Summer decor is about capturing the feeling of the season inside your home — that particular combination of bright light, warm air, and easy living that makes everything feel more open and alive. Whether your style leans coastal and breezy, tropical and bold, or simple and sun-washed, summer offers one of the most satisfying decorating opportunities of the year. This list covers 26 specific, affordable summer decor touches you can bring into any room — most of them achievable in under an hour, many for less than $20 — that will make your home radiate the warmth and energy of the season all the way through August.
1. Fill a Large Glass Bowl with Seashells and White Sand
A glass bowl filled with shells and sand is the most iconic summer coffee table accent — and it costs almost nothing if you collect shells yourself. Use a wide, low bowl or a large apothecary jar. Layer white sand or fine gravel at the bottom, then arrange shells on top from largest to smallest. Add a few sand dollars or a small piece of sea glass for contrast. If you can’t collect shells, craft stores sell bags of mixed shells for $4 to $8. This display works on coffee tables, bathroom counters, and entry consoles equally well throughout the entire summer season.
2. Swap Sofa Pillows for Bright Coastal or Tropical Prints
Seasonal pillow covers are the fastest way to shift a living room into summer mode. Look for prints in palm leaves, stripes, coral patterns, or abstract citrus shapes. Solid colors in aqua, coral, sunshine yellow, and cobalt blue all read as summer instantly. Buy covers rather than full pillows — they cost $6 to $15 each and store flat in a bin between seasons. Mix two prints with one solid for a collected, intentional look. You don’t need to match perfectly. Summer decor actually benefits from a slightly eclectic, gathered-from-travels quality that rigid matching can undermine.
3. Hang Lightweight Linen or Cotton Curtains in White or Soft Yellow
Nothing communicates summer inside a home faster than light, moving curtains in a bright window. Swap heavier drip panels for lightweight white or pale yellow cotton or linen curtains. The fabric should be light enough to catch a breeze from an open window. IKEA’s LILL sheer panels cost about $7 per pair and work beautifully. Mount the rod as high as possible — ideally 4 to 6 inches above the window frame — and let the panels fall to the floor. That extra height amplifies the light and makes the room feel as open as the season itself.
4. Create a Citrus Centerpiece in a Shallow Bowl or Tray
A citrus fruit centerpiece is simultaneously summer decor and kitchen utility. Fill a wide, shallow bowl with lemons, limes, blood oranges, or a mix of all three. Pile them generously so they look abundant rather than sparse. Place the bowl on your kitchen island, dining table, or entry console. The bright colors are immediately cheerful and the natural fragrance of citrus makes the room smell clean and summery. Replace the fruit as it gets used or starts to soften. Budget: $5 to $8 at any grocery store. This is likely the most practical decor item on this entire list.
5. Set Up a Hammock or Hanging Chair on Your Porch or Balcony
A hammock or hanging chair instantly makes any outdoor space feel like a summer destination. Cotton rope hammocks cost $25 to $45 online and can be strung between two porch posts, trees, or wall-mounted eye hooks. Hanging rattan or macramé chairs cost $40 to $80 and work beautifully on a covered porch or balcony. Add a bright outdoor pillow and a small side table beside it. This addition does double duty as decor and as the most used piece of furniture in your home from June through August — which makes it one of the best seasonal investments you can make.
6. Display Sunflowers in a Simple Ceramic or Enamel Pitcher
Sunflowers in a pitcher are the defining summer floral moment. They’re bold, cheerful, and widely available from late June through September at grocery stores and farmers markets for $5 to $10 a bunch. Use an enamel pitcher, a mason jar, or a ceramic crock as the vessel — the more casual and informal, the better. Sunflowers look best arranged loosely with stems cut at different lengths so the heads sit at varying heights. Place them on a kitchen table, a dining sideboard, or an entry console where natural light can hit the petals directly and make them glow.
