Decorating Seasonal Decorating 44 Summer Decor Ideas for a Seasonal Sunny Makeover Let the warm weather and these charming summer decorating ideas influence your next home project. By Emerson Latham Emerson Latham Emerson Latham is an editorial apprentice with BHG and senior at Iowa State University studying journalism with minors in Spanish and apparel merchandising and design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 29, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Carson Downing As temperatures rise and the sun shines longer, it's time to use summer decor ideas for a warm, seasonal refresh. Whether you long for a tropical escape or a calming oasis, summer-inspired design offers endless possibilities for enhancing your home. Try a fresh color scheme or incorporate new materials as the season changes. Start small and focus on one area of a room, or if you're feeling bold, transform the whole room into a summery haven. Here, we've gathered our favorite summer decor ideas for your seasonal update. The 8 Best Summer Home-Improvement Projects to Cross Off Your List 01 of 44 Set a Colorful Table Brie Williams Consider buying accent dishes and a vibrant tablecloth to add splashes of summertime color and pattern to your next dinner party. Mix bright floral, tropical, or nautical-theme dishes with your everyday plates and bowls. To ramp up your summer decor ideas, clear a small table to create an impromptu bar, and arrange bottles and glassware on a pretty serving tray. Fun elements such as stir sticks and paper umbrellas create a perfectly seasonal look. 15 Elegant Garden Party Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining 02 of 44 Highlight Indoor-Outdoor Design James Nathan Schroder One of the best summer decor ideas is to connect your indoor and outdoor spaces. Mix patio seating and light fixtures with an indoor area rug in a covered sunroom, or add string lights above a farmhouse table on your porch to create a cozy dining space. Bringing the outdoors inside creates a soothing, relaxed atmosphere synonymous with the warmest months. 03 of 44 Bring Summer to MidMod Spaces Max Kim-Bee Decorating with midcentury modern style is a mix between retro and contemporary design. This can create a crisp, clean look for your summer decorating. Opt for whites and creams to keep the atmosphere bright. Choose furniture and decor with organic shapes and geometric lines. Add plants and flowers to the mix to create that indoor-outdoor connection. 04 of 44 Paint Your Front Door Stacy Zarin Goldberg Consider painting your front door for a summer decor idea that's a simple update. Whether you go for a bold shade of yellow or a soft pastel pink, creating a contrast between your door and your home's exterior creates a showstopping style statement. Pair your colorful door with a few planters, and you'll be ready for summer guests. 11 Stylish Front Door Paint Colors to Upgrade Your Curb Appeal 05 of 44 Update Old Furniture Carson Downing Give a tired chair or side table new life using high-gloss spray paint in a summery hue, such as sky blue or grassy green. The glossy paint creates a fun lacquered look and gives an old piece a fresh and modern edge. Make sure to properly prime and paint the furniture to help the paint adhere to the surface and wear longer. The 8 Best Paints for Furniture That Will Give Your Home Decor a Quick Refresh 06 of 44 Redo Your Backyard for Entertaining Marty Baldwin Whether you're planning a large backyard barbeque or cocktails with a few friends, an outdoor bar is a must. Look for an inexpensive cabinet at a flea market or secondhand store to decorate for summer on a budget and store party supplies when not in use. Hang light fixtures for nighttime visibility and bring in a pop of color—bright oranges, yellows, and reds are ideal—to set the summer aura. 07 of 44 Add Summer Colors Carson Downing If you're looking for an easy summer decor idea, add a bit of color. Whether it's a few pastel pillows or a bold area rug, you can easily create cohesion with neutral furnishings to tie it all together. Add a few plants, and you'll have an indoor-outdoor oasis, perfect for curling up with a good book or summertime sips. 08 of 44 Stay Neutral with Summer Decor Ideas Edmund Barr Summer decorating doesn't always have to include bright colors or lively patterns. Neutral colors and natural materials provide a sense of a serene summer afternoon. Materials like wicker, rattan, and linen are easy ways to add a summertime touch to any room in your house. 