With the weather warming and peonies blooming, we’re bringing that relaxed, charming cottage garden vibe inside with a few subtle patriotic touches.
The weather is finally warming up here, the peonies are starting to bloom, and summer is definitely on its way!
One of my absolute greatest loves of summer is gardening.
There is nothing quite like getting out into the garden in the cool of the morning, just wandering through the yard and taking in all the beautiful colors and textures.
I look forward to this time of year so much!
I really love the relaxed feel of the season, and this year, I’m leaning into that effortless, relaxed cottage garden vibe in my home—very similar to the feel of my master bathroom.
Last week, Steph shared her gorgeous home decorated for summer, going all out with patriotic decor and fourth of July decorating ideas.
While I have a few well-placed spots where I’ll sprinkle in a little patriotic flair, my main goal was to bring that charming garden feel inside so it lasts all season long.
Ready to refresh your space for summer?
Scroll down to get more than 35 simple decorating ideas for summer that are so easy to replicate!
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Entryway Summer Decorating Ideas
Nothing says summer quite like a large, statement vase overflowing with vibrant flowers.
Whether you use fresh clippings from the garden or high-quality faux stems, florals instantly breathes a bright summer vibe into the space.
On the entry table, I also love to sprinkle in a bit of nostalgic, patriotic decor to give guests a warm welcome.
This year, I featured a framed stitchery of the Pledge of Allegiance that I made many years ago.
Then we paired it with these framed vintage portraits of George and Martha Washington.
To really lean into that relaxed, vintage cottage aesthetic, we styled the portraits with a delicate piece of heirloom vintage lace and a classic pocket watch.
It creates the most charming, storied first impression for anyone walking through the front door.
Another easy way to lean into that relaxed cottage garden vibe is by tucking a generous bundle of realistic faux florals into a large, rustic basket.
To keep it looking perfectly undone, the stems are simply gathered together and loosely sorted by color, mimicking exactly how you would have bundled them fresh-picked from the garden.
It adds the most charming, casual pop of life to the corner and looks like you just stepped inside from a morning walk through the yard.
More Entryway Decorating Ideas
- Botanical gallery wall
- Summer hat wall display
- Vintage rain boots filled with florals
- Umbrella stand filled with walking sticks or floral umbrellas
Summer Decor Ideas for the Living Room
In the living room, the summer decorating begins by refreshing all of the flat surfaces, starting right at the piano.
To instantly bring the outdoors in, we placed a beautifully weathered head planter here and filled it with fresh-cut peonies straight from my garden.
To balance out that charming, time-worn texture, we paired it with a sleek, more modern vase holding a single, delicate bud branch.
This mix of old and new creates a lovely, intentional look that sets a perfectly relaxed, cottage garden tone for the rest of the room.
On the other side of the piano, we balanced the look by creating a charming vignette that brings in even more natural textures.
We paired a delicate, elegant orchid with a lush moss topiary for a pop of vibrant green, and nestled a vintage milk glass vessel right alongside them.
Inside the milk glass, we displayed a beautiful collection of treasures gathered from the beach over the years.
It adds a lovely touch of coastal nostalgia that feels perfectly at home within that relaxed, cottage garden style.
Coffee Table Styling
To really make a bold statement on the coffee table, we filled my large black-and-white vase with giant, lush faux peonies that instantly draw the eye.
There is actually a funny story behind that vase—I scored it for free at a yard sale!
The gentleman selling it was desperate for me to buy an old chair that was in serious need of a makeover, so he offered me any three items from his tables for free if I would just take the chair off his hands.
Needless to say, I was sold!
The $20 chair got its beautiful makeover and now sits in my master bathroom, and I walked away with this gorgeous vase.
To complete the coffee table vignette alongside it, we placed a delicate crystal bowl filled with my grandma’s beautiful handiwork and finished the look with a rustic garden orb for the perfect blend of texture and sentiment.
More Living Room Decorating Ideas
- Light and airy window treatments
- Cloche-covered garden elements
- Incorporate small woven elements like coasters or a jute storage basket
- Stack vintage botanical books
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Mantle Decorating Ideas for Summer
Since we spend most of our time in the family room, the fireplace is definitely the focal point of the space, so I always like to direct most of my decorating attention to that end of the room.
This year, I decided to keep the beautiful spring topiary and book styling I already loved on the mantel, but I gave it a fresh summer update with a gorgeous, lacy bunting.
We made it using a vintage lace tablecloth that I simply gathered up and secured to the mantel with a few trusty Command hooks.
To tie the whole look together and add a perfect touch of cottage charm, we finished it off with a sweet green gingham bow on each side.
It feels so light, airy, and welcoming for the season!
More Mantle Decorating Ideas
- Layered chippy white architectural salvage pieces
- Ferns in vintage ironstone
- Frames pressed florals
- Shadow boxes filled with simple botanicals
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Let us introduce ourselves, we’re Michelle and Steph, a mom and daughter team who love to DIY and decorate our homes.