7. Add Outdoor String Lights to Your Patio, Deck, or Balcony
Patio string lights are the single most impactful outdoor summer decor upgrade available. Warm Edison-style bulbs on outdoor-rated string lights transform any backyard, deck, or balcony into an evening destination. Run them across the patio ceiling using small screw-in cup hooks and eye bolts mounted to posts or fences. A 48-foot string costs about $20 to $30 on Amazon and covers a substantial area. Set them on a timer so they turn on automatically at dusk. Once installed, they work for every summer dinner, gathering, and quiet evening without any additional setup or effort required.
8. Plant a Colorful Window Box with Petunias and Trailing Herbs
Window boxes in full summer bloom are visible from inside and outside simultaneously — making them the highest-visibility decor for the money. Plastic window boxes cost $8 to $15 and mount easily with brackets. For summer, petunias are the workhorse — they bloom continuously from May through October, come in every color imaginable, and cost $2 to $4 per plant. Fill the box with two or three different petunia colors and add a trailing herb like thyme or rosemary at the ends. Water daily in summer heat. Deadhead spent blooms twice a week to keep new flowers coming continuously through the whole season.
9. Use a Woven Rattan or Seagrass Tray as a Coffee Table Organizer
A woven tray on a coffee table does two things at once: it organizes the surface and adds natural summer texture in a single move. Use a round or rectangular rattan, seagrass, or bamboo tray as a container for your summer coffee table vignette. Fill it with a candle, a small vase of dried pampas or dried flowers, a few shells, and a short stack of books. The tray defines the display area and prevents the surface from looking cluttered. Round seagrass trays cost $10 to $20 at TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, or on Amazon and work in living rooms, bedrooms, and outdoor dining areas.
10. Bring in a Tropical Houseplant — Bird of Paradise or Monstera
A large tropical houseplant communicates summer in the most visceral, immediate way possible. Bird of paradise, monstera, banana leaf plants, and large pothos all bring the visual weight and energy of tropical summer into any interior. Place a large-leafed plant in a terracotta or wicker basket pot in a corner with bright indirect light. Garden centers carry these plants starting at $25 to $50. Facebook Marketplace regularly has large specimens for $15 to $30 from plant owners who are moving or downsizing. The oversized leaves cast dramatic shadows on walls in afternoon light — which is décor entirely on its own.
11. Make a DIY Shell and Driftwood Mobile for a Porch or Window
A shell and driftwood mobile is one of the easiest summer DIY projects you can make. Find a smooth piece of driftwood at the beach or a craft store. Cut five lengths of twine at different lengths. Tie or hot-glue shells at irregular intervals along each strand. Knot the strands onto the driftwood, spaced evenly apart. Hang from the ceiling on a porch, in a window, or above a bed. The shells catch light and move gently in any air current. Total cost: essentially free if you collect shells and driftwood yourself. It takes about 30 minutes to assemble from scratch.
12. Style Your Dining Table with a Bright Floral Tablecloth
A bold floral tablecloth completely transforms a dining table for summer with minimal effort. Look for cotton tablecloths in hibiscus prints, tropical leaf patterns, citrus motifs, or bold stripes. These work for both indoor and outdoor dining. Cotton tablecloths cost $15 to $30 at most home stores and can be machine washed easily. Pair the tablecloth with simple white dishes and solid-color napkins in one of the accent colors from the print. This contrast — bold tablecloth, simple place settings — keeps the table from looking too busy while letting the summer color do all the work.
13. Hang a Macramé or Rope Sun Wall Hanging
A sunburst macramé wall hanging is one of the most on-trend summer wall decor pieces available right now. Large round macramé pieces with radiating fringe patterns look like textile suns and add warmth, texture, and artisan character to any wall. Available on Etsy starting around $30 to $50 handmade, or at stores like World Market and HomeGoods for $20 to $40. Hang it above a bed, sofa, or outdoor daybed. The natural cream or tan cotton works with any summer color palette. Pair it with bright yellow or aqua pillows below for maximum summer impact.
14. Float Gardenias or Flower Heads in a Shallow Bowl of Water
Floating flowers in a bowl of water create one of the most effortlessly elegant summer table displays. Fill a wide, shallow bowl with water. Float five to seven gardenia heads, white roses, or hibiscus flowers on the surface. Add a few floating tea light candles between the blooms for an evening setup. Gardenias cost about $3 to $5 per stem at florists during summer months. A single stem often yields two or three blooms. This display lasts one to two days before the flowers need replacing — but the setup takes under five minutes and the effect is genuinely stunning during summer dinner parties.