09 of 44 Go Subtly Nautical Ray Kachatorian Some of the best summer decor ideas come from the seashore. Find subtle nautical decor to make your home feel like a beach house. Navy blue hues and white stripes should do the trick, or pick up a boat-shaped relic from the flea market. 19 Beach Bathroom Decor Ideas for a Coastal Look 10 of 44 Let in Light Julie Soefer If you need summer decor ideas, change how you think about your space. Picture your home as a summer rental, and you'll see it in a new light. Throw open the doors and windows, pull back the curtains, and get rid of dark, gloomy, or fussy pieces. Stow away heavy accessories, throws, and unnecessary small decor items until it's time to cozy up for fall. 11 of 44 Coastal-Inspired Accents Nicholas Gourguechon Another way to decorate for summer is to focus on beachy elements or art pieces. Pair a nautical painting with blue bedding, or maintain a neutral color scheme with a few coastal accessories to create a cozy coastal bedroom. Swap heavy pillows and blankets for lighter fabrics, like linen and cotton, to quickly make your guest bedroom feel like a seaside resort. 12 of 44 Include Contemporary Summer Decor Julie Soefer Elevate your less-is-more look for the summer season. Opt for warmer tones instead of cool blues and grays for a cozy getaway. Choose natural elements and add a few vibrantly-hued summery accents. 13 of 44 Decorate Your Front Porch Adam Albright With warm weather and a few extra hours of sunlight, the summer months are perfect for dining on your front porch or having a picnic in your yard. Outdoor summer decor ideas can be as simple as adding extra planters on the porch or more seating areas to accommodate guests. Eating outdoors will help you and your family enjoy everything summer offers. The 17 Best Outdoor Planters of 2024 14 of 44 Arrange Summer Flower Displays Ed Gohlich Interject bright, summery colors in your home with freshly picked flowers. To make the biggest impact, stick to arrangements featuring warm colors—such as bold oranges, radiant yellows, or vibrant pinks—and save rich reds and deep purples for other seasons. 15 of 44 Add Summery Accessories Kat Teutsch You don't need to give your whole room a facelift to incorporate summer decor ideas. Turn a small space, like the top of a dresser or nightstand, into a statement area. Use vibrant art as a backdrop and build on its colors and style with smaller, joy-evoking pieces. 16 of 44 Create a Photo Gallery Helen Norman Preserve your vacation photos by printing, framing, and arranging them on a gallery wall. This summer decor idea will save money on art and give you a great talking point at parties. Plus, the memories will cure your wanderlust as you plan your next summer vacation. 17 of 44 Spruce Up Your Patio Kim Cornelison Summer is as much a state of mind as it is a season, so transform your outdoor spaces with lights, flexible seating, and ample room for gathering. String paper lanterns on tree branches around an outdoor patio to help you entertain well into the night hours. Or, should the weather turn stormy, cozy up by lamplight on a covered porch. 18 of 44 Focus on Color for Summer Decor Ideas Adam Albright Some of the easiest summer decor ideas involve your outdoor spaces. If you're big into entertaining outdoors, low tables, floor pillows, and strands of string lights set a merry mood. Winning combos of bright colors, such as turquoise, pink, and yellow, create a festive atmosphere perfect for a party. 17 Pool Party Ideas that Will Make a Big Splash This Summer 19 of 44 Keep Things Minimal Dana Gallagher Summer is all about light, bright, and airy spaces. Consider painting walls a calmer hue and going for a minimalist approach with simple furniture and decor. Finish the breezy look with decorative lighting to brighten the space at night. 20 of 44 Go with Boho Kim Cornelison Free-spirited and airy, boho-style interiors are perfect for a summertime makeover. Using a mix of fun colors and patterns, there are no rules to follow when decorating with this design aesthetic. 