The Summer Styling Guide: 19 Beautiful Decor Ideas
Summer decor should feel light, fun, and welcoming—something that makes you want to kick off your shoes, sip a cold drink, and enjoy the sunshine, whether you're indoors or out. Instead of general suggestions, this post brings you 19 specific, easy-to-do decorating ideas that instantly make your home feel summery. From flower arrangements and centerpieces to front door garlands and tray styling, each idea gives you something real you can try.
If you're ready to bring a summer vibe into your space with actual styling elements, this guide is for you.
1. Summer Centerpiece with Citrus and Flowers
Fill a large glass bowl or wooden tray with lemons and limes. Add a mason jar of sunflowers or daisies in the center. It works perfectly on a dining or kitchen table and brings in color without much effort.
2. Vase Styling with Seasonal Blooms
Use a clear or ceramic vase and fill it with hydrangeas, peonies, wildflowers, or sunflowers. Place it on a mantel, sideboard, or kitchen island. Change the water every few days, and it'll last longer.
3. Front Door Garland with Faux Greenery and Flowers
Skip the wreath and drape a garland across the top of your front door. Use faux eucalyptus mixed with white peonies or coral blooms. Secure it with adhesive hooks or a tension rod.
4. Tiered Tray with Mini Summer Accents
Style a 2- or 3-tier tray with mini watermelons, lemon-shaped decor, faux florals, and small summer signs. Great for kitchens, dining rooms, or even a shelf.
5. Mantel Garland with Light Florals
Use a thin floral garland across your fireplace mantel. Add in some battery-operated fairy lights for a cozy evening glow. Keep it simple and uncluttered.
6. Wicker Baskets with Pillows and Throws
Use large open-weave baskets to hold rolled-up cotton throws or summery pillows. Place them next to your sofa or entryway bench.
7. Summer Wreath with Real or Faux Florals
Choose a grapevine or eucalyptus base and add faux lemons, peonies, and greenery. Hang it on your front door, inside your hallway, or even above your bed.
8. Entryway Console with Seasonal Accents
Decorate your console table with a vase of wildflowers, a bowl of citrus, a woven basket, and a summer-themed framed quote. Swap out any heavy or dark decor pieces.
9. Outdoor Lanterns with Candles and Shells
Fill glass lanterns with sand, shells, and white or LED candles. Place them on your patio table or line them along your porch steps.
10. Coffee Table Tray with Natural Elements
Style a wooden tray with a small potted plant, a glass jar of fresh mint or rosemary, and a scented candle in a citrus or linen fragrance.
11. Summer Garland for Stair Rails
Wrap a thin garland with greenery and subtle florals along your stair railing. You can also weave in burlap or linen ribbon for extra texture.
12. Kitchen Island Vase and Bowl Styling
Use a clear vase with tall greenery like olive branches or eucalyptus. Next to it, place a wooden or ceramic bowl filled with lemons or peaches.
13. Porch Planters with Seasonal Blooms
Add planters filled with geraniums, petunias, or marigolds by your front door. Stick with bright colors like coral, pink, yellow, and red for that summer feeling.
14. Wall Hooks with Straw Hats and Totes
Use a row of hooks in your hallway or mudroom to hang summer hats, woven totes, or lightweight scarves. It's decorative and practical.
15. Dining Table Runner with Layered Decor
Lay down a white or light beige linen runner, then add bud vases with single stems of daisy or lavender, scattered tea lights, and a bowl of citrus.
16. Bedroom Dresser Top Styling
Use a round mirror, a small white vase with peonies, a few books in light colors, and a summer-scented candle. Keep it clean and balanced.
17. Shelf Decor with Summer Books and Florals
On open shelves, place summer-themed books, small framed prints (like the beach or lemon illustrations), and mini vases with faux flowers.
18. Bathroom Tray with Fresh Touches
Use a small tray to hold rolled white towels, a tiny plant, a candle, and a jar with cotton pads or flowers. It feels fresh without being too styled.
19. Outdoor Table Setting with Simple Decor
Use woven placemats, mason jars with flowers, and lemon water pitchers. Add cloth napkins in blue or coral tones. Keep it casual and relaxed.
Summer Color Combos That Work Well Together
- Coral + White + Natural Wood
- Yellow + Sage + Light Gray
- Soft Blue + White + Wicker
- Terracotta + Peach + Cream
- Greenery + White + Lemon Yellow
Pick one or two combos and repeat them in small elements across your space—pillows, flowers, towels, prints, or trays.
