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Simple Summer Decorating

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Today I’m sharing ideas for simple summer decorating!

Summer is here and I could not be happier about it! Decorating your home for summer is carefree and breezy. Think of an open window that looks out at the ocean with the linen curtains blowing gently in the breeze. That’s what came to mind when deciding how to outfit my home for the summer season. It’s not stuffy or overly decorated but rather paired down with a simple theme and a few key colors that are light and airy. Join me today as I share tips and ideas for simple summer decorating!

PIN IT FOR LATER!

This post contains affiliate links. That simply means I earn a small commission on any clicked links at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. You can read my full privacy policy and disclosures here. Thank you for supporting my small business!

If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more. Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!

Follow Along with The Antiqued Journey

a decorative vintage basket for Spring

Where to Find Decor for Summer

When decorating your home for summer, it is helpful to have a loose theme or color scheme to go off of. Think through items that you can use to give your home that ocean breeze feeling. The colors that you will see in my home this summer include whites, blues and bright greens with pops of yellow.

My summer decor is mainly vintage, either found at the thrift store or at antique stores. I picked up a few ‘new’ pieces at the thrift store a few weeks ago and you can read all about that in my Thrifted Decor For Summer post.

a vintage basket used to hold a summer vignette with vintage pieces

This summer vignette that I created was where I started with my decorating. I incorporated vintage books, milk glass, vintage yellow linens and various other vintage finds.

a vintage basket filled with vintage finds for a summer vignette

Because I wasn’t going to use many pieces of decor here, I packed it full of texture. Inside the basket, you will notice all of the colors that I mentioned earlier, which helps to set the theme for the rest of the decor.

Simple Summer Decorating

My house is small and has a very open concept floor plan, so making everything feel cohesive is super important.

I kept the decor super simple on the mantel. Remember that beautiful needlework picture that I found in Iowa? It looks stunning here next to the fireplace. It is the perfect piece for my summer decor and carries the overall theme so well.

a mantel decorated with vintage finds for the summer

To give it some height, I stacked two vintage books underneath it. Keeping in mind my color scheme, I chose to use a bright green book on top. I was going to use something other than these faux Tulips in the banana stand but I really do love the simplistic look of them, so they stayed!

This little area just came together so nicely. It feels open and airy which is exactly what I was going for.

a bathroom shelf decorated with vintage summer decor.

In the hall bath, I decorated this shelf with vintage items that I already had. I tried many different arrangements and different pieces of decor and this is the display that won out! I love how nicely the wood tone of the scoop pairs with the green.

Fun fact: The sea turtle is my favorite animal. I have glass sea turtles in different colors, like the one above, placed in different rooms of my house.

Those little details really make a house feel like yours because you are personalizing it specifically to you!

a vintage transferware vase filled with faux greens

The bathroom counter is graced with this vintage transferware vase, which I don’t think I’ve shown you! I found this at an antique store a few months ago for around $8. I love the scalloped detail around the top.

Keeping it easy, I simply tucked some faux greenery into it. This little vase makes me so happy every time I walk into this bathroom!

a vintage crewelwork picture of summer fruits

In our home office there are a few little shelves that I like to decorate. I really was craving some color on this shelf, so color it is! I picked up this vintage crewelwork picture last year at the thrift store for $4. It exudes Summer with all of the fresh fruits, flowers and vivid colors.

This little scene makes me want to put on my rubber boots and go strawberry picking.

a vintage pottery 'cream' bottle filled with yellow faux stems

In the entry, there is a skinny little shelf for a just a few items. Sticking with the bright and airy feel, I paired this vintage cream bottle, which was $2 at the thrift store, with a small milk glass cup.

In this space, the pops of yellow really stand out against the white. You don’t have to do much to make a space feel beautiful!

a vintage enamel vase displayed with faux yellow flowers as a centerpiece

The yellow’s and green’s really come to life on the dining table. This embroidered vintage table runner was found at an antique store last summer for only $3! The small green polka dots in the center pair beautifully with the Jadeite plate.

This centerpiece truly is the epitome of simple summer decorating. I used very minimal decor but, because of how the colors are paired together, makes such a statement!

Summer Textural Elements to Try

I think my biggest piece of advice when wanting to decorate simply is to pack your displays with texture and color. In doing so, you are creating visual interest without all the extra ‘stuff’.

