5 Blockbuster Trends Dominating Homes for Summer 2025, According to Designers

 Stripes

Say hello to stripes for summer, says designer Michael Graham-Smith, the founder of Graham-Smith Designs. While stripes themselves aren’t a new trend, you can expect to see a softer, more Mediterranean variation of the pattern taking center stage this year, the designer explains. These aren’t your average blocky, uniform cabana stripes. 

“Picture vintage French mattress ticking or irregular hand-painted lines that soften the look of a traditional stripe,” Graham-Smith says. He notes that stripes will be popping up in many different places, too, from upholstery and drapery to bedding and beyond. 

Bucolic Wallpapers

If you’re looking to switch up your wallpaper this summer, this trend is for you. “Designers are embracing a softer, storybook approach to interiors this summer,” Graham-Smith says. “Think pastoral landscapes, botanical moments, florals, and nostalgic, nature-inspired scenes that bring the comforts of the outdoors inside.” 

Designer Erin Tripodi, the founder of Erin Tripodi Design, agrees that nostalgic patterns will be trending for summer and is all for incorporating wallpapers into the mix. “Experimenting with wallpaper in rooms beyond the dining room, like a laundry room or mudroom, can bring that warm, familiar feeling of past eras into modern spaces,” she adds. “It’s a way of connecting with simpler times and creating spaces that feel personal, cozy, and full of character.” 

Pastel Color Drenching

Color drenching, which refers to infusing a room with one particular hue that covers the walls, trim, doors, and more, continues to be all the rage this year, and designer Esther Ellard of Effortless Designs expects pastel color drenching specifically to take the summer by storm. 

“Think a light yellow color-drenched dining room, a baby-blue color drenched nursery, or a light pink laundry room vibes,” Ellard says. “I see pastel color drenching used as a way to add personality and lightness to a space.” 

Natural Touches

Natural touches and summertime go hand in hand, so this year is no exception to that rule. Nature is back in a big way, and many designers cite biophilic design and outdoor-inspired motifs as specifically on-trend once again. 

“Let the beautiful, fresh, vibrant, and living colors of nature be the forefront of your summer designs,” Tripodi says. Ellard agrees. “Summer encourages people to lean into more earthy materials and routines like bringing in branches or a floral bouquet from their own yards,” she says. 

Designer Elissa Hall, the founder of EDH Interiors, expects to see tropical motifs reign supreme in particular — but with a tweak in palette. “Saturated tropicals have been delivering a much-needed dose of dopamine lately,” she says. “Try double throw blankets, lots of florals and plants, and add texture with natural elements like rattan or jute.” 

Textured Walls

Speaking of texture, take your walls to the next level with the help of textural applications, where “are becoming increasingly popular,” according to designer Brianna Untener, the founder of Brianna Scott Interiors.

Untener cites limewash and plaster as two popular applications. Another approach to consider? Grass cloth wallpaper, which adds traditional flair to any space while also bringing in an organic feel. You might notice that grass cloth has gotten a maximalist upgrade these days: The latest styles aren’t solid but feature different patterned motifs, including stripes or pastoral scenes. Talk about a trend that’s a doubleheader!