Extra Styling Tips for Summer Decorating
- Choose faux florals only if they look realistic. Mix them with real greenery if possible.
- Stick to 2–3 decor pieces per surface to avoid clutter.
- Group items in odd numbers—3 usually looks better than 2 or 4.
- Use layering: tray + candle + small plant works better than one item alone.
- Choose linen, jute, seagrass, and cotton for texture.
Easy DIY Summer Wreath
You don't need fancy tools or hours of free time to make a beautiful summer wreath. Here's a super simple way to do it:
What you need:
- 1 grapevine wreath base (30–40 cm)
- 1 bunch of faux peonies or daisies
- Faux lemon picks or small citrus accents
- Greenery sprigs (eucalyptus or olive branches work great)
- Floral wire or hot glue gun
Steps:
- Start with your greenery. Layer it around one side or half of the wreath, attaching it with floral wire.
- Add flowers next, placing them in small clusters. Mix in different sizes and shades.
- Pop in your citrus accents for a playful, summery touch.
- Fluff everything and trim any excess stems.
- Hang with a neutral ribbon, or use a door hanger.
You can finish this in under 30 minutes, and it'll last all summer long.
Easy Mason Jar Centerpiece with Wildflowers
This is one of the easiest and most charming ways to bring a bit of summer into your home. You only need a few basic things, and you probably already have them around.
What you need:
- 3–5 mason jars (clear or tinted)
- Fresh or faux wildflowers (daisies, lavender, chamomile, or anything seasonal)
- Twine or ribbon (optional)
- Tray or wooden board for grouping (optional)
How to style it:
- Fill each mason jar halfway with water (if you're using fresh flowers).
- Trim your wildflowers to different heights for a more natural look.
- Tie a piece of twine or soft ribbon around the neck of each jar for a simple touch.
- Group them on a tray or wooden board and place them on your kitchen table, console, or even a windowsill.
You can keep it all one flower type or mix several kinds—it works both ways. This piece adds instant charm and takes less than 10 minutes to put together.
Seasonal Scents That Feel Like Summer
Bringing summer into your home isn't just about what you see—it's also about what you smell. Scents can instantly shift the vibe of a room. Try these summer scent combinations in candles, diffusers, or room sprays:
- Lemon + Basil (great for kitchens—fresh and clean)
- Lavender + Mint (ideal for bedrooms—light and relaxing)
- Coconut + Lime (fun for bathrooms or entryways—tropical and warm)
- Jasmine + Grapefruit (great for living rooms—floral and citrusy)
- Rosemary + Orange (energizing for workspaces)
Use reed diffusers for a subtle scent or essential oil sprays for a quick refresh. Avoid anything too heavy or spicy—keep it light and natural.
FAQs About Summer Decorating Ideas
What are the best flowers for summer decor?
Sunflowers, daisies, hydrangeas, peonies, and wildflowers are all great. Use real or good-quality faux versions for longer-lasting decor.
Where can I buy affordable summer decor items?
Stores like H&M Home, Target, IKEA, and local garden centers have affordable pieces. You can also use what you already have at home and mix it differently.
Can I decorate for summer without using bright colors?
Yes, stick with neutrals like white, beige, sage green, or soft pastels. Add texture through baskets, florals, or light wood to keep it from looking flat.
What's an easy way to decorate for summer without spending much?
Use bowls of fruit, rearrange plants, change pillow covers, and display summer books or magazines. These small changes add a fresh look without high costs.
Should I decorate my bathroom or bedroom for summer too?
If you like the seasonal feel, yes. A small vase of flowers, a lighter throw, or a scent change can make a difference in any room.
You don't need to redecorate your entire home to enjoy the season. Pick just one or two areas to start—maybe your coffee table or entryway—and make it feel fresh and summery with these simple, real ideas. If this gave you some inspiration, feel free to share it or let me know which one you'll try first.
Happy decorating!
If you want more inspiration for your kitchen, check out my post on How to Decorate Your Kitchen Counters: 17 Inspiring Ideas. It’s full of easy, practical tips that go perfectly with your summer decor setup.
If you're looking for beautiful, affordable summer decor pieces, I recommend browsing H&M Home's Summer Collection. They have some lovely seasonal finds—like linen cushion covers, vases, and tabletop accents—that fit every style and budget.
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