Welcome to my annual summer home tour! By “summer home” I mean our everyday house dressed up with a light, coastal summer vibe—not a separate vacation home. I kept things simple and relaxed this year, leaning into that breezy coastal look I love.
For a while I almost left the spring decor as-is—partly because I loved it and partly because I try to keep things low-effort when I can. In the end, a few coastal accents won me over: I added starfish, an old sailboat, and new bay leaf topiaries. I also rehung my framed canvas beach art on the mantel that I made last year. That piece always brings back memories of Highway 30A, one of my favorite getaway spots.
Click here to see all the details of my summer mantel
Today I’m focusing on the two rooms we use most: the living room and the kitchen. They get the most attention in our house and set the tone the moment you walk in—the fireplace and mantel are the first things you see, so I like to keep them fresh and welcoming.
A recent update is our area rug, which I absolutely love because it hides crumbs and wear from active kids. It’s the Abbeville Eclectic Dark Gray/Navy rug in a 9 x 12 size—large, durable, and a great price for the size. It was a fun change from our previous rug and made a big visual difference in the room.
I also installed bamboo shades in both the living room and kitchen. They add texture, soften the light, and are a practical, low-maintenance window treatment I wrote about in detail when I ordered ours.
Our sofa is from Pottery Barn and is about six years old. The slipcovers make it ideal for family life—when spills happen we remove and wash the covers. It’s comfortable, kid-friendly, and cozy for movie nights and snuggling.
Our media stand is a favorite piece and always gets questions; it’s from Nadeau and is both affordable and sturdy. To the left of it I display a handmade blanket ladder I built—an easy, decorative way to keep blankets accessible year-round.
SHOP MY LIVING ROOM – scroll & tap the images below to shop each item
To the left of the living room is our eat-in kitchen area, which I refreshed this spring. The makeover didn’t require a full renovation—just careful updates to bring the space in line with my style. I brightened the corner, added practical storage, and made small swaps to improve the flow and look.
For summer I put fresh flowers in my favorite blue glass vase at the center of the table and hung last year’s lemon wreath on the IKEA FINTORP wall system in the corner. These easy swaps give the kitchen a seasonal lift without a lot of effort or expense.
The open shelves are a DIY project I completed for less than $40. I enjoy changing them with the seasons and swapping in printable art and small decor pieces to keep the look fresh. I designed some free summer printables that are perfect for these shelves and for adding simple seasonal charm throughout the kitchen.
One practical improvement that’s made life easier is a new filing system to tame the steady flow of papers that used to pile up on the counters. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in keeping the kitchen tidy and functional.
SHOP MY SHELVES & EAT-IN KITCHEN – scroll & tap the images below to shop each item
Summer fruit makes the kitchen feel seasonal and alive. I couldn’t resist making a fresh strawberry pie when the berries looked so good—my mom’s recipe is a favorite and worth trying when strawberries are at their peak.
My husband picked up fragrant peaches from a roadside stand the other day; their smell fills the kitchen and is such a simple, joyful reminder of summer.
I recently bought a new runner for in front of the kitchen sink. I tested two rugs and even ran an Instagram poll to see which one people preferred. I chose the jute and navy striped rug because it hides dirt and fits our casual coastal look—though the other option was cute, too.
I’m a bit obsessed with navy stripes, so this rug was an easy choice for me.
My small coffee corner is simple but important—it’s my first stop every morning, and it’s where my husband usually has fresh coffee waiting. I added one of my seasonal printables there to keep the space feeling current and cheerful.
Mama Needs Some Coffee Mug – absolutely!
Another favorite spot is the gallery wall and console table in the living room. I rotate the accessories on my tiered tray and swap small decor pieces seasonally to keep the vignette fresh and interesting.
I still love the turquoise abstract art I painted a few years ago and the simple DIY frame I used to display it. It adds color and personality without overwhelming the space.
One small habit that makes our home feel inviting is diffusing essential oils. My go-to afternoon blends are peppermint and Stress Away—both help the air smell fresh and create a relaxing atmosphere.
That wraps up my summer home tour—thanks for stopping by. I hope you found inspiration for simple seasonal updates that make a home feel bright, relaxed, and welcoming.
More Posts You Will Love:
- The Best Summer Decorating Ideas
- Summer Favorites Printable & more!
- 25+ Stunning Summer Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas