Summer Decorating Ideas Inspired by the Outdoors

With summer in full force, there will be a desire to refresh our interiors and incorporate the same warm, breezy feeling of the outdoors into our indoor style. The decorating trends for this year are all about embracing nature and bringing the outside in - also known as biophilic design.

You can achieve this by embracing earthy tones, lots of greenery and organic textures, to create a calming and welcoming environment that ultimately creates a calming atmosphere. In this guide, we’ll explore practical decorating ideas that help you bring the outdoors in, all while offering guidance on costs and how to get the look in your own home.

Introduce Earthy Colours for a Grounded Feel

Colour is one of the best ways to quickly transform a room, and the use of earthy tones are the best choice for summer decorating. Deeply inspired by nature, these hues and shades really evoke the calming presence often found in woodlands and beaches.

Popular shades include soft terracottas, olive greens, sandy neutrals, clay tones, and stone greys. Together, they provide a grounded, natural look that works beautifully in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and even bathrooms.

Soft beige or mushroom-coloured walls can often help to open up a space to give the effect of more size and space, while creating a real sense of warmth and tranquillity. Opting for subtle greens like olive and sage is ideal for feature walls and offers a botanical effect to your interior, particularly when paired up with wooden elements and indoor plants.

If you’re looking to achieve a more rustic look, you could consider burnt orange and red clay tones for a more Mediterranean vibe that is perfect for this summer.

If you are to achieve these impactful and stylish interiors, you would be better served by employing a professional decorator. The cost for this is typically between £250 and £600, depending on the size and condition of the walls you want painting.

If you do want to go down the DIY route, you will spend between £50 and £100 on the supplies you need, such as paintbrushes, rollers, masking tape and protection for your flooring.

Use Houseplants to Add Life and Energy

There are a few things that bring more of the outdoors in than houseplants. Not only do they give your interior a great visual and sensory boost, but they also improve air quality and overall well-being. Adding greenery is a simple and affordable way to make your home feel more vibrant and connected to nature.

Of course, there are plants for every level of gardening experience. If you’re new to houseplants, start with low-maintenance options like snake plants, pothos, or the hardy ZZ plant, all of which require incredibly little maintenance and care.

If you're looking for a more tropical look, opt instead for a monstera or bird of paradise plant. These larger houseplants add a real impact and can also fill awkward spaces with some bold features. Lavender and rosemary can also be grown indoors and provide a pleasant natural fragrance, adding another layer to your sensory experience.

Pricewise, incorporating houseplants into your home shouldn't break the bank. Smaller plants will cost anywhere from £10 to £25, while large plants can cost up to £100, depending on the size and species.

You can bolster their effectiveness even further to include things like woven baskets and ceramic pots, which again can cost anywhere from £10-£100 depending on the size and material. If you want to go a step further, professional indoor plant stylists can help you design and install a plant-friendly room, with packages starting at around £150.

Enhance Your Space with Nature-Inspired Art and Patterns

Wall art and patterns are subtle, but impactful ways of bringing together your outdoor-driven design. Nature-themed artwork, including themes like botanical illustrations and landscape photography, brings interest and a framing point for your space. Framed botanical prints are a timeless choice, while wall hangings made from natural fibres or macramé offer texture and depth.

If it is a bolder and more impactful statement you’re looking to make, you could look to curate a mural-style feature wall that depicts scenes from nature, such as vast forests, vibrant meadows or cool mountain scapes.

These themes are particularly effective in bedrooms and cosy nooks, creating an immersion space for the outdoors. For a more understated effect, opt for wallpaper with delicate floral or leaf motifs in muted colours.

You can find framed botanical prints for around £10 to £30 each, while larger mural wallpapers typically cost between £70 and £200 depending on the brand, with framing and mounting your own art adding an additional £20 to £60 per piece.

Professional wallpaper installation costs between £250 and £500 per room, or you could save on labour by installing it yourself for under £100 using paste and wallpaper tools.

Keep It Light with Airy Window Treatments

Window dressings are key elements of creating a space steeped in biophilic design and creating a feel of summer. Heavy curtains will block and reduce the amount of sunlight entering your home, and also lock in heat and reduce airflow, which will make the space stuffy and uncomfortable. Swapping these out for lighter and breathable alternatives will make all the difference. Linen curtains are a great option; they have a beautiful drape and let in plenty of light while maintaining privacy.

