Every year when summer rolls around, I get this sudden urge to throw open all the windows, let the sunshine flood in, and give my home a little seasonal refresh. There’s just something about longer days, fresh air, and bright colors that makes everything feel lighter and happier. And the best part? You don’t need a full renovation or a huge budget to bring summer vibes into your space.
Over the years, I’ve discovered that summer décor is all about creating a home that feels breezy, relaxed, and welcoming—like a mini vacation you get to enjoy every day. Swapping out a few pillows, adding natural textures, bringing in greenery, or even just changing your color palette can completely transform a room. I’ve tried everything from beachy accents to fresh florals and cozy outdoor setups, and trust me, small changes make a big difference.
In this post, I’m sharing 20+ of the best summer décor ideas for your home—simple, stylish, and totally doable. Whether you love bold colors, soft neutrals, or a laid-back coastal look, you’ll find ideas here that help your space feel fresh, bright, and ready for the sunny season. Let’s turn your home into a summer retreat you’ll never want to leave.
20+ Best Summer Home Décor Ideas
1. Swap Heavy Drapes for Breezy Linen Curtains
If your windows are currently draped in heavy velvet or dark polyester, your house is basically wearing a parka in July. I’m a huge fan of swapping those out for sheer linen or light cotton. It’s the easiest way to make a room feel five degrees cooler without touching the thermostat.
When I first started remodeling, I thought “blackout curtains” were the only way to survive the summer sun. I was wrong. I ended up living in a cave and feeling like a basement-dwelling hermit. Light-filtering linen lets the sun glow through without the heat, giving your living room that “I’m on vacation in Greece” vibe even if you’re actually in a suburb of Ohio.
Search for “sheer linen window treatments” online and you’ll see a million options, but don’t overthink it. You don’t need the $300 custom versions. A simple rod-pocket panel from a big-box store does the trick. Just make sure they hit the floor; high-water curtains are the interior design equivalent of wearing socks with sandals.
2. Create a “Botanical Wall” with Pressed Summer Flowers
I’m over the mass-produced “Live, Laugh, Love” signs. If you want wall art that actually looks sophisticated, go into your backyard (or your neighbor’s, I won’t tell) and clip some wildflowers. Pressing flowers is a lost art that I rediscovered after I accidentally flattened a prize peony in a heavy DIY plumbing manual.
To make this look modern rather than “Grandma’s attic,” use floating glass frames. Arrange the dried stems between the glass sheets so they appear to hover against the wall. It’s a cheap way to bring the outside in, and it’s much more of a conversation starter than a printed poster from a craft store.
Pro tip: Use a little dab of acid-free glue to keep the flowers from sliding down inside the frame over time. I didn’t do this the first time, and by August, all my “art” had slumped into a pile of dead petals at the bottom of the frames. Not the look we’re going for.
3. Style Your Entryway with a Functional Mudroom Station
Summer means sand, mud, and grass clippings. If you don’t have a designated spot for the chaos, your entire house becomes a debris field. I learned this the hard way during the Great Zucchini Harvest of ’18, when my garden boots managed to track soil into every carpeted room I own.
Invest in a sturdy, low-profile wooden bench and some oversized wicker baskets. Use the baskets for flip-flops, sunscreen, and beach towels. If you have kids, give them each their own basket. It won’t solve the messy-room problem, but it might save you from stepping on a stray LEGO or a discarded pool noodle in the dark.
I find that “entryway storage ideas” usually focus too much on looks and not enough on durability. Get a rug made of sisal or seagrass for this area. They are practically indestructible and you can literally shake the sand out of them in ten seconds.
4. Install a DIY Outdoor Kitchenette or Drink Station
Stop running back and forth to the kitchen every time someone needs a refill. It’s a waste of energy and you’re letting all the cold air out of the house. I built a simple drink station out of an old potting bench I found at a garage sale, and it’s the best $20 I ever spent.