15. Replace Your Area Rug with a Striped Indoor-Outdoor Option
Striped indoor-outdoor rugs are the most practical summer rug option available — they handle sand, bare feet, spills, and outdoor elements without showing wear. Bring one inside for a patio-inspired living room look, or use it on an actual porch or deck. Look for wide stripes in aqua and white, navy and cream, or coral and natural. These rugs are available at Target, Wayfair, and Amazon starting around $30 to $60 for a 5×8. They’re flat-woven and easy to hose off if needed. The stripe pattern immediately reads as summer and coastal regardless of what other decor surrounds it.
16. Decorate with Glass Bottles Filled with Dried or Fresh Wildflowers
Repurposed glass bottles as bud vases are a zero-cost summer decor idea that photographs beautifully. Collect clear, brown, or pale blue glass bottles — soda bottles, olive oil bottles, or wine bottles — and remove the labels. Fill each one with one or two stems of wildflowers, dried grasses, or grocery store flowers. Group five or more bottles together on a windowsill, shelf, or dining table. The cluster effect is what makes this display work — individual bottles look sparse, but a group of eight to ten looks intentional and abundant. Pick wildflowers from a field or roadside ditch for completely free summer arrangements.
17. Hang a Bright Outdoor Rug on a Fence or Wall as Decor
This is a summer decor trick borrowed from bohemian outdoor styling that almost nobody thinks to try. Hang a colorful outdoor rug flat against a patio fence, exterior wall, or deck railing using outdoor-rated zip ties or bungee cords at the top corners. It acts as both a textile wall hanging and a privacy screen. Bold Moroccan patterns, bright stripes, and geometric designs all work beautifully. Outdoor rugs cost $20 to $40 at discount stores. This transforms a bare fence into a focal point in about five minutes and holds up through summer rain and sun without damage.
18. Fill a Galvanized Tub with Ice and Bottled Drinks as Outdoor Decor
A galvanized drink tub filled with ice and beverages is both a functional station and a genuinely attractive outdoor summer display. These tubs cost $15 to $30 at hardware stores, farm supply shops, or online. Fill with crushed ice, add bottles of sparkling water, lemonade, beer, or soda, and place on a porch or patio table. The combination of silver metal, ice, and colorful bottles reads as quintessential summer and encourages the relaxed, help-yourself atmosphere that defines the best warm-weather gatherings. Tuck citrus slices and herb sprigs into the ice for a styled, finished look that takes about two minutes.
19. Create a DIY Outdoor Lantern Display with Sand and Candles
Sand-filled lanterns with pillar candles create one of the most atmospheric summer outdoor displays for evening entertaining. Fill the base of any lantern with clean white sand. Press a pillar candle firmly into the sand so it stands upright. Tuck a few shells or smooth pebbles around the base. Group lanterns of different heights together on a patio table, porch step, or deck railing. The sand anchors the candle safely and adds a beach-inspired texture to the base. Use LED pillar candles for a completely wind-proof and rain-proof version that works outdoors every evening without relighting.
20. Add Bold Outdoor Throw Pillows to Patio Furniture
Bold outdoor throw pillows are the fastest way to make patio furniture look styled rather than functional. Choose covers rated for outdoor use — they resist fading, moisture, and mildew. Mix one solid color with two patterns: a stripe, a leaf print, or a geometric design. Aim for a palette anchored by one or two bold summer colors — orange, turquoise, bright yellow, or coral. Outdoor pillow covers cost $8 to $20 each at Target, HomeGoods, and Amazon. Buy one extra to rotate in when the others need washing. A full porch seating area needs about six to eight pillows to look properly layered and abundant.
