Summer is a vibe, but it’s also sticky, humid, and shockingly expensive if you’re trying to book a getaway every other weekend. But here’s my hot take you shouldn’t need a plane ticket to feel like you’re on vacation. Your home should be the place where you walk in, exhale, and immediately feel like you’ve checked into a boutique Airbnb (minus the cleaning fees, obviously).
We often think “summer refresh” means buying expensive patio furniture or repainting the entire house. Hard pass. Real summer style is about shifting the energy, swapping heavy textures for breezy ones, bringing the outdoors in, and adding just enough “resort energy” to make you forget it’s 95 degrees in the shade.
I used to think my house was just “blah” until I realized it was wearing a winter coat in July. So, grab your glue gun and let’s fix that. We’re about to turn your space into the ultimate summer sanctuary, and we’re doing it without calling a single contractor.
Coastal-Inspired Rope Accents
Rope is criminally underrated in home decor. Seriously, for about $15 at your local hardware store, you can coastal-ify (yes, I just made that word up) almost anything in your house.
I started with my bathroom mirror—wrapped thick nautical rope around the frame using a hot glue gun, and suddenly my basic Target mirror looked like it belonged in a Cape Cod beach house. The whole project took maybe 45 minutes while I binge-watched reality TV. Multi-tasking at its finest.
Here are some rope projects that actually work:
- Rope-wrapped planters: Wind rope around terracotta pots and secure with hot glue
- DIY rope coasters: Spiral thick rope into coaster-sized circles and glue the back
- Cabinet handle upgrades: Replace boring knobs with rope loops tied through the hardware
- Towel holders: Mount two hooks and drape a thick rope between them
The texture adds instant warmth, and honestly? It hides imperfections like nobody’s business. Your slightly dinged-up furniture just became “rustic beach chic.” You’re welcome.
Citrus-Themed Everything (Because Why Not?)
Summer without citrus is like… well, winter. And we’re not doing that energy right now.
Lemons, limes, and oranges aren’t just for your drinks—they’re basically the holy trinity of summer decor. I went a little crazy with this trend last year, and my kitchen became what my husband lovingly called “the produce section.” But here’s the thing: it worked.
Framed Citrus Art
Grab some vintage botanical prints of citrus fruits (Etsy has tons of free printables, FYI) and frame them in matching white or light wood frames. Hang them in a grid pattern above your dining table or in your kitchen. Cost? Maybe $30 for frames if you print at home.
I did a set of nine lemon prints in my breakfast nook, and I swear the room feels sunnier even on cloudy days. It’s either the psychology of color or I’ve finally lost it—probably both.
DIY Citrus Slice Coasters
This project is stupid easy but looks expensive:
- Slice faux lemons and oranges (craft store, about $3 each)
- Pour clear resin over them in silicone molds
- Let cure for 24 hours
- Attach felt pads to the bottom
The result? Coasters that look like you spent $50 at Anthropologie. Guests always ask where I bought them, and I just smile mysteriously. (Okay, I totally tell them because I’m not that cool, but still.)
Macramé Plant Hangers (Yes, It’s Back)
The ’70s called, and honestly? We should answer because macramé is having its moment again, and I’m here for it.
You don’t need to be a sailor to master basic knots, trust me. I watched three YouTube videos, bought some cotton cord, and suddenly I was a macramé queen. Sort of. My first attempt looked like a tangled fishing net, but attempt number three? Chef’s kiss.
Getting Started
You’ll need:
- Cotton macramé cord (3mm works great)
- Wooden or metal rings (for hanging)
- Plant pots that won’t leak
- Patience (optional but recommended :/)
Start with a simple three-knot pattern. Once you get the rhythm, you can crank out a plant hanger in about an hour while watching TV. I made five in one weekend and hung them at different heights in my living room corner. Now my plants literally have their own Instagram-worthy moment happening 24/7.
The cascading greenery effect? Unmatched. Plus, hanging plants free up surface space, which is crucial when you live in a home where every flat surface mysteriously attracts clutter.
Painted Terra Cotta Pots
Ever wonder why everyone’s obsessed with customizing plain terra cotta pots? Because it’s ridiculously satisfying, that’s why.
I bought a dozen plain pots from the garden center (seriously cheap—like $2 each) and went to town with acrylic paint. Geometric patterns, ombré effects, polka dots—you name it, I tried it. Some turned out Pinterest-perfect, others looked like abstract art gone wrong, but honestly? They all added personality to my porch.
Pro Tips I Learned the Hard Way
Seal your paint. I didn’t seal my first batch, and after one summer rainstorm, my cute patterns looked like watercolor disasters. Use a clear acrylic sealer spray—two coats minimum.
Paint the inside rim too. This tiny detail makes your pots look professionally done. It’s the difference between “I tried” and “I nailed it.”
Work in batches. Set up a painting station outside, do all your base coats at once, then come back for details. Assembly-line style is way more efficient than doing one pot at a time.
My favorite design? White pots with hand-painted navy blue wave patterns around the rim. Coastal vibes without trying too hard.
Sheer Curtain Upgrade
Heavy curtains in summer are basically fabric saunas hanging in your windows. Not cute. Switch to sheer white or cream curtains, and suddenly your space feels like it doubled in size and dropped 10 degrees.
I replaced my living room’s thick curtains with billowy white sheers last June, and the transformation was insane. The natural light floods in, everything looks airy, and when the breeze catches them? Pure summer magic.
