Photography: Mindi Cooke / Styling: Kylie Jackes
There’s nothing more satisfying than popping your perfectly curated cushions aside, slipping into a fresh set of linen sheets and resting your head on a Goldilocks-worthy pillow. Whether you’re retiring for the night or indulging in an afternoon nap, your bed should represent rest and rejuvenation, calm and comfort.
In summer, your bed should be cool — both literally and figuratively. Summer bedding should help regulate your body temperature, so you can sleep beautifully and avoid waking up in a sweaty mess. And it should inspire you to spend more time there, which is something we all need to do. According to a recent survey of 1200 Australians, more than one-third of people experience sleep problems.
One of the best materials for a good night’s sleep is linen: it’s breathable, helps wick moisture away and is easy to care for. Linen also improves with age (like wine and George Clooney), giving your bedding that crumpled, live-in vintage vibe. Soft bamboo bedsheets are another great option since they have cooling and antimicrobial properties.
Make your bed more inviting with cushions and a throw (or coverlet) in bold prints, nautical and timeless fabrics or simply colours and patterns that remind you of summers gone by. Maybe a more tonal monastic look gives you that holiday feeling. Whatever your aesthetic, these chic summer bedding ideas are sure to inspire your next bedroom upgrade.
Colourful summer bedding ideas
The main bedroom in this weatherboard home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland defies the old adage, ‘blue and green should never be seen’. The two colours meld harmoniously, complemented with sunny pops of blue and yellow on the vintage bedside table.
The bedhead was upholstered in William Yeoward ‘Felix’ fabric in Indigo and the ‘Evelyn’ hand-block print cotton quilt is from Rachel Elizabeth Interiors.
Colour and contrast are also used to great effect in this child’s bedroom in Cape Town, South Africa. “I had such fun playing with pattern and colour in each of my sons’ bedrooms,” says homeowner Laura. “When I found this gorgeous red-and-white gingham, I just knew I had to paint the walls a shade of green.”
Beachy summer bedding ideas
“It’s like having our own little sanctuary to gather our thoughts and embrace the day with a positive mindset,” says owner Ashley of her Brisbane home, which was inspired by previous holidays in Bali with her husband, Chad.
The vacation-retreat vibe is most evident in their dreamy, coastal-style main bedroom — a calm space with a tonal palette and natural materials. The bed and bedding colours were drawn from the Marcia Priestley artwork, ‘Beachcomber’, with linen sourced from Adairs. Look to your own favourite summer holiday destinations for décor inspiration.
The residents of this Gold Coast house, below, must sleep well. Their pared-back main bedroom with its neutral bed linen and romantic canopy is just primed for relaxation. “I was quite happy for the master bedroom to be quite bare, quite minimal,” explains homeowner Cinnamon. “But it almost looked too bare until I added the curtains around the bed frame.” A rendered bedhead provides the perfect spot for Cinnamon’s ceramics.
Hamptons-inspired summer bedding ideas
Interior designer Janette Stritt and husband Alex Stritt, a builder, drew inspiration from the lush palm trees and nearby ocean when creating their dream home in Sydney. “Living by the beach, we are fortunate to be surrounded by the blues of the sea and greens from the coastal shrubs and grasses,” says Janette of the palette she employed in the bedrooms. If the Hamptons aesthetic is your jam, opt for blue and white bedding with a touch of green.
Hamptons-style bedrooms needn’t always be a nautical blue and white. The tones and textures of the kids’ bedrooms in this coastal home evoke summer fun with splashes of green, teal, sandy beige and blush pink.
Its interior designer, Melinda Hartwright, recommends mixing patterns and fabrics — and bedding offers the perfect opportunity to do this. “I usually work a dozen or so fabrics [overall] into a good-sized room,” says Melinda. “Have a nice blend of pattern sizes and beautiful combinations of colours… Go for plainer fabrics on sofas and upholstered items, and play with bolder patterns on cushions and lampshades that can be readily changed.”
Best summer bedding and linen 2024
01
100% French flax linen scalloped European pillowcases in Limoncello & Turmeric, Bed Threads
$140 for two
Add a pop of ‘la dolce vita’ to your bed décor with this delectable set of wavy scalloped cushions in a sunshiny hue.
02
‘Valeria’ vintage softwash cotton sheet set in Oatmeal Melange, Canningvale
From $79.99 (usually $159.99)
Looking for neutral sheets that get softer with every wash? This breathable, vintage-style set is made to last and will boost the calm factor of your boudoir.
03
‘Mira’ linen bedcover in Enzo, Cultiver
$380
If classic coastal is your bag, opt for the timeless Mira drape on your bed during summer, when it’s too warm for a doona.
04
‘Little Tackers’ organic cotton pillowcase, Kip&Co X Ken Done
From $45
This bold print by iconic Australian artist Ken Done is inspired by sailboats on Sydney Harbour — summer in a nutshell.
05
‘Summer Checks’ bundle, Sheridan
From $41.99 (usually $69.99)
Curate your own combo of these bright and preppy cushions and throws from Sheridan for an instant update to your bedroom décor.
06
‘225TC’ vintage stripe king bed sheet set in Duck Egg, Tontine
$77.50 (usually $155)
You can’t go wrong with cotton, a yarn-dyed stripe and a classic Hamptons-worthy colour when treating yourself to new bed linen.
07
‘Hibiscus Coral’ quilted throw, Bonnie and Neil
$399
No one does summer bedding better than Bonnie and Neil. This linen coverlet in a vibrant, stonewashed finish will make your heart sing every morning.
