Lifestyle and interior expert Lisa Dawson is renowned for sharing her tips and advice on home, garden and DIY with the glossy magazines and leading brands. Lisa has partnered with us to share her insight on the leading late summer trends around the home and garden.
Late summer Trend 1: Natural Materials
The warm tones and tactile feel of natural materials mean that many of us are incorporating this key trend into our homes this season. The popularity of woven cane, natural wood and bamboo reflect our need to bring nature into our homes, creating rooms that feel connected to the outside world. Natural products such as jute and wool are a key part of this look, adding softness and multiple cosy layers to our spaces. With a strong lean towards sustainable living, incorporating these warm and tactile textures into your home creates a calm and relaxed environment in which to live and work.
Top Tip: The key element of this trend is the flexibility – you can mix the materials and layer up the textiles to create the perfect space.
Late summer Trend 2: Biophilia
The colour green reflects springtime, freshness and hope so it’s no surprise that biophilic design has become a key part of our interiors over the past few years. Described as ‘the passionate love of life and all that is around’, it symbolises our yearning to incorporate nature into our spaces by bringing the outside into our homes. Tones of green sit beautifully alongside natural materials and having plants around us is good for both our health and our wellbeing. Nature is reflected on both fabrics and wallcoverings, including papers and paint, in colours ranging from deep olive through to warm sage.
Top Tip: Plant shelving is excellent for displaying your collection of greenery but you can also add to the look with accessories such as books or ornaments.
Late summer Trend 3: Sustainable Living
With the protection of the environment at the forefront, we have all been trying to reduce our impact on the planet and reduce our carbon footprint. Home grown produce and self sufficiency is becoming more and more popular, from growing your own vegetables through to keeping chickens. Moving towards a more sustainable way of living is key for all and the garden is a good place to start, with greenhouses rising in popularity as even the most amateur gardeners give it a try. Propagating houseplants or adding solar lighting to our outdoor spaces makes the most of resources that we already have whilst benefiting the environment.
Top Tip: Growing herbs is a great place to start for a novice gardener – use miniature chalk labels to keep track of what you’ve got.
Late summer Trend 4: Outdoor Space
Throughout the summer, spending time outdoors in the fresh air is important to us. Whether we have a balcony, patio or garden, creating outdoor rooms that are functional whilst still being comfortable is top of the list. Relaxed seating which can be added to with mixed textiles give a layered look to the space and rugs anchor the area. Outdoor kitchens, including pizza ovens and BBQs, create a fun and social space, whilst a bar trolley is an obligatory party item for those warm summer nights with family and friends. Lanterns and candles promote a welcoming ambience.
Top Tip: Make your outdoor kitchen a sociable space by making it the focus of your entertaining and living area.
Late summer Trend 5: Outdoor Cinema
Socialising at home is the new going out and many of us have been making the most of the space that we have. An outdoor cinema set up is easy to pull together and is the perfect night in for family and friends. Varied seating means there is always space for extra guests and cushions and throws keep it cosy when the nights are chilly. Firepits are a quick fix for added warmth and also anchor the space whilst adding to the ambience. It’s important to get the lighting right too – festoon lighting is flexible and can be hung pretty much anywhere.
Top Tip: Invest in extra seating that you can stack and store away when not in use or even better, that you can use inside as well.
Late summer trends article written by Lisa Dawson
Lisa is an award-winning interior and lifestyle writer, workshop presenter and content creator, who covers key topics and insight across home, garden and DIY.