Textural elements you could try:

  • baskets
  • faux greenery stems
  • a stack of books
  • flowers
  • ribbon
  • textured or embroidered fabrics

a vintage linen napkin with yellow flowers in a summer vignette

Closing Tidbits

I hope I’ve shown you today that summer decorating doesn’t need to be fussy. Simple summer decorating is what the essence of summer is all about…carefree, easy and lighthearted! My hope is that this encourages you take the time to infuse your home with those summer elements and find a childlike exuberance along with the way.

signature from The Antiqued Journey

Leave me a comment below! How do you decorate your home for summer? I love hearing from you!

an image for pinning

Just click the red button in the left corner!

a blue glass jar filled with purple lilacs

Other Summer Posts To Enjoy:

Shop Summer Home Decor on Amazon

29 Comments. Leave new

  • Marilyn Phillips
    June 3, 2022 10:43 am

    Love these ideas. So fresh!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 3, 2022 11:21 am

      Hi Marilyn!
      Thank you!!! Fresh is what I was going for…glad you felt that too! Have a lovely weekend!

      Reply
  • These are all fabulous summer decorating ideas, Rachel! I love all the pops of yellow and you know I’m over the moon excited about your thrifted finds too. They fit in perfectly with your summer theme. I can feel the curtains blowing in the breeze already. Hugs, CoCo

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 3, 2022 2:38 pm

      Thank you SO much, CoCo! Thanks for stopping by today and reading!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!!

      Reply
  • meagan trento
    June 3, 2022 3:21 pm

    Great summer ideas Rachel

    Reply
  • Hi Rachel! Your decor definitely has that airy summer vibe. It’s so refreshing. I absolutely love that brown transferware vase. It’s a stunner and was a great find. I know what you mean about open concept homes and ensuring everything feels/looks consistent. Creating a cohesive look in an open environment is more challenging than people think. Thank you for sharing your ideas and inspiration with us. I always love checking your blog to see what you have been up to.

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 5, 2022 9:47 pm

      This is one of the best comments I’ve ever received 🙂 That vase was only $8!! I couldn’t believe it. Also..Jadeite. I love it SO much but only buy it when the price is under $12 which isn’t often. I actually found that plate at the thrift store a few summers ago for like $3?? Anyways…thanks friend for stopping by!!

      Reply
  • p.s. I saw a piece of jadeite in one of your photos!! Insert emoji with heart eyes.

    Reply
  • Heidi | The Frugal Girls
    June 6, 2022 11:18 am

    I’m loving all of these sweet Summer decor ideas! I absolutely love that gorgeous table runner you found for only $3!!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 6, 2022 12:37 pm

      Hi Heidi!
      Thanks SO much!! I’m so happy that you found joy here and for stopping by today. I truly appreciate it!!

      Reply
  • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

    Reply
  • debra@commonground
    June 9, 2022 9:28 pm

    Love your summer decor and all those soft colors playing together. That little transferware bud vase is so adorable. I’ve not seen one like it before. Your needlepoint pieces are so sweet; there’s something about handmade things that is so endearing with all the many hours put into them!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 10, 2022 7:32 am

      Hi Debra!
      Thank you so much for your lovely and thoughtful comment. I appreciate you stopping by!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

      Reply
  • Julie Briones
    June 13, 2022 10:16 pm

    Rachel… you have so many pretty vintage elements in your summer decor! Love that art piece on your wall! I’m excited to be featuring you at Tuesday Turn About tomorrow! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 14, 2022 7:29 am

      Hi Julie!
      Thank you!! I had so much fun arranging my summer decor this season. Thanks so much for the feature..I truly appreciate it! Hope you have a lovely day!

      Reply
  • I love how you use your milk glass in so many ways! I scored a small piece of Westmoreland grape panel–a small oval dish–and can’t wait to fill it with something!!! Your vignettes were all so cheerful with color; I am a bright color fan, not that I don’t like pastels, too. I just couldn’t live with an all white home with a kitchen counter that someone could surgery on! Vintage helps fill my need for color!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 15, 2022 7:20 pm

      Hi Kathy!
      Thank you!! That’s so kind of you to say. I have so much fun creating little displays and vignettes in my home…I am constantly changing things around but that’s what keeps it fun for me 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today and for leaving such a joyful comment! I do appreciate you!

