There’s a shift happening in color this season. Some homeowners and designers are moving away from bold, saturated tones and toward something softer, more grounded, and quietly elegant. It’s called sunwashed styling, and if you haven’t seen it yet, you will. From paint colors to fabrics to curated vignettes on bedside tables, sunwashed earth tones are this summer’s palette of choice, and I can see why!
But what exactly makes a color sunwashed? And how can you bring this easy, airy aesthetic into your home without repainting everything or buying all new furniture? Well, as you’re trusted color specialist, I’m here to provide insights and a crash course lesson on sunwashed colors!
Imagine a shade that has been softened gently by time and light. Not faded, but mellowed. A terracotta that looks like it’s spent its days under a Mediterranean sun. A sage green that feels like it belongs in an old farmhouse. A pale blue with just a whisper of sea salt in it. These are far from loud colors; they’re subtle, soothing, natural, and timeless.
To start painting the picture in your mind, think of pastel eggs. Soft peach, creamy off-white, dusty blue, and shell pink, all lightly toned down, as if nature took the brightness out and left just the warmth behind. That’s what sunwashed means. It’s not about trendy tones, but the feeling that tones can create. Calm. Clean. Effortless.
Sunwashed colors aren’t trying to impress, they’re purpose is to soothe. After years of vibrant jewel tones, graphic black-and-white contrasts, and saturated jewel palettes, people are now craving more quiet, relaxed, and therapeutic colors in their spaces. I’ve experienced this trend firsthand with my clients, both in the commercial and residential markets; people are yearning for welcoming, warm, and inviting environments.
Picture a soft sage green bedroom. The room is inviting without being loud. It feels fresh and contemporary, yet also like a snapshot from a summer cottage in Provence. There’s nothing overly styled here. The layers are relaxed. The palette is gentle. The entire room exudes a feeling of peace and tranquility.
This isn’t a trend that demands a full overhaul. In fact, it’s better when it’s built over time. Think tactile, layered, lived-in beauty. Start with a neutral backdrop, such as soft whites, beiges, or creams. These create the perfect canvas for sunwashed tones to stand out gently. Then layer in colors like muted clay, pale sage, washed denim, or sun-faded lavender. These can be incorporated by introducing soft linens, such as throw pillows, curtains, or a painted accent wall. You can also start with painted furniture to set the stage for the room.
Mix in organic, simple materials. Linen, raw wood, woven textures, and unglazed ceramics all bring out the best in sunwashed palettes. I am thinking of soft textures, matte finishes, and low-contrast colors. Look to nature for inspiration, think driftwood, wheat, sea glass, or even the creamy glow of eggshells in morning light. Even something as simple as a single glass vase with a soft white flower in a patch of sunlight can speak volumes.
Remember, sunwashed styling and sunwashed colors are less about things and more about tone. It’s about how light interacts with a space and how your home makes you feel within it.
What I love most about sunwashed colors is how forgiving and flexible they are. They can feel coastal without being beachy. Rustic without being heavy. Modern without being stark. Whether you live in a downtown apartment or a farmhouse on a hill, these tones have a way of adapting to the space and elevating it. They are quiet, gentle, subtle, and ageless!
Sunwashed colors photograph beautifully, which is why you’ll start seeing more of them in design magazines and curated social media feeds. But don’t let that aesthetic perfection keep you from trying it in real life. The beauty of sunwashed tones lies in their ability to embrace imperfection. It’s about the feeling in the room; your color choices are personal, as long as they’re understated and convey a sense of gentility, you’re off to a good start!
This summer, consider shifting your home’s mood, not with loud changes but with a light touch. Let the colors in your space feel kissed by the sun. Let them whisper instead of shout. And let yourself be drawn to pieces that feel calming, natural, and just a little bit weathered in the best way.
