A tan is synonymous with summer and that irresistible sun-kissed glow - in all its variations, from celebrity mahogany to subtle golden honey - can work just as well in decor.

If you're a sun-worshipper who likes to bake, soft brown tones and furniture in natural materials which celebrate those shades - wood and leather - will probably appeal. Dipping into a burnished colour palette and adding a few well-chosen pieces will beautify rooms, and can accent their best features in much the same way as bronzers highlight facial features.

Beach babes could match their more subtle look in their spaces, with sand and bleached blonde hues, conjuring a gorgeous, golden glow. Meanwhile, those who shun the sun completely could simply opt for 'pale and interesting', with on-trend nearly nude, blush tones.

Whichever tan factor you go for, these looks will turn your home sunny side up...

TAN-TASTIC DECOR

Summertime, and the glowing is easy - if you embrace brown hues, from mahogany to chocolate, to beautify your abode.

"A wonderful way to inject that summer feel into your home is to opt for warm, tan-toned furniture. When searching for the right colour, keep in mind the holiday tan spectrum, ranging from a golden glow to a dark, rich mahogany," advises Rebecca Snowden, interior style advisor at Furniture Choice.

"Natural materials have beautiful mellow richness, which brings tone and character to rooms. Caramel and butterscotch shades are featuring strongly in trends for autumn and will help inject warmth into a home in the colder months too. Set pieces against a neutral backdrop, particularly white, to allow them to shine in the same way that an all-white outfit will always show off an enviable tan."

GOLDEN GLOW

Your skin may not go golden on demand, but your home will be right on hue if you tan up with sand and bleached-blonde shades.

"We lead busy lives, so we need our homes to be relaxing havens where we can escape from the stresses of the outside world, and there's nothing more soothing than golden tones, reminiscent of sun-baked tropical climes," says David Roebuck, managing director at Direct Blinds (www.directblinds.co.uk).

"These will work particularly well in light-starved rooms, but if you want to add more punch to larger, airy spaces, opt for sunset shades, such as amber, flax or burnt orange. This palette is ideal for those wanting to create their own paradise decor inspired by nature."

IN THE BUFF

Pale can be interesting and is a subtle alternative to sun-baked mahogany hues, so bare all with nude and blush pink tones, which will add a twist to neutrals.

"Glamour and pallor are definitely proving an winning combination, as increasingly we shelter from the sun's damaging rays. So as temperatures rise, go nude in your home and introduce buff, caramel, pale baby pinks, and even beige shades into your decor," says Sarah Quilliam, head of product design for specialist blinds and shutter company, Hillarys.

"Often wrongly viewed as boring, beige is infinite in its subtlety, and the shade you choose can alter the entire mood of a room. It can look great as an accent colour - a warm, dark buff works wonderfully with light, pale blues, while layering nude hues creates a soft, calming look, especially if teamed with sensual textures such as cashmere and silks."