Earthy Colour Palettes for Late Summer: Clay, Olive and Warm Neutrals

As late summer settles in, the light shifts and softens, and it feels like a perfect time to have a home refresh. It’s the season where interiors and exteriors begin to crave depth, not the heaviness of winter, but something grounded and sun-kissed. Here’s where earthy colour palettes create the perfect late summer hues: clay, olive and warm neutrals.

These tones feel considered and calm, yet full of personality. They’re the colours of terracotta pots warming on a terrace, olive groves under golden skies and linen curtains catching the breeze. The beauty of this palette? It’s endlessly adaptable, whether you’re refreshing a single room mood board or thinking about a larger project.

We’ve been exploring the 2026 interior design trend predictions, including colour forecasts and biophilic design. So, let’s delve into some styling advice and this colour palette in our product library.

Design: Sarah Ellison

Start with Clay as Your Anchor

Clay is rich but muted, and it brings warmth without overpowering a space. Think soft terracotta walls, rust-toned upholstery or even a statement armchair in a baked-earth hue. If committing to paint feels bold, introduce clay through layered textiles like cushions, throws or a textured rug. 

Style the Asiatic Horizon Clay Rug by Unitex, the Easton Arch Table Lamp by GlobeWest, or the Muse Tropea Palm Embroidered Cushion by Pillow Talk for some clay accessories that layer the space.

Design tip: Balance clay with lighter, chalky neutrals to avoid visual heaviness. A warm white, sandy beige or creamy travertine finish will keep the palette feeling breathable and elevated.

Layer in Olive for Depth

Olive green introduces an organic, biophilic quality that connects interiors back to nature, which is a direction we’re continuing to see evolve beyond trend and into timeless design. Olive works beautifully in joinery, tiled splashbacks, feature walls or soft furnishings. As it's a seasonal approach, you could instead style with olive-toned ceramics, artwork or foliage. The key is layering different shades, from muted sage to deeper moss, to create dimension rather than a flat wash of colour.

If you love the late summer look, Beaumont Tiles’ Titan Olive Marble-NP Armour Honed Mosaic is a gorgeous foundation for this palette. For upholstery that can change with the seasons, Tilly Olive by Wortley is a stunning colour.  For a more versatile styling project, Luxo Living’s Halsa Classic Velvet Dining Chairs elevate the palette perfectly.

Design tip: Pair olive with brushed brass, aged bronze or warm timber finishes. The combination feels tactile, rich and inherently inviting.

View Mood Board

View Mood Board

View Mood Board

Warm Neutrals as the Foundation

For warm neutrals, think oatmeal linen sofas, limestone coffee tables, boucle armchairs and honey-toned oak flooring. These elements allow clay and olive to shine while maintaining cohesion across the space.

When designing your mood board, use warm neutrals as your base layer. Start with flooring, large furniture pieces and joinery selections in soft, earthy tones. Then build upward with bolder accents in clay and olive. This layered approach ensures the space feels intentional rather than themed.

Design tip: Introduce texture wherever possible. What about ribbed glass, handmade ceramics, woven rugs, and plaster finishes for your space? Earthy palettes thrive on tactility!

Lighting Sets the Mood

Late summer interiors are all about glow. Opt for warm lighting to enhance the richness of clay and olive tones. Sculptural table lamps such as Mayfield Soren Table Lamp by Lighting Illusions, rattan pendants like Cafe Lighting & Living’s Fortaleza Rattan Pendant or ceramic bases with linen shades like OZ Design’s Bexley Table Lamp will amplify the organic feel.

In mood boards, don’t underestimate the power of layered lighting because it can transform earthy palettes from flat to atmospheric!

Design: The Coastal Retreat 

The Overall Feeling

Clay, olive and warm neutrals aren’t about bold contrast, they’re about harmony. They create spaces that feel relaxed yet refined, contemporary yet connected to nature. As we move toward the change of seasons, this palette offers a gentle transition. It captures the warmth of summer while hinting at the depth to come, grounding your interiors in colour that feels both timeless and beautifully now.

Ready to create a late summer mood board with clay, olive and warm tones? Explore our product library, create a mood board and use Project Studio!