Summer brings with it a lightness, one that so wonderfully translates into our interiors. I love seeing parts of it reflected in my home, whether it’s delicate sun rays streaming in through sheer curtains, a glowy, sunset dinner with friends on the patio, or sea-glass-inspired decor that reminds me of relaxing days at the beach.
Though this is a fantastic time of year, I know just how busy it can be, too. That’s why I’ve created this guide to simple summer decor ideas that are easy to recreate and incorporate in your own home. The key here is simple. Our lives are filled with so much already; the last thing you need is a long list of decorating tasks!
The changes you choose don’t have to be over-the-top or budget-draining for them to be impactful. A fresh bedspread, a citrusy candle, a floral kitchen runner, a bedside table with summer staples, a new plant on a shelf—these are all small shifts that lead to living spaces that settle nicely into the season. If you’ve been wanting to refresh your home for summer or reinvigorate it with a little warm-weather energy, I’ve written this just for you. Scroll on for shopping picks and seven simple decor ideas that you can start bringing into your home now.
7 Simple Summer Decor Ideas to Try Around Your Home
If you’re ready to decorate your home in a way that feels as inviting as a warm July day, these simple summer decor ideas will help you do just that. Before you jump into the inspiration and tips, I’ve rounded up a collection of decor for a coastal-inspired home to get you started right away. These feel summery and will seamlessly elevate any room, whether you invest in one special item or several new options.
Refresh Your Bedding
The first thing I love to do with the arrival of a new season is update my bedspread. It’s one of my best design tips for making a room feel completely different while changing very little. I think it’s worth investing in several sets over time, including various comforters, duvets, quilts, coverlets, pillowcases, and sheets. Then, all it takes is a quick reset of the sheets on your bed to make the room feel fresh once more. Throw pillows and decorative covers also effortlessly change the theme and mood you’re hoping to create.
Your bed can serve as a great starting point for designing a room, too. Depending on the specific bedding you choose and your bedframe, you can then decorate in relation to that. In summer, I love lighter, airy fabrics, such as linen and cotton. Cheerful patterns like gingham or florals, and hues such as light blue, white, sage green, and pale yellow all bring in a more summery aesthetic.
Edit Your Tabletop Staples
Another simple decor idea that isn’t stressful or time-consuming but produces great results is adjusting what’s on your bedside table to create a summery coastal bedroom. Winter and autumn might have warm colors, grounded objects (like stone jewelry dishes or wooden trays), and warming essentials like a candle or cozy socks.
In summer, trade these out for items that meet your needs when the weather is warmer. Add a bright plant or bouquet of flowers. Change your candle out for a scent that smells like salty sea air or citrus. Bring in lighter fabrics and woven textures like rattan. Consider a sunrise-inspired alarm clock or a cooling eye mask. All of these small changes will come together to make your bedroom feel fit for the season overall. You can also apply this design tip to any of the tables around your home, from bedroom nightstands to living room coffee tables to side tables in reading nooks.
Add Small Summer Decor Details to the Kitchen
Despite being one of the most frequently used places in houses, our kitchens are often forgotten when it comes to seasonal decorating. My biggest goal is to have rooms within my home that all feel cohesive and timeless (no matter what time of year), so I can then come in and make small tweaks to create a sense of summer, or whichever season it is. This is true for my cooking space, too. It doesn’t take much to change it from an everyday space to one that gently mirrors what’s happening in our natural world.
I suggest focusing on two things: textiles and compact decorative objects. Because it’s a kitchen, it should be functional and easy to move around in. You don’t want excessive decor or anything that will get in the way of you cooking, cleaning, working, or entertaining. For textiles, swap out your runner rug or dishwashing mat for versions that feel summery (think: florals, stripes, plaid, or light colors). For small decorative details that won’t feel obtrusive, consider a vase of in-season blooms, petite plants, a summer-inspired utensil jar, and hand soaps that smell like the season.
Add More Plant Life
Even if you don’t go out and buy brand-new furniture or invest in a handful of seasonal decor items, you can still rely wholeheartedly on plants to breathe life into your home. Whether faux or real, plants remind us of the great outdoors and all of the bushes, trees, and flowers that are growing and blossoming around us. Their verdant leaves and colorful blooms bring a vibrancy to any shelf, bench, countertop, or table that is often missing in winter or fall.
Some of my favorite ways to bring leafy friends into my home (aside from a bouquet of flowers) are through houseplants in stylish pots, seasonally-appropriate wreaths, potted indoor trees, or a few minimalist branches in a vase. Think outside of the box when it comes to placing them, too. A plant on a bench, a garland across the mantel, a few stems in a windowsill, or plants peeking out from a bookshelf all do wonders!
Swap Out Vases, Vessels, and Storage Containers
Your containers and vessels can contribute to a summery vibe in your home as well. Metal, opaque plastic, dark stone, and deep shades of wood are beautiful but can make a space feel cozier and darker than you might like for the warmest months of the year. A few quick swaps are key to shifting this atmosphere. Think about woven baskets, rattan or raffia, white or chalky ceramics and stone vases, scallop-edged trays, and vases made of colors or glass inspired by the sea.
You don’t have to do this for every part of your home, but I suggest prioritizing the most heavily-trafficked areas or the rooms people spend the most time in. Even if you don’t change out the vessel, consider if you can change what’s in it. Trade autumnal or spring-focused botanicals for summery ones. Replace pinecones and woven decorative balls with glass orbs, shells, or coral pieces. It’s a fun one for allowing your creativity to soar!
Infuse and Direct Light Around Room
When I think of summer, I think of bright, breezy, and light. To begin, think about light. Maybe it’s worth hanging up new curtains or shades that let natural sunlight into the room or feel more etheral in general, such as sheer curtains or options in light blue, cream, or beige. A mirror is an excellent tool for bouncing light around and making a room feel more spacious.
I also like to think about the main colors and textures of each space and how that makes a room feel lighter or darker. If a velvety throw blanket or chenille throw pillows feel too wintery, I’ll bring in a coastal-inspired knit throw and linen covers. An area rug can also instantly illuminate a room, or one layered on top of a darker style. Don’t forget about the small details either. A coffee table book on cozy cabins or artwork depicting snowy scenes will take away from the sunny season ambiance you’re after.
Don’t Forget Your Outdoor Spaces
My last piece of advice is to refresh your outdoor spaces. These are an extension of your home and often become just as important as the rooms you usually gather together in when it’s colder. Channeling energy into a thoughtfully designed porch or an upgraded patio sets the tone the minute you turn up at home or guests arrive. All it takes is a few nicely-placed plants, some lanterns, and a pretty welcome mat to transform this area.
The same goes for decks, patios, balconies, pool areas, and other spaces where you spend time outside. Clean outdoor furniture, replace cushions, bring out tables and surfaces for snacks and sips, and create areas of shade. A gorgeous outdoor room allows you to fully embrace summer and all of its best moments before fall finds its way to us again. Best of luck with your summer decorating!
