From sun-kissed afternoons by the beach to breezy mornings at the cottage, summer colour palettes capture a full spectrum of moods and emotions.

Whether you're drawn to bold, vibrant hues or prefer soft, calming tones, building a summer-inspired palette can bring fresh seasonal energy to your brand.

The Two Sides of the Summer Colour Spectrum

Summer colours typically fall into two categories:

1. The Electric Heat of the Summer

Think yellows, corals, tropical blues, hot pinks and vibrant greens. These shades reflect the high-energy, sun-kissed buzz of the season– like the kind of summer spent poolside sipping fruity drinks and slathered in sunscreen.

2. The Calm of Long Summer Days and Sunset Evenings

On the other hand, summer colours can also be cool-toned and muted, like dusty blues, sage greens and soft pinks mixed with sandy tones. These palettes feel like golden hour at the lake, peaceful morning walks and serene evenings relaxing on the porch.

How to Choose the Right Summer Palette For You

Your brand personality should guide your palette choices.

For example:

Energetic, bold, dynamic = go vibrant and warm.
Sophisticated, soft, minimalist = opt for muted and cool.

When choosing your colours, it’s also important to consider your audience’s geography and lifestyle. Summer can look and feel different depending on where your audience lives—what feels tropical and vibrant in one region might feel out of place in another. Everyone has their own associations with the season, and these palettes tend to resonate especially well with Millennial and Gen Z audiences who value aesthetic expression and seasonal storytelling.

Still unsure if your brand suits the summer aesthetic? Here are a few brand archetypes that pair well with summer-inspired palettes:

The Caregiver: nurturing and supportive
The Sage: wise and thoughtful
The Innocent: optimistic, peaceful and idealistic

Need help visualizing? Here are our favourite summer palettes.

Palette #1: Lakeshore Drift

Perfect For:

Sustainable goods (eco-friendly, slow fashion, biodegradable packaging)
Outdoors brands (hiking and camping gear, fishing, hunting equipment)
Wellness brands & service providers (naturopaths, nutritionists, herbalists)
Outdoor maintenance services (landscaping, arborists, lawn services)

Keywords: Eco-friendly, organic, rooted, deep, calming

Summer Type: 1

Colours:

Meadow Sage #a3a347
Deep Pine #172211
Dock Boards #c4b3b1
Lake Moss #5b6d30

Palette #2: Golden Hour Haze

Perfect For:

Skincare (sunblocks, sun oils, serums, soaps)
Wedding & lifestyle brands (photographers, event planners, florists)
Desserts (gelato and ice cream shops, boutique bakeries, cafes)

Keywords: Soft, feminine, warm, youthful

Summer Type: 1

Colours:

Sunset Apricot #e7917c
Honey Glow #f4c376
Blush Embers #f7d2b8
Daybreak Rays #fff2c2

Palette #3: Tropical Sky

Perfect For:

Beach accessories (swimwear, beach accessories, beach towels/blankets)
Beverage brands & smoothie bars (mobile drink carts, juice brands, canned cocktails, spritzers)
Yoga studios (logos, studio design, merchandise)

Keywords: Tropical, vibrant, energetic, refreshing, bright, fun

Summer Type: 1

Colours:

Golden Papaya #c5a324
Olive Palm #666d24
Mossy Green #373f1e
Island Breeze #abcfd8

Palette # 4: Botanical Rush

Perfect For:

Gardening / floral-based brands (farmers' markets, botanical skincare)
Stationery & print brands
Event planners
Artisan tea brands

Keywords: Energetic, vibrant, hot (heat), electric, joyful

Summer Type: 1

Colours:

Mossy Stem #2b3014
Tulip Blush #f1cbca
Wild Orchid #d9426a
Daisy Dust #f0e5d2

Palette #5: Moonlight Meadow

Perfect For:

Home goods & decor (fabrics/window treatments, ceramics, vintage shops, coastal boutiques)
Retreats & luxury boutique hotels (countryside, beach-side, eco-focused boutiques and wellness retreats)
Creative studios & stationery brands (designers, photographers, illustrators)

Keywords: Organic, warm, vintage, calming, earthy

Summer Type: 2

Colours:

Harvest Ochre #d3b86b
Misty Sage #d4dacc
Clay Petal #ede6d9
Sunwashed Linen #f3efe6
Stone Sage #c2c1a5

Palette #6: Driftwood Tide

Perfect For:

Coastal home goods shops
Bath, soap & candle brands
Therapy & coaching services

Keywords: Reliable, trustworthy, calm, serene, comforting, earthy

Summer Type: 2

Colours:

Whispering Shore #e0d7ce
Sailor’s Horizon #4a7683
Dream Drift #aec8d5
Mossy Earth #3f3914

Palette #7: Sweetest Sunset

Perfect For:

Creatives (designers, writers, copyeditors, illustrators)
Coaches & speakers
Feminine wellness brands (menstrual care, fertility/cycle apps)

Keywords: Whimsical, feminine, youthful, bright

Summer Type: 2

Colours:

Sunkissed Coral #faa7b9
Palm Tree Bark #3c3415
Coastal Clay #d1aaa9
Coconut Cream #f9f1f0
Seashell Peach #f5dedd
Cotton Candy Sky #ebc1ec

Palette #8: Cabin Nights

Perfect For:

Menswear & accessories
Coffee roasters & cafes
Boutique Cabin rentals

Keywords: Organic, luxurious, calm, dependable, modern

Summer Type: 2

Colours:

Autumn Sand #a98c72
Midnight #211908
Morning Fog #b1bbb9
Olivewood #574b21

✿ Written By Tori Warkentin

Hey there! I’m Tori, the in-house writer at Cedar + Mint Co.! With a deep love for words and a passion for storytelling, I specialize in crafting engaging, insightful content that resonates with readers.

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