7 Summer Interior Design Trends We're Loving in 2025
Brookline Homes • July 31, 2025

This summer is shaping up to be a season of bold expression, warm textures, and deep connections with nature. Homeowners are leaning into comfort  and personality to create spaces that feel both curated and lived-in.

Neutral colors and natural materials in the great room

If you’re building a new home or planning your interiors this season, here are the trends that are making waves—plus simple ways to bring them into your space.


Natural Materials


The woven revolution is in full swing. Designers and homeowners alike are embracing the tactility and warmth of organic materials. Think cane, jute, seagrass, and wicker. Whether used in light fixtures, accent chairs, or wall  décor, these materials lend a relaxed, grounded feel that’s perfect for summer.


How to bring it home:


  • Add a rattan pendant light over your dining table or kitchen island.
  • Choose a jute area rug for a casual, coastal texture underfoot.
  • Swap out a traditional coffee table for a woven ottoman or seagrass piece.


Maximalism with Meaning


After the serene decades-long reign of minimalism, interiors are starting to crave a bit of drama. But this isn't about clutter; it’s about storytelling. Pattern-on-pattern layering, rich jewel tones, and expressive vignettes filled with art, books, and textiles are giving rooms renewed energy. In 2025, maximalism is thoughtful, curated, and deeply personal.

How to bring it home:


  • Mix and match patterned throw pillows on your sofa or bed.
  • Create a gallery wall using personal photos, prints, and collected art.
  • Use open shelving to display favorite books, travel mementos, or meaningful objects.


Earthy, Optimistic Color Palettes


This summer’s color story is rooted in the earth–and it’s anything but dull. From dusty rose to sun-faded sage, the tones feel bright and optimistic.

How to bring it home:


  • Paint a feature wall in a warm clay or peach tone.
  • Choose pastel-colored upholstery for accent chairs or ottomans.
  • Use terracotta planters or vases to add texture and color in small doses.

Choose Furniture That Fits Your Life


When it comes to furniture, think function first—then layer in style.


  • If your family’s big on movie nights, skip the formal setup and opt for a plush sectional and oversized ottoman.
  • If you rarely host dinners, turn that unused dining room into a creative space, library, or playroom.
  • Choose pieces that are versatile and grow with your needs.


Pro Tip:  Don’t rush to furnish your entire home right away. Invest in the foundational pieces (like beds, a sofa, dining table), and let the rest come together over time. It keeps your space authentic—and helps you avoid impulse buys.


Dress Your Walls with Meaningful Decor


If furniture is the foundation, decor is the soul. This is where your personal story really shines.


  • Mix high and low. Heirlooms next to a $40 Target print? Perfect.
  • Frame your kids’ artwork, vacation photos, or handwritten family recipes.
  • Use open shelving, mantels, and coffee tables to display items that reflect your interests—books, travel mementos, collections.

Pro Tip: Think in layers—vary heights, textures, and materials for a curated, lived-in feel.


Extend Your Style Outdoors


Don’t forget to personalize your outdoor living areas. They’re an extension of your home, and often your guests' first impression.


  • Create distinct zones, like a cozy seating nook, a dining area, or even a small garden.
  • Invest in comfy seating and weather-resistant decor that makes you want to be outside.
  • Start simple when it comes to landscaping, with container plants or raised beds. Even a few well-placed planters can bring life to a patio or front porch.


Pro Tip: Take cues from your neighborhood. What plants are thriving nearby? What design ideas can you borrow (and make your own)?


Take Your Time—and Enjoy the Process


The desire to “finish” your home right away is natural—but personalization is best done in stages. Take your time. Live in your space. Let your home evolve with you.


  • Focus first on function: beds, sofas, storage.
  • Then layer in color, texture, art, and personality.
  • Don’t stress about perfection—creating a home you love is a journey, not a checklist.


Personalizing a new home is your chance to shape the backdrop of your life. Whether it’s a bold light fixture, a cozy reading nook, or a gallery wall that tells your story, the little details add up to something big: a space that is unmistakably yours.

Picture of the Brookline Homes home office in Charlotte, NC
December 29, 2025
As we close out 2025 and look ahead to a new year, I’ve found myself reflecting on what it means to build. And when I’m talking about “build”, I’m talking about more than how or where or when we build homes – I’m talking about how and where and when we build connection, care, and trust. This year has reminded me that leadership, like homebuilding, is a deeply human opportunity. At Brookline, we’ve always said that no one cares what you know until they know that you care. That philosophy has guided us through 2025, shaping not only how we show up for our buyers, but how we show up for one another. Our team has evolved in all the best ways. We’ve become more collaborative, more transparent, and more connected – across sales, field, office, and leadership – than ever before. It’s not always easy work, but it’s work that matters and makes a difference. And it’s the kind of work that reminds me every day why I love what I do: helping people find and feel at home. One of the greatest affirmations I received this year came from a homeowner who told me this: “When I realized the president was a woman, I thought, thank goodness – she’ll understand . ” That moment stopped me in my tracks. Because she’s right. I do understand. I understand what it means to want a space that feels like you; to care about every detail, from the warm sunlight that pours through the windows to the way a kitchen fits your family’s rhythm in the morning rush or as you all sit down to dinner together. I understand that home is emotional, not transactional. I’m proud that our homes, and our Brookline Homes team reflect that level of care. As we get excited for 2026, I’m filled with gratitude for the team that makes Brookline what it is today. They’re funny, they’re dedicated, they’re heart-forward people who bring joy to the work. They’re the reason I love what I do. The laughter in our meetings lately has been contagious, which is a sign to me that our culture and company feels more like a community than ever. And as we carry that spirit forward, I’m thrilled to share something new on the horizon: Bliss Custom Construction, our newest sister company and a 100% female-owned venture. Bliss Custom Construction will allow us to bring Brookline’s trusted and loved floor plans, craftsmanship, and heart to homeowners who want to build on their own lot. It’s an opportunity to extend what we do best, which is to make homebuilding feel joyful, transparent, and deeply personal – to an even broader community within Charlotte and Gastonia – and beyond. Bliss – which is also my last name – means happiness, harmony, and the feeling you get when things finally fall into place. That’s the energy I’m taking into 2026. I want this to be a year of continued growth, new beginnings, and many more families finding their version of home. To our homeowners, trade partners, and community: thank you for your trust, your feedback, and your partnership. We wouldn’t be here without you. Here’s to a new year filled with gratitude, growth, and a little bit of bliss. With my appreciation, Andi Dirkschneider Bliss President, Brookline Homes
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