Why "Guava Girl Summer" Is the JUICY Interior Trend Taking Over Right Now

Juicy, fruit-forward scents are dominating summer trend forecasts, with guava leading the charge. According to Spate, guava fragrance searches are up 1,000 percent year-over-year, and, as design editors, we're not only thinking of ways to incorporate the scent into our spaces (that's easy to do!), but also how to incorporate the color of the fruit's flesh into our homes. This is perhaps less intuitive, as decorating with pink or any other candy-colored hue requires a more thoughtful and intentional approach, as it can quickly feel chaotic when not done correctly.

"Guava is a color that, while on trend, has to be combined with the right colors to avoid going from 'elevated' to 'cheap.' For example, you don’t want to combine it with a dark blue that is overly saturated or a neon pink that can make a space look tacky," says designer Susan Petrie. "[The color] pairs beautifully with shades of orange, peach, green, and pinky purples. It's undoubtedly a happy color, and will play nicely with happy patterns and energetic spaces," says Lina Galvao, founder of Curated Nest Interiors.

While the optimistic shade isn't "new" in the design world, how we think of incorporating it into our homes in 2025 and beyond can be approached with fresh eyes. Even better, it's a welcome break from the beige aesthetic that has ruled our homes for the last decade. "Guava tones became popular in the 1970s during the Postmodernism movement, when people moved away from the strict, minimal look of Modernism and started embracing more playful, expressive styles," says designer Kristen Wolff of Brandon Architects. "Today, we’re seeing a similar shift. After years of neutral, all-white spaces, people want more personality and warmth in their homes. Guava is soft but vibrant, and it brings just the right amount of color to make a space feel fresh, fun, and more personal." If you like the sound of this, read on for all the ways to give your home the guava treatment.

Make a Statement

If you've decided to embrace the guava shade in full force, why not make a bold statement with the color in your home? Try painting your walls and coordinating your furniture in the same palette for maximum visual impact. "Tropical fruit colors bring a vibrant and joyful feel into a space that feels both refreshing and comforting," says Emily Polak, interior designer, with Hyphen & Co. "As minimalist design fades, more people are craving those warm pops of color that give a space personality."

This room feels welcoming and cheerful, thanks to pops of gold and brown that neutralize the amount of pink in the room. "Guava pairs beautifully with neutral tones and natural materials, like warm woods, sisal, creamy whites, or earth tones. Mix it with natural materials like rattan, linen, sisal, jute, or travertine to soften its vibrancy," suggests Nancy Soriano, design expert and head of brand, editorial & partnerships at Perigold.

To ensure your guava walls and furniture stand the test of time, designer Amy McCoy of McCoy Design Studio suggests using a desaturated version of the color. "Start with the bright colors and create a deeper shade, making it more universal. Otherwise, if you are in a coastal region, I say go for it and make a bold statement. Sometimes it's easier to start with a powder bath rather than furnishings when going the dramatic route."

Nail the Look With a DIY

Sure, you can buy guava-inspired furniture and decor to decorate your home with, but if you have a knack for DIYs, work the shade into your space with a hands-on project. "Painting the walls or ceiling of a room is a relatively inexpensive and risk-free strategy, since you can always repaint versus being left with furniture you don't end up loving," says Marie-Joe Bouffard, founder of JFY Designs. "Cladding the walls in the perfect guava shade will give you a lot of joy for your dollars, and the color pairs well with so many neutrals. Wallpaper is a step up in terms of investment, but it allows you to amp things up with a pattern or an added texture that will lift the mood instantly."

Paint and wallpaper aside, another fun project is painting an old dresser, armoire, or even an outdoor wood bench in bright, bold guava. It's the perfect way to give a past-its-prime piece a second life. "Painting an old piece of furniture that’s brown or white can make a big impact, and you can always paint it again," says Leigh Spicher, National Director of Design Studios at Ashton Woods Homes, who suggests shades like Sherwin-Williams Youthful Coral (SW6604) or Dragon Fruit (SW6855). "[These updated pieces] could be perfect for a guest room, so your summer visitors are surprised and delighted with their fun space."

Opt for Accents

We know how easy it is to get attached to a design idea and have it executed, only for it to feel "not you" a year or two later. Commitment-phobes will want to ease into the trend, opting for accent guava decor pieces. "Bring the color in with items like flatware, drinkware, pillows, or books and games to brighten an interior," says Linda Cui Zhang, Associate Fashion Director at Nordstrom. You can channel a high-pigment, playful vibrancy with pieces like guava-colored cocktail napkins or resin salad servers.

Additionally, Cipi Rosenberg, owner and principal designer of CMR Design, says that upholstery is a fantastic opportunity to incorporate the tropical fruit color, particularly on smaller items such as ottomans, benches, accent chairs, and pillows. "The secret ingredient is texture! Fabrics like mohair or bouclé in a dusty guava or rosy shade feel both luxurious and inviting," Rosenberg says. "We adore Kravet’s Mythical Bouclé in Rose for this exact reason; it brings warmth, depth, and a delightful touch of personality."

Pair It With Jewel Tones

What colors pair well with guava, you might wonder? According to designers, the world is your oyster. "Combinations of pink and green are the perfect combination of whimsy, femininity, and fun," says Amber Guyton, founder of Blessed Little Bungalow. "Soft natural green keeps guava feeling grounded, while rich olive or hunter green provides a nice contrast, while still feeling familiar," adds Lori Evans, founder of Evans Construction & Design. If you're worried about using too much color, you could focus on jewel tones in your space and make guava the accent color. "Think of it as the supporting role, not the star. I love it in an accent chair, a little pouf, or (of course) pillows or a rug. It's a part, not the foundation," Evans adds.

Choose Restraint

Guava-painted walls can easily feel intense for some people, especially if you're living in the space day-to-day. For a touch of the color that greets you occasionally, start with where you can't see it 24/7. "In a recent project, we used guava-colored cabinetry in a laundry room and paired it with black and off-white tiles," designer Sherrell Neal says. "The pop of color instantly shifted the palette from classic to playful and dramatic. If you’re new to embracing color, start with a minimal approach and let a single piece make the statement. Then build slowly with complementary tones to find your balance." Similarly to how you would incorporate guava decorative accents into a space, sometimes all you need is a splash of guava paint here and there, such as on a painted bookshelf, laundry cabinets, or the doors of your kitchen island.

"Guava tones work best when applied with restraint and balanced by materiality. A matte or velvet finish can keep the color grounded," designer Lauren Saab says. "Second, consider the spatial hierarchy in the space. Guava works best when it’s the only saturated element in the room. Surround it with materials that have visual weight, such as warm wood, honed stone, or textured wall finishes, to create balance and avoid visual overload."

Ready to incorporate juicy guava into your home instantly? Get the look with the pieces below.