While summer break is arguably the most exciting part of childhood (no school!), it can be a somewhat stressful time for moms. Moms have to find ways for kids to fill the hours spent at school — and that in itself is a full-time job. Still, the bright side is that summer also means more time for family fun. It's a new season and brings a new excuse to spruce up or redecorate the house.
Wreaths and stockings fill the home for the winter holidays, while pumpkins dominate decor in fall. Decorations are a way to immerse the family in a holiday and feel its spirit. Why should summer be any different? But summer doesn't have a specific holiday, and it comes with its own set of memories and feelings. Creating a home that reflects the spirit of summer helps us feel it more deeply.
There are plenty of tips for surviving the summer with kids — from staying cool with ice and a fan to using frozen balloons in a cooler. But these decor ideas and finds are simply just for mom to enjoy the space. So what does a summer-decorated house look like? Well, every mom is different, but we tried to get at the basics: bright colors, fruits like melons and berries, animals and the sea. It'd be impossible to actually bring those things into the home, but it is easy to incorporate them, or hints of them, in everyday items. For example, switching out a heavy, dark-colored wool blanket from the winter and replacing it with a thinner, more airy one for warmer weather can lighten up a room. Scents work, too, and there are plenty of summer auras to chose from. Switching out mirrors, cushions, and welcome mats will bring the summery vibe into the home.
And it doesn't have to be a complete flip as it is for the winter holidays. Little items can have a huge impact. At the end of the day, what's important is to go for the style that matches the home, and the feelings of the person doing the decorating (hey, mama!)
Summer Cushion
Welcome summer with a "Hello summer" pillow cover. It's soft-toned and neutral, which makes it the perfect accessory to brighten up a room.
"Hello Summer" Pillow Cover ($28, ourTraditions/Etsy)
Decorative Blocks
Summer is fun and playful, so its decor should be, too. These word blocks that read "Sweet Summer" do the trick and can be put anywhere in the house. Bonus: Fun rainbow colors!
"Sweet Summer" Blocks ($30, CraftswithasideofYou/Etsy)
Welcome Mat
Welcoming summer also means welcoming friends and family over for barbecues, parties, and fun nights. Set the tone and welcome both with a rainbow-striped welcome mat.
Multi Stripe Hello Doormat ($12, Target)
Melon Placemats
Nothing says summer like fruit. Make melons (and limes, lemons, and oranges) a part of a kitchen's summer transformation with these colorful placemats.
Celebrate Summer Together Placemats, Set of 4 ($13, Kohl's)
Summer Room Spray
One whiff of summer air can bring on hours of relaxation and lots of fun memories. Bring that feeling, and perfume, inside the home with a summer scent, literally. The summer room spray features fruity and wood scents.
Summer Air Room Spray ($8, Pier 1)
Striped Throw Blanket
Summer may be the warmest season, but that doesn't mean you can't have a decorated throw blanket. These colorful, striped ones are light and airy to match the season. Plus, they could come in handy if the air conditioning is too chilly.
Awning Stripe Throw ($59, Pottery Barn)
Floral Kitchen Towel
Kitchen towels really do have the power to change the mood of the room, which is why it makes sense to keep up with them each season. This floral towel makes a colorful choice for summer.
Floral Kitchen Towel ($3, Target)
Gold Watering Can
Flowers are the symbol of spring and summer, and by default, so are watering cans. Place this gold watering can on a mantel or coffee table to pay homage to summer's natural beauties.
Gold Watering Can ($20, Target)
Pineapple Hello Summer Flag
Get the lawn ready for summer with a welcoming pineapple lawn flag. Because is it really summer without any pineapple decor? We think not.
Hello Summer Pineapple Garden Flag ($9, Pier 1)
Butterfly Wall Clock
A home's clocks often get forgotten, but they don't need to be permanent parts of the decor. Change it up with a colorful clock in time for summer.
Butterfly Origami Wall Clock ($114, Wayfair)
Printed Lemon Candle
Bring the summery scent of fresh lemons inside and make it last all summer with a berry fruit candle. It also doubles as a piece of cute seasonal decor with its artsy lemons wrapped around the base.
Lemon Zest & Berry Candle ($6, Target)
Watermelon Bath Rug
Summer decor shouldn't be limited to just the living room or kitchen. Bring the bright colors and fun into the bathroom with this watermelon bath rug.
Watermelon Bath Rug ($18, Kohl's)
'Summer Story' Framed Print
Can it get any more peaceful than a sailboat on the water? Put some art on the walls, such as this sailboat print, to create a tranquil, summery space.
Summer Story Framed Print ($99, Pottery Barn)
Bright Chair Cushions
Bring a pop of color to the patio or deck with these bright chair cushions. Bonus: They're stain, water, mildew, and UV-light resistant.
Indoor/Outdoor Dining Chair Cushions, Set of 4 ($58, Wayfair)
Mini Succulents
Succulents are year-round plants, but they can really transform a space in the summer. These artificial ones from Wayfair are handcrafted can be put indoors or outdoors and feature different "plants."
2-Tone Desktop Succulents ($17, Wayfair)
Flamingo Wine Glass Set
Kick back on the deck with some wine in these stemless flamingo glasses. Aside from looking cute, the flamingos serve a double purpose: as a grip. Hold on tight!
Flamingo Wine Glasses, Set of 2 ($10, Kohl's)
Textured Candle Set
If lemons on a candle are too much, go for a more subtle look with simple wax candles. These come in a dewy seafoam green color. Although they're made of wax, they're flameless candles, powered by a battery.
Premium Flicker Flameless Wax Candles (from $69, Pottery Barn)
Mantel Garland
Farmhouse garlands are an underrated way to turn the home into a shabby chic summer oasis. This style from Etsy features white flowers along a burlap base. The maker of this garland suggests using it on a mantel or door or as a table runner.
Farmhouse Mantel Garland (from $65, TheCraftyKatebyKatey/Etsy)
Metal Condiment & Tray Set
Ditch the forks-in-plastic-cups look. Instead, display cutlery and condiments in style with a metal tray and holders. The display screams backyard party.
Galvanized Metal Condiment and Tray Set ($17, Pottery Barn)
Shell Mirror
Mirrors are another underrepresented way to spruce up a room for summer. This Lily Pulitzer round shell mirror will transform the space into a beach oasis (if it isn't already there).
Lily Pulitzer Round Shell Mirror ($279, Pottery Barn)
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