Sand down an old wooden table, hit it with some outdoor-rated sealant, and add some heavy-duty hooks for bottle openers and towels. You can even drop a galvanized tub into a cutout in the top to act as a built-in ice chest. It keeps the party outside and saves your kitchen floors from the “wet swimsuit trail.”
When people search for “outdoor entertaining hacks,” they usually find expensive built-in grills. You don’t need a $5,000 stone island. You just need a flat surface and a place to keep the beer cold. Seriously, keep it simple.
5. Switch to Natural Fiber Area Rugs
Put your plush, shaggy rugs in storage. They trap heat and dust, and in the summer, they just feel itchy. I’m a total convert to jute and sisal rugs for the warmer months. They add a great organic texture to a room and they don’t hold onto the heat.
One thing Pinterest won’t tell you: Jute rugs can be a bit scratchy on bare feet. If you have kids crawling around, look for a “chenille and jute” blend. It gives you that earthy look without feeling like you’re walking on a giant Brillo pad. I once bought a 100% seagrass rug for my sunroom and it was so stiff it felt like I was walking on dried pasta. Lesson learned.
Layering is also your friend here. Put a smaller, colorful cotton rug over a larger jute rug. It’s an easy way to add a pop of summer color—think turquoise or coral—without committing to a full room makeover.
6. Refresh Your Porch with Mismatched Vintage Planters
I’m tired of seeing the same three plastic pots from the hardware store on everyone’s porch. Go to a thrift store or a flea market and look for old galvanized buckets, ceramic crocks, or even sturdy wooden crates. Drill a few drainage holes in the bottom and you’ve got a planter with personality.
I once used an old galvanized mop bucket as a planter for some trailing petunias. It looked fantastic, right up until I realized I hadn’t cleared the drainage holes properly and turned my porch into a swamp. Check your drainage, people!
Mismatched planters give your home a “collected over time” look. It’s way more interesting than a matched set. If you’re worried about them looking too messy, keep the color palette of the flowers consistent. All white flowers in different-shaped pots looks incredibly high-end.
7. Hang a Hammock Indoors (Yes, Really)
This is my favorite “bold move.” If you have the wall studs for it, hanging a woven Mayan hammock in a corner of the living room or a sunroom is a game-changer. It’s the ultimate summer reading nook.
Just please, for the love of all that is holy, use a stud finder. I once tried to mount a hammock into drywall using “heavy duty” anchors because I was being lazy. I ended up on the floor with a chunk of the wall in my lap and a bruised ego.
Find the wood, use the proper eye-bolts, and you’ve got a permanent vacation spot in your house. It also adds a great vertical element to your room décor, which makes small spaces feel bigger.
8. Swap Your Gallery Wall for Framed Sun Hats
This is a “Pinterest-pretty” idea that is actually functional. If you have a collection of straw sun hats, don’t hide them in a closet. Hang them in a cluster on your entryway wall. It creates a 3D art installation that feels incredibly summery.
The best part? When you’re headed out the door to the beach or the park, you just grab one and go. It’s décor that works for a living. Use simple brass hooks to keep it looking intentional rather than just “I threw my hats on the wall.”
9. Update Your Bedding with Light Percale Sheets
If you’re still sleeping under a heavy duvet in July, you’re doing it wrong. I’m a firm believer that high-quality percale cotton sheets are the best investment you can make for summer. They stay cool to the touch and have that crisp, hotel-bed feel.
I used to think thread count was everything. It’s a lie. A 1,000-thread-count sheet is often just heavy and suffocating. Look for “long-staple cotton percale” in the 300-400 range. It’s breathable and gets softer with every wash.
Ditch the thick comforter and use a lightweight “waffle knit” blanket instead. It adds texture to the bed without the bulk. Plus, it’s much easier to throw in the washing machine when the kids inevitably bring popsicle sticky-fingers into your bed on a Saturday morning.
10. Use Citrus as a Natural Centerpiece
Forget expensive floral arrangements that wilt in two days. Go to the grocery store and buy a bag of lemons, limes, and oranges. Fill a large glass bowl with them and put it on your dining table.
