Beautiful Summer Accent Decor Every Home Needs
Tips, ideas, and favorite summer accent decor to get your home summer-ready inside and outdoors.
It’s all about the details, my friend! And accent decor celebrates beautiful details in our homes. Now that summer is here (well, almost), let’s chat about the best way to lighten up and decorate with our favorite summer accent decor. Here are my picks for the best summer accent decor this season.
Let’s start with baskets. They are so functional and add so much beauty to a home, inside and out!
Baskets
Baskets play a pivotal role in summer decor for several reasons. First, they effortlessly evoke a sense of laid-back living, add rustic natural charm to your home, and capture the relaxed vibe of the season. Their natural textures and earthy tones complement other summer decor. And baskets are also very practical. They serve as convenient storage solutions for stashing away beach towels, sunscreen, or summer reads, keeping clutter at bay while maintaining a cohesive look.
I love how baskets can be easily incorporated into various design styles, from traditional to farmhouse, adding warmth and character to any space. Their versatility and charm make them important in creating a welcoming and inviting summer atmosphere in your home.
Easy Ideas for Using Baskets In Warmer Weather
- Storage for Throws and Blankets: Place a basket near your couch or armchair to store decorative throws and blankets.
- Decorating With Baskets: You might like to read How To Decorate With Baskets: Stylish And Useful Ideas.
- Organize Outdoor Essentials: On your patio or deck, keep outdoor cushions, sunscreen, bug spray, and other summer essentials tidy and within reach.
- Fresh Produce: Use baskets for produce like potatoes, fruit, or tomatoes.
- Hold Beach Towels and Swimsuits: Keep beach towels, swimsuits, and flip-flops neatly stored in a large basket near the door, ready for trips to the beach or pool.
- Create a Plant Stand: Place potted plants inside a large basket.
- Store Extra Pillows: Store extra pillows in a basket at the foot of your bed for a decorative touch that also keeps your sleeping space tidy.
- Organize Magazines and Books: Use baskets to corral magazines and books on coffee tables or bookshelves, adding texture and visual interest to your living room.
- Hold Picnic Supplies: Pack a basket with picnic essentials like plates, utensils, and napkins to make it easy to carry outside when dining al fresco.
- Create a Catch-All Station: Place a small basket near the entryway for keys, sunglasses, and other daily essentials, which will help keep clutter at bay.
- Store Bathroom Towels: Roll up clean towels and place them in a basket in the bathroom for a spa-like display that saves cabinet space.
- Display Fresh Flowers: Line a basket with a vase or mason jar and fill it with freshly picked flowers from your garden for a charming centerpiece or accent piece.
- Create a Laundry Hamper: Use a tall, narrow basket as a stylish laundry hamper in bedrooms or bathrooms, adding a decorative touch to an everyday chore.
- Cleaning Supplies: Use a lidded basket to keep cleaning supplies in.
My Favorite Basket Finds This Summer
Summer Flowers And Plants
Incorporating flowers and plants into summer decor brings a breath of fresh air and life into any room. These natural elements not only add visual appeal but also contribute to creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.
During the summer months, flowers and herbs are abundant. Whether arranged in vases as centerpieces, displayed in hanging baskets on porches, or potted in corners of rooms, flowers fill a spaces with a sense of natural beauty and seasonal charm.
Similarly, indoor plants enhance aesthetics and promote a sense of well-being. Their lush foliage and varying textures add depth and interest to interiors. Caring for plants can be a therapeutic and nurturing activity.
Opting for faux summer flowers and plants in your decor offers several practical advantages. They require no maintenance or upkeep. They can also be placed in areas where real plants may struggle. Faux botanicals are a cost-effective alternative to purchasing fresh flowers regularly, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of summer blooms year after year without breaking the bank.
Adding flowers, herbs, and plants to your summer decor brings a touch of the outdoors inside.
Ideas For Using Summer A Bouquet And Arrangements
- Create Centerpieces: Arrange fresh flowers in vases or jars to create stunning centerpieces for dining tables, coffee tables, or mantels.