21 of 44 Plant Summer Greenery Carson Downing Become a plant parent and spruce up your home with all kinds of greenery. With the proper love and care, houseplants are a summer decor idea that will enhance the liveliness and beauty of your home. 22 of 44 Hang Bright, Bold Wallpaper Julie Soefer One of the easiest ways to completely change the feel of a room is to hang wallpaper. Choose something with bright colors, beachy patterns, or both. If you aren't ready to fully commit to a look, opt for peel-and-stick wallpaper that can be swapped out later. We Put 29 of the Best Removable Wallpapers to the Test, and These 8 Won't Damage Your Walls 23 of 44 Create Casual Dining Areas David Land Summer weather offers ample opportunities for outdoor dining—fancy or less formal. Even when hosting something on the casual side, you can find unexpected uses for formal serving pieces. A silver tray can hold pretty glassware, a pitcher can be filled with a delicious summery cocktail, and a champagne bucket makes a great container for an herb plant. Summer party decorations have never looked so good. 24 of 44 Bring In Color Contrast David Land While lighter shades are typically associated with warmer weather, you can easily decorate for summer by creating contrast in your living spaces. Focus on neutral hues for your walls and furniture, but opt for a darker area rug or curtains to ground the look without completely washing everything out. Add pastel pillows and lightweight throw blankets to add a cheery finishing touch. 25 of 44 Decorate with Warm Tones Matthew Benson Say goodbye to the cool blues of winter and hello to summer decor ideas that include bright, warm hues reflecting a sunny summer day. Go for wood tones like cherry, mahogany, and hickory, and accessorize with reds, cheery yellows, and vibrant oranges. 26 of 44 Put Up Summer Wall Decor Annie Schlechter Don't overcomplicate your wall decor. Use peel-and-stick hooks or strips to easily hang lightweight decorations for the summer season, like these woven bowls. This method won't damage the paint or wall, and switching out your display as the seasons change is easy. 27 of 44 Incorporate Summery Scents Emily VanSchmus For a simpler summer decor idea, think about the aroma in your space. To create a summer aesthetic, switch out scents seasonally. While gingerbread and evergreen are great scents for the winter months, shift to ocean breeze or cucumber-melon when it warms up. Plus, candles are quick, inexpensive summer decorations for coffee tables and shelves. 28 of 44 Put Together an Outdoor Living Space Robert Brinson Warmer weather draws friends and family outside to gather. Spruce up your outdoor living space with comfort and color. Hang a day bed for a relaxing place to enjoy some alone time or a fun twist on outdoor seating for a get-together. Add welcoming color and pattern with weatherproof pillows. The 12 Best Outdoor Pillows of 2024 to Upgrade Your Yard's Seating Area 29 of 44 Choose Navy Blue David A Land Navy blue is a nautical color that brings to mind a summer spent boating. Use this dark blue hue as a base color and bring it to life with bright, cheerful accent colors. It's a perfect transitional color for all seasons and can be toned down or livened up depending on the colors you pair with it. 30 of 44 Decorate Your Porch Julie Soefer Summertime is about cookouts and gathering over delicious home-cooked meals. Enhance your porch dining area for the summer season with inviting decor. Adorn your table with cheerful place settings, and add a bouquet in the center for a final touch. 31 of 44 Create a Statement Wall David Land While summer is known for lighter colors and hues, you can easily brighten dark walls with colorful art. Affordable pieces can be found online or at flea markets and resale shops. A large piece or a collection of smaller pieces also provides the perfect blank-wall solution for large, open rooms and can inspire other summer decor ideas as you match (or contrast) with other colors in the bed linens, pillows, or rugs. 32 of 44 Arrange a Small Bouquet Brie Williams Not only will a bouquet of flowers smell delightful, fresh blooms will breathe life into any space. Place a simple arrangement of flowers on a side table for a subtle but elegant elevation to the decor. The display doesn't have to be extravagant; a few stems will look just as good as a large bouquet. 