DIY Dip-Dye Curtains
Take basic white sheers and dip-dye the bottom third in a summer color—coral, aqua, or soft yellow. Here’s how:
- Mix fabric dye according to package instructions
- Dip the bottom of your curtain panel
- Hold for 5-10 minutes (longer = darker color)
- Rinse until water runs clear
- Hang to dry
The gradient effect is subtle but adds that custom touch that makes people think you actually shopped somewhere fancy. IMO, it’s the easiest way to add color without commitment.
Fresh Greenery Garlands
Forget silk flowers that collect dust. Real or preserved greenery is where it’s at for summer decorating.
I made a eucalyptus garland for my fireplace mantel (yes, my fireplace gets summer decor too—balance, people), and it lasted over a month. The fresh scent alone was worth it. Eucalyptus, olive branches, and bay leaves are your best friends here—they dry beautifully and maintain their shape.
How to Make It
Grab floral wire and your greenery of choice. Start with a base branch and wire on additional pieces, overlapping as you go. Secure the wire tightly but not so tight that you damage the stems.
Drape it across mantels, along stair railings, or as a table runner. Add some white candles or small lanterns, and you’ve got yourself a centerpiece that looks like it came from a farmhouse magazine spread.
I made three garlands total—one for the mantel, one for my dining table, and one along my headboard. The bedroom one might sound extra, but waking up to that fresh scent beats any candle you can buy.
Seashell Shadow Boxes
If you’re a beach walk collector like me, you’ve got bags of shells sitting in your garage doing absolutely nothing. Put those bad boys to work.
I bought three deep shadow box frames (the kind with actual depth, not flat ones) and arranged my shell collection inside. Some I glued to the backing, others I just nestled into the space. Added some sand at the bottom, a few pieces of driftwood, and boom—instant coastal art.
The key is variety. Mix different sizes and types of shells, add some sea glass if you have it, maybe a starfish or sand dollar. Each frame tells a little story of different beach days, and honestly? It’s better than letting them sit in a ziplock bag forever.
These went up in my entryway, and guests always stop to look at them. There’s something nostalgic about shell collections that just works.
Outdoor Pallet Furniture
Okay, this one requires slightly more effort, but hear me out. Wooden pallets are basically free furniture waiting to happen.
I made a patio sectional from four pallets, some outdoor cushions, and a lot of determination. Sanded them down (wear a mask, trust me), stained them a light weathered gray, stacked and secured them with L-brackets, then added cushions I scored on clearance.
Total cost? Maybe $150 for cushions, stain, and hardware. A similar outdoor sectional at a furniture store? Try $800+. You do the math.
Basic Pallet Coffee Table
Even simpler: stack two pallets, add wheels to the bottom, and you’ve got a rolling coffee table. Paint it white, leave it natural, or stain it dark—whatever matches your vibe. The built-in slats are perfect for storing magazines, throws, or your iced coffee that you’ll forget about (again).
Hanging Lanterns and String Lights
Lighting makes or breaks summer ambiance. Period. I’m talking warm, glowy, can’t-believe-this-is-my-backyard kind of lighting.
String lights are non-negotiable. Hang them zigzag across your patio, wrap them around porch posts, drape them along fences. I used shepherd’s hooks to create “light posts” in my yard, and strung lights between them. When those lights come on at dusk? Instant vacation resort vibes.
DIY Mason Jar Lanterns
Take mason jars (because apparently mason jars are the solution to everything), add battery-operated tea lights or string lights inside, and hang them with wire wrapped around the mouth. I hung a dozen along my deck railing, and they create the coziest evening atmosphere.
You can also paint the jars with frosted glass spray paint for a softer glow. I did half clear and half frosted for variety, and the mix of light intensities is actually perfect.
Bold Pattern Throw Pillows
Summer is not the season for boring neutrals. Save that for fall when we’re all drinking pumpkin spice and contemplating existential dread.
I hit up the fabric store during their summer sale and made custom pillow covers in bright patterns—tropical leaves, geometric prints, bold stripes. If you can’t sew (no judgment), fabric glue and iron-on hem tape are your secret weapons.
Cut fabric to size, fold edges, glue or iron them down, and slip over your existing pillow inserts. Five pillows later, my couch went from “blah” to “beach resort” without buying a single new piece of furniture.
The rule? Mix patterns but keep a consistent color palette. I stuck with navy, white, coral, and pops of green. It looks intentional instead of chaotic.
Repurposed Ladder Shelving
Find an old wooden ladder at a yard sale or thrift store (I paid $8 for mine), give it a quick sand and paint, and you’ve got the most charming shelving unit.
Lean it against a wall and style the rungs with plants, books, rolled towels, or decorative items. I put mine in my bathroom with rolled towels, small succulents, and those fancy hand soaps I pretend to use but actually just display.
It’s functional, takes up minimal floor space, and adds vertical interest. Plus, the rustic ladder vibe screams summer farmhouse without actually living on a farm.
Conclusion
Look, decorating for summer doesn’t require a massive budget or professional skills just creativity and willingness to experiment. Half these projects I completed while watching TV or listening to podcasts, which means they’re easy enough to do while multitasking.
The beauty of DIY is that everything becomes personal. Your home tells your story through those hand-painted pots, your collected shells, your slightly imperfect macramé hangers. And honestly? That’s way better than buying everything from a catalog where everyone’s house looks identical.
Start with one or two projects that excite you most. Maybe it’s those citrus coasters or the string lights (seriously, start with the lights instant transformation). Build from there as you get inspired. Your summer oasis is waiting, and it’s cheaper than you think.