It’s bright, it’s cheap, and it smells amazing. When the fruit starts to get a little soft, you just use it for lemonade or margaritas. It’s the only home décor you can actually eat.
I’ve found that “sustainable summer décor” is often just about using what’s already in your kitchen. If you want to get fancy, tuck a few sprigs of fresh mint or rosemary between the fruit. It looks like something out of a high-end magazine but costs about five bucks.
11. String Up Edison Bulbs (The Right Way)
Outdoor lighting is the difference between a patio you use and a patio that just sits there. But don’t just drape them haphazardly. I’ve seen too many backyards that look like a tangled mess of Christmas lights.
Use a guide wire (a thin stainless steel cable) to hang your string lights. It prevents them from sagging over time and keeps them from snapping in a high wind. I learned this after a summer storm turned my backyard into a literal minefield of broken glass bulbs.
Search for “shatterproof outdoor string lights.” Even if you’re careful, someone will hit them with a rogue frisbee eventually. LED versions are better too—they don’t get hot, which means you won’t be attracting every mosquito in the tri-state area to your dinner party.
12. Bring the “Coastal” Vibe with Weathered Wood
You don’t need a “Beach This Way” sign to have a coastal home. In fact, please don’t buy that sign. Instead, look for pieces of actual weathered wood. A piece of driftwood on a mantel or a reclaimed wood coffee table does the job much better.
I once tried to “weather” a new piece of pine using a chain and some vinegar. I ended up with a piece of wood that looked like it had been attacked by a very angry beaver and smelled like a salad. Save yourself the trouble and just look for the real deal at antique shops or along riverbanks.
Natural textures like wood, rope, and stone are the “secret sauce” of summer design. They feel cool and grounded when the weather is hectic.
13. Upgrade Your Outdoor Furniture with New Cushions
If your patio furniture looks like it’s been through a war, don’t buy a new set. Most “all-weather” frames last forever; it’s the cushions that die. Replacing the cushions can make a $100 Facebook Marketplace find look like a $2,000 designer set.
Look for “Sunbrella fabric” or “solution-dyed acrylic.” It’s the gold standard for resisting fade. I once bought cheap polyester cushions because they had a cute flamingo print. By August, the flamingos had faded to a sickly gray and the foam felt like a soggy sponge.
Side note: If you have the space, store your cushions in a deck box when it rains. I know, it’s a pain, but they’ll last five years instead of one.
14. Add a “DIY Stock Tank Pool” for the Kids (or You)
This is the ultimate summer DIY project. Buy a galvanized stock tank from a farm supply store, set it on a level surface (this is key!), and fill it up. It’s the “cowboy pool” trend and it’s actually brilliant.
I spent a whole weekend leveling the ground for mine. I thought “eh, it’s close enough.” It wasn’t. One side was four inches deeper than the other and it looked ridiculous. Take the time to use a level and some sand.
It’s way more durable than an inflatable pool and looks a lot cooler in your backyard. You can even hook up a small filter pump to keep the water clean. It’s the best way to cool off without the maintenance of a full-sized pool.
15. Transform Your Fire Pit into a Summer Lounge
Most people think of fire pits as a fall thing. I disagree. A fire pit in the summer is for s’mores, late-night venting sessions with friends, and keeping the bugs away (the smoke helps!).
Surround your fire pit with Adirondack chairs. But don’t just leave them bare; add some outdoor throw pillows. It makes the space feel like an extension of your living room.
I’ve found that “fire pit landscaping ideas” often involve too much gravel. Use large flagstones instead. They’re easier to level and you won’t be kicking gravel into your lawn every time you walk by.
16. Install a DIY Outdoor Shower
If you live anywhere near water—or even if you just have a messy garden—an outdoor shower is a luxury you didn’t know you needed. It doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple shower head attached to a garden hose bracket works wonders.
I built one on the side of my garage using some cedar slats for privacy. It’s the perfect place to rinse off the dog, the kids, or yourself after a long day of “remodeling” (which usually just means me sweating over a stubborn pipe).