      Reply
  • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

    Reply
  • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

    Reply
  • Esmé Slabbert
    May 17, 2023 12:15 pm

    Outstanding decor and ideas.
    I visited you via Tuesday Turn About #202 Floral Gala
    If not already part of SSPS, and are interested, find my entries: 116+117
    You will find the linkup information (1) In the Top bar under Blogging: Weekly Senior Salon Pit Stop (2) In the sidebar: Click on 2nd image; (3) under the “Recent Posts
    We hope to meet you there virtually.

    Reply
  • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

    Reply
  • I love the color scheme you chose! Absolutely perfect for the season. I definitely need to add more textures into my decor. We just had our floors refinished, so my decor budget is slim, but you’ve inspired me to go thrifting this week!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 15, 2023 2:49 pm

      Hi Amelia!
      Thank you so much!! I’m so happy to have you here. I totally get the tight budget…I’ve been there many times and thrifting is always my solution 🙂 I hope you find some amazing things!!

      Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 15, 2023 2:51 pm

      Hi Amelia!
      Thanks so much!! I appreciate you being here! I totally understand the tight budget…I’ve been there many times. That’s where thrifting comes in handy:) I hope you find some amazing things!!

      Reply
  • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

    Reply
  • […] This simple display of blues and whites is light and airy, making for easy-breezy Summer decor. […]

    Reply
  • […] know about you, but I love blankets. I’m actually wearing one right now, in the middle of Summer, as I sit at my computer and type […]

    Reply
  • […] Check out this idea for summer decorating. […]

    Reply

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Hello I’m Rachel.

I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

Join Our Antiqued Journey

community

Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

    Popular

    Check out
    The Antiqued Journey
    Shop!

    FREE SHIPPING on all orders

    Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
    1. Home
    2. Inspiration for Your Home
    3. Antique and Vintage
    4. Simple Summer Decorating

    Simple Summer Decorating

    Share this post. Share the Journey!

    Today I’m sharing ideas for simple summer decorating!

    Summer is here and I could not be happier about it! Decorating your home for summer is carefree and breezy. Think of an open window that looks out at the ocean with the linen curtains blowing gently in the breeze. That’s what came to mind when deciding how to outfit my home for the summer season. It’s not stuffy or overly decorated but rather paired down with a simple theme and a few key colors that are light and airy. Join me today as I share tips and ideas for simple summer decorating!

    PIN IT FOR LATER!

    This post contains affiliate links. That simply means I earn a small commission on any clicked links at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases. You can read my full privacy policy and disclosures here. Thank you for supporting my small business!

    If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more. Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!

    Follow Along with The Antiqued Journey

    a decorative vintage basket for Spring

    Where to Find Decor for Summer

    When decorating your home for summer, it is helpful to have a loose theme or color scheme to go off of. Think through items that you can use to give your home that ocean breeze feeling. The colors that you will see in my home this summer include whites, blues and bright greens with pops of yellow.

    My summer decor is mainly vintage, either found at the thrift store or at antique stores. I picked up a few ‘new’ pieces at the thrift store a few weeks ago and you can read all about that in my Thrifted Decor For Summer post.

    a vintage basket used to hold a summer vignette with vintage pieces

    This summer vignette that I created was where I started with my decorating. I incorporated vintage books, milk glass, vintage yellow linens and various other vintage finds.

    a vintage basket filled with vintage finds for a summer vignette

    Because I wasn’t going to use many pieces of decor here, I packed it full of texture. Inside the basket, you will notice all of the colors that I mentioned earlier, which helps to set the theme for the rest of the decor.

    Simple Summer Decorating

    My house is small and has a very open concept floor plan, so making everything feel cohesive is super important.

    I kept the decor super simple on the mantel. Remember that beautiful needlework picture that I found in Iowa? It looks stunning here next to the fireplace. It is the perfect piece for my summer decor and carries the overall theme so well.

    a mantel decorated with vintage finds for the summer

    To give it some height, I stacked two vintage books underneath it. Keeping in mind my color scheme, I chose to use a bright green book on top. I was going to use something other than these faux Tulips in the banana stand but I really do love the simplistic look of them, so they stayed!

