Summer Decorating Ideas: Simple Ways to Add a Coastal Vibe

If you’re looking for summer decorating ideas, I’m sharing the simple updates I made to add a coastal vibe throughout our home.

When summer rolls around, I love giving our home a light and breezy refresh.

This year, I was especially drawn to all things coastal—soft blues, natural textures, and seaside-inspired accents that bring a relaxed, beachy feel to each space.

Seven Simple Summer Decorating Ideas

If you’re looking for easy ways to give your home a fresh, summery feel, I’ve got you covered!

These simple decorating ideas helped me bring a relaxed coastal vibe into our space—and the best part is, you can use all seven or pick your favorite to try in your own home.

1) Incorporate Coastal-Inspired Artwork

One of the easiest ways to set the tone for a seasonal refresh is by updating your artwork.

This summer, we purchased a set of three coordinating prints featuring elegant blue herons from Amazon.

We hung them on the largest wall in our living room, and they instantly became a beautiful focal point.

The soft blues and neutral tones in the artwork add a calm feeling that’s perfect for this time of year.

Whether you choose framed prints, canvas art, or digital downloads, incorporating coastal-inspired artwork is a simple and affordable way to bring summer feels into your home

2) Switch Out Pillows for a Breezy Look

Swapping pillow covers is one of my favorite budget-friendly ways to refresh a room for a new season.

For summer, I wanted a light and airy look that still felt warm and welcoming.

We brought out simple white linen pillow covers accented with twine (purchased at Hobby Lobby), and they were the perfect fit.

The light fabric keeps things feeling cool and fresh, while the twine detail adds a subtle coastal touch—like a nod to nautical rope or driftwood textures.

To complement them, we also brought back the pillows that initially came with our couch.

The soft blue color complements the rest of our summer decor beautifully and adds just the right hint of ocean-inspired color.

It was such an easy win—sometimes the perfect piece is one you already have!

Don’t underestimate the power of pillows—changing the color, texture, or material can completely shift the mood of a room with very little effort!

3) Add Natural Textures with Lighting and Accessories

Introducing natural textures is a great way to add warmth and a relaxed, coastal feel to your home.

This summer, I focused on incorporating materials like rattan, wood, and woven fibers throughout our living spaces.

The first change I made was swapping out our linen lamp shades for rattan ones (purchased from At Home).

It was a simple update that immediately added texture and visual interest—plus, the natural material ties in perfectly with a beach-inspired look.

On the entryway table, I created a small vignette inside a rattan basket, which adds charm while keeping everything neatly contained.

Beneath our console table, I tucked a few woven baskets for extra storage and style—they’re practical, but they also echo that casual, breezy aesthetic I love in summer decor.

I continued the natural theme in the kitchen by using a wood tray to hold the DIY seashell candles that I made last year.

Next, I placed a wooden cutting board on the kitchen island to create a simple vignette featuring a carved wooden goose (purchased at HomeGoods), seashells in an apothecary jar, and a DIY olive topiary in a vintage-inspired tin I found at the thrift store.

Then, I added one more cutting board to the corner of the kitchen counter and created another fun vignette.

This one holds a DIY lamp, glass jar filled with sand and shells, and a starfish.

If you’re going for a beachy look, adding natural textures is key—it’s an easy way to make your home feel more grounded, calm, and connected to the season.

4) Style with Sea Glass for Coastal Color

Sea glass is a lovely way to bring soft, coastal colors into your home.

The frosted finish, beachy hues, and light-catching quality make it a perfect summer accent—especially if you’re aiming for a relaxed, breezy look.

This year, I made a set of DIY sea glass bottles using a simple spray paint technique.

I displayed them in our eat-in kitchen, and they added just the right touch of ocean-inspired color.

I love how they catch the light during the day and bring a soft glow to the space.

To complement the bottles, I also filled a clear glass bowl with a collection of sea glass pieces in shades of aqua, seafoam, and soft blue.

It’s a simple display, but it adds a beautiful splash of color and ties in perfectly with the rest of our coastal decor.

Whether you’re using real sea glass or a DIY version, incorporating this pretty element is an easy way to channel those peaceful, beachy vibes all summer long.

5) Bring in Coral Accents

Coral is one of my favorite elements to use when creating a coastal look.

It has an organic shape and a beautiful texture, instantly bringing a touch of the sea indoors.

This summer, I incorporated coral into several areas of our home to enhance the beachy vibe.

On one tabletop, I placed a large piece of coral on a decorative pedestal and covered it with a glass cloche—it feels like a mini museum moment and makes the piece feel extra special.

In the sea glass vignette, I paired two pieces of coral with the bottles for a soft, ocean-inspired grouping.

One of my favorite touches is a coral-shaped bowl (purchased from At Home) I styled on our console table.

It’s both functional and decorative, tying in perfectly with the other natural and coastal textures in the space.

Whether you use real coral, faux pieces, or coral-inspired shapes, incorporating this sea element is a simple way to give your home an elegant coastal twist.

6) Decorate with Seashells

Nothing says summer quite like seashells, and I love using them to add natural, beachy charm throughout our home.

They’re affordable, easy to collect, and perfect for layering into simple summer vignettes.

This season, I filled three glass apothecary jars with a mix of shells and displayed them on the console table.

The clear glass beautifully highlights the shapes and colors of the shells, and the varying heights of the jars add visual interest.

On the coffee table, I styled a round basket with a bowl filled with shells.

It’s a casual, effortless look that feels collected over time and pairs perfectly with the other coastal touches in the room.

And for something a little creative, I made a decorative seashell ball and placed it in a cloche.

Whether you gather them from the beach or pick them up at the craft store, seashells are one of the easiest ways to bring a little bit of summer indoors.

7) Create a Nautical Centerpiece

And last, but not least, a nautical-themed centerpiece that feels relaxed, coastal, and just a little bit whimsical.

I originally created it for our Father’s Day tablescape, but I loved how it turned out so much that I decided to leave it up all season!

The star of the display is a rattan boat (purchased at HomeGoods) with soft linen sails.

I filled the boat with loosely coiled nautical rope to add texture and visual interest.

Around the base, I scattered seashells and votive candles, creating a breezy, beach-inspired atmosphere.

A few strands of additional rope complete the look and help tie everything together—literally!

It brings such a unique and charming coastal touch to the kitchen and ties in beautifully with the rest of our summer decor.

Final Thoughts

Refreshing your home for summer doesn’t have to be hard—just a few thoughtful touches can make a big difference.

By incorporating coastal elements such as seashells, sea glass, coral, and natural textures, I was able to create an atmosphere that reflects the relaxed feeling of the season.

Whether you’re swapping out artwork, styling a nautical centerpiece, or adding subtle beachy accents, these simple updates can help you capture that easygoing coastal vibe and make your home feel like a summer escape.

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Blessings, Donna and Rich

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More Inspiration

Can’t get enough of summer decor? Check out our previous summer home tours:

• Best Summer Home Decor Ideas 2024
• Easy Ways to Add Summer Decor to Your Home 2023
• Bring Summer Inside with Simple Decor Ideas 2022