Just make sure you have a way to drain the water away from your foundation. I didn’t think about this and ended up with a small pond in my crawlspace. Always think about where the water goes!
17. Decorate with Oversized Tropical Leaves
If you want a high-impact, low-cost look, go to the florist and buy three giant Monstera or Palm leaves. Put them in a tall, heavy glass vase with just a little water.
They last for weeks and give you that “urban jungle” look that’s so popular right now. It’s much easier than trying to keep a whole tropical plant alive during a heatwave. I’ve killed more fiddle leaf figs than I care to admit, but I can keep a leaf in a vase alive for a month.
It’s a great way to fill an empty corner or add some height to a sideboard without cluttering it up with “stuff.”
18. Use Trays to Corral the Summer Clutter
Summer is the season of “bits and bobs”—sunglasses, keys, sunscreen, bug spray. If these things are scattered all over your counters, your house will feel chaotic.
I use decorative trays in every room. One on the entry table for outdoor essentials, one on the coffee table for remotes and coasters, and one in the kitchen for oils and spices. It makes the “mess” look like a “collection.”
I once bought a tray made of reclaimed pallet wood that gave me three slivers in the first hour. Sand your DIY projects, people! If you’re buying one, go for something easy to wipe down, like lacquer or metal.
19. Create an “Indoor-Outdoor” Flow with Bifold Doors or Large Sliders
If you’re doing a bigger remodel, this is the best investment you can make. Being able to open up a whole wall to the deck or patio completely changes the feel of your home.
Even if you can’t replace the doors, you can create the feeling of flow. Use the same color palette inside and out. If your living room is blue and white, use blue and white cushions on the patio. It tricks the eye into thinking the space is one big room.
I’m a big fan of “indoor-outdoor living” because it makes a small house feel massive. Just make sure your screens are in good repair. There’s nothing like a “breezy summer evening” that turns into a “mosquito-slapping marathon.”
20. Swap Out Your Hardware for a Fresh Look
This is the “five-minute facelift.” Swap your heavy, dark cabinet knobs and drawer pulls for something lighter—think brushed brass, clear acrylic, or even white ceramic.
It sounds like a small thing, but it’s like putting a new pair of earrings on an old outfit. It brightens up the whole room. I did this in my kitchen last June and it made the whole space feel brand new for about $40.
Quick tip: Measure your “center-to-center” distance before buying new pulls. I once bought 25 beautiful brass handles only to realize they were 1/8th of an inch too short for the existing holes. I spent the rest of the day wood-filling and re-drilling. Don’t be like me.
21. Bonus: The “Zero-Effort” Mood Setter
Light a candle that smells like sea salt, grapefruit, or tomato vine. Scents are the fastest way to change the vibe of a house.
I’m partial to anything that smells like a garden. After a long day of DIY projects, there’s nothing better than a house that smells like “clean” rather than “sawdust and sweat.”
The Real Talk: What’s Not Worth Your Time
Before we go further, let’s have a heart-to-heart. Every summer, I see people trying to do “DIY Floating Pool Lights” or “Hand-Painted Patio Pavers.”
Listen to me: Don’t do it. The floating lights will short-circuit and leak battery acid into your pool, and those painted pavers will peel within three weeks of being stepped on by a wet foot. Stick to décor that actually lasts. If it takes twelve hours to make and two hours to break, it’s a bad investment of your “me time.”
Parting Wisdom
The biggest mistake people make with summer décor is trying too hard. Summer should be easy. If a project is making you sweat or swear, walk away and go get an iced tea. Your home should be a sanctuary, not a source of stress.
I’ve spent a decade learning that the best “designs” are the ones that let you live your life comfortably. So, go ahead—swap those curtains, hang that hammock, and don’t worry if the dog tracks a little sand onto the jute rug. That’s what summer is for.
What’s your biggest “DIY disaster” story from a summer project gone wrong? Drop it in the comments below so I don’t feel like the only one who’s accidentally flooded their basement!