- Plant Perennials Indoors: Buy a perennial flowering plant and bring it in a pretty container. It lasts a long time, and when it is spent, you can plant it out in the garden, and it will bloom year after year.
- Hang Floral Wreaths: Adorn your front door or interior walls with floral wreaths for a welcoming touch that captures the essence of summer.
- Plants As Filler: Use faux plants as filler in pots, urns, baskets, and containers to add life to a room.
- Plant Window Boxes: Plant colorful flowers or fragrant herbs in window boxes to add charm and curb appeal to your home’s exterior.
- Cuttings: Cut leaves and little bits of green-they look so pretty in a tiny vase.
- Plant Herbs: Place pots of herbs in pretty pottery containers that match your decor and line them up in a sunny spot. They will last for a long time.
- Bulk Up The Look: If you buy grocery store flowers, add leaves from your garden to bulk up the arrangement a bit.
- Use Small Jars And Bottles: Collect small glass jars and bottles and add flowers to them to make a pretty, simple arrangement.
- Line Pathways with Potted Plants: Place potted plants along garden pathways or entryways to guide guests with a burst of greenery and blooms.
- Fill Empty Corners with Large Plants: Use tall potted plants, such as palms or fiddle leaf figs, to fill empty corners and add height to rooms.
- Hang Herb Gardens: Install vertical herb gardens in your kitchen or outdoor patio to have fresh herbs on hand for cooking all summer long.
- Accentuate Outdoor Seating Areas: Place potted flowers or small trees around outdoor seating areas to create an inviting atmosphere.
- Adorn Shelves with Succulents: Arrange succulents in decorative pots and place them on shelves or windowsills for a low-maintenance yet stylish touch.
- Fill Empty Fireplace with Plants: Transform an unused fireplace into a botanical display by filling it with potted plants or a mix of flowers and greenery.
- Hang Air Plants: Display air plants in hanging terrariums or macrame holders to add an unexpected element of greenery to your decor.
- Dress Up Outdoor Dining Tables: Potted herbs can be used as table centerpieces for outdoor dining, adding fragrance and visual interest to meals.
- Decorate Bathroom with Greenery: Place small potted plants or a vase of flowers on bathroom countertops or shelves to bring a spa-like ambiance to your daily routine.
Summer Blooms And Plants For Your Home
Beautiful Summer Pillows
As the summer season approaches, it’s time to start thinking about how to update our home decor to reflect the warm and sunny weather. One easy and affordable way to do this is by incorporating summer pillows into our interior design.
Summer pillows offer a quick and effective way to refresh your space for the season. These pillows typically feature lightweight fabrics in bright colors or fun patterns, instantly infusing a room with a summery look and feel. Beyond looking good, summer pillows also provide practical benefits. They can help to add comfort and coziness to outdoor seating areas, such as patios or decks, encouraging relaxation and outdoor gatherings.
Swapping out heavier winter pillows for lighter, breathable options can help to keep rooms feeling cool and airy during warmer months. Throw pillows are the jewelry of the decor world! And changing up your pillow to lighter and more summery fabrics this time of year is so smart!
Summer Pillow Ideas
- Brighten Outdoor Seating: Place summer pillows on outdoor sofas, chairs, or benches to add a pop of color and comfort to your patio or deck.
- Double Up: Buy square and lumbar pillows in pairs. There are so many ways to decorate with pairs—see How To Choose Pillows For Your Home.
- Enhance Indoor Seating: Arrange summer pillows on sofas, armchairs, or window seats to inject a cheerful and inviting look into your living spaces.
- Lumbar Pillows: Use summery lumbar pillows on a pair of chairs.
- Indoor/Outdoor: I use pillows with performance fabric indoors all the time. It’s one of my favorite hacks.
- Add Comfort to Bedding: Layer decorative summer pillows on your bed to complement bedding sets and create a cozy and stylish sleeping environment.
- Create a Reading Nook: Arrange a pile of summer pillows on a chair in a corner with a throw blanket to create an inviting reading nook where you can unwind with a book.
- Brighten Entryway Benches: Place summer pillows on entryway benches or hall seats to greet guests with a warm and welcoming touch as they enter your home.
