How to Create a Summer Retreat at Home

You don’t need a plane ticket to find peace and calm this summer. With a few thoughtful styling updates, your home can become the ultimate summer escape — indoors and out.
Whether you live in the city or countryside, these tips will help you create a serene retreat that evokes long days, soft breezes, and total relaxation.
1. Choose Your Summer Colour Palette
Swap deeper winter hues for calming neutrals — whites, oat, pale sage or soft blue. These lighter tones reflect light and bring a fresh, open feeling to your space. Carry this palette through to your outdoor areas using neutral outdoor cushions, rugs, and soft throws for breezy continuity.

2. Introduce Natural Texture
Woven baskets, rattan trays, and linen cushions add depth and echo the relaxed feel of summer holidays. For your patio or garden lounge, think wicker or teak furniture, jute rugs, and seagrass lanterns to enhance a laid-back, coastal-inspired vibe.

3. Add Soft, Ambient Lighting
Indoors, layer soft table lamps and flickering candles to create a warm glow. Outdoors, use festoon lights, portable lanterns, chimneas and freestanding lamps to turn your terrace or balcony into an atmospheric evening retreat. Lighting is the quickest way to make a space feel inviting after sunset.

4. Style with Botanicals
Bring the outdoors in — and the indoors out. Use faux stems such as white blossom, olive branches or eucalyptus inside to soften corners and add life. Outside, group planters with greenery or potted lavender near seating areas for instant calm.

5. Scent Your Space
Fragrance is the invisible design layer that ties your space together. Our Bergamot Jasmine & Coconut blend combines citrus freshness with creamy warmth — perfect for long, relaxing summer days. Use room sprays, diffusers or candles inside and outside to create a consistent, tranquil atmosphere.

6. Keep It Light and Simple
Declutter surfaces and edit your accessories to keep things feeling open and relaxed. Whether it’s a pared-back coffee table, a styling tray on your outdoor ottoman, or a few thoughtful details on a console, choose accents that spark joy and let them breathe.
Inspired to Restyle?
Whether you’re updating a single room or creating an outdoor sanctuary, we’re here to help. Our Interior Styling & Design Services are tailored to you — from virtual consultations to complete space styling.
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Follow @elmandgrey for styling inspiration