5 Summer Decor Trends That Will Brighten Up Your Home

Walking into a bright, fresh home during summer is an instant mood booster. With the sun shining longer and temperatures rising, now’s the perfect time to bring that summer feeling indoors. 

The right decor changes can instantly transform your living space. Here are 5 summer decor trends that will brighten up your home with simple changes for an instant refresh.

1. Natural Materials and Textures

Gone are the days of sleek, cold surfaces dominating home design. This summer, natural materials are taking center stage in homes across the country.

Rattan, bamboo, and wicker furniture pieces aren’t just for outdoor spaces anymore. A rattan chair in your living room or a bamboo side table next to your couch adds warmth and texture that feels perfect for summer. 

The good news is that you don’t need to replace all your furniture to get this look. Start small with a wicker basket for storing throw blankets or a bamboo tray for your coffee table.

Wood tones are getting lighter too. Bleached oak, pine, and ash are popular choices that brighten spaces naturally. If new furniture isn’t in your budget, try refinishing an existing dark wood piece with a lighter stain for an instant summer update.

Jute and sisal rugs bring a natural texture to floors and help ground a room while keeping it casual. These rugs are also tough enough to handle increased foot traffic from kids running in and out during summer break.

DIY Tip

Want to test out the natural materials trend without spending much? Try making your own macramé wall hanging using jute rope. Basic macramé knots are easy to learn online, and the result adds instant summer texture to any wall.

2. Coastal Comfort (Without the Clichés)

Beach-inspired decor is making a comeback, but not in the way you think. Forget seashell-covered picture frames and navy blue stripes everywhere.

The new coastal look is subtle and sophisticated. It focuses on creating an airy, open feeling using a palette of whites, creams, and sandy beiges with touches of sea glass blue or green. 

The goal is to mimic the feeling of being in a breezy beach house rather than literally decorating with beach items.

Linen becomes the fabric of choice for summer. Swapping heavy curtains for white linen ones lets more light filter through while still providing privacy. 

Linen throw pillow covers or a linen tablecloth instantly lightens a room and adds that casual, rumpled texture that feels so right for summer.

Weathered woods in light tones help achieve this look too. A whitewashed coffee table or distressed finish on a bookshelf adds coastal charm without screaming “beach house.”

Quick Update

Add a large glass vase filled with beach grass or pampas grass for height and movement that recalls seaside dunes. It’s an easy way to bring in the coastal vibe without going for obvious beach themes.

3. Bold, Saturated Colors

While neutrals never truly go out of style, this summer is all about injecting bold color into your spaces. After years of safe beiges and grays, homeowners are ready to play with color again.

Citrus tones lead the way in summer color trends. Bright yellows, oranges, and lime greens add energy and happiness to any room. 

The trick is using these bold colors as accents rather than overwhelming the space. A yellow throw blanket, orange ceramic vase, or set of lime green pillows can transform a neutral room into a summer haven.

Jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue are also having a moment, especially in kitchens and dining areas. These rich colors pair beautifully with the natural materials trend and add depth to lighter spaces.

Paint remains the most affordable way to make a big color impact. Consider painting just one wall in a bold hue, or go for a smaller project like painting the inside of a bookshelf or the back of a glass cabinet to add an unexpected pop of summer color.

Weekend Project

Update plain ceramic planters with bright, color-blocked designs using acrylic paint. Group them together for even more impact, and use them to display summer herbs or small houseplants.

4. Indoor-Outdoor Harmony

The line between indoor and outdoor spaces continues to blur, with more homeowners creating seamless transitions between the two.

Large glass doors that fully open to patios and decks remain popular in new builds and renovations, but you can achieve a similar effect without construction. 

Simply arranging your indoor furniture to face outdoor views and keeping windows unobstructed helps connect the spaces visually.

Plants play a huge role in this trend. Bringing potted plants inside and moving houseplants outside during warm months creates a natural flow. 

Tall plants like fiddle leaf figs or birds of paradise make dramatic statements near windows or sliding doors, creating a partial screen that draws the eye outside.

Outdoor fabrics have also come a long way and now look just as good inside as out. Using indoor-outdoor rugs, pillows, and throws in both spaces creates continuity and practicality, especially in homes with kids and pets.

Simple Switch

Replace heavy window treatments with lightweight sheer panels that move with summer breezes. The gentle movement mimics outdoor elements and literally brings the outside air into your home.

5. Sustainable and Handcrafted Items

Mass-produced decor is taking a backseat to unique, handcrafted pieces with stories behind them. This summer, homes are showcasing items that feel personal and meaningful rather than straight from a catalog.

Local artisan markets and craft fairs are perfect sources for one-of-a-kind summer decor. Look for hand-thrown ceramic vases, block-printed textiles, or blown glass objects that add color and personality to your spaces.

Vintage and secondhand finds are also part of this trend due to sustainability. A set of vintage glasses or a refurbished side table adds character while being environmentally friendly.

Handmade doesn’t always mean buying from others though. Creating your own art or decor pieces adds the ultimate personal touch to your home. 

Simple watercolor paintings of summer flowers or vegetables from your garden make charming, seasonal wall art when placed in inexpensive frames.

Try This

Start a collection of handmade ceramic mugs from different local artists. Display them on open shelving in your kitchen for a colorful, personal touch that’s also practical for summer iced coffee or tea.

Your Perfect Summer Space

The best part about this summer’s decor trends is how well they work together. So, choose the ones that speak to your style and work with your existing decor. 

With these five trends as inspiration, you can create cozy summer spaces. Simple changes are the key to summer decor that brightens not just your home but your whole summer experience.