Not only are we passionate about making our homes warm, comfortable and unique, but it’s our mission to help you create that same feeling in your own home.
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Decorating the Family Room for Summer
Moving out into the rest of the family room, we kept the summer styling beautifully simple, starting right at the coffee table.
I love adding quick, easy touches to the decor I already keep here, like tucking a pair of small American flags into a wicker vase filled with peonies.
As a quick design tip, wicker is a fantastic texture to bring into your home for the warmer months because it instantly adds a light, airy, and relaxed feel to any space!
Next, we added a darling, miniature flag bunting to our wooden horse statue using flag toothpicks—it’s such a whimsical and budget-friendly detail.
To finish off the look with that perfect touch of summer charm, we filled a classic footed bowl with a beautiful collection of gathered seashells.
It’s the ultimate mix of patriotic pride and casual cottage comfort.
Birdcages & Suitcases
This year, I thought it would be fun to bring a little extra personality to the empty space by the pair of chairs near the fireplace wall.
We built the vignette starting with a charming stack of thrifted vintage suitcases, which we topped with a Victorian birdcage overflowing with fresh greenery.
To add some soft texture, we draped a fringed gingham tablecloth over the other end of the suitcases and stacked a beautiful set of thrifted floral plates and a striped mug right on top.
For the final, perfect summer touch, we filled a vintage picnic basket to the brim with faux hydrangeas and colorful zinnias, bringing in even more of that gorgeous cottage garden charm to the corner.
We were on such a roll that we couldn’t stop with just one birdcage!
Right atop the built-in bookcase, we placed a large, white birdcage and filled it with a generous bundle of green hydrangeas.
To beautifully continue our cottage garden theme, we rounded out the vignette with a cluster of stacked and tumbled terracotta clay pots embellished with sprigs of greenery.
It gives the shelves a gorgeous, potted-shed-meets-living-room aesthetic that feels so perfectly suited for the season.
sofa table // scalloped baskets // wall art
For the sofa table, we leaned heavily into that timeless, storied look by layering in gorgeous vintage textures.
We started with a delicate lace runner down the center and anchored the ends with a beautiful pair of aged brass lamps that give off the warmest glow.
Right in the middle, we featured a stunning vintage brass and marble justice scale.
To soften the metal and stone and tie it right back into our cottage garden theme, we embellished the balance scales with lush green moss and nestled a sweet pair of concrete birds nearby.
On the lower shelf we include another suitcase stack, florals and another stack of baskets to bring in more cottage charm.
It makes for such a unique, interesting display to look at from the back of the room!
Summer Pillows and Throws
floral pillow cover // horse statue // white peonies
Of course, no summer styling is complete without swapping in lighter, softer textures to make the space feel cozy yet breezy.
To bring that summery comfort into the family room, we draped a lightweight green cotton throw over one of the accent chairs for a pretty pop of seasonal color.
For the sectional, we layered in a beautiful variety of textures and patterns, including a pair of linen pillows and a set of stunning, vintage-inspired floral pillow covers.
Mixing these soft florals with the neutrals completely transforms the couch, creating a cozy, sit-back-and-relax spot that feels like the ultimate reflection of a sunny cottage garden.
More Decorating Ideas in the Family Room
- Vintage board game display
- Travel & adventure photo gallery
- Souvenir display apothecary jars
- Vintage camera vignette
- Frame a vintage-style map of your home state or a favorite summer destination
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Summer Decor in the Dining Room
Moving into the dining room, the summer styling begins right on the china hutch, and it starts with a piece that is so incredibly special to me.
We placed a beautiful, hand-painted patriotic scene on an old vintage window—and if you visit Steph’s home, you’ll find another one!
We actually made a bunch of these together for a fundraiser a while back, and we both secretly hoped there would be at least two left over for us to keep.
Luckily, our wish came true, and we love bringing them out to decorate for summer every single year.
To tie this piece into our cottage garden theme, we placed a bundle of white florals in a rustic vase right next to it, completing the vignette with a classic folded American flag and a fun crystal container filled with patriotic gumballs.
Then, on the right side of the hutch, we grouped three beautiful milk glass vessels together, filling one with white peonies and tucking a pair of small American flags into the display for a final touch of summer charm.
gingham table runner // milk glass bud vase
For the dining table, we kept things beautifully simple and light with a centerpiece that practically screams summer garden party.
We gathered a charming grouping of vintage milk glass bud vases, tucked them into a rustic galvanized tray, and placed just a single, pink zinnia in each vase.
To add that perfect, cozy cottage depth to the table, the centerpiece is set on beautifully layered linens.
We placed a green gingham table runner right over a lovely floral square fabric.
It’s a quick, effortless look that feels incredibly fresh and inviting for summer dining!
More Decorating Ideas for the Dining Room
- Use woven seagrass or water hyacinth placemats or chargers
- Pot fresh herbs as a centerpiece for the table
- Fill a large, thrifted ironstone bowl or a wooden dough bowl with seasonal fruit
Decorating the Kitchen for Summer
Of course, we can’t forget the heart of the home!