Sheer voile panels are another good choice, particularly in living rooms or bedrooms, especially where there is a requirement to diffuse harsh sunlight and keep spaces feeling cool. For a more structured look, bamboo or wooden blinds offer a clean, tailored finish with a warm, earthy vibe.

You can expect to pay between £30 and £100 for a good pair of linen curtains, while bamboo blinds range from £40 to £120 depending on size. Installation by a handyman or curtain fitter typically costs between £50 and £150, depending on the number of windows and any specialist fittings required.

Style with Soft Furnishings for Comfort and Colour

Soft furnishings are another important aspect of interior design to consider, and are one of the easiest ways to update your decor. When it comes to styling for the summer, put a focus on those fabrics that will be the lightest and natural. For this, options like linen, cotton, jute, and wool are all excellent choices that promote breathability and comfort.

For cushions, you should choose earthy tones and botanical patterns, pairing these hues and shades with natural fibres that offer muted pastel colours and neutral shades. For bedding sets, opt for materials like cotton and bamboo fabric as these offer the best moisture-wicking and breathability for staying cool at night.

You can find quality decorative cushions for around £15 to £40 each, and throws range from £25 to £80. A full summer bedding set, including duvet cover, fitted sheet, and pillowcases, will usually cost between £40 and £120. A natural fibre rug, such as jute or sisal, is another great addition and typically costs £70 to £250, depending on size.

Bring Natural Elements into Kitchens and Bathrooms

Even the more practical areas in your home can be steeped in natural styles. For kitchens, some simple wooden shelving, stone worktops and the introduction of ceramic accessories can have a great impact. You can pair this up with the botanical elements by potting small herbs like basil and thyme, which not only reinforces the theme but also adds functional greenery to your space.

For bathrooms, you will want to create a very calm and zen-like atmosphere by utilising materials like bamboo and wood for storage and bath trays. Swap plastic containers for woven baskets, and opt for cotton bath mats and towels in soft neutral tones.

These areas are really cost-effective to improve, and small upgrades like herb planters or kitchen accessories cost as little as £5 to £50, while wooden shelving can cost between £100 and £300 to install. Bathroom items such as bamboo shelves or racks range from £30 to £100, with more substantial fixture updates starting at £150.

Create a Flow Between Indoors and Outdoors

One of the most important ways to enhance the style and decor of your home is to ensure that there is a natural flow between rooms. You can achieve this fairly easily by ensuring that there is a continuous style of layout throughout and colour continuity. Large bifold doors or French doors help open up a room to the garden, making your living space feel larger and more connected to nature.

If you have a conservatory or sunroom, style it with rattan furniture, indoor-outdoor rugs, and plenty of plants to create a tranquil indoor garden retreat. Lighting also plays a key role – string lights, lanterns or solar-powered lamps can add charm and ambience during summer evenings.

Bifold doors typically cost between £2,000 and £5,000, depending on size and material. Outdoor soft furnishings like weather-resistant cushions and rugs range from £30 to £200, while garden furniture sets suitable for indoor-outdoor use can cost between £300 and £1,000.

Try Budget-Friendly DIY Projects

If the creative urge is strong, there are plenty of affordable options that you can do as a DIY project that keep with the biophilic theme. Firstly, pressing and framing flowers is a very cheap and effective way to produce some unique and personalised artwork.

You could also repurpose wood to create simple shelving or picture frames for a real rustic feel. Pallet furniture is a popular option too, allowing you to build benches, tables, or planters for minimal cost.

Limewashing your walls is another project that is becoming very popular as it creates a soft and chalky finish that feels really unique and organic. With a little patience and a few basic tools, you can achieve this look yourself for under £100.

Decorating your home with elements of the outdoors is rewarding and versatile approach that works incredibly well throughout the year, but even more so in the summer. No matter if you’re updating your colour palette, bringing in new textures, adding greenery or maximising natural light, small changes can have a big impact on the mood and feel of your home.

If you’re planning any larger decorating projects, such as installing panelling, hanging wallpaper, or fitting new blinds, consider hiring a local professional to ensure the job is done to a high standard. With www.MyJobQuote.co.uk, it’s easy to compare free quotes from trusted decorators, carpenters, and handymen in your area, so you can bring your summer vision to life with confidence.

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