21 Easy Summer Home Decor Projects for When It’s Hot Outside
What do you do when it is so hot outside that you want to hide inside to stay cool? Want some ideas for being productive until the heat wave passes you by? It’s time to find some indoor projects. I have 21 easy home decor projects for summer when it’s too hot to go outside.
I know that we want to enjoy being outside in the summer season. But sometimes it’s just a little too hot to be comfortable – unless you live in a beach house by the ocean or in a mountain cabin.
You may not have considered it, but when it’s blasted hot outside, it’s a great time to tackle some easy home decor projects.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a difference in a room. Things that don’t require a hammer or nails, a paintbrush, or an electric sander to change the appearance or style of a room.
Here are suggestions that take more elbow grease and time than dollars or skill.
At the end of a day or the weekend, you will feel like you have accomplished something without spending a penny.
I promise these easy ideas don’t take much time and certainly not a trip to the store in sweltering temperatures.
In fact, the warmer months may be the perfect time to do some summer home decor projects. Think how good you will feel in September when life gets busy again.
Simple Summer Home Decor Projects: 21 Ideas to Beat the Heat
Oh, as much as I love summer DIY projects, this list doesn’t have one in sight. These summer decor ideas will leave you refreshed and ready for the rest of the summer.
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Switch Out Your Bed Linens
Change your bed linens for a lighter look. If you haven’t yet, swap out heavy winter textiles like wool blankets and velvet pillows for lighter, breezier fabrics.
image source: Bedroom Plan
Bring in crisp cotton or linen throws, slipcovers, gauzy curtains, and pillow covers in fresh summer colors like aqua, lemon yellow, or coral. On the flip side, use whites, creams, and taupes for a neutral palette.
image source: Bedroom Plan
This instantly lightens and brightens a room. If you have a comforter and a duvet, switch them or take one away. Rearrange your pillows for summer color and lighter textures.
Rearrange Your Artwork
If your artwork has been up for a while, swap it out with new-to-you pieces from other rooms. If your budget allows, invest in a few new, inexpensive prints or paintings that complement your summer color palette.
Find summer-design printables on Etsy or from bloggers and reframe them in lightweight frames. I just ordered this cute summer bookcase artwork on Etsy. I can’t wait to frame it and use it when our new bookcases from Ballard arrive.
image source: Etsy
Rotating artwork is an easy way to revive a space. This beachy artwork in shades of blue is perfect for summer.
image source:A Blissful Nest
Rearrange Your Furniture Layout
One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a room is to rearrange the furniture layout.
image source: A Blissful Nest
In your living spaces, rearrange the furniture for a different look and better traffic patterns. Turn furniture away from the fireplace for a new seating arrangement.
- Find that focal point in your living room. Get this focal point cheatsheet below.
- Push pieces away from the walls, create cozy conversation areas, or float furniture to open up the space.
- By positioning pieces several inches away from walls, you can prevent blocking airflow.
- Move any sofas, chairs or beds that are positioned directly in front of windows that get a lot of sunlight away from the window. The direct sunlight heating up those furniture pieces can make a room feel stuffy and warm.
- Changing the flow of a room can make it feel cooler and airier and allow for better airflow and cross-breezes.
- You can also angle chairs towards fans or vents to maximize the cooling effect.
Chose a New Color Scheme for the Summer
Decide on a new color scheme for the summer. Go with either natural materials or add vibrant colors. This summer I went with bold color in our living room.
Move Throw Rugs Around
If possible, move throw rugs around for a fresh vibe. Or remove the rugs completely, if possible. I love walking on cool hardwood or marble floors barefooted in the summer.
image source: Apartment Therapy
Change Out Throw Pillows and Throws
Do the same for throw pillows and your throw blanket. You may not need throws in the summer. Move them to another room or place them in storage bags until the cooler weather returns.
image source: Chique Home
If you want the color that throws provide, use lightweight pashminas, large scarves, or turkish towels. I love the soft look and feel of turkish towels and the fringe.
image source: Wayfair
Do Decluttering and Reorganization
Take advantage of the warm weather to do a deep decluttering and reorganization.
Pick one room, like the kitchen or a bathroom and organize the drawers. Go through closets, cabinets, bookshelves and clear out anything you don’t use or love.
Organize what’s left in a neat, visually appealing way. A clutter-free, organized space feels so refreshing. What a big difference this project can make in your stress level.
Create a Summer Reading Nook
Move a chair to a corner with a small table and create a reading nook. Summer is the best time for reading and spending time with a favorite book. Be sure to add a lamp for easy reading.
I love the bright colors of this setting. It’s also nice that the chair faces outside to take advantage of summer scenes.
image source: Home Funky
This reading nook is the ultimate summer retreat. Curl up with an Elin Hildebrand novel here.
image source: Home Decor Bliss
Rearrange a Bookshelf or Hutch
Pare down your bookshelf. Remove everything from your bookcases and shelves, then restyle by blending books with vases, framed photos, potted plants and other decorative objects in an edited, curated way.
Use pops of summer color to decorate your bookcase. As you might imagine, this is the direction that I am leaning toward.
image source: Remodelolacasa
Yes, I know there is a lot of stuff on this bookcase, but the color palette just shouts summer. I would probably remove about 1/3 of the accessories to let the bookshelves breathe.
image source: Shop Society Social
Arrange items by color for a cohesive, polished look. Bring in some decorative items or move them to another room. Take 20 – 30% of the accessories away and let the space breathe a little.