8 Simple Steps to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro 33 of 44 Add Succulents Cameron Sadeghpour Summer decorating is all about the greenery. Consider planting succulents in a large shell to add organic appeal to your DIY summer room decor. The tiny plants last long and require little care, making them the perfect addition to a summery tablescape. The natural elements also add texture and character to this chic table display. 34 of 44 Shift Your Living Room's Focus David Tsay While a fireplace is a great focal point, consider rearranging your furniture away from it during the summer. Rather than huddling around the hearth, shift the room's focus toward a beautiful window or French doors. Store heavy draperies and hang gossamer sheers that flow with the breezes. 35 of 44 Decorate Your Bedroom for Summer Helen Norman Bright botanical prints (on bedding or pillows) instantly lift a room's mood—and yours. Keep the wall color neutral and other accessories minimal to make the motif shine. Seasonal duvet covers are a great way to save money while making a statement with summer decor ideas. The 12 Best Duvet Covers of 2024 for Style and Comfort, According to Testing 36 of 44 Shop for Antique Summer Flair Brian McWeeney Summertime is the prime season for flea markets and antique sales. If your interior is more of a rustic, pre-loved style, take this opportunity to find vintage treasures to decorate your home with. Search for relics from the past that include floral patterns and muted greens and pinks. 37 of 44 Design a Wall of Hats Brie Williams Both stylish and functional, creating a sunhat display on your wall is an easy way to decorate for the season. This effortless decor is also an organization hack to clear out some closet space and show off your hat collection. 38 of 44 Incorporate a Centerpiece Edmund Barr Elevate your dining room table with a sunny summer centerpiece. Find a unique vessel for a bouquet of fresh-picked flowers, then add a wicker tray and pretty dinnerware set for an effortless breakfast nook arrangement. 39 of 44 Head to the Beach Edmund Barr Whether you live on the coast or just love to visit, cover your home in coastal decor for a trendy summer look. Take a walk on the beach and find seashells, coral, or driftwood to display. If you're landlocked, consider a shell-patterned wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint in a coastal-inspired color. Decorating with Natural Elements 40 of 44 Use Brown Hues Edmund Barr Like the sand on a beach, warm brown tones can infuse a room with a subtle summer scene. Adding the right decor can make your home feel like a quaint summer cottage. Gingham print, linen, and warm-toned wood complete this cozy breakfast nook. 41 of 44 Go Glam for Summer Annie Schlechter Get groovy with your summer decor ideas. Not only are disco balls aesthetically pleasing, but by placing them somewhere that gets ample sun, your room will be dancing with the reflections of the tiny mirrors. 42 of 44 Paint it Pink Robert Brinson Decorating with pink is a summer decor idea that adds a soft, graceful feel to the space. Whether you want the pink decor to be a dramatic, eye-catching conversation starter or a subtle, elegant touch, pink will warm up any room in the house. 39 Pink Room Decor Ideas to Use Throughout Your Home 43 of 44 Add a Practical Pergola Alyssa Richardson Enjoy your outdoor entertaining area to its fullest by adding a pergola. Not only are pergolas functional, but they look great too. Dress up your pergola with string lights, hanging plants, or whatever will make it fit your style. 44 of 44 Add a Pop of Color Carmel Brantley If your decorating style leans towards black and white or neutral colors, you're working with a clean slate. Choose a couple of elements to swap out for colorful additions. Choose sunshine yellow curtains or sky blue throw pillows. Adding just a splash of color will change the feel of your room without much effort. More Ways to Enjoy Summer The 9 Best Beach Chairs, Tested and Reviewed 32 of Our Favorite Summer Refreshing Drinks to Beat the Heat We Tested 57 Beach Towels, and We Recommend These 11 to Soak Up the Sun 24 Fun Activities to Add to Your Summer Bucket List The 9 Best Above-Ground Pools for Your Backyard Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit