Simple Summer Decorating Ideas

Summer is, by far, my favorite season–and to make sure I have plenty of time to enjoy it, I like to keep my summer decorating simple and easy.  If you’re looking for ways to refresh your home and give it a light, breezy summer feeling, today I’ve gathered some simple summer decorating ideas to share with you. 

To me, summer decorating has a relaxed, timeless look and feeling. And since these decorating ideas work in any space and season, they’ll look fresh and current all year round.

Whether you want to add a touch of summer decor to your entire home or just certain spaces, below you’ll find some easy ways to add that wonderful, summery feeling to your home incorporating lots of fresh white, natural fabrics, and organic textures. 

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Simple Summer Decorating Ideas

1. Add a Natural Touch with Baskets

Baskets are my favorite summer home decor accessory.  They go with every style and are both versatile and functional. 

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You can hang baskets on the wall as artwork, use them to fill empty spots on bookshelf, as a stylish container in the bathroom, or set your plants in them to disguise ugly plant pots–the possibilities are endless! See my Baskets Page for my favorite basket sources.

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They also make a great organizing tool in the kitchen!

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2. Add in Some Woven Textures

Like baskets, textured surfaces like cane and rattan add depth and interest to your spaces.  Textures also add a touch of warmth to an all-white color palette.

Adding bamboo shades, woven counter stools and baskets to our open-concept kitchen and hearth room helped warm up this space.  See my Counter Stools page for more woven counter stool options.

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I recently added woven chairs, as well as updated artwork, lighter curtains, a new light fixture, and a jute rug to our dining room to lighten and freshen up this space. As you can see, my orchids love all the natural light in this room!

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Our updated breakfast nook area has an abundance of textures, thanks to the addition of a woven pendant light, French bistro chairs, rug, and bamboo shades!

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3. Pile on the Pillows

A change of pillows might be all you need to add the perfect touch of summer to your home.  I have an assortment of pillows that regularly get switched from room-to-room throughout our home. 

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I’m always amazed at how a little pillow rearranging can change the look of a room in an instant! See my Pillows Page for my favorite pillow sources.

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4. Rearrange Your Artwork

Artwork provides a focal point for a space, so switching up your artwork is one of the easiest ways to give a room a new look. I recently moved my botanical prints to our basement family room and added this artwork to our living room to modernize this space a bit. 

If you have a Home Goods, TJ Maxx, or Hobby Lobby nearby, they’re often a great source for affordable artwork. (See my Artwork Page for more art sources.)

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5. Enjoy the Ease of Slipcovered Furniture

Not only do slipcovers add a relaxed feeling to any space–they’re amazingly practical for summertime, when outdoor/indoor living is the norm. 

Below, you can see two ways I’ve incorporated slipcovered furniture in the same space: first, with two chairs, and second, with a sectional.

 

I love being able to remove and throw our slipcovers in the washing machine whenever they get dirty.

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6. Add in Some Natural Fiber Rugs

As the foundation for your indoor and outdoor spaces, rugs are the perfect way to add a touch of easy and relaxed summer style to your home.  Natural jute rugs, sisal, cotton dhurries, wool Turkish runners, and even outdoor rugs, soften your spaces and make them feel more cohesive. 

Here are a few ways I’m using rugs and runners in our home–see my Favorite Rugs Page for more ideas.

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Don’t forget about outdoor rugs–it’s amazing how they can tie together your patio and make it feel like an extension of your home.

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7. Incorporate Summer Stripes

Crisp stripes are one of the hallmarks of the summer aesthetic, and you’ll find them in abundance in our home!  Last summer I added this striped jute and wool area rug to our living room to add a casual look to this space.

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A striped throw, draped over the arm of the chair, adds a summery feeling to our hearth room.

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Striped pillows bring a fresh feeling to our master bedroom.  Here are the blue and white striped pillows–they’ve slightly changed the color and stripe style since I bought mine.  Here’s a similar striped pillow.

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A striped throw at the end of the bed is an easy way to add a light touch of summer to the bedroom, as shown in our guestroom, below:

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Even our back porch got a dose of stripes, with this super affordable door mat.  Mine is sold out, but here’s a similar striped doormat.

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For more summer decorating ideas, you might also be interested in these posts:

• Modern Coastal Decorating Ideas for Your Home
• My Favorite Nancy Meyers Interiors (and How to Get Her Style)
• Decorating with Blue and White
• Master Bedroom Summer Refresh with Serena & Lily
• How to Transition Your Home from Summer to Fall Decor
• Decorating with Blue for Spring and Summer
• Modern Patio Ideas for a Relaxing Backyard Oasis
• Yard and Garden Tour, with Simple Landscaping and Border Ideas for Your House
• Spring Home Decor Trends: What’s New for 2023