Here is a very pared down, neutral approach to a summer bookcase.
image source: Farmhouse Hub
Create a Bar Cart for Summer Imbibing
Use a small table as a bar cart. Add a pretty tray and fill it with decanters or pretty wine glasses and barware.
image source: Road to Mindfulness
If you don’t have room for a summer bar cart, use a tray to create a small space for pretty summer glasses and beverages.
image source: Remodelacasa
Then treat yourself to a refreshing cocktail like this delicious Piña Colada.
Add a Centerpiece to the Kitchen or Dining Room
Add a simple centerpiece to your kitchen or dining room table. Use a pretty tray or other decorative items. Put a pretty vase on the table filled with fresh summer flowers for a pop of color.
image source: Kisaf
Include a bowl of citrus on the table or the kitchen counter.
image source: Straight Forward Spaces
Create a Small Summer Vignette
Gather some baskets, trays, or cutting boards and stack them for an interesting arrangement on a small tabletop vignette. This blue-themed vignette with hydrangeas is perfect for summer.
image source: Soul and Lane
Add a potted plant or flowers, a decorative dish or box, and a candle. Choose pieces in natural materials and colors that evoke a relaxed summer feel.
Update Your Decor with Seasonal Touches
Keep your home fresh and inviting by updating your decor with seasonal touches. I used a bright floral pillow paired with a solid pink one for a pop of summer color and pattern.
Then I removed the heavy blue blanket and replaced it with a pair of lightweight pashminas and a striped scarf.
It’s a bright color palette for the summer months.
Manage the Mantel for Summer
Lighten up your mantel. If you have multiple items on it, remove half of them. This is such an easy way to give your spaces a breather. Every surface does not have to be covered.
image source: Modern Glam
I left a lot of “white space” in the middle of our mantel to create a lighter feel for summer. That allowed the newly created colored glass vases to shine.
Redesign Your Coffee Table for Summer
Rearrange your coffee table, your mantel, or your nightstands. I added faux zinnias in pretty summer colors to a bright green vase. It’s a bright, happy look.
image source: A Blissful Nest
Move Plants
Depending on the light requirements, move your indoor plants to different rooms. As more light comes into your rooms, plants requiring low-light may need to be moved to a room with less light.
image source: Crazy Life with Littles
Change Out Color
Color plays a key role in whether we feel hot or cool. If you lean toward a more neutral palette, then focus on whites and creams. Use natural greenery in pots and artwork
image source: Blesser House
- Switch out heavy dark planters for a colorful planter, mason jars or clear glass vases.
- Light, cool colors like blues, greens, and grays tend to have a more cooling effect than warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows which can make a space feel warmer.
- White or off-white furniture also helps create an airy, cool feeling.
- Avoid dark colors like black, brown, or navy which can absorb more heat.
Go for Lighter Textures
Pick textures that evoke feelings of summer, both literally and figuratively.
- Natural materials like cotton, linen, rattan, and jute have more breathable, cooling properties compared to synthetic fabrics. Leather and vinyl tend to trap heat and make a room feel warmer.
- Wood furniture with a light, natural finish feels cooler than dark-stained pieces.
- Metal furniture can remain cooler to the touch than upholstered pieces.
- Use slipcovers made of lightweight cotton or linen over upholstered furniture.
- Choose woven rattan, bamboo or wicker pieces for a breezy, natural look.
- Opt for open, slatted furniture designs that allow for airflow.
- Consider swapping out heavy curtains for sheer, breezy window treatments.
- Use area rugs made of natural fibers like sisal or jute over cooling tile or wood floors.
- The key is to stick with light colors, breathable fabrics, and natural materials that don’t absorb and radiate heat to keep your living spaces feeling refreshingly cool.
Clean Out a Closet
Clean out a closet and make it more efficient. Do you have old swimsuits, flip flops, sandals or tote bags that should be tossed or donated?
Fill a bag with items to donate. Pack away out-of-season items. I’ve already bagged up several summer t-shirts that had been put away since last year. They had little stains on them that were not worth keeping.
Pare Down Dishes and Glassware
If you have multiple dishware sets, store dishes that are more appropriate for fall and winter. Instead, use white dishes and serving pieces for a light summer look. Same thing for glassware.
image source: Just Destiny Mag
Air Out the Guest Room
Be ready for company in the guest room. Start by airing out the linens.
Place a vase on the nightstand with pretty flowers or greenery. Place a summer beach read on a simple nightstand. Add an insulated container of iced water and a pretty glass on a side table. Your guests will appreciate a relaxing space in the summer.
image source: Styling by Sarita
Spend a few hours and zero money to give your home a little update and reorganization. The key is to lighten up, declutter, and incorporate natural textures and colors to capture the easygoing spirit of summer in your home decor.
Our Favorite
Summer Home Decor Ideas
Stay cool this summer by staying indoors. Complete some of these suggestons for summer home decor projects.
Want to keep this list of summer home decor projects? Be sure to PIN this post. Check out my Summer Home Decor Pinterest Board.
