3 Summer Color Palettes To Make You Smile

Many of us wait all year long for summer. It’s hard to resist days spent in the sun having fun at the beach, at the lake, or camping. After months spent cooped up at home juggling work, health concerns, family life and more, the joys of summer offer a host of color palettes bright, cheerful and nostalgic enough to make us smile through even the most trying of times. Right now, we’re all about bringing a dose of playfulness and joy into your home via design. Try these summer color palettes for a little sunny inspiration.

Some things are synonymous with summer — amusement park roller coasters, county fairs, beach boardwalks and of course, rides on big ferris wheels. With its candy-hued cars, this dose of summer is giving us a sugar high. In fact, these light-hearted bright pops of color remind us of the swinging Mid-century Modern colors of Palm Springs.

While international travel might be off the table for many, we can still daydream of distant lands and far away places — and design with them as inspiration. What would it be like to stroll through stone alleyways in old cities, or markets with the smell of local spices wafting through the air? We’re taking a cue from the blue tones of Morocco's city of Chefchaouen and its antique buildings and cobbled streets, which inspires this color palette. Blue is one of the biggest trends for this year, noted by Elle Decor magazine. Dunn-Edwards’ own color expert Sara McLean has noted people are turning to the grounding colors of nature — think greens, browns and blues — for soothing design during this time of upheaval.

This last color palette is inspired by days at the lake or on the banks of the river. With sunlight beaming on every plant in sight, it transforms shades of green into hues of yellow and chartreuse. The color yellow is, of late, notably associated with Gen Z. And when it comes to emotional responses from this tone, yellow is also tied deeply to feelings of happiness and sunshine. This sunny palette makes us smile and yearn for picnics, parks, and living in the shade of a sunlit tree.

For another look at colors that are trending during this unprecedented time, check out our guide to colors that promote calm and those that promote productivity here. Want to try on some colors before committing? Our InstaColor® app can help you visualize colors in your space without ever having to dirty a paintbrush.