Summer’s here! Time to give your home a sun-soaked makeover that’s as easy as it is inspiring. Whether you’re aiming for a quick weekend DIY or a full-room revamp, these nine laid-back tips will help you bring in light, color, greenery and personal touches to create your own breezy retreat—all without the sweat.
Key Takeaways:
- Color Refresh: Embrace sun-washed earth tones or soft mineral palettes for a calming, summer-ready backdrop.
- On-Trend Décor: Mix elevated coastal, sculptural furniture and desert-modern accents for a curated look.
- Textile Swap: Swap heavy drapes and throws for sheer linens and lightweight cotton/linen cushions.
- Bring Nature In: Add low-maintenance houseplants, fresh seasonal blooms, and stylish “chore décor.”
- Personal Touches: Showcase summer memories with photo books, canvas prints and custom tiles.
- Senses Matter: Layer citrus candles or diffusers and set a relaxing summer playlist.
- Outdoor Oasis: Create a cozy balcony or patio with weatherproof furniture, rugs and string lights.
- Quick Updates: Use seashell displays, hardware swaps and bold accent pieces for instant impact.
- Maintain the Vibe: Declutter regularly, deep-clean key areas, and use attractive storage solutions.
Embrace the Hottest Color Trends of Summer 2025
Sun-Washed Earth Tones
Soft terracotta, muted clay and warm sand create a lived-in, grounded feel.
- Where to use: Accent walls in living rooms or dining areas.
- Action tip: Try a matte eggshell finish—brand-neutral but look for low-VOC options from Sherwin-Williams or Behr.
- Did you know? According to Earthy Tones (Psychological Effect in Interior), earth tones promote relaxation by grounding a space and mimicking natural landscapes.
Soft Mineral Palettes
Chalky celadon, pale ecru and dusted slate bring in a serene, spa-like vibe.
- Where to use: Bedrooms and bathrooms for a calming retreat.
- Action tip: Balance with white trim and natural wood accents to avoid a “washed-out” look.
- Pro styling: Layer in complementary textiles—like a stone-gray linen throw—to tie the palette together.
What Decor Styles Are Trending This Summer?
Elevated Coastal Themes
Pale stripes, woven rattan and driftwood-style pieces evoke beach days—no full redesign needed.
- Action tip: Swap cabinet knobs for seashell-shaped pulls or rope-wrapped handles for under $20.
Sculptural & Organic Furniture
Curved silhouettes (think crescent coffee tables or barrel chairs) soften corners and invite conversation.
- Action tip: Look for budget finds on second-hand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace—refinish metal legs in matte black for a fresh twist.
Desert Modern Accents
Terracotta planters, textured clay vases and woven textiles nod to sun-baked landscapes.
- Action tip: Group three different-sized pots on a console table for instant desert-chic cachet.
Eclectic Maximalism Highlights
Bright throw pillows or an artful tapestry can be all you need to punch up a neutral sofa.
- Action tip: Pick one bold hue—like cherry red or indigo—to pepper through pillows, vases and wall art for cohesion.
How Can You Refresh Soft Furnishings & Textiles?
Sheer Curtains for Natural Light
Ditch heavy drapes and let daylight pour in—sheer linens feel lighter and cooler.
| Colors to Avoid | Colors to Embrace |
|---|---|
| Dark Navy | Soft Ivory |
| Charcoal Gray | Blush Pink |
| Olive Drab | Pale Sage |
| Mustard Yellow | Light Cloud Blue |
- Action tip: Choose curtain panels with 3–4″ header tape so they drape evenly on extendable rods—no awkward gaps.
- Research shows: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s “Physical Well-being” report finds natural light boosts mood, creativity and productivity—so maximizing it has measurable benefits.
Lightweight Throws & Cushions
Stow away heavy wool blankets; swap in cotton or breathable linen throws.
- Action tip: Pick a throw with at least 200 GSM (grams per square meter) for durability but under 300 GSM to keep it light.
- Pro styling: Layer a custom photo blanket over an armchair—personal, cozy and perfect for evening porch hangs.
Heritage & Vintage Fabrics
Look for faded ikat, block-print cottons or hand-woven slub weaves for an artisanal feel.
- Action tip: Frame 12″×12″ swatches in a gallery frame grid for a budget-friendly textile showcase.
How to Bring the Outdoors In?
Summer Houseplants & Indoor Gardens
Low-maintenance succulents, snake plants or ZZ plants filter air and require minimal fuss.
- Action tip: Use self-watering planters or line terracotta pots with crushed gravel for better drainage.
- Fun fact: NASA’s Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement study found certain houseplants can remove up to 87% of VOCs within 24 hours—part of the wider NASA Clean Air Study.
