Decorating & Design
June 3, 2022
Summer Decorating Ideas For Every Room Of Your House
The summer season is splendid but short so it’s important to embrace every moment, and that includes bringing the relaxed, breezy vibe into every room of your home. From powder rooms to playrooms, here are our favorite summer decorating ideas for a laid-back look that’s like a breath of fresh air.
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The Country Dining Room
A weathered ceiling (in this case, fencing salvaged from a nearby horse paddock) brings the feel of al fresco dining indoors .
The City Rooftop Deck
You’d hardly know this rooftop oasis is in the heart of the city thanks to a jungle of plants and collapsible beach chairs.
The Laundry Room
Even utilitarian spaces can reap the benefits of summer style, from terracotta pots to pale blue trim around window and baseboards.
The Open-Concept Main Floor
Designer Natalie Chong admits “I don’t match — ever! — but I’ll have some sort of consistency or repeating theme.” In this living space, the kitchen, dining room and living area feel cohesive thanks to California-themed art prints, a sisal rug and warm wood tones.
The Breakfast Area
Start your morning off right with French bistro-inspired chairs that will have you feeling like you’re on a European vacation.
The Suburban Backyard
“It’s much harder working on my own garden,” says landscape designer Meredyth Hilton of Toronto firm Artistic Gardens. Here, she used plush seating and a wooden trough filled with perennials to form a comfortable and approachable seating area.
The Home Office
When you’re stuck behind a computer during sunny weather, make the most of it by placing your desk next to a window or door to let the balmy breeze blow in.
The Play Room
When the humidex soars and the A/C is your only option, bring the summer feel indoors with beachy artwork in a kids’ playroom, like designer Sarah Hartill did in her own Toronto home.
The Basement Bathroom
Swap regular towels for striped Turkish hammams which dry quickly and have a nautical feel.
The Arts & Crafts Area
Try painting the legs of your kids’ crafts table a juicy popsicle-inspired color like watermelon or raspberry.
The Mudroom
Designer Sarah Richardson never says no to a cool color palette — especially in her own homes. In her Starlight Farm country house, she varied shades of blue, white and grey in the mudroom.
The Kid’s Bedroom
Try a fun rainbow DIY paint project in your child’s bedroom to give it an endless summer attitude.
The Kitchen Sink
Leave it to Cory DeFrancisco, the principal designer of Muskoka Living, to outfit his kitchen with woven cotton island lights that resemble a quintessential cottage cable-knit sweater.
The Entryway
Take inspiration from designer Sam Sacks and paint your front door in a green hue reminiscent of garden moss.
The Basement Powder Room
Chalk drawings on the sidewalk are a summer sight you can bring indoors by painting walls with chalk paint.
The Reading Nook
Relax with a good read in a linen armchair (especially one with a washable slipcover!). The wrinkled material is the epitome of carefree summer style.
The Cottage Dining Room
Comfortable woven chairs with throw blankets draped on the arms make summer dinners even more enjoyable.
The Principal Bathtub
Even an ultra-luxe space like this principal bathroom can benefit from a foraged branch. Simply cut a branch from your backyard and place it in a sturdy vase to bring the outdoors in.
The Guest Room
Wonderfully worn woven baskets offer inexpensive impact when hung on a wall. Look for them at summer flea markets.
The Teens’ Bedroom
Plaid looks great year-round but it can feel especially summery when the colorway has teal or light green woven in.
The Coffee Bar
“A sink skirt is an old-fashioned cottage trick,” says designer Emily Griffin. Take the rustic look one step further by filling vintage jugs with fresh blooms on your countertop.
The Kitchen Island
Take inspiration from this nautical Connecticut kitchen — which was designed by Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens while they were at Sarah Richardson Design. The striped roman blinds and chevron-patterned bistro stools bring a beachy feel to this space.
The Guest Bathroom
Shiplap gives any room cottage appeal and, believe it or not, you can install it yourself. Check out YouTube for countless helpful videos and thank us later when your guests give rave reviews.
The City Patio
Some summer nights can be a touch chilly, so consider adding a gas or propane fire pit into your backyard. In many cities, real wood-burning fires are prohibited so this is a great alternative.
The Upstairs Hallway
Don’t overlook walkways or hallways when decking out your house for summer. Here, inexpensive fishing lures are framed en masse for graphic impact.
The Nursery
Your baby’s bedroom can reap the rewards of summer style with light green drapery or a botanical wallpaper.
The Kids’ Bath
Watery blue tiles, a light cane chair and a hanging plant impart a blissful July-August feel year-round.
The Covered Porch
If you’re lucky enough to have a screened-in porch, make the most of it with sofas and chairs that are so comfortable you’d swear you were in your living room. For bonus points, accessorize with a lantern on the table and a fern in the corner.
The Cottage Guest Room
Take nautical blue and white to new heights by trying the color combo on your headboard, bed linens, rug and bench.
The City Dining Room
A pair of gauzy pendant lights are reminiscent of paper lanterns you’d light on a beach at night.
The Foyer
An oversized fiddle leaf fig tree and blond wood bench give off a summer resort feel from the moment you walk in the door.
The Ensuite Vanity
Palm wallpaper doesn’t have to be your typical green. In this principal bathroom, pale grey makes the patterned paper look understated but still impactful.