Whether you’re sprucing up your living room, patio, or front porch, these DIY summer decor ideas will help infuse your space with color, creativity, and charm.
Let’s dive into 15 inspiring ways to give your home that sun-kissed, summery feel.
1. DIY Citrus Wreath
Welcome guests with a pop of color! A faux citrus wreath made with lemons, limes, and greenery instantly adds a tropical touch to your front door.
How to Make It: Use a grapevine wreath base, faux citrus fruits (from craft stores), eucalyptus stems, and a hot glue gun. Arrange the fruits in a cluster or all around for different looks.
Why It Works: It’s bright, fun, and stays fresh all season long.
2. Beach-Inspired Mason Jar Vases
Transform simple mason jars into coastal chic decor with a little paint and twine.
DIY Steps: Paint mason jars with soft ocean hues like aqua, white, or sand beige. Wrap jute twine around the top and fill them with wildflowers or dried beach grass.
Perfect For: Table centerpieces, kitchen counters, or window sills.
3. Outdoor Candle Lanterns with Seashells
Capture that seaside glow with homemade lanterns filled with sand, shells, and tea lights.
What You’ll Need: Clear glass jars, beach sand, mini seashells, and flameless candles.
Why You’ll Love It: Adds a cozy glow to patios and porches without the fire hazard.
4. Tropical Leaf Art Prints
Create your own art using tropical leaves and stencils. This is an easy, elegant way to decorate blank walls for summer.
DIY Tip: Press real palm or monstera leaves onto a white canvas using spray paint or acrylic paint to make bold, graphic prints.
Bonus: You can frame them or hang them with string and clips for a casual look.
5. Handmade Fabric Bunting Garland
Nothing says “celebration” like garlands. A bunting made of scrap fabrics in bright summer colors brings playful charm to any space.
How-To: Cut triangle-shaped pieces of fabric and sew (or hot glue) them to a ribbon or twine. Hang across windows, over a fireplace, or outside.
Styling Tip: Choose patterns like florals, gingham, or tropical prints.
6. DIY Painted Doormat
Give your porch personality with a custom painted coir doormat.
What You Need: A plain doormat, outdoor paint, and stencils. Use summer sayings like “Hello Sunshine” or “Stay Cool.”
Why It’s Great: It’s practical, seasonal, and makes your doorstep Instagram-worthy.
7. Floating Flower Bowls
A romantic, spa-like idea for patios or entryways. Fill a large ceramic bowl with water and float colorful summer blooms like zinnias, daisies, or garden roses.
Try This: Add citrus slices and herbs like mint or lavender for scent.
Where to Use: Coffee tables, patio corners, or dining centerpieces.
8. Rope-Wrapped Planters
Turn old pots into boho beach-style decor with rope or jute.
Instructions: Wrap sisal rope around any pot (plastic, ceramic, or tin), gluing it tightly as you go. Leave the top edge open or add a ribbon for contrast.
Plants That Pair Well: Succulents, snake plants, or ferns.
9. Tie-Dye Pillow Covers
Nothing screams summer like tie-dye. Make colorful throw pillow covers to refresh your couch or bed.
How to DIY: Use fabric dye and white cotton pillowcases. Go for spirals, stripes, or crumpled effects with colors like coral, teal, and yellow.
Bonus: It’s a fun weekend project for kids too.
10. Lemonade Bar Station
Build a simple drink bar using a rolling cart or side table. Decorate it with DIY signs, glass pitchers, citrus slice garlands, and fresh flowers.
Why It’s a Hit: It’s perfect for summer gatherings — and doubles as decor!
Extra Flair: Use chalkboard paint on signs for changing daily flavors.
11. Floral Hoop Wall Hanging
A boho alternative to wreaths — these delicate floral hoops are stylish and easy to make.
DIY Details: Use embroidery hoops, faux peonies or hydrangeas, and eucalyptus stems. Attach with floral tape or glue and hang with ribbon.
Style Tip: Use them above beds, on entry walls, or at parties.
12. Upcycled Summer Lanterns
Use old tin cans, punch holes in patterns, and place candles inside for charming DIY lanterns.
Instructions: Spray paint the cans in bright hues (turquoise, coral, yellow), then use a hammer and nail to create patterns. Add wire for a handle.
Great For: Hanging from tree branches, patios, or backyard pathways.
13. DIY Sun Catchers with Beads
Craft sparkling sun catchers using clear beads and fishing wire to reflect sunlight.
What You’ll Need: Beads, string, suction hooks or window hangers.
Where to Hang Them: Windows that get plenty of sun — they’ll cast rainbows across the room!
14. DIY Popsicle Stick Art
Great for kids and adults alike, popsicle sticks can be arranged into colorful geometric wall art or mini signs with summer sayings.
Idea: Paint each stick with vibrant acrylic paint, arrange in patterns, and glue onto a board.
Best For: Kid bedrooms, playrooms, or whimsical kitchens.
15. Fabric-Covered Terra Cotta Pots
Wrap your plant pots in summery fabric scraps for a quick and easy makeover.
How-To: Use Mod Podge to adhere the fabric tightly to the pot’s surface. Choose prints like pineapples, florals, or watercolor stripes.
Use Indoors or Outdoors: They’re waterproof when sealed properly!
🌿 Final Thoughts
You don’t need a big budget or a professional eye for design to make your home feel summery and stylish. These DIY summer decor ideas are all about creativity, color, and celebrating the season. Whether you’re drawn to coastal vibes, bold color pops, or soft florals, there’s something here to inspire every home.
📌 Pin your favorites, gather your supplies, and let your summer decor project begin!
I’m Anastasios Moulios, co-founder of DIY Cozy Living. I enjoy finding creative, practical ways to make small spaces feel warm, stylish, and lived-in — whether it’s a camper, a backyard, or a cozy room inside. I started this blog with Katerina to share real ideas that make home feel a little more personal and a lot more comfortable.
