Summer Home Decor Ideas: Room by Room Inspiration

More than anything, summertime interior design has its own unique feel. Where cozy and warm winter decor fosters an urge to cuddle up indoors, summer is quite the opposite. It's easy-going, light, leisurely and all about opening up your space to bring some of the outdoors in. Keep this in mind when selecting fabrics, colors and textures for each room of your home.

You don't have to use the same exact hues or themes throughout your home when decorating for summer, but your decor should be cohesive. When you select a few base colors and materials, the design will flow effortlessly from room to room.

For instance, you might go with white, off-white and terra cotta for your base palette and opt for natural weaves and light-wash wood for your materials. This doesn't mean you can't integrate other colors or textures. However, including these core elements in each room will make your home look more curated and intentional.

Ready to dress your space for warm-weather living? Below, find breezy, versatile summer decor ideas and simple swaps for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room and entryway.

Summer Bedroom Ideas

Nothing says summer quite like a white bedroom. But beyond how it looks, it's crucial to make your dwelling comfortable for the warmer months, especially where you sleep. When reimagining your bedroom for the sunny season, go with breathable, cooling fabrics, gauzy curtains, a potted plant and a large mirror.

Opt for Linen

Sourced from flax fibers and loomed with a simple square weave, linen is arguably the most summery bedding fabric of all. It's casual, elegant and luxurious. Best of all, it gets softer with every wash.

The classic, beachy textile not only looks effortlessly chic but also offers ultimate breathability, keeping you cool and comfy while you doze. You can't go wrong with white-on-white layered linen bedding, so don't be afraid to go all out with sheets, pillowcases and a duvet cover. 

Find out more about this best-loved fabric in our deep dive on linen.

Consider Percale

If you like the high-end appeal of hotel bedding, you might consider percale instead. Woven from long-staple Egyptian cotton, the fabric is crisp, cool and endlessly soft. You can get all percale bedding or mix and match with percale sheets and a linen duvet.

Again, white-on-white is a foolproof choice. Having said that, off-white and white can also look lovely together and add a bit of dimension. While throw blankets are a must for the winter, a lofty comforter and a few bed pillows are often enough for the summer.

Learn more about why people love this upscale fabric in our Guide to Percale Bedding.

Lightweight Curtains

Switch out your heavier window coverings for something lighter and flowier this summer. Consider gauzy white curtains for an airy ambiance or linen drapes if you want a little more privacy and light filtration.

Potted Plant

When placing plants around the home, it's easy to overlook the bedroom. Don't make this mistake when decorating this summer. To liven up your sleeping quarters, put a small pot on your dresser or place an indoor tree on the floor if you have space for it.

Large Mirror

Mirrors can make a bedroom look bigger and more open while adding natural light. Consider hanging a large mirror over your bed or dresser. You could also lean a full-length mirror against the wall for a casual appeal or place a free-standing one on the floor.

Summer Decor Ideas for the Bathroom

How do you create a summer room with no windows? A few functional pieces and summer decorations can go a long way in the bathroom. Think lightweight textiles, toned-down hues and vacation-inspired scents.

Waffle Towels

Waffle towels are perfect for summer because they're lightweight and quick-drying, plus they have that casual appeal you're going for. Reminiscent of a fancy spa or resort getaway, white is a supreme choice for this honeycomb weave.

Light-Colored Shower Curtain

Swapping out a darker, heavier shower curtain for a lighter color is an easy switch for summer. An off-white speckled print shower curtain offers a playful, laid-back look, though solid white is always a safe bet.

Linen Robe

A bathrobe isn't a decor piece per se, and yet it can offer an aesthetically-pleasing touch to your bathroom. Install a simple wood wall hook, then hang a linen robe for an effortless staycation look.

Summer Scents

Scented candles and diffusers do wonders for enhancing the ambiance of a bathroom. This summer, place a votive or essential oil diffuser on the counter to infuse the space with warm-weather fragrances. No counter space? Install a couple of floating shelves with a natural wood finish.

