3 Summer Color Palettes That Easily Brighten Your Space
With the outdoors basking in the fullness of summer sunshine, it’s time to give your home the same bright makeover. The opportunities for a summer refresh are nearly endless, but the simplest way to breathe new life into your space is through the use of new colors. Wall paint, pictures, houseplants, textiles and other décor accents can change the entire feel of a room, simply by coordinating the right color combinations. Here are three of our favorite summer color palettes to brighten up any space!
Before You Redecorate
Before running out and stocking up on new planters and pillows, first consider which hues would best suit your home. For example, if your space doesn’t have a lot of natural light, shades like moss or peach might be overwhelming or have the opposite of a brightening effect; in this case, either use them sparingly, or work with lighter shades in the same color family. Not sure where to start? Check out Pinterest for some inspiration!
Another consideration — incorporating a new color scheme doesn’t have to be costly. Items you currently own could only need a coat of spray paint, swapping out an image, or you could find ones from your local thrift store.
Lavender and Mint
French hillsides, country fields, calm Sunday afternoons… the pastel power couple of lavender and mint evoke provincial serenity and youthful simplicity, like a satisfying sigh of contentment in color form.
According to Color Psychology, lavender “encompasses such emotions and mental thought processes imagination, creativity, and because of its association with springtime, the optimistic beginning of new stages in life.” Meanwhile, mint is associated with “tranquility, health, and good luck,” along with freshness and creativity.
Because this color combination brings the calmness of nature indoors, they can help reduce stress and anxiety. To work them into your space, try adding mint-toned pillows to neutral furniture pieces like a couch or loveseat, and coordinate it with a lavender throw draped over the back.
For a more natural look, lavender or lilac plants in a mint-colored planter can be the perfect way to brighten up your front porch or patio. Take advantage of this beautiful combination, and your space will be reminiscent of a floral strewn meadow.
Blush and Moss
If you’re not a fan of full pastels and gravitate to richer tones, consider the sophisticated blend of blush and moss. Green shades are often used to reflect or inspire balance and renewal, while pink is typically associated with innocence, nurturing, and optimism, making this duo one of the best summer color palettes for those who may want something a bit more low-key.
Moss by itself obviously isn’t a bright color, but it provides the perfect backdrop for the lightness of blush tones to truly pop without overwhelming a space. A blush accent wall can pair perfectly with a moss-colored couch, or even vice versa. A moss-colored door can also be accentuated by a blush floral wreath or plants, like garden roses or peonies.
One of the benefits of this color scheme is it can easily be toned up or down for each season; for example, you can easily swap out the blush-toned décor with deep reds for the winter holidays, or swap out the darker green for a lighter hue to welcome the first signs of spring. The possibilities truly are endless!
(READ MORE: How to Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year into Your Décor)
Peach and Ivory
Of all the summer color palettes, this one might be our favorite! If a fun yet simple color scheme is what you’re after, peach and ivory are an excellent way to go. Clean and bright but still warm and sweet, this color combination will energize any atmosphere and can pair exceptionally well with other neutral colors.
For all of you social butterflies out there, Color Psychology notes that peach is a great color for encouraging communication, inspiring good manners and feeling calm, while white shades like ivory evoke sophistication, simplicity and cleanliness.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try painting your living room walls in a peachy hue, while using ivory décor accents or furniture to balance out its intensity. Or, for a softer inclusion, use an ivory table runner under a vase of peach daylilies in your dining room for a subtle yet substantial glow.
For the bedroom, peach curtains against ivory walls or a peach bedspread with ivory sheets can bring a seasonal warmth that, just like with the blush and moss duo, can easily be swapped out as seasons change.
Need More Décor Inspo?
We’re always on the lookout for fun, imaginative home décor trends and DIY projects, so be sure to check out our blog and our Pinterest boards for your next home project inspiration! In the meantime, if there’s a décor topic you’d like to see us cover, let us know in the comments below!
