15 Easy Bright & Cheerful Summer Decoupage Projects
Have extra time this summer to get creative? Have that irresistible urge to bring more color into your home? You will love this collection of 15 easy bright and cheerful summer decoupage projects.
Decoupage, the art of decorating objects with cut-out paper designs and protective coatings, is the perfect creative outlet during these sun-soaked months.
While decoupage has been transforming ordinary items into extraordinary treasures for centuries, summer’s longer days make it the ideal season for this beloved craft.
I love decoupage projects any time of year, for any holiday or season. But, summer’s relaxed pace invites us to slow down and savor the relaxing process of carefully arranging delicate paper cutouts on a wide variety of surfaces.
The lighter, more colorful vibe of summer lends itself to making beautiful accessories that fit the season.
What truly sets summer decoupage projects apart is the season’s abundance of inspiring motifs.
Think bright tropical flowers that transport you to lush get-aways, cheerful citrus patterns that capture sunshine in a bottle, nautical themes that echo beach adventures, and garden-fresh botanicals that celebrate the season’s peak beauty.
Summer decoupage projects often embrace bold, saturated colors – coral pinks, ocean blues, sunshine yellows, and leafy greens – that would feel overwhelming in winter but perfectly capture the season’s exuberant energy.
Summer decoupage often focuses on functional beauty that enhances your seasonal entertaining, home decor, and outdoor enjoyment.
Ready to infuse your space with some summer creativity? These 15 projects will have you reaching for your scissors and Mod Podge, transforming everyday items into summer-inspired creations that capture the season’s bright, cheerful spirit.
Why Decoupage in Summer?
I think anytime is a great time for being creative. The slower pace of summer is an opportunity to beat the heat with indoor projects.
☀️ Why summer is perfect for decoupage – the season’s relaxed pace for projects.
🌺🍋⚓ What makes summer decoupage unique – tropical/citrus/nautical motifs, bold saturated colors, and indoor-outdoor functionality
🌈✨The emotional appeal – connecting the craft to summer’s slower pace and joyful energy.
🏖️🎉 Practical benefits – weather-resistant options and entertaining-focused projects.
What Makes a Decoupage Project Uniquely “Summer”?
Almost surface can be decoupaged any time of year. There are certainly things, like pumpkins, eggs, or ornaments, that are uniquely seasonal.
To me, what makes a decoupage project a summer project is:
- color is the first thing you notice – summer’s bright colors of pinks, oranges, yellow, aqua, blue, and greens. Any color that fits the bright and cheery shouts summer to me.
- design – anything tropical, nautical, beachy, or coastal is a summer design
- pattern – chinoiserie, checks, polka dots, gingham can be used anytime of year. They seem to fit the summer vibe perfectly
- surface – some surfaces lend themselves to summer, such as shells.
Bottom line, it’s the colors and patterns that make a decoupage project identify as summer (and maybe spring).
Where Do We Find Summer Colors, Patterns and Designs?
Most decoupage projects use napkins for their design and color. Fabric, tissue, book pages, wrapping paper – there is even “decoupage paper”.
Napkins, coming in hundreds of patterns and colors, are the easiest to find, use, and are affordable.
Welcome to Bluesky Browsing #193
Bluesky Browsing is a weekly collection of projects, ideas, or recipes. It’s one of my favorite posts to write. Using either a collection of my own posts, ones I find on Pinterest or online, or a combination of both is a way to provide you and me with new and valuable ideas for our homes.
In case you are new to Bluesky at Home, what fabulous finds do I share at Bluesky Browsing?
- ideas to help you in your home decor efforts
- fun holiday decoration ideas
- ideas for better organization and efficiency
- a yummy recipe or cocktail
- fun DIY projects
- the latest trends in home decor
- a quirky new find or two
- outdoor decorating and gardening
Summer Decoupage Ideas: 15 Creative Projects for Your Home
I’ve listed my personal decoupage projects (1 – 6) that are perfect for summer crafting. Then I follow up with several more projects (7 – 15) from blogger friends of mine and others. I think they all have interesting and unique surfaces, colors and patterns.
3 Ways to Decoupage Terra Cotta Pots
I shared 3 ways to cover terra cotta pots with bright floral napkins and blue fabric for spring and summer decor. Customize with your own choice of napkins.
Decoupage Coasters
This coaster project adds design, color and practicality to your living spaces.
Pretty Decoupage Vase for Summer Flowers
You wouldn’t believe how ugly this vase was before I decoupaged it. I love it now. Change out the flowers for either spring or summer.
Thrift Shop Glass Platter
This glass platter didn’t have any pizazz until I decoupaged it. Now it’s one of my go-to serving pieces in summer.
Chinoiserie Lamp
This decoupage lamp is still one my favorites – readers’ favorite, too.
Chinoiserie Planter for Topiaries
This project is another of my favorites. The topiaries are on my mantel right now. A top post on Pinterest.
Marimeko Deoupaged Bench
Did you know that you can decoupage a surface for use outside? Claire of Pillar Box Blue made this adorable bench. Her puppy likes it, too.
Decoupaged Wood Tissue Box
Crissy of First Day of Home used a summer-flowered napkin to create this pretty tissue box that is both practical and pretty.
Decoupaged Heart Dishes
Sam of Color Made Happy – these pretty designed heart-shaped dishes could be made at any time for any occasion, just by changing up the decoupage napkin designs.
Decoupage Blue Chargers
Cindy of DIY Beautify – platters can be decoupaged, but so can chargers (I’ve done it for Christmas.) Cindy does a great job of explaining the process.
Pink and Blue Fowered Lamp Shade
Lana of Lana Red Studio – I decoupaged a lamp base and Lana shows you how to decorate a lamp shade for a blast of color and design.
Colorful Oyster Shells
Missy of Sonata Home Design created these lovely oyster shells with brightly colored napkins in an intricate pattern. Read the entire post for what she does with them.
Vintage Stool Gets a Decoupaged Makeover
Kimberly of Serendipity Refined takes an old scratched-up stool and transforms it into this fun stool with paint and decoupage.
Custom Decoupaged Candles
Cindy of DIY Beautify creates one-of-a-kind candles with napkins and a special method you don’t want to miss.
Decoupage a Mirror with Fabric
Clair of Pillar Box Blue created this vibrant summer mirror with fabric and paper. A recycled project that is perfect in any room.
Want to save all these summer decoupage projects? Be sure to PIN to keep these ideas handy. You might want to check my Pinterest Boards: Decoupage Ideas and Summer DIY Projects.
Which summer decoupage project is your favorite? Which one will you make first?
Love these ideas! FYI—the Custom Decoupaged Candles Cindy of DIY Beautify link says that the page does not exist.