Sun-washed shades are trending, and we’re ready to lean in to the happy hues this summer. “Sun-bleached shades are the color equivalent of a long exhale,” says Kathy Kuo, designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home. “Most people want their homes to feel like a retreat from the world, and these tones create exactly that kind of atmosphere.” Due to their subtle, faded appearance, they can add a more dimensional element to your space, particularly compared to pastels, the designer says. “For anyone who’s historically favored neutral palettes and wants to inject more color in their home, sun-washed shades are a really nice entry point.”

Beyond their approachability, sun-washed colors also add a lived-in element that’s on point with today’s pull toward spaces that feel more authentic than perfectly curated, says Kira Young, founder and principal designer of San Diego–based High Tide Design. “We have been in the world of high contrast for a long time, and finally, spaces that are sun-washed, weather-worn are now being celebrated and wanted,” she explains. “People are gravitating to spaces that feel lived-in, calming, comfortable, and collected rather than stark and stiff.”

What Makes A ‘Sun-Washed’ Shade?

Think of sun-washed shades as vibrant colors that have been toned down. They might have a slightly dusty quality, feel creamier, softer, or less vibrant. These colors draw inspiration from the natural softening of hues often associated with beachy, coastal towns.

While it can naturally happen over time with sun exposure, luckily for us, the popularity of this color family has resulted in a surge of products, paint colors, and more that allow homeowners to put these patinaed hues to work in their own homes—no sun-weathering time required.

These hues can be a fit year-round, but their natural appeal, reminiscent of summers on the coast, is particularly relevant for the warmer summer months. Consider allowing seasonal goods like light throw blankets, bed linens, and pillows to soften your surroundings with a dose of sun-washed appeal.

9 Designer-Approved Ideas for Bringing These Colors Home

Use the following expert-backed advice to incorporate sun-washed hues into your space, whether you’re ready to just dip your toes in or want a full splash.

1. Stick with the Tried and True

Brittney Blanton of B. Blanton Design says relying on a classic color scheme can help bring this color family into your home in a straightforward way. “A simple primary or complementary color scheme can read as highly sophisticated when using different textures, sheens, and mixing patterns,” she says.

2. Consider Light Exposure

Keep light exposure in mind when determining what colors will work best in your space. In rooms with a fair amount of natural light, let these soft colors come to life. “We love to wrap a space in a soft, sagey green and pair it with deep blush tones and blues,” says Blanton.

If you’re working with a space with limited natural light, look to bolder colors like muted mocha or dusty royal blue to carry a punch, the designer suggests. “Paired with antique art and some warm wood vintage finds, this look reads as collected and welcoming.”

3. Make It a Pair

Liz Williams of Atlanta-based Liz Williams Interiors advises letting color pairings take their cues from the great outdoors. “Two of my favorite sun-bleached shades to pair are washed-out blues and faded greens,” she explains. Their versatility and ability to work well together and with others make them a winner for the Georgia designer. “Sun-bleached colors are almost always complementary, so try pairing more than one together in a room for even more interest.”

4. Play with Textiles

“Textiles are my favorite way to incorporate sun-bleached colors,” says Williams. “A neutral room can always benefit from a pop of color, whether it’s a soft blue rug, a terra-cotta pillow, or curtains in a subtle yellow.” The subtle nature of these sun-washed hues makes them versatile enough to work just about anywhere, the designer says, lending interest without requiring a bold punch of color.

5. Consider Your Existing Space

While Libby Baker Speight, founder of Baker Design Co., admits layering any color within an existing palette can be tricky, she says blues tend to be a safer bet because most palettes find them agreeable. When determining if they’ll work, Baker Speight advises bringing swatches into your space to see how they’ll work before committing.

“These tones can quickly look washed out and frequently appear anemic if they don’t have the proper tonal balance against them,” she explains. “One tip would be to bring a sample pillow or a fabric cutting for drapery into your space with your lighting so you can see if it needs to be a touch darker or if the existing hue can handle the environment.”

6. Stick with Fabrics

When in doubt, Baker Speight advises sticking with textiles as an easier way to incorporate these softer shades. “Staying with fabric mediums that lend to a ‘sun-bleached natural look,’ like linens, cottons, and gauzy fabrics, helps ease the color into the sun-bleached theme.”

7. Pull Paint from Undertones

“Sun-bleached paint colors work well in nearly any room, but I particularly love them in smaller spaces like a powder room or entryway, says Kuo. To choose the perfect paint color, the designer recommends pulling undertones from your existing decor.

“If your existing palette runs warm—honey wood tones, cream upholstery, brass accents—reach for a shade with warm undertones like dusty terra-cotta or a butter yellow,” she explains. “If your base palette runs more neutral or cool, faded blues and lavenders will feel like a natural fit.”

8. Go Bold with Furniture

Upholstered pieces are ripe for a color commitment, says Kuo. Consider a splash of apricot to anchor the room, or a sky-blue linen sofa, she says. “The trick is to treat the furniture as a true moment in the room and let everything around it tell a supporting color story.”

9. Experiment with Decor

Kuo often has her clients experiment with smaller decor items when they’re considering a palette or trend before committing to a larger application. “Style a ceramic vase, a lacquered box, and a sculptural object in a mix of sun-washed colors on a bookshelf or coffee table,” she says. “Pair them with one or two textural elements that bring character and depth to the vignette, like a woven rattan tray or an antique stoneware vessel that’s developed a rich patina over time.”

Sun-Washed Hues are Summer’s Biggest Color Trend – Here’s How to Pick The Right Ones for You by Patricia Shannon | Better Homes & Gardens