurious feel,” he adds.
Blurring the boundary between inside and out also helps refresh your home for summer. Image credit: Atkin & Thyme
Rethink your lighting
Think beyond the big light.
Summer is the season to ditch harsh overhead lighting in favour of softer, more atmospheric layers.
It’s a simple way to make your home feel relaxed, welcoming and ready for longer evenings.
“Many people forget that lighting isn’t just for winter,” explains Kunal.
“Replace warm, heavy lampshades with lighter fabrics, maximise daylight by keeping window dressings airy, and use rechargeable table lamps outdoors and indoors to create soft pools of ambient light as evenings draw in.”
Don’t overlook lighting when it comes to refreshing your home for the season. Image Credit: Pooky
Rearrange the furniture
Sometimes the biggest transformation comes from simply moving things around.
A fresh furniture layout can help the spaces in your home better able to soak up those summer rays.
“Furniture that blocks light or restricts airflow can quickly make a space feel warm or cramped,” explains Melissa.
“Keep layouts simple, allowing natural light to flow through the room, keep walkways clear and move furniture that feels unnecessary or oversized.”
A simple layout rearrange can also have an impact. Image Credit: Sofology
Refresh your home’s fragrance
Think of fragrance as the finishing touch to your seasonal refresh.
A few simple scent swaps can make your home feel just as light and inviting as it looks.
“Our homes should smell as fresh as they look,” explains Kunal.
“Summer 2026 is moving away from overly sweet florals towards sophisticated botanical fragrances.
“Green tomato leaf, fig, neroli, bergamot, citrus blossom, basil and soft herbal notes feel contemporary and uplifting.”
Rather than relying on one candle, Kunal suggests layering fragrance throughout the home using diffusers in living areas, candles for entertaining, and room sprays or linen mists in bedrooms to create a subtle, consistent scent journey.
Summer fragrances add a finishing touch, but make sure you layer your scents. Image Credit: Sophie Allport