- Sectional Pillow Arrangments: For summer, learn how to arrange pillows on a sectional—see How To Arrange Pillows On A Sectional.
- DIY Pillow: Make your own pillows- see How To Make A Hot Glue Pillow.
- Accentuate Window Seats: Place summer pillows on window seats to create a comfortable and inviting spot for enjoying views and soaking up natural light.
- Decorate Swing or Hammock: Adorn a porch swing or hammock with summer pillows to add comfort and style to your outdoor relaxation space.
- Enhance Poolside Lounging: Place summer pillows on poolside loungers or chairs to create a comfortable and stylish spot for sunbathing and relaxing by the pool.
- Elevate Outdoor Dining: Place summer pillows on outdoor dining benches or chairs to add comfort and style to your alfresco dining experience.
- Reversible Pillows: Look for summery reversible pillows- you get two pillows in one.
Favorite Summer Pillows
Light Decorative Throws
Summer nights can get a little cool, depending on where you live. And air conditioning (thank you, God) keeps our homes cool enough to call for a light decorative throw!
Incorporating summer-weight decorative throw blankets into your decor offers practical benefits for the warmer months. Summer nights can get a little cool, depending on where you live. And air conditioning (thank you, God) keeps our homes cool enough to call for a light decorative throw!
These throw blankets come in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to effortlessly update your decor and infuse a touch of seasonal style into any room. Whether draped over a sofa, folded neatly at the end of a bed, or casually tossed over an armchair, these versatile blankets add texture, visual interest, and a cozy ambiance to your summer decor without weighing you down.
Summer Throw Blanket Ideas
- Outdoor Entertaining: Drape lightweight throw blankets over outdoor seating areas for chilly evenings entertaining guests on the patio or deck.
- Draping Throws: Drape throws over a sofa chair or bed for extra summer prettiness.
- Al Fresco Dining: Lay a throw blanket over outdoor dining tables as a tablecloth or picnic blanket, adding a touch of color and softness to your alfresco meals.
- Reading Nooks: Arrange a pile of throw blankets in a cozy reading nook or window seat, creating a snug spot to curl up with a book on lazy summer afternoons.
- Stack Throws: Fold summer throws neatly and stack them on a shelf or open cabinet.
- Indoor Picnics: Create an indoor picnic area by spreading throw blankets on the floor with cushions and snacks for a fun and casual dining experience.
- Stash Baskets: Roll a few throws and stash them in a basket.
- Summer Road Trips: Bring throw blankets on road trips for added comfort during long drives or impromptu picnics at scenic rest stops.
- More Draping: Drape a throw over a bench in a foyer or at the end of a bed.
- Cover Outdoor Furniture: Protect outdoor furniture from sun damage and add a decorative touch by draping throw blankets over chairs, benches, and chaise lounges.
- Think About Turkish Towels: A large Turkish towel makes a wonderful light throw—or you can wrap it around you like a shawl.
- Chilly Evenings by the Fire Pit: Keep throw blankets handy for wrapping up during cozy evenings with family and friends gathered around the fire pit.
Favorite Decorative Throws
Many of these throws come in different colors.
Decorative Trays
Decorative trays are a practical and stylish addition to any home during the summer season.
Summer is a wonderful time to use trays, especially since we spend lots of time outside. They are great for transporting food and dinnerware from a kitchen to a patio or porch. They can also add a pop of color or texture to your summer decor, enhancing the look of your home.
Trays are both decorative and useful, keeping our homes and things organized in an attractive way. So, make sure you think about using trays as part of your summer home decor.
Decorative Tray Ideas
- Outdoor Entertaining: Use trays to serve drinks, appetizers, or desserts during backyard barbecues or patio parties.
- Al Fresco Dining: Set up a tray with dinnerware and napkins for a casual outdoor dining experience on the deck or balcony.
- Grill Side Organization: Keep grilling essentials like spices, sauces, and utensils on a tray for convenient access while cooking.
- Bedside Refreshments: Place a tray on your bedside table with a carafe of water, glasses, and a small snack for nighttime hydration.
- Keep Items Handy: Fold summer-weight quilts and throws and stack them in a big tray.
