In this post – 100 ways to decorate your home for summer, inside and out.
Summer is a fun time to refresh your home. As the days get longer and warmer, I’m feeling inspired to prep our Bay Area home for summer. I’ve already been hard at work cleaning up our tiny yard and power washing the deck and furniture. I’ve finally put out the new outdoor rug I bought at Target last March – you can tell I’ve been looking forward to being outside for months now! I’ll be sharing more about our little deck refresh soon. In the meantime, I did a deep dive on all things summer decor and came up with a list of 100 ways to add a little summer fun to your home. (I’d rather shop than power wash any day!) Enjoy!
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100 Ideas for Adding Summer to Your Spaces
To help you plan your own summer decor, I’m sharing a list of 100 easy ways you can make your home feel fresh, bright and ready to welcome the season. This list includes indoor, outdoor and DIY ideas for all styles, spaces and budgets.
Living Room Summer Refresh
1. Swap heavy throws for lightweight linen or cotton ones. Pottery Barn has beautiful lightweight throws that are perfect for chilly summer evenings.
2. Use bright or coastal-themed throw pillows, like these from Etsy.
3. Add a large glass vase with seasonal greenery. I just added this faux fern to our entry console and I love the light airy feel it adds to the space.
4. Style your coffee table with shells or driftwood, like I did here in our San Diego beach home.
5. Swap out dark curtains for light sheers. These are only $5 right now!
6. Bring in rattan or bamboo accents like this pretty bar cart.
7. Incorporate citrus-scented soy candles like these Neroli Yuzu candles from Quince.
8. Use a jute or seagrass rug from Annie Selke – Dash & Albert from Target.
9. Display summer-themed coffee table books. I just got this one and I love it!
10. Add removable peel-and-stick wallpaper in a summery print like this one from Painted Paper.
Kitchen + Dining Summer Touches
11. Style your island or table with a bowl of fresh lemons. For 25 more styling tips using fresh lemons, check out The Garden Style.
12. Add a summery tablecloth, like this one from Sur la Table.
13. Use floral or fruit-printed dishtowels.
14. Set the table with woven placemats. We use these inexpensive woven water hyacynth placemats all summer long.
Buy Now → 15. Display a pitcher with wildflowers or hydrangeas. You can find amazing hydrangeas and lots of other beautiful flowers at Trader Joe’s. For more on how to make pretty bouquets using flowers from Trader Joe’s check out this video:
16. Hang a summer-themed art print like this pretty beach scene from Target.
17. Replace heavy dinnerware with melamine or ceramic in soft hues. I have a blue set from HomeGoods that I use every summer.
18. Use open shelving to show off summer-colored glassware like these pretty pastel hobnail glasses.
Buy Now → 19. Incorporate fresh herb plants in cute pots. I love to grow fresh herbs in the summer.
Buy Now → 20. Hang a summery wreath on a pantry or cabinet door. Who says you can’t use them inside?
Entryway or Hallway Updates
21. Swap a dark runner for a natural fiber or striped rug like this one from Serena & Lily.
22. Add a large mirror to reflect light and the outdoors. I love this mirror with its natural pinewood scalloped frame.
23. Place a pretty handmade seagrass basket with beach towels or flip-flopsl
Buy Now → 24. Use summer-themed wall hooks made from a light beachy wood.
25. Add a potted palm or tropical plant, real or faux – I won’t tell!
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Bedroom Breezy Changes
26. Switch to crisp white or pastel bedding. I love our pale blue striped cotton duvet from Pottery Barn.
27. Add lightweight throw blankets in summery hues. We have a white cotton quilt at the foot of our bed from Serena & Lily.
28. Use sheer linen curtains in your bedroom for an airy feel when privacy isn’t an issue.
29. Display woven baskets for storage. I like to use woven trunks to keep things like my yoga gear out of sight.
30. Add a summer-scented diffuser (e.g., coconut or lavender). Is there anything more summery than the smell of coconut or lavender?
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 31. Use tropical-printed pillowcases or shams. I’ve had my eye on this Del Mar Coastal bedding set for the guest room in our beach house.
32. Hang a nature-inspired art print (sunsets, beaches, florals) We love this abstract beach print hanging above our bed from HomeGoods.
33. Incorporate a rattan bedside table or lamp. I’ve had good luck finding lamps at HomeGoods as well.
Bathroom Seasonal Details
34. Swap dark towels for white, aqua, or coral ones.
35. Add a beachy or floral shower curtain.
36. Use a clear jar for seashells or bath salts. Tip: Check your local thrift store to see if they have any inexpensive clear glass containers. Here’s a great DIY to make your own lidded apothecary jars by Say Not Sweet Anne. I’m going to try this!
37. Hang light and airy wall art like this driftwood art piece.
38. Add a summer-scented candle like this white sands one.
39. Display greenery like eucalyptus or a pothos plant, the latter of which is super easy to grow.
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 40. Use woven trays to organize products. I’ve had my eye on this one from Serena & Lily for a while.
Outdoor + Porch Ideas
41. Add string lights or solar lanterns. We have some similar to these strung around our tiny yard.
Buy Now → 42. Use weatherproof summer pillows. I replace mine when they’re stained or faded.
43. Place potted plants with colorful blooms.
44. Hang a fun summer wreath. I love the bright cheerful colors in this one.
Buy Now → 45. Use a jute or striped outdoor rug. We have this one on our porch.
Buy Now → 46. Create a DIY citronella candle – this video shows you how!
47. Add a small bistro set for comfy seating.
Buy Now → 48. Use a vintage cooler as a side table.
49. Hang outdoor curtains for shade and style. I’d like to try these on our deck!
Buy Now → 50. Display hanging plants or a vertical herb wall on a fence. I have 5 of these black inexpensive self-watering wall planters. They work well at keeping my plants alive when we’re away.