Summer Kitchen Ideas

The ultimate goal of decorating your kitech for summer should be to lighten up the space to reflect the warm weather and clear skies outside. Celebrate the sunniest season with flowers, fruit bowls, a bar cart and laid-back table linens.

Flowers and Fruit Bowls

One of the easiest ways to adorn your kitchen with seasonal accents is to place flowers and fruit bowls on your counters. Purchase clear glass or light-colored vases and bowls, then each week, fill them with fresh picks from your local farmers' market or grocery store. Go for whites, yellows and pinks. As for fruit, go with anything in season. A bowl full of lemons or oranges presents an undeniably summertime aesthetic. Fruit and flowers make excellent summer table decorations too.

Bar Cart

A bar cart provides both form and function. Rattan and weathered wood offer a breezy, beachy appearance, but for a more sophisticated effect, consider white metal.

Summery Table Linens

Whether you enjoy most meals in your kitchen nook, formal dining room or back patio, you can amp up the summertime energy with some fresh table linens. Textured linen in a light natural hue is a great choice. For a little more contrast, select a sunset-inspired earth tone, like terra cotta or sienna.

Summer Living Room Decor Ideas

When decorating your living room, great room or family room for the summer, keep light textiles, organic weaves and natural wood finishes in mind. If your existing furnishings are primarily neutral, then a rug, decorative pillows, floating shelves, woven baskets and sheer window coverings can make a world of difference.

Natural-Woven Rug

Switch out a heavier rug or liven up dark-colored flooring with a woven area rug. Jute and sisal are great options for braided and basket-weave rugs. The earth-sourced plant fibers are typically undyed, which lends to a somewhat boho, back-to-nature ambiance while adding subtle texture.

Decorative Pillows

Instead of throw blankets, you can add interest and dimension to your gathering space with a few decorative pillows. Knitted materials present a cozier look that's better for winter, but linen and cotton cushions offer a perfectly summery touch.

Wood Floating Shelves

One of the best summer wall decoration ideas is to hang a few floating shelves. To nail the casually elegant look, opt for weathered or knotted wood with a matte finish.

Next, add a few tchotchkes and decor accents, like glass jars, candles, small framed art pieces or even books. Pro tip: Display books with similar spine colors, like white, cream or brown, for an uncluttered, put-together appearance.

Beachy Baskets

Baskets are a welcome addition to your living room year-round, but they're especially useful for playing up a beachy, summertime atmosphere. Hand-woven jute baskets offer convenient storage for extra pillows and throws — they make excellent plant potters too. Then you can place smaller basket-style bowls on your coffee table, floating shelf or mantle.

Sheer Window Coverings

Since you don't need as much privacy in your living room as you do in the bedroom, sheer window coverings are ideal for the hot season. They're pleasantly airy, blowing effortlessly in the warm breeze. Plus, they filter out some sunlight during the day without darkening the room.

Summer Entryway Ideas

The entryway is the first impression your guests will have of your home, and it really sets the tone for the rest of your domain.

There are lots of ways to spruce up your foyer while nodding to the season. Depending on how much square footage you're working with, you can add a narrow credenza, a couple of small floating shelves, a woven basket or two, a narrow braided rug or a planter.

Whichever pieces you choose, keep the rest of your home decor in mind so it looks cohesive. For example, if you used oak wood, linen and jute with a tan and white palette, you'll want to call back those colors and materials in your entryway.

As spring winds to a close and we look ahead to the sunny season, rethinking the aesthetics of our lives is common. A new haircut or an overhauled wardrobe can put a pep in your step, but there's something about freshening up your home decor that makes everyday living that much more enjoyable. With thoughtful curation, the items outlined above can lend to a summery decor scheme, but they're also versatile enough to work year-round.

If you still need help coming up with summer decor ideas for your home, schedule a free consultation with an expert at Parachute. Either through video chat or over the phone, an experienced stylist will review your space, discuss your preferences and offer personalized recommendations. Whether you're wondering how to mix and match fabrics, want to know what colors are best for different seasons, aren't sure how to style a bed with quilts or want to reinvent your entire space from scratch, you'll receive all the guidance you need to get started. Schedule your one-on-one consultation with a Parachute stylist today!