Last Updated on April 23, 2024 by Rachel Granholm
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!
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 thrift stores or antique shops. 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.
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.
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.
Shop the Summer Look
Simple Summer Decorating
My house is small and has a very open concept floor plan, so making everything feel cohesive is super important.
Summer Decor on the Mantel
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.
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.
Summer Decor in the Hall Bath
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!
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!
Shelf Decor for Summer
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!
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!
Dining Table Decor for Summer
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!
Other Ideas for Summer Decor
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
Closing Tidbits for Simple Summer Decorating
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.
Leave me a comment below! How do you decorate your home for summer? I love hearing from you!
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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.
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30 Comments. Leave new
Love these ideas. So fresh!
Hi Marilyn!
Thank you!!! Fresh is what I was going for…glad you felt that too! Have a lovely weekend!
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
Thank you SO much, CoCo! Thanks for stopping by today and reading!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!!
Great summer ideas Rachel
Thank you!!!
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.
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!!
p.s. I saw a piece of jadeite in one of your photos!! Insert emoji with heart eyes.
I’m loving all of these sweet Summer decor ideas! I absolutely love that gorgeous table runner you found for only $3!!
Hi Heidi!
Thanks SO much!! I’m so happy that you found joy here and for stopping by today. I truly appreciate it!!
[…] Simple Summer Decorating […]
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!
Hi Debra!
Thank you so much for your lovely and thoughtful comment. I appreciate you stopping by!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
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!
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!
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!
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!
[…] Simple Summer Decorating […]
[…] Simple Summer Decorating […]
Outstanding decor and ideas.
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[…] Simple Summer Decorating […]
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!
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!!
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!!
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