Effortless Summer Styling: 5 Ways to Lighten Up Your Home with a Refined California Casual Look

May 20, 2025

As summer arrives, it’s the perfect time to refresh your home with a relaxed and refined aesthetic. If you’re looking to update your home for the season, our signature Refined California Casual interior design style offers the perfect blend of California living and understated sophistication. Light, natural, and effortlessly stylish, this look is ideal for creating a home that feels like a summer escape.

  1. Swap Out Heavy Fabrics for Lightweight Materials

One of the easiest ways to transition your home for summer is by replacing heavy, winter textiles with breathable fabrics. Swap out thick wool throws, velvet cushions, or dark drapery for light, airy materials like linen, cotton, or muslin. These fabrics allow for better airflow and reflect the season’s relaxed, effortless vibe.

Choose neutral tones in linen and layer different textures to keep your space feeling fresh and cohesive.

  1. Embrace a Neutral Summer Color Palette

The California casual style is rooted in soft, natural colors that reflect the surrounding landscape. For summer, embrace shades like ivory, sand, oatmeal, and stone. These neutral tones not only brighten your space but also serve as the perfect backdrop for layering organic textures and subtle decor.

  1. Bring the Outdoors In with Seasonal Greenery

Nothing says summer like fresh greenery. Ditch the traditional flower arrangements and bring in loose, sculptural stems for a more modern, organic touch. Think olive branches, eucalyptus, monstera leaves, or even tall grasses in ceramic or terracotta vases. Seasonal greenery breathes life into a space and keeps your interiors connected to nature.

Use oversized clippings for drama, and keep arrangements asymmetrical and relaxed to match the Refined California Casual aesthetic.

  1. Incorporate Natural Accents and Textures

Refined California Casual interiors thrive on natural materials like wood, rattan, jute, and linen. Introduce woven baskets, wood trays, or hand-thrown pottery to create texture and warmth without visual heaviness. These pieces help soften the look of any room while staying true to the breezy, unfussy nature of summer.

5. Incorporate Natural Accents and Textures

Lighting and scent play a major role in how a space feels. Switch out warm-toned light bulbs for soft, natural white lighting that mimics summer daylight. Add candles or diffusers with seasonal scents like citrus, sea salt, or fig to give your home a fresh summer ambiance.

Layer lighting with table lamps, sconces, and candles for a soft, inviting glow in the evenings.

RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN BASED IN VALENCIA, CA

25030 Ave Tibbitts Unit M, Valencia, CA 91355 RebeccaRollinsInteriors@gmail.com
310.467.1808