Learn how I styled a summer mantel with a lake-themed design, using vacation photos and an easy trash-to-treasure DIY!
With summer just around the corner, I decided to swap out my mantel decor for something lighter and more seasonal.
My husband’s family owns a lovely lake house on Smith Lake in Alabama, so I chose a lake-inspired look. The two framed photos I used are from beach trips we’ve taken, so the result reads as a relaxed lake-and-beach mix—which I love, since I’m always drawn to water in the summer.
What do you think?
The striped board backdrop was a simple DIY made from pallet boards. I removed the boards with a reciprocating saw, sanded them lightly, and painted alternating stripes in Wythe Blue (Benjamin Moore) and Antique White (Sherwin-Williams). I secured the boards together with basic fasteners from Lowe’s — a straightforward project that adds instant coastal character to the mantel.
Accent pieces include a ship’s wheel and a small sailboat I found at Hobby Lobby, along with wooden letters that spell SEA. I’m still deciding whether to paint those letters or leave them in their original finish; either option works well with the casual, watery palette.
The framed photo on the left is from Phi Phi Island, Thailand, which I visited in 2000 during a break from my studies in China. It remains one of the most stunning places I’ve seen. Much of the area was affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, so I’m not sure how it looks now, but the memory captured in that photo keeps the moment alive on my mantel.
The black lantern on the mantel is an affordable find from IKEA — a simple grounding piece that balances the lighter beach accents.
The central candle is one I already had. To give it a coastal twist I wrapped the jar with 3/4-inch sisal rope and secured it with hot glue. It’s an inexpensive, quick update that pairs perfectly with the homemade buoys I made for the display.
I made the weathered buoys myself as a trash-to-treasure project. They started as discarded materials and were transformed with paint, sanding, and simple detailing. That DIY approach is one of my favorite ways to add meaningful, budget-friendly pieces to seasonal decor.
Overall, I aimed for an easygoing, coastal-lake vibe by combining personal photos, thrifted or budget finds, and a few handmade elements. Together they create a fresh summer mantel that feels relaxed and inviting.
So, have you begun switching to summer decor yet? Small changes like these can make a big difference in the look and mood of a room.
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