It’s summertime! The temperatures are getting warmer, the beach is inviting you to play hooky, and your home is ready for a seasonal makeover. All you need is our list of 15 must-have summer decor essentials to get started.
The goal: keep it simple and doable.
Ready for inspiration? Let’s dive in.
Work Around the Summer Color Trends of 2024
Following the latest summer color trends doesn’t mean you have to repaint the entire home. Subtle upgrades will do the trick. Switching out the cushion covers, rolling out a new rug, or hanging a new statement-creating wall hanging are all easy changes. But what exactly are summer colors? Here are the most popular choices for 2024—
- Lemon shades
- Beachy shades
- Deep red
- Fresh greens
- Zesty orange
- Muted grey
- Pale peach
Add Summer Flowers
What’s simpler than plucking seasonal flowers blooming in your garden and presenting them around the home? From bundles of coneflowers to bunches of lavender, flowers enhance visual appeal and introduce delightful scents. You can simply add fresh flower stalks to an old bottle or create a rustic look with a rattan flower basket. Putting together a DIY flower wall is also a fun idea.
Keep the Fabrics Light & Airy
Come summertime, there’s no need for chunky linens around the home. It’s time to embrace bright and airy decor. Swap the chunky bedding with lightweight fabrics, such as linen and cotton. Don’t forget to tone down the window treatments to sheer curtains or woven blinds to let in the summer breeze and sunlight. Strategical furniture rearrangement can also help create a more open, airy feel.
Ditch Heavy Rugs
Heavy rugs feel great under the foot in winter, but for the warmer months, they tend to take away that refreshing environment you’re aiming to create. So put that heavy rug away in storage (consider getting it deep cleaned first) and lay out a flat-weave rug made from jute or cotton. And remember, the limitation is only for the fabric, not the style. You can still play with different designs, like a lemon-shaped rug for a whimsical vibe or a unique abstract rug to create a bold statement.
Introduce Earthy Elements
Infuse your home decor for summer with earthy textures and colors. Opt for materials like bamboo, wicker, and rattan to introduce a touch of nature indoors. Elevate this organic feel with earthy hues—think beige, brown, green, and terracotta.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Pillows, throws, cushions, and rugs that replicate the feel of the outdoors are simple examples that dramatically elevate the vibe.
Spruce Up the Entryway
The entryway makes the first impression. You don’t want your guests to be welcomed to a wintery vibe when it’s 30 degrees outside.
Take seasonal refresh as an opportunity to upgrade the entrance—both inside and outside. Paint the door in a refreshing summery color and change the rug to something summer-themed, like a floral welcome rug. For the inside, add a comfortable spot to slip on your sandals and a mirror to check if any sunscreen spots need to be rubbed in.
Create the Ultimate Backyard
Ask us to define the perfect backyard, and we’ll rattle off many decor items from this setup. A hammock, a small bistro set, string lights, lanterns, and a fire bowl are all must-have summer accessories to get you ready for a memorable outdoor experience.
Connect the Indoors and Outdoors
Another never-fail summer interior design idea is to bring the outdoors indoors. And it’s super simple. Maximize natural light, embrace an earthy color palette, bring in greenery, introduce sounds of nature (with, for example, an indoor waterfall), diffuse natural scents, you name it! The point is to invite the refreshing energy of summer right into your living space.
Create A Napping Space
Long days and warm temperatures are the perfect excuse to enjoy glorious afternoon naps. Use a corner in the living room—or in the backyard—to create a tranquil napping nook with cozy hanging chairs, daybeds, or lounge chairs. And the good part is nap nooks, when designed aesthetically, can serve as lovely additions to your stylish summer home decor.
Incorporate Natural Scents
One of the summer decor essentials you shouldn’t skip is natural scents. Why? Because perfect summer interior design is meant to stimulate all of the senses. Committing to a delicious seasonally-scented candle can give you a luxurious experience. Could be a flowery aroma, or perhaps you’d like a candle that reminds you of the ocean breeze. Either way, lighting up a candle makes the most affordable summer home decor that sets the stage for relaxation.
Shop Vintage and Second Hand
The smartest of all summer decorating tips is to refresh your home with vintage or second-hand pieces. Not only do they save you money, but they also add a unique charm to the space.
Yard sales, flea markets, and antique sales—you can shop anywhere! Allow your intuition to guide your personal taste, but if you’re not sure what to buy, a simple tip is to look for vintage treasures with dusty tones and unique patterns. Sweet scones are always a great addition, and so are pastoral paintings.
Prepare the Kitchen
Get-togethers and family time are around the corner—so make sure to prepare your kitchen for stress-free entertainment & delicious meals. Begin with basic steps like decluttering the kitchen countertops and stocking up on refreshing drinks and finger foods. Give the interior a makeover in line with fun summer decorating tips, such as tiling your kitchen island with ocean-like shades and presenting seasonal fruit over the countertop.
Most importantly, make sure to take advantage of the extended hours of sunshine. One exciting way to do so is to create a kitchen herb garden. Line the kitchen windowsill with small planters holding fresh herbs that you can later use to garnish your cocktails and salads.
Bring in Trendy Summer Decor
Don’t forget to include trendy pieces—a key element of stylish summer home decor. 2024 is taking a step away from the all-white fad. Vibrant colors, natural materials, and timeless designs are taking center stage. And it doesn’t end there. Trendy summer decor also leaves room to get creative with DIY projects and give your home a unique aura.
Evoke A Nautical Feel
Surfing, sand, sunsets—the beach is full of seasonal home decor ideas. So why not carry these refreshing vibes to your home with nautical-inspired decor? You can take it as subtle or as literal as you want. Woven and jute materials, for example, can give your interior that authentic coastal charm. For a more cant-miss-it, statement theme, present seashells as a wreath or table centerpiece.
Clean Your Windows
While this might not sound as enjoyable as other seasonal home decor ideas, cleaning your windows can make a big difference in the natural light available—and more sunshine in summer is never a bad idea!
Final Words
When gearing up for the long days and warm weather, make sure not to let your home decor take a backseat. After all, that’s where you’re going to spend most of your time rejoicing with family and friends!
