Summer 2025 is shaking up style and home design with a clear shift toward personality, comfort, and elegance. From the textures that fill our living rooms to the denim shaping our wardrobes, the trends this season reveal a fascinating move away from the overly polished toward spaces and outfits that feel lived-in, expressive, and effortlessly chic.
In home interiors, designers are noticing a refreshing departure from the pursuit of perfection. Instead, clients crave spaces that tell stories and embrace the beauty of imperfection. As Julia Cancilla, engagement editor at ELLE Decor, observes, “Walk into homes this summer and you’ll notice they feel like someone actually lives there.” The linens are wrinkled, vintage glasses don’t match, and outdoor furniture is chosen for durability rather than just looks.
Natural materials are at the heart of this trend. The woven revolution, extending well beyond the typical rattan revival, is sweeping through interior spaces. Shea McGee of Studio McGee enthuses, “I’m always going to say yes to woven accents. Whether it’s a rattan light fixture or a vintage cane chair, those natural materials add so much texture and warmth. They give a little nod to coastal style without being too literal.” Susan Petrie and Clive Lonstein also highlight the rise of matchstick shades, which not only soften sunlight with a warm glow but add a natural texture that evokes a beach-like feel.
Meanwhile, after years of minimalist restraint, intentional drama is making a comeback. Keren Richter, co-founder of White Arrow, notes a gravitation toward contrast in color and style, incorporating decorative elements like tassels, swags, and a touch of 1930s Old Hollywood glamour. The Brownstone Boys, Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon, describe maximalism as having a renaissance, with clients layering patterns, embracing rich jewel tones, and filling rooms with art, books, and textiles that tell a story.
The color palette for summer 2025 is earthy and optimistic, featuring sun-washed tones like soft clays, warm sands, sage greens, and terracotta. Jamie Drake is working with woven and painted wall coverings in shades of blue, aqua, and straw, while the Brownstone Boys incorporate terracotta, mossy greens, vintage linens, and corded velvets. Amy McCoy sees a trend toward pastel color drenching, a simple way to refresh spaces with warmth and calm.
Outdoor living is receiving equal design attention. Autumn Pochiro champions outdoor bars with herb gardens—imagine basil, rosemary, and mint growing alongside a stocked bar cart, perfect for summer cocktails. Her designs include bold sectional seating, vibrant colors, cordless lighting, and fire elements. Laura Sotelo of Olive Ateliers takes a romantic approach, blending softness with sculptural wrought iron furniture and textured cushions to create garden spaces meant to be savored.
Effortless entertaining is another key focus. Melissa Lee of Bespoke Only highlights the “art of effortless hosting,” where rumpled linens, mismatched glasses, and lived-in tables create welcoming, low-maintenance environments. Jamie Drake responds by designing massive upholstered sofas, deep mattress-like window seats loaded with bolsters and pillows, and flexible dining tables that can accommodate from intimate dinners of four to large gatherings of 24.
On the fashion front, denim is undergoing a notable transformation. The baggy jeans that dominated recent years are losing their grip as summer 2025 favors more polished and elevated styles. Anna, a senior fashion editor at Who What Wear, points to a range of denim trends that blend classic silhouettes with fresh updates.
Bermuda shorts are making a strong comeback, especially in long, knee-grazing lengths. Rather than casual pairings, fashion insiders style them with ballet flats or kitten heels for a sophisticated look. Cropped flare jeans, once considered outdated, are suddenly hot again. This revival is epitomized by Bella Hadid’s Cannes appearance in all-white cropped flares styled with slingback pumps, signaling a crossover of kick-flare trousers into denim collections.
Drawstring denim is another rising star, offering an easy, unfussy alternative that balances casual and polished vibes. For those who want a summer staple, loose white jeans have been rebooted with baggier, trouser-inspired fits. These roomy shapes are often styled in monochrome white outfits accented with black accessories, embodying a fresh, elegant take on a timeless classic.
Dark rinse jeans, usually reserved for cooler seasons, are also trending in summer 2025. Their deep indigo hues and clean, straight-leg or trouser-inspired cuts align perfectly with the season’s polished mood. Finally, denim mini skirts are returning to the spotlight, bringing back early 2000s nostalgia and contrasting with the denim maxis that dominated recent years.
Together, these home and fashion trends paint a picture of summer 2025 as a season of thoughtful contrasts: spaces and styles that balance warmth with sophistication, comfort with drama, and timelessness with bold new expressions. Whether it’s the textured warmth of natural materials or the sleek lines of a cropped flare jean, the message is clear—this summer, personality and ease reign supreme.
