12 summer decor ideas to lift and brighten your home for the season

Summer decor ideas have got to be the most joyful. Transitioning out of heavy fabrics and darker shades into light and breezy materials and beautiful light and bright colors will always give you a lift. From bringing in ditsy patterns like gingham and florals, to decorating with the colors of the season – blues, pinks, yellows, greens – there are endless small tweaks that you can make to your home to update it for summer.

We asked interior designers how they switch up spaces for the summer so you can get inspired no matter what your interior design style.

Summer decor ideas

Summer decor ideas are full of bright and bold colors that instantly put a smile on your face, so why not bring some of that into your home? Introducing all the best parts of summer into your home can allow you to brighten up your home and bring a touch of the outside, inside.

Whether it’s bold prints, nautical themes, making the most of summer snaps or taking inspiration from nature, there are some really simple ways that you can give your home a makeover and add a touch of the summer season into your home.

1. Make small but significant switches

'With summer just around the corner (YAY!), it's the perfect opportunity to breathe fresh life into your home. One of the simplest ways to refresh your space is by updating the coffee table decor,' explains designer Jennifer Walter.

'Swap out the heavier, darker accessories for lighter, more airy pieces. Light pottery or glass vessels filled with fresh summer flowers (or silks) and lush greens can instantly brighten up a space and make it feel light. Another great way to embrace summer is by switching your bedding and pillows to lightweight linens.'

'This change creates a breezy, cool atmosphere in the bedroom and adds a touch of laid back sophistication. Don't forget to swap out your throws for lighter fabrics, such as cotton or linen, to complete the look. Consider updating your rugs too – opting for natural fibers or brightly colored pieces can make a significant impact.'

'Finally, rearranging your furniture to allow for a better flow can help you make the most of your space, especially since we spend less time in front of the TV and more time enjoying the outdoors during these months,' explains Jennifer.

2. Keep things simple and decorate with nature

'In my house, summer is about relaxing with the kids and finally taking a break from the holiday decorating gauntlet that runs from October through April. To that end, I like to keep things incredibly simple and cut stems from my garden to bring indoors – we have bounteous mophead and oak leaf hydrangeas, stargazer lilies, and peonies – put the bar tools out on the porch for our frequent neighborhood "porch drinks" and kick back and enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors,' explains designer Bethany Adams.

3. Switch up furniture materials

'When we design for summer, we always consider decor and furnishings that support the full, active lifestyle the season brings with it,' explains Laetitia Laurent, founder of Laure Nell Interiors.

'Performance is a big part of this. Modern, clear acrylic furniture does a great job of standing up to the elements, from weather to wet bathing suits. It also feels light and airy, with the neutral aspect helping to mitigate heat and allowing for the visual focus to be on the contrasting, natural color elements, such as the pool or landscape features.  For decor, we're really loving the earthy green summer trend, especially in vibrant, tropical pops of color. Banana leaf and palm fronds with a brighter, bolder feel mix well with softer tones and look great showcased against the neutral furniture choices. 

4. Decorate in sunshine shades

Decorating with yellow is guaranteed to bring summer magic into your home. An instant mood enhancer, it will put a spring in your step whatever the weather.

'Decorating choices are a natural reflection of the times we are living in, there is a real desire for joyful, welcoming and optimistic shades which has been reflected in the rise of sunny and energetic hues such as 'Indian Yellow' and ‘Giallo’,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene. 'Try pairing it with bold green ‘Hopper’ and a burst of deep summer sky blue for a vibrant and inviting interior.'

5. Decorate with Chinoiserie 

Rooted in the beautiful landscapes of China, Japan and other Asian countries, Chinoiserie prints are the perfect way to inject elegance and exoticism into the home.

Dating back to the Mid-18th century, the style, which is often characterized by its sinuous flower, bird and leaf forms, has endured popularity over the centuries and continues to captivate interior designers today. While there are companies that offer hand-painted bespoke murals, there are a growing number of brands offering printed wallpapers and fabrics inspired by the whimsical style.