- DIY Cocktail Bar: Arrange cocktail ingredients, garnishes, and mixers on a tray for guests to create their own refreshing drinks during gatherings.
- Group Plants: Use trays on your porch and patio to group plants.
- Herb Garden Display: Showcase potted herbs on a tray near the kitchen window for easy access when cooking summer meals.
- Crafting Station: Use trays to organize supplies like paints, brushes, and paper for outdoor arts and crafts activities with the kids.
- Vignette: Create a vignette as a mini focal point to display in a room.
- Drink Station: Gather up a pitcher, glasses, and other things to create a drink station.
- Outdoor Reading Nook: Set up a tray with books, magazines, and a cold beverage in the shade for a relaxing reading session.
- Condiment Holder: Set up a tray with ketchup, mustard, relish, and other condiments for easy access during backyard dining.
Favorite Trays For Summer Days
Lanterns
Lanterns offer practical benefits both outdoors and indoors during the summer season.
Outside, they provide lovely ambient lighting for evening gatherings, creating a magical atmosphere. Whether hung from trees, placed on tables, or lining pathways, lanterns illuminate outdoor spaces with a warm, inviting glow.
Inside, lanterns serve as versatile decor, adding an attractive element and a touch of warmth to any room. They can be used as focal points on mantels or side tables or as accent lighting in dimly lit areas.
Lanterns are portable and versatile, offering convenience and style, making them a practical addition to any summer setting.
Ideas For Using Lanterns Inside And Outdoors
- Ambient Lighting: Place lanterns on side tables or shelves to add soft lighting to living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.
- Centerpiece: Use lanterns as a focal point for table centerpieces during summer dinners or gatherings.
- Entryway Decor: Place lanterns on consoles or entryway tables to welcome guests with warm illumination.
- Make Your Own: Make a lantern- see Easy Mason Jar Birdseed Lanterns Diy.
- Outdoor Dining: Bring lanterns indoors for summer-themed dinners or barbecues, adding charm and illumination to the dining table.
- Garden Accent: Place lanterns among garden plants or along pathways to illuminate outdoor spaces with a whimsical touch.
- Balcony Charm: To add ambiance to balcony settings, hang lanterns from railings or place them on small tables.
- Camping Companion: Bring lanterns on camping trips to provide portable lighting for outdoor cooking, games, or storytelling.
- Fairy Lights: Instead of adding a candle to a lantern, why not create a firefly look with fairy lights.
- Go Solar: Think about using solar lanterns for easy summer lighting.
Favorite Lanterns
Summer Dinnerware
Do you make the most of long summer evenings by eating outside? There are so many stylish and beautiful melamine and acrylic dinnerware options for your porch and patio.
Melamine and acrylic dinnerware offer many benefits during the summer months. Their durable and lightweight construction makes them ideal for outdoor dining. They are also resistant to breaking, chipping, and shattering, making them safer for use around pool areas or on the patio and for taking with you on a picnic.
This dinnerware is often dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze after backyard barbecues or picnics. Their vibrant colors and patterns add a festive touch to summer table settings without the worry of damage from outdoor elements.
With outdoor melamine and acrylic dinnerware, you can enjoy stylish and worry-free dining experiences all season long.
I’ve been slowly collecting melamine and acrylic dinnerware for years and keep adding to my summer outdoor dinnerware!
Ideas For Using Outdoor Dinnerware
- Backyard Barbecue: Serve burgers, hot dogs, and sides on melamine plates and bowls.
- Stash Them In A Basket: Put plates, glasses, and other tableware you will use to set a table in a big basket so you know where to find it when you need it.
- Al Fresco Dining: Set up a stylish outdoor table with melamine dinner plates, salad plates, and bowls for a dinner party.
- Camping Trips: Bring lightweight acrylic cups and plates for meals around the campfire.
- Beach Day: Pack sandwiches, wraps, and snacks in melamine containers for a beach picnic.
- Outdoor Buffet: Arrange a buffet spread with melamine serving platters and bowls for easy access to food during gatherings.
- Utensils: Tie up your utensils in napkins so they are easy to grab when serving buffet style.