When it comes to decorating ideas for summer in the kitchen, we absolutely need to bring in more beautiful florals.
(It is a very good thing I have been collecting these over the years! To see exactly how I store my massive collection, click here.)
On the countertop, I arranged a cheerful bouquet of bright yellow flowers in a vintage silver-plate pitcher, sitting pretty on a stack of thrifted plates.
Then, I turned my attention to the open shelves, which are now absolutely bursting with cottage garden charm and layered with meaningful pieces from my grandma.
On one shelf, we placed a potted faux lavender plant on a stack of plates, paired with a rustic terracotta pot and a classic vintage teapot.
On another shelf, we started with a shiny silver-plate tray and one of my grandma’s gorgeous dinner plates layered right in the back to act as a backdrop.
To complete this vignette, we added a potted plant in a vintage copper pot and showcased a pretty thrifted floral plate on a stand.
It makes the whole kitchen feel so bright, storied, and welcoming!
Styling the Kitchen Island
Next, we created a delightful summer vignette right on the kitchen island, using a bold red metal tray to anchor the whole look.
We started by filling another one of our favorite DIY rustic vases with a generous bundle of blue hydrangeas and a pair of American flags, giving a gorgeous nod to that classic red, white, and blue palette.
Next, we placed some yummy butter mints into a glass apothecary jar—perfect for grabbing a quick treat—and rounded out the grouping with a vibrant red potted plant nestled inside one of my grandma’s vintage teapots.
It is such a cheerful, cottage-style arrangement that brings the whole room together!
To bring that final touch of cottage charm to the kitchen, we focused on a cozy little corner that just needed a bit of love.
A few weeks ago, I came across the most darling, old handmade child’s chair that was just full of potential.
Steph and I spent some time removing the dilapidated fabric seat and added a rustic jute seat.
Now, it sits perfectly in that corner, serving as the most unique and beautiful stand to showcase a basket brimming with pretty peonies.
It is the absolute perfect finishing touch to the room!
More Decorating Ideas for the Kitchen
- Layer gingham and floral dish towels
- Vintage berry baskets for organization or decor
- Add a bowl of fresh lemons or limes
- Display vintage rolling pins & embellish with red, white an blue twine
Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Summer
Now that the inside of the house is set, let’s step outside and talk about decorating ideas for summer on the front porch!
The welcoming vibe starts the moment you reach the front door with a seasonal wreath.
I keep a simple, classic boxwood wreath on my door year-round because it’s so easy to embellish with a big bow for the changing seasons.
I simply added a fun patriotic bow to it, and it instantly looks incredibly festive.
On the porch itself, I am going all out with patriotic Fourth of July decorating ideas to bring in maximum charm.
We tucked a pair of American flags right into my potted fern and then filled a vintage galvanized watering can with even more flags for a gorgeous, tiered look.
To finish off the cozy porch display, we placed a vintage child’s wicker rocker and added a whimsical patriotic bunny.
But we can’t just stop at our small front porch—we need to make the rest of the outdoor space feel patriotic too!
My hanging potted plants got a few flags of their own,
pillow covers // bunting // boxwood wreath // patriotic throw
and we hung a classic red, white, and blue bunting right below the large picture window using handy brick clips.
Finally, the bistro set out on the brick patio received a little Fourth of July charm of its own with blue star pillows, a cozy red, white, and blue plaid throw,
and another potted fern bursting with more flags. The entire outdoor space is officially ready for summer hosting!
More Decorating Ideas for the Front Porch
- Layer a patriotic quilt on a bench
- Layer a rug and welcome mat
- Line walkway with shepherd’s hooks & hang vintage-style solar lanterns
- Create a flower display on a old ladder
Shop
More Summer Decor Ideas
- How to Make Peonies Last Longer with 7 Simple Tricks
- Patriotic Popsicle Decor Using Paint Stir Sticks
- Simple Patriotic Decorating Ideas for Summer
- Simple Summer Garden Wreath
- 12 Inexpensive Beach Decor Ideas
- Simple & Inexpensive July 4th Decor
- Make a Playful Summer Wreath
- Simple Fourth of July Bunting
- Simple 4th of July Decoration Ideas For Your Front Porch
- Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget for Summer
- Door Wreath for Summer
- Front Porch Decor Ideas for Summer
Final Thoughts
There is something so special about shedding the heavy layers of winter and letting our homes breathe with the textures and colors of summer.
From the kitchen shelves filled with grandma’s teapots to the patriotic flags waving on the front porch, this season’s decor is all about celebrating life, history, and the beauty of a cottage garden.
Now, we’d love to hear from you!
Which of these spaces was your favorite?
Are you leaning into patriotic decor this year, or keeping things simple with fresh florals?
Drop a comment below and let’s chat—we love hearing how you welcome summer into your neck of the woods!
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