51. Paint outdoor furniture in fresh, vibrant colors. If your wood patio set need a refresh, check out this video from Farm Fresh Vintage Finds.
52. Add a bird feeder or birdbath. If you’re wondering what kind of birdbath will work in your yard, check out this post by Gardener’s Path.
53. Incorporate coastal or tropical decor like this DIY coastal candle holder I made from an old vase.
54. Use a hammock or hanging chair. We had a hammock when the kids were small and it was lovely to hang out in during the summer.
55. Set up an outdoor bar or drink station. A potting bench, a vintage tea cart or an old table can be transformed into a fun outdoor bar. You can find out more about how I turned this vintage tea cart into a bar cart here!
Seasonal DIY Projects
56. Make a seashell garland with this tutorial from Confessions of a Serial DIYer.
57. Create a summer door wreath. Find lots of inspiration at Craftsy Hacks.
58. Make your own DIY beach memory shadow box like this one from Our Tiny Nest.
59. Paint terra cotta pots in pastel shades. Here’s a great tutorial by Annie Diamond from Most Lovely Things on how to make terra cotta pots look aged.
60. Build a simple herb planter box. Pine and Poplar has an easy DIY for a planter box you can build yourself!
61. Make lemon stamped tea towels using the step by step instructions at Today’s Creative Life.
62. Assemble a collection of seagrass frames to display your favorite photos.
63. Create a summer centerpiece with sand and candles with my DIY Coastal Candle Jar post.
64. Paint mason jars in patriotic colors for outdoor lanterns like these stained glass jars from Steph Creates Things.
65. DIY pressed flower art is so pretty. This DIY Pressed Flower Art from Hearth and Vine is gorgeous.
Summer Table Styling
66. Mix and match colorful dinnerware, like my friend MaryJo did here in her beautiful disposable, faux tablescape. So pretty and colorful! Perfect for an outdoor get together.
67. Use fresh blooms in a low vase. These are from Flower Frenzy in Leucadia, CA.
68. Add place cards with mini shells or fruit.
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Buy Now → 69. Layer with linen napkins and bamboo napkin rings. I need to get some of these to go with my bamboo flatware!
70. Incorporate citrus as part of the table decor. I love this lemony spring foraged tablescape by Masterpieces of my Life.
Kid-Friendly Summer Decor
71. Create a summer craft display wall like the one at Paper Scissors Craft.
72. Add a sand or water play station outdoors.
Buy Now → 73. Use bright, washable throw pillows or poufs made for kids. Lorena Canals has some absolutely adorable ones!
Summer Mantel or Shelf Styling
74. Display coastal-inspired objects. For inspiration visit Digs Digs for 62 beach-inspired mantel ideas.
75. Add framed pressed leaves or botanical prints.
76. Use whitewashed or natural wood accents like this tray.
Buy Now → 77. Incorporate candles in glass hurricanes.
78. Style with summer books or figurines (e.g., birds, boats)
Seasonal Scents & Finishing Touches
79. Serve a summery drink like lemonade in a cute pitcher.
80. Display a basket of beach towels. This cute basket for towels is for sale at A Southern Bucket.
81. Display a tray with summer perfumes.
82. Make a summery simmering potpourri. Here are 16 Simmer Pot Recipes from A Cultivated Nest.
83. Hang dried lavender or eucalyptus bundles.
84. Display a bowl of fresh summer fruits like peaches.
85. Invest in a fun new outdoor lounge chair for two.
86. Switch to ocean-themed artwork in any room.
87. Use outdoor-inspired textiles indoors (e.g., canvas, raffia.)
88. Drape a lightweight Turkish towel over a chair or bench.
Buy Now → 89. Decorate with beachcombing finds like driftwood, coral, or sea glass.
90. Set up a mobile summer drinks cart with fun glassware. This inexpensive bar cart comes in 14 different colors!
Buy Now → 91. Add a sunhat and straw bag hook station by the door, like we did here in our last beach home.
92. Frame vintage travel postcards or prints for a nostalgic feel. You can find lots of them on Etsy.
93. Replace heavy lampshades with woven or light-toned ones, like this fun pendant shade from Etsy.
94. Incorporate tropical motifs for a fun touch of summer. This neutral table runner would coordinate with many decor styles.
95. Fill a clear vessel with beach sand and tealights for a relaxed glow. These are from Pottery Barn, but a large jar would work equally well.
96. Layer in striped or tropical accent rugs for instant color.
Buy Now → 97. Use colorful salad bowls like this one from Magnolia at Target. It includes a lid to store the utensils, which makes it perfect to bring to a picnic.
98. Hang lightweight macramé planters or fiber art for texture. Macrame for beginners has a cool tutorial on how to make macrame plant hangers.
99. Decorate shelves with stacked straw hats or woven baskets. These are handy year round!
100. Swap in pastel or white picture frames for a clean summer look.
Buy Now → Go Forth and Decorate!
Summer decor is all about bringing a sense of lightness, warmth, and fun into your home. You don’t need a full makeover to make a big impact—just a few thoughtful touches can completely transform your space for the season. Think breezy linens, natural textures, soft blues and sandy neutrals, or even a bowl of citrus on the counter for a pop of sunshine. Embrace the easy, carefree spirit of summer and make your home feel like a retreat. What is your favorite way to decorate for the summer months? Let me know in the comments below!
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2 Responses
I love these! I’m such a beach girl that all the beach-inspired ones are my favorites. I love San Diego, too–would love to have a home there some day. 🙂 Visiting from the Busy Monday linkup.
Thanks Jennifer! Yes San Diego is pretty great! Glad to meet another beach girl! Thanks for stopping by.