Here's how to introduce green elements in rooms to elevate your home decor for a cool summer

Home decor ideas: Placing your furniture away from direct sunlight and near windows can also help maintain a cooler atmosphere, say experts (Image: Alkove-Design)

As we enter the summer, infuse your living space with the freshness and tranquility of nature. This year, the trend that's sweeping through interior design circles is incorporating green decor. From verdant foliage to soothing hues, incorporating green elements into your home can not only evoke a sense of coolness but also elevate the ambiance to new heights.

To make your house greener, it’s important to add elements that enhance both aesthetics and environmental consciousness. Indoor plantsare a great way to start. Komal Mittal and Ninada Kashyap, Principal Architects and Co-founders of Alkove-Design, point out a few details. The interior experts recommend, “Green elements not only improve indoor air quality, but also bring a refreshing touch of nature into any space. Opting for decor crafted from eco-friendly materials like bamboo or reclaimed wood adds an earthy vibe, while light-coloured walls and fabrics, paired with natural prints, bring a sense of freshness to homes. Artworks also play a significant role in evoking calmness and enhancing visual appeal. Lastly, prioritising energy-efficient lighting and cooling options not only reduces energy consumption but also helps cut down on utility bills.”

The key to achieving a green and cool decor for summer 2024 lies in embracing nature-inspired elements, mixing textures, and playing with soothing colour palettes. By incorporating sustainable materials, living greenery, and plenty of natural light, you can create a refreshing retreat that's both stylish and environmentally conscious. Ensuring your home’s decor matches the season is essential for creating a comfortable living space, especially during the hot summer months when staying cool is a priority.

One effective approach is to choose lightweight and breathable fabrics like cotton and linen for curtains, upholstery, and bedding, mention Komal and Ninada. “Placing your furniture away from direct sunlight and near windows can also help maintain a cooler atmosphere. It’s important not to block windows to allow for ventilation and airflow throughout the home. Installing window shades can effectively block out harsh sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Additionally, adding bamboo or rattan furniture, along with a selection of indoor plants, not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also helps maintain humidity levels, contributing to a more comfortable atmosphere overall,” the duo suggest.

Whether it's a mural depicting a dense forest or a large-scale print of tropical leaves, botanical motifs are dominating the design scene this summer. Opt for wallpaper, artwork, or even fabric prints to bring the outdoors in and make a bold statement in any room. Incorporate a variety of textures inspired by nature to add depth and visual interest to your space.

Houseplants are a timeless addition to any decor scheme, and they're especially fitting for summer 2024. Embrace the biophilic design trend by filling your home with a variety of plants, from towering palms to cascading ivy. Not only do plants purify the air and promote a sense of well-being, but they also add a touch of natural beauty to every room.