- Side Dishes: Serve potato salad, coleslaw, and pasta salad in acrylic serving bowls with matching acrylic serving utensils.
- Drink Station: Set up a drink station with acrylic pitchers, ice buckets, and glasses.
- Cocktail Party: Serve appetizers like skewers, bruschetta, and cheese platters on melamine serving trays.
- Sundae Bar: Set up a sundae bar with acrylic ice cream bowls, toppings, and sauces.
- Outdoor Movie Night: Enjoy popcorn, candy, and drinks in acrylic containers during an outdoor movie screening.
- Frozen Treats: Serve popsicles, ice cream bars, and frozen yogurt in acrylic bowls.
- Condiments: Offer ketchup, mustard, and relish in acrylic condiment dispensers.
- Outdoor Entertaining: Set up a self-serve beverage station with acrylic pitchers and glasses for guests to enjoy.
- Use Cloth Napkins: Use cloth napkins to bring an upscale look to your outdoor dining experience.
- Napkin Fold: See how to make a Pocket Napkin Fold to keep utensils tucked in.
Favorite Outdoor Tableware
Front Porch Decor
Your front porch serves as the initial summer greeting for friends and family visiting your home, setting the tone for their experience. It’s the first thing they see upon arrival, and they can enjoy it from the moment they ring the doorbell until you welcome them inside. And, the front porch also provides an ideal spot to unwind and soak in the warmth of summer.
Regardless of its size, every front porch deserves a touch of summer charm.
Porch Ideas
- Add Flowers Or Ferns: Porches were meant for botanical beauty.
- Rocking Chair Relaxation: Embrace lazy summer days with porch rockers.
- Bench Or Stool: Small porch? No problem. Find alternative seating solutions.
- Small Porch Inspiration: Dive into “7 Tips For Decorating A Small Front Porch.”
- Rug Layering: Elevate your entrance with a layered rug charm.
- Wreath Welcome: Hang a pretty wreath to greet guests at your front door.
- DIY Wreath Ideas: Get creative with “How To Make A Summer Geranium Wreath” or “How To Make A Dogwood Wreath.”
- Lantern Ambiance: Set the mood with pretty porch lanterns. See ideas in the Lantern section above.
- Comfortable Seating: Enhance relaxation with indoor/outdoor pillows.
- Grand Entrance: Frame your doorway with tall porch planters.
- Tidy Upkeep: Maintain a clean and polished porch and front door.
Click On The Image Below To Go To The Decor
Favorite Summer Porch Accents
Summer Decor Accents
Summer should be celebrated inside and outside. Summer decor accents are the key to adding a hint of the season to our homes. They can transform our living spaces, infusing them with a seasonal charm that reflects the carefree spirit of summertime.
More Summer Accent Decor Ideas
- Nautical Accents: Incorporate nautical decor such as rope accents, anchor motifs, and striped patterns for a coastal vibe.
- Summer Coffee Table: Add coral or shells in a bowl on your coffee table.
- Summer Plate Gallery:
- Seashell Displays: Create seashell displays in glass jars or bowls for a beach-inspired centerpiece.
- Citrus-themed Decor: Use citrus-themed accents like lemon-printed tablecloths, lime-colored napkins, or orange-scented candles for a refreshing twist.
- Wicker Furniture: Introduce wicker chairs, baskets, or side tables for a laid-back, summery feel.
- Rattan Accessories: Decorate with rattan trays, mirrors, or baskets for a natural and textural element.
- Fresh Flowers: Display freshly cut flowers from your garden or local market in vases throughout your home for a burst of seasonal color and fragrance.
- Striped Rugs: Lay down striped rugs in entryways, kitchens, or outdoor spaces to add a touch of classic summer style.
- Rope Accents: Decorate with rope-wrapped vases, mirrors, or picture frames to infuse a subtle nautical vibe.
- Jute Rugs: Switch out rugs for summery jute and sisal rugs.
- Add A Water Feature: Use a decorative birdbath in your yard
- Outdoor Cushions: Upgrade outdoor seating with weather-resistant cushions in bright colors or fun patterns for added comfort and style.