21. Display a Collection of Woven Baskets on a Gallery Wall
A woven basket gallery wall is one of the most impactful and affordable summer wall decor trends available. Collect baskets in different sizes, shapes, and weave patterns — mixing textures is what makes the wall look collected and intentional rather than uniform. Hang them using small nails or adhesive picture strips directly through the basket weave. Start with one large anchor basket in the center and build outward. Thrift stores sell individual baskets for $1 to $4 each. World Market and HomeGoods carry decorative wall baskets for $8 to $20. A full gallery wall of twelve baskets can cost as little as $20 if you shop secondhand.
22. Set Up an Outdoor Movie Night Area with Fabric and Lights
An outdoor movie night setup doubles as summer decor for the backyard on evenings when it isn’t in use. Hang a large white sheet between two tall stakes or trees using bungee cords. Lay out outdoor blankets, floor cushions, and throw pillows on the grass in front. String lights overhead complete the atmosphere. Leave the setup in place on weekends — it becomes a conversation piece during daytime gatherings too. A basic projector costs $40 to $80 on Amazon. The soft, gathered-outdoor-living aesthetic of this setup looks intentional and styled even without a movie playing on the screen.
23. Place Potted Succulents Along a Sunny Windowsill or Shelf
Succulents on a sunny windowsill are the lowest-maintenance summer plant display you can create — and they look genuinely attractive with almost no effort. Buy individual small succulents in 2-inch or 4-inch pots from garden centers for $2 to $4 each. Repot them into terracotta or small ceramic pots for a more styled look. Cluster seven to ten plants together in a tight group on a south or west-facing windowsill. The mix of rosette shapes, spiky aloes, and trailing sedums creates a natural sculptural display. Water once every one to two weeks in summer and they’ll thrive for months with zero fuss.
24. Hang Colorful Outdoor Lanterns from a Pergola or Tree Branch
Colored glass lanterns hanging from a pergola or tree create a festival-like summer atmosphere outdoors. Buy a set of four to six lanterns in jewel tones — amber, cobalt blue, ruby red — and hang them at varying heights using S-hooks and natural jute cord. The colored glass casts tinted light on surfaces below at dusk, which feels celebratory and theatrical. Sets of colorful lanterns are available at Cost Plus World Market, Target, and online for $5 to $15 per lantern. Use LED tea lights inside so wind doesn’t extinguish them. Leave them hanging all summer and they become the defining feature of your outdoor space.
25. Make a Coastal Centerpiece with Rope, Candles, and Blue Glass
A coastal rope-and-glass centerpiece brings summer to your dining table without requiring a single flower. Wrap the base of blue or green glass bottles and hurricanes with natural jute rope and tie it off with a simple knot. Place pillar candles or LED candles inside. Cluster three wrapped vessels together at different heights on the table. Scatter a few shells and sprigs of dried lavender around the base. This display costs about $10 to $15 to build from scratch using items from a craft store and dollar store. It lasts all summer without maintenance and looks intentionally coastal and styled.
26. Set Up a Lemonade or Beverage Station on Your Porch as a Decor Display
A styled summer beverage station on your porch pulls double duty as both functional setup and genuine seasonal decor. Set a weathered wood table or a folding outdoor table with a large glass drink dispenser filled with lemonade or infused water. Add stacked glasses, a potted herb (mint or basil), fresh citrus on a cutting board, and a small decorative sign. The combination of glass, citrus, and greenery photographs beautifully and signals warm-weather hospitality immediately. Guests will gravitate toward it at every outdoor gathering. Total setup cost: about $15 to $25 beyond the dispenser, which can be found at Target or Amazon for $12 to $20.
Conclusion
Summer decor is really about one core idea: making your home feel as open, warm, and alive as the season outside. You don’t need to redecorate every room or spend a significant amount to get there. A bowl of lemons on the counter, sunflowers in a pitcher, sheer curtains catching the breeze, and string lights overhead in the evening can completely shift how your home feels from June through August. Start with your outdoor space — it’s the most-used area of your home in summer and the easiest place to make an immediate impact. Then move inside, one surface at a time. Pick three or four ideas from this list that match what you already own, add one or two new pieces that genuinely excite you, and let the season do the rest. Summer doesn’t last forever — but with the right touches in place, your home can hold onto that warm, sunny feeling every single day of it.