    This little area just came together so nicely. It feels open and airy which is exactly what I was going for.

    a bathroom shelf decorated with vintage summer decor.

    In the hall bath, I decorated this shelf with vintage items that I already had. I tried many different arrangements and different pieces of decor and this is the display that won out! I love how nicely the wood tone of the scoop pairs with the green.

    Fun fact: The sea turtle is my favorite animal. I have glass sea turtles in different colors, like the one above, placed in different rooms of my house.

    Those little details really make a house feel like yours because you are personalizing it specifically to you!

    a vintage transferware vase filled with faux greens

    The bathroom counter is graced with this vintage transferware vase, which I don’t think I’ve shown you! I found this at an antique store a few months ago for around $8. I love the scalloped detail around the top.

    Keeping it easy, I simply tucked some faux greenery into it. This little vase makes me so happy every time I walk into this bathroom!

    a vintage crewelwork picture of summer fruits

    In our home office there are a few little shelves that I like to decorate. I really was craving some color on this shelf, so color it is! I picked up this vintage crewelwork picture last year at the thrift store for $4. It exudes Summer with all of the fresh fruits, flowers and vivid colors.

    This little scene makes me want to put on my rubber boots and go strawberry picking.

    a vintage pottery 'cream' bottle filled with yellow faux stems

    In the entry, there is a skinny little shelf for a just a few items. Sticking with the bright and airy feel, I paired this vintage cream bottle, which was $2 at the thrift store, with a small milk glass cup.

    In this space, the pops of yellow really stand out against the white. You don’t have to do much to make a space feel beautiful!

    a vintage enamel vase displayed with faux yellow flowers as a centerpiece

    The yellow’s and green’s really come to life on the dining table. This embroidered vintage table runner was found at an antique store last summer for only $3! The small green polka dots in the center pair beautifully with the Jadeite plate.

    This centerpiece truly is the epitome of simple summer decorating. I used very minimal decor but, because of how the colors are paired together, makes such a statement!

    Summer Textural Elements to Try

    I think my biggest piece of advice when wanting to decorate simply is to pack your displays with texture and color. In doing so, you are creating visual interest without all the extra ‘stuff’.

    Textural elements you could try:

    • baskets
    • faux greenery stems
    • a stack of books
    • flowers
    • ribbon
    • textured or embroidered fabrics

    a vintage linen napkin with yellow flowers in a summer vignette

    Closing Tidbits

    I hope I’ve shown you today that summer decorating doesn’t need to be fussy. Simple summer decorating is what the essence of summer is all about…carefree, easy and lighthearted! My hope is that this encourages you take the time to infuse your home with those summer elements and find a childlike exuberance along with the way.

    signature from The Antiqued Journey

    Leave me a comment below! How do you decorate your home for summer? I love hearing from you!

    an image for pinning

    Just click the red button in the left corner!

    a blue glass jar filled with purple lilacs

    Other Summer Posts To Enjoy:

    Shop Summer Home Decor on Amazon

    29 Comments. Leave new

    • Marilyn Phillips
      June 3, 2022 10:43 am

      Love these ideas. So fresh!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 3, 2022 11:21 am

        Hi Marilyn!
        Thank you!!! Fresh is what I was going for…glad you felt that too! Have a lovely weekend!

        Reply
    • These are all fabulous summer decorating ideas, Rachel! I love all the pops of yellow and you know I’m over the moon excited about your thrifted finds too. They fit in perfectly with your summer theme. I can feel the curtains blowing in the breeze already. Hugs, CoCo

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 3, 2022 2:38 pm

        Thank you SO much, CoCo! Thanks for stopping by today and reading!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!!

        Reply
    • meagan trento
      June 3, 2022 3:21 pm

      Great summer ideas Rachel

      Reply
    • Hi Rachel! Your decor definitely has that airy summer vibe. It’s so refreshing. I absolutely love that brown transferware vase. It’s a stunner and was a great find. I know what you mean about open concept homes and ensuring everything feels/looks consistent. Creating a cohesive look in an open environment is more challenging than people think. Thank you for sharing your ideas and inspiration with us. I always love checking your blog to see what you have been up to.