6. Add zest to a kitchen with fruit prints

If there’s anywhere in our home that needs to feel joyous and uplifting it’s the kitchen; as an everyday space we spend lots of time in it’s important it’s a space that makes us feel happy.

Wallpaper ideas are a brilliant way to bring instant life to a kitchen diner – for a summer feeling all year round try a pattern inspired by the garden colored in citrus hues, such as Morris & Co’s Simply Morris Fruit design which is ripe with lemons and pomegranates.

7. Introduce bold florals

Often occasional spaces which are reserved for entertaining, dining rooms are a great place to be bold with summer decor, and floral room decor ideas are guaranteed to make an instant statement. To bring wow factor consider papering in a large-scale floral print wall to wall – you could even go full-on chintz by adding in matching curtains.

When choosing dining room wallpaper be sure to think about scale advises Ruth Mottershead, create director at Little Greene.

'Consider the ceiling height when choosing your wallpaper, opting for a smaller scale where you have low ceilings and larger scale more dramatic designs where you have high ceilings or large expanses of wall. If you have paneling within the room, fill the panels with wallpaper and paint the woodwork in a contrasting hue for a cohesive and layered interior.'

8. Lay a pretty table 

Tablescaping is one way to honor summer decor ideas and you can create a beautiful setting for a summer tea party by layering up patterned linens, colored glassware and plenty of fresh flowers, suggests fabric designer Pippa Blacker.

‘I love using my fabrics when entertaining and often choose a strong color for the tablecloth, perhaps with a pattern that has a feeling of flow and movement to it. I then layer up with linen napkins using a smaller print and softer colors. The look comes together by adding flowers, colored glass and if appropriate colored candles too. I love a colorful, relaxed, and fun summer table.'

9. Style up a sunroom

Make the most of the warm weather by styling up your sunroom ideas with summer decor for a dinner party. Rattan chairs are guaranteed to bring a holiday feel, so layer them with pillows in mix of bright, folksy prints and don't forget throws to keep cozy when the evening chill sets in.

To create an eye catching table choose colored glass tumblers that will come to life in sunlight and display vibrant floral arrangements in woven baskets for a relaxed country feel.

10. Cover a headboard in a joyful fabric

Headboard ideas in joyful prints make for a fabulous way to bring a burst of summer decor into your bedroom without over-powering the space. Full of the delights of the Mediterranean, this fabric by Fanny Shorter features a medley of chrysanthemums, oranges and geraniums in sunburst yellow makes a fitting choice and is offset beautifully with a soothing, watery wallpaper.

‘We have balanced the large scale print of the headboard with one of our favorite fabrics on the walls called “Mudprint”, which we designed for Christopher Farr Cloth,' says interior designer Kit Kemp. 'The blue colorway creates a calm backdrop that transports you to the Mediterranean Sea, with its painted layered quality adding a subtle movement and textured feel to the room.’

11. Fill the house with plants and flowers

Summer is truly one of the most beautiful times of year, so why not take inspiration from nature and add beautiful flowers and plants to your home? Not only will they look and smell beautiful on display, they’ll also make you feel good too. Being surrounded by plants and nature is proven to have a positive impact on our well-being and will brighten your day in more ways than one.

There are lots of ways you can refresh your home for summer. For a lasting impression try painting rooms in mood-enhancing vibrant shades such as yellow, leafy green and hot pink, or decorating with bold floral and botanical wallpapers – both will bring instant summer magic and will spark instant joy.

Alternatively, for a quick update try styling up your kitchen with a joyful tablecloth, statement floral cushions and filling your home with plenty of fresh flowers. 'Bring in that feeling of summer by using joyful colors and patterns through your table linen and flowers,' says Molly Mahon. 'I love to mix and match my tablecloths and napkins to add as much interest and color as possible.'