- Patio String Lights: Hang string lights on patios, porches, or pergolas to create a magical ambiance for outdoor gatherings.
- Tiki Torches: Place tiki torches around outdoor entertaining areas to add a tropical touch and keep bugs at bay.
- Poof Power: Add a jute poof to a room.
- Beach Towels as Throws: Oversized beach towels can be used as throws over sofas or chairs for a casual, beachy look.
- Scented Candles: Light scented candles with summery fragrances like coconut, sea breeze, or fresh-cut grass to enhance the sensory experience.
- Hammocks: Hang a hammock indoors or outdoors for the ultimate relaxation spot, perfect for lazy summer afternoons.
- Decor Necklace: Make a “necklace” with twine, shells, or starfish and put them over a lamp or ginger jar or hang them from hooks.
- Garden Stool Topper: Put a real or faux plant on a pretty garden stool.
These ideas will help you infuse your home with the vibrant energy and laid-back vibes of summer through thoughtful decor accents.
Other Favorite Summer Accent Decor
FAQs About Summer Decor
Summer accent decor effortlessly adds a touch of seasonal flair to any home. Make sure to include summer accents both indoors and out!
Happy summer decorating!
Hello, I admire your ceramic lanterns. Can you please tell where you purchased them?
Hi Lucia, these are very popular. I found them at the Pottery barn long ago. I don’t see them on their site anymore. Sorry.
Try At Home
Well this post is a “must pin”. So many great ideas in one post! Happy summer and thank you.
Thank you, Tammy! I am so grateful for my pinners.
Such helpful hints on changing up for the summer look without having to redecorate. It is almost all we can do to buy gas and groceries at today’s prices.
Have loved seeing Tanglewood transformed! Thank you
I love your ideas on summer decorating. I love to snip flowers from my pots on my deck and bring them in and put in small vases around the house. I usually add some herbs to the vases also. It is great filler and smells great. Just little touches add so much.
Thank you!
Love the ideas. I purchased a flower “frog” at an art show that is small but beautifully carved. I pick 3 gerber daisies from my garden and keep on my kitchen table.
I love the hat rack in your post resources above. Thanks!
Thank you for helping me keep my chin up! God is using you in a mighty way!
Yvonne, you inspire me every season that even the smallest decor changes can breathe new life into my home.
My granddaughter is getting ready to build her first house and I am recommending your blog for decorating tips and ideas.
Pillows, trays, flowers, treats – love all your ideas!
I get bored easily so I try to change out my seasonal decor every few months. I find that pillows and flowers and the easiest way to change the look of a room. I try to use pillow covers instead of actually swapping out the pillows. I have limited space. Love all of your suggestions.
Faux flowers and plants for this home with 3 cats! I always love your selection of pillows, and tray, and baskets!
Even though I have de oration my kitchen for several years with a lemon theme for summer I never tire of it.Next month I will bring a bit of coastal cottage in our family room with lots of blue and green accents and some beachy decor.
I absolutely love that large wooden beaded mirror.
I love all your summer tips especially using baskets. I am obsessed with baskets, you always have the best ideas.
Love your ideas always incorporate a few in my decorating decisions. Great advice and always so beautiful. Look forward to your posts!! Thank you.
great ideas
I so appreciate that your ideas are so diverse. Sometimes they can be done with things we already own, and when you show “things to buy”, you give a variety of sources and prices.
So many beautiful ideas for summer decorating. I loved looking at all the links. As always, your home is stunning.
Baskets, flowers and pillows–what else could make our homes so versatile thru the seasons!
I love all of your ideas using color, but I have to say, you do neutrals right! I am a fan!!!
Yay! Thanks, Phyllis!
Love your posts on downsizing. We are actually aging in place. Many useful tips for doing that as well.
So many great ideas. Thank you
All the ways that you decorate, especially pillows and flowers and glass bottles and lanterns which I have all over my kitchen. Thanks also for new ideas. I always love the colors that you use.
Thank you Yvonne! What a wonderful resource. So many great ideas, can’t wait to try so many of them. Love your blog!
Hi Carol, So glad this post is helpful. Happy almost summer!