Rethinking Brown for Summer Interiors

Brown fabrics for summer? we hear you question. Surely that’s an autumnal and fall colour that suits a space when the sun goes down and the nights draw in? Well, I’m here to tell you that the interior designers are all over brown - in its many flattering guises - for modern summer interiors. 

‘From warm beiges and terracotta to soft clay and sand hues, these tones are inherently calming and, when paired with carefully chosen textures, they have the power to transform a neutral palette into a warm and personal space,’ says interior designer Claire Garner, founder of Claire Garner Design Studio.

The truth is that chic brown fabrics feel fresh and sensational when applied to classic and contemporary interiors. Minimal and maximal patterns (the woodland style Babette in Nutmeg shown above), grounding plains, light-to-the-touch and breathable textures are well worth considering for your next project or to update an existing pared-back palette when the temperatures rise. 

Read on for design secrets and interiors’ inspiration that prove the point that the brown collection is the one to hover over for a keep-it-cool refresh.

Why Brown Belongs in Summer

There’s a common misconception that the colour brown is ‘too dark’ for summer, but head to the milk-browns, yellow-browns and grey-browns for a hot-season room scheme that echoes Mother Nature’s reference points and you’re on to a winner. Close your eyes and imagine the honeyed sand and seaworn driftwood inspired by days at the beach; the beautiful bark patinas of Silver Birch that soothe the mind on gentle woodland walks; or the ‘on trend’ flower favourites from RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, including Sambucus ‘Milk Chocolate’ and Iris sibirica ‘Paprikash’. All of these can be used as jumping off points for a decorating mood board that feels exciting and successful.

But how to get started? Ask an interior designer and they’ll tell you that there are certain design rules that come with brown fabrics in a sunny times context. Firstly, choose a base palette that is light and in keeping with sun-filled days: pure white, warm white, creamy yellow are good starters for walls and floors. Onto this backdrop, you can overlay with pattern and texture for depth and highlight.

Claire Garner advises that layering is key: ‘By combining materials like textured linens, raw woods, natural stone and woven accents, you can create a tactile, multi-dimensional space. It’s about letting each texture complement the other while keeping the overall palette cohesive.’

Choosing the Right Shade of Brown  

There are certain brown fabric tones that are currently in vogue. These are the ones to seek out for a chic and elegant interpretation of the summer brown colour thinking…

Taupe is a blend of brown and grey. It's a neutral that arrived on the decorating scene a little while back and is still here thanks to its highly flexible DNA. Widely used as a foundation colour, it can be used on walls, floors and soft furnishings and, in reality, never feels out of season.

Tan with its reddish/orange hint – often associated with tanned leather – is hot on the design scene, especially on clean-lined furniture shapes. It can feel retro or classic, depending on your interpretation.

Caramel has a rich and burnt yellow disposition that evokes sweetness and pleasure. It brings a golden glow into decor schemes and is a fail-safe colour to use at windows as it draws the quality of sunshine from the outside to the inside. Blythe in Raffia, on Roman blinds or curtains (shown above) is a good example of this harmonious decorators’ trick.

Mocha is associated with the barista bar blend of chocolate and coffee beans. It has a soothing and reassuring aura and is a spot on summer choice in a stripe, large check or small scale pattern. Use it to paint shelves or alcoves in a functional white bathroom or kitchen.  

Dark chocolate Think of the high percentage cocoa content of your favourite treat and you’re on the right track. Deep and intense in mood, it feels rarefied and luxe but the less is more approach applies for summer. More white than mocha is the formula to adopt. It works well as a contrasting border on natural or white curtains.

As the natural world testifies, the versatility of  brown is that it coordinates perfectly with dusky pink, delicate lilac, sage green and sky blue. A good decorators’ trick is to seek out patterned fabrics and wallpapers that combine these pairings in the design and then use that as inspiration for a room refresh. Dimity in Fudge, for instance, combines fudge brown with a cute pink in bands, dots and dashes and Ruffled in Kew mixes a soft earthy brown with a vibrant green within a flowing ribbon pattern. From these prints, all you need to do is echo their intrinsic colours in other areas of the space for cohesiveness.

If you’re using a neutral brown as your backdrop, Claire Garner encourages adding small pops of colour to keep the space alive. ‘Introduce colour in a way that feels organic, whether it’s a deep green from a plant, a muted terracotta vase or a soft burnt orange cushion,’ she says. ‘These small accents will bring the space to life without overpowering the atmosphere. The key is to choose hues that blend seamlessly with your base palette, creating a comforting, authentic space.’

Where to Use Brown Accents in a Summer Interior

Choosing lighter weights and breathable fabrics is a savvy way to avoid brown becoming overbearing. Linens and cottons are go-to materials for summer settings, as they look and feel simple and inherently cooling. Don’t feel afraid, though, to add subtle texture in the form of a nubbly boucle, a high-shine silk, a fine chenille or a quality polyester velvet.
Here are the fail-safe brown fabric destinations for a light-filled next project…

Soft Furnishings

Rejuvenating occasional chairs with a light brown loose cover makes sense whatever the season. In summer, it will feel breezy; in winter, cosseting. Look at the warm browns, such as the stain-resistant polyester velvet Omega in Fawn (shown above) with a little hint of orange. Or Collodi in Latte, a linen with a discenable weave and highly durable. For personality, dress the seat with scatter cushions, in free flowing patterns, such as Big Top, plus a cool-to-the-touch cotton throw.

Curtains and Blinds

Neutral brown sheers at windows can soften a room without blocking light. I love a tumbled linen and unlined drape that lets the sunshine through but gives you privacy, such as Marietta in Linen (shown above). You can double up with a heavier weight curtain to frame the window, perhaps with a trimmed or tasselled edge. Alternatively, a Relaxed blind (similar to a Roman blind except that the centre of the blind gently swags) filters light perfectly at kitchen and garden room windows.

Upholstery

Taking the leap and reupholstering in a punchy brown printed fabric can pay off big time if you have a piece of furniture that you love and can’t bear to part with. Consider the confident decorative stripe Ruched in Soot (shown) or a graphic basketweave, like Trapeze Lombok, for upholstered sofas or armchairs that will shout with style. If you’re taking this direction, it's wise to keep walls plain and simple for a contemporary and uncluttered atmosphere.

Walls and Trims

Walls covered with pictorial and narrative designs (Queensbury shown) in aged and weathered brown hues will instantly glow up a small summer space, such as cloakroom or home office. Keep it fresh, with painted door trims, dados and wall panelling in a creamy vanilla or pure white finish. Other surfaces should be kept crisp and reflective for contrast.

Linwood’s Best Browns for Summer

For high-season verve, here is my pick from Linwood’s brown fabric collection…

Dimity in Biscuit A biscuit brown and cool blue design makes this printed 100% linen stripe pop with coastal interest. Works well on curtains.

Stresa in Camel (shown above) This yellowish-brown classy chenille, reminiscent of the desert, is a hard wearing woven plain that includes recycled materials and is a go-to for upholstery.

Westray in Peanut A classic graphic weave of 70% cotton and 30% wool has a fresh and graphic vibe thanks to its nutty colourway. A clever choice for large, upholstered pieces as you get pattern, texture and colour all in one.

Romney in Dove This super-soft brown fabric is made from 100% British wool fleece and highly recommended for upholstery. It oozes with simple sophistication, refined taste and, most importantly, effortless style.