Tips for how to refresh your living room this summer

The living room hosts the most conversations—their design dialogues too speak for overall aesthetic of the house, extending an invitation for the seasonal styles to come make a statement. The summer of 2024 calls for something between sustainability of the past and quiet luxury trends of the present—an eco chic style that has a refined take on natural elements.

Interior designer Punam Kalra Creative Director of I’m the Centre for applied Arts says Linear furniture pieces like sectional sofas and tuxedos can keep up with that refinery and be staged in the liveliest part of the living, perhaps in the centre, while the futons and recaimers can be tucked in some quite corner besides the window to create a recreational hideout. The statement pieces can be paired with footrests, poufs or a bunch of throws to become a seating space that our tired torso can sink into. In the upholstery, the breathable fabrics like linen, cotton and chambray are found ideal, befitting the sunbathed spaces and creating a lasting sense of comfort.

The newfound love for rattan can be celebrated by introducing it in the panels of the consoles or the tabletops of the coffee tables to give a touch of character to the space. A similar, millennial-modern aesthetic can be brought by playing with different textures of wood—fluted wood in the feature walls, planks in the floors, slits in the partitions and other sophisticated yet cozy adaptations are sure to be a summer favourite for everyone.

The summer readiness of the living room can be summarized with the leafy elements—as fresh greens sitting in the ceramic or terracotta planters or as foliage patterns in the wallpapers or artworks. The green character can also come in with its hue, as sage, moss or olive whose tints are traced back to the nature. While the neutrals like walnut, tan, parchment and taupe voice out both eco and chic in their looks, the exotic colours too stand a chance—try a peachy pink on a wall niche or a rusty orange on a floor carpet to hold onto to the love of colours while holding on to the chic balance.
As a space, the living can host simpler furnishings with finer finishes and subtler colour experiments to set the tone for a peaceful abode all season round.

The author is the Creative Director of I’m the Centre for applied Arts.