Fresh Floral Arrangements
Swap store-bought stems monthly for seasonal picks—sunflowers, hydrangeas or wildflowers feel right at home in mason jars.
- Action tip: Trim stems at a 45° angle every other day and refresh vase water with a teaspoon of white vinegar to extend bloom life.
Chore Décor for Practical Beauty
Transform everyday essentials into decorative statements: use a custom photo tile as a magnetic memo board in the kitchen, or hang a pretty brush set in the laundry room.
- Action tip: Hide cleaning supplies in woven baskets—label them with chalkboard tags for both style and function.
How to Personalize with Photos & Memories?
Customized Summer Photo Books
Compile 20–30 of your best vacation or backyard BBQ shots into a hardcover for the coffee table.
- Action tip: Arrange chronologically and intersperse full-page images with gallery-style layouts for visual variety.
DIY Photo Wall Gallery
Mix a set 6×4 photo prints and hang it all together as a DIY memory lane with some fairy lights. Add another pair of custom canvas prints of your summer trips or casual clicks of your homegrown garden tomatoes (whatever that makes you feel like home 🙂 and premium photo cushions with extra custom-made cushion covers to create a dynamic focal wall gallery and a custom living space.
- Action tip: Lay your layouts on the floor first—snap a quick photo to reference when hammering those nails for your canvas set.
Canvas Prints & Photo Tiles
Turn standout snaps into large-format canvas art or 6″×6″ photo tiles clustered in a grid.
- Action tip: Use removable hanging strips for easy, damage-free installation and seasonal swaps.
What Scents & Sounds Define a Summer Sanctuary?
Citrus Candles & Essential Oils
Bright scents like lemon-verbena, grapefruit or lemongrass instantly refresh any room.
- Action tip: Rotate between candle and diffuser—never burn a candle unattended, and keep oils away from heat sources.
Relaxing Summer Playlists
Curate a mix of ocean waves, backyard birdcalls and acoustic tunes for ambient background vibes.
- Action tip: Use a smart speaker’s “sleep timer” feature so the music winds down at bedtime without manual shut-off.
How to Refresh Outdoor Living Areas?
Budget-Friendly Balcony Oasis
Layer a washable outdoor rug under a bistro set, drape a photo throw blanket over one chair, and hang string lights from railings for instant charm.
- Action tip: IKEA’s low-pile outdoor rugs start under $30 and clean easily with a quick rinse.
Patio Furniture & String Lighting
Invest in weatherproof wicker or aluminum seating; add plush cushions in water-resistant fabrics.
- Action tip: Choose LED festoon lights on a timer—soft glow without the mosquito magnet of tiki torches.
Outdoor Rugs & Textiles
Define zones with jute or polypropylene rugs—look for UV-resistant options to avoid fading.
- Action tip: Weigh down corners with flat-backed plant pots or decorative stones so rugs don’t blow away on breezy days.
Quick & Budget-Friendly Summer Updates
Seashells & Natural Finds
Collect beach stones, shells or driftwood on your next seaside trip and display them in glass bowls or shadow boxes.
- Action tip: Spray-paint a few shells metallic gold or silver for a modern twist—just mask the natural textures so they still pop.
Hardware & Fixture Swaps
Switch out dated knobs and pulls for matte brass, rattan or leather-wrapped options—transform cabinets in minutes.
- Action tip: Aim for uniform sizing (e.g., 3″ center-to-center) so installation is foolproof.
Seasonal Accent Pieces
Swap throw pillows in coral, lemon-yellow or ocean-blue; scatter Polaroid magnets of summer bucket-list goals across your fridge.
- Action tip: Pick geometric or botanical patterns for a trendy update that won’t feel dated next season.
Maintenance Tips for a Lasting Summer Refresh
Declutter & Deep-Clean Strategies
Purge anything “winter-y,” then focus on windows, screens and upholstery—sunlight reveals spots you never knew were there!
- Action tip: Schedule a quick 15-minute “reset” each Sunday—wipe surfaces, fluff pillows and rotate décor for a fresh weekly start.
Seasonal Storage Solutions
Use clear, labeled bins for off-season rugs and throws; tuck seldom-used décor under beds or in closets.
- Action tip: Try photo storage boxes—they cleverly double as décor and help you track what’s inside at a glance.
Chore Décor to Stay Motivated
Turn your to-do list into a decorative magnet board or a photo-tile calendar—style meets function.
- Action tip: Update deadlines in bright marker each week so you’re always aware of upcoming tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
Ready to dive into your Summer Sanctuary? Head over to our Sun-Kissed Savings event and score up to 60% off on personalized photo blankets, canvas prints, cushions and more with code SUMMER2025. Cheers to a laid-back, sun-lit season at home!