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 5, 2022 9:47 pm

        This is one of the best comments I’ve ever received 🙂 That vase was only $8!! I couldn’t believe it. Also..Jadeite. I love it SO much but only buy it when the price is under $12 which isn’t often. I actually found that plate at the thrift store a few summers ago for like $3?? Anyways…thanks friend for stopping by!!

        Reply
    • p.s. I saw a piece of jadeite in one of your photos!! Insert emoji with heart eyes.

      Reply
    • Heidi | The Frugal Girls
      June 6, 2022 11:18 am

      I’m loving all of these sweet Summer decor ideas! I absolutely love that gorgeous table runner you found for only $3!!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 6, 2022 12:37 pm

        Hi Heidi!
        Thanks SO much!! I’m so happy that you found joy here and for stopping by today. I truly appreciate it!!

        Reply
    • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

      Reply
    • debra@commonground
      June 9, 2022 9:28 pm

      Love your summer decor and all those soft colors playing together. That little transferware bud vase is so adorable. I’ve not seen one like it before. Your needlepoint pieces are so sweet; there’s something about handmade things that is so endearing with all the many hours put into them!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 10, 2022 7:32 am

        Hi Debra!
        Thank you so much for your lovely and thoughtful comment. I appreciate you stopping by!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!

        Reply
    • Julie Briones
      June 13, 2022 10:16 pm

      Rachel… you have so many pretty vintage elements in your summer decor! Love that art piece on your wall! I’m excited to be featuring you at Tuesday Turn About tomorrow! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 14, 2022 7:29 am

        Hi Julie!
        Thank you!! I had so much fun arranging my summer decor this season. Thanks so much for the feature..I truly appreciate it! Hope you have a lovely day!

        Reply
    • I love how you use your milk glass in so many ways! I scored a small piece of Westmoreland grape panel–a small oval dish–and can’t wait to fill it with something!!! Your vignettes were all so cheerful with color; I am a bright color fan, not that I don’t like pastels, too. I just couldn’t live with an all white home with a kitchen counter that someone could surgery on! Vintage helps fill my need for color!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 15, 2022 7:20 pm

        Hi Kathy!
        Thank you!! That’s so kind of you to say. I have so much fun creating little displays and vignettes in my home…I am constantly changing things around but that’s what keeps it fun for me 🙂 Thanks for stopping by today and for leaving such a joyful comment! I do appreciate you!

        Reply
    • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

      Reply
    • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

      Reply
    • Esmé Slabbert
      May 17, 2023 12:15 pm

      Outstanding decor and ideas.
      I visited you via Tuesday Turn About #202 Floral Gala
      If not already part of SSPS, and are interested, find my entries: 116+117
      You will find the linkup information (1) In the Top bar under Blogging: Weekly Senior Salon Pit Stop (2) In the sidebar: Click on 2nd image; (3) under the “Recent Posts
      We hope to meet you there virtually.

      Reply
    • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

      Reply
    • I love the color scheme you chose! Absolutely perfect for the season. I definitely need to add more textures into my decor. We just had our floors refinished, so my decor budget is slim, but you’ve inspired me to go thrifting this week!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 15, 2023 2:49 pm

        Hi Amelia!
        Thank you so much!! I’m so happy to have you here. I totally get the tight budget…I’ve been there many times and thrifting is always my solution 🙂 I hope you find some amazing things!!

        Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        June 15, 2023 2:51 pm

        Hi Amelia!
        Thanks so much!! I appreciate you being here! I totally understand the tight budget…I’ve been there many times. That’s where thrifting comes in handy:) I hope you find some amazing things!!

        Reply
    • […] Simple Summer Decorating […]

      Reply
    • […] This simple display of blues and whites is light and airy, making for easy-breezy Summer decor. […]

      Reply
    • […] know about you, but I love blankets. I’m actually wearing one right now, in the middle of Summer, as I sit at my computer and type […]

      Reply
    • […] Check out this idea for summer decorating. […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Fill out this field
    Fill out this field
    Please enter a valid email address.
    You need to agree with the terms to proceed

    Hello I’m Rachel.

    I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

    Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

    Join Our Antiqued Journey

    community

    Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

      Popular

      Check out
      The Antiqued Journey
      Shop!

      FREE SHIPPING on all orders

      Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
      Menu