Summer is the perfect time to refresh your home with bright, vibrant, and fun decor. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your patio, living room, or bedroom, there are plenty of simple and affordable DIY summer decor projects that can bring the sunny, laid-back vibes of the season into your space. Here are some creative and easy DIY projects to add a touch of summer to your home.

1. Create a Bright, Fun Wreath

A summer wreath can be a perfect way to welcome the season into your home. Whether you hang it on your front door, inside your entryway, or above the fireplace, a bright and cheerful wreath will set the tone for your decor.

• Materials: Grapevine or foam wreath base, artificial flowers (sunflowers, daisies, etc.), ribbon, hot glue gun, and scissors.
• Instructions: Start by gluing the flowers onto the wreath base, filling the entire surface with blooms. Add a ribbon or twine to hang the wreath, and feel free to add other embellishments like small shells or beads for a fun summer twist.

2. Painted Beach-Inspired Mason Jars

Mason jars are versatile, and they make great summer decor pieces when painted and filled with seasonal accents. You can use them as vases, candle holders, or simply as decorative objects.

• Materials: Mason jars, acrylic paint (in beachy colors like turquoise, coral, or sand), paintbrush, sand, small seashells, and faux flowers or candles.
• Instructions: Start by painting your mason jars with one or two coats of acrylic paint. Once dry, fill the jars with a small amount of sand and top with seashells, a candle, or fresh flowers. These jars make perfect centerpieces or can be placed on shelves for a coastal-inspired look.

3. DIY Beachy Wall Art

Bring the essence of the beach into your home with easy DIY wall art. A beachy scene, abstract ocean painting, or seashell artwork can add a calming, coastal vibe to any room.

• Materials: Canvas or wooden board, acrylic paints (shades of blue, white, sandy brown), brushes, and painter’s tape.
• Instructions: Use painter’s tape to divide your canvas into sections, and then paint each section to resemble the beach. You can paint waves, a sunset, or a simple beach scene with your chosen colours. For extra flair, add some seashells or other natural elements to the art once it’s dry.

4. Hand-Painted Terracotta Pots

Give your summer plants a stylish home with hand-painted terracotta pots. These vibrant pots add personality and a pop of colour to your patio or indoor space.

• Materials: Terracotta pots, acrylic paints, paintbrushes, and clear acrylic sealer.
• Instructions: Start by painting the entire pot in your desired base colour. Once it’s dry, use a contrasting colour to paint fun patterns, stripes, or shapes onto the pot. Let it dry completely before adding a coat of clear sealer to protect the paint. Fill your pots with your favourite summer plants, like herbs or flowers, for a delightful summer touch.

5. DIY Outdoor Lanterns

Create beautiful and relaxing outdoor lanterns to add some warm light to your summer evenings. They’re perfect for hanging on your porch, balcony, or patio.

• Materials: Empty tin cans, hammer, nail, string lights, and paint (optional).
• Instructions: First, clean the tin cans and remove any labels. Use a hammer and nail to create holes in the can in your desired pattern, such as dots, stripes, or even a simple geometric design. You can paint the cans if you want to add extra colour before inserting a string of battery-powered fairy lights inside. These lanterns provide a soft, cozy glow for summer nights.

6. Rope-Coiled Planter

For a chic yet coastal look, make a rope-coiled planter that’s perfect for your porch or balcony. The texture and neutral tones will give your plants a relaxed, summer-ready feel.

• Materials: Rope (cotton or jute), hot glue gun, planter or flowerpot, scissors.
• Instructions: Start by wrapping the rope around the planter, gluing it as you go along. Continue wrapping until the entire pot is covered, and trim the excess rope. You can choose to add a pop of colour by painting parts of the rope or leaving it natural. This DIY project adds a rustic yet stylish vibe to your outdoor space.

7. Seashell Garland

Create a charming seashell garland that brings the beach indoors. It’s perfect for draping across a mantle, hanging from the ceiling, or even decorating a dining table.

• Materials: Seashells (real or faux), twine or string, hot glue gun, and scissors.
• Instructions: First, use the hot glue gun to attach seashells to the twine, leaving space between each one for a more relaxed look. You can make the garland as long or short as you like, depending on where you want to hang it. This simple, beach-inspired garland adds a nautical touch to your decor.

8. DIY Nautical-Themed Throw Pillows

Bring the charm of the coast into your living room with DIY nautical-themed throw pillows. Whether it’s a simple anchor design or a fun striped pattern, these pillows will add a coastal touch to any space.

• Materials: Plain throw pillows, fabric paint or fabric markers, stencil (optional), and fabric glue.
• Instructions: Use fabric paint or fabric markers to create a nautical design on plain throw pillows. Stencils can help you achieve more intricate designs like anchors, stripes, or even a ship’s wheel. If you’re feeling creative, you can also hand-paint a pattern or design. These pillows add a cozy summer vibe to your couch or patio chairs.

9. DIY Outdoor Picnic Blanket

A simple outdoor picnic blanket can enhance your summer picnics or outdoor gatherings. This DIY project lets you personalize the blanket with a fun pattern or colour scheme.

• Materials: Fabric (flannel, canvas, or other durable materials), fabric paint (optional), sewing machine, and scissors.
• Instructions: Measure and cut the fabric to your desired size. If you want to add a personal touch, paint patterns or designs onto the fabric with fabric paint. Use a sewing machine to hem the edges, and voilà—you’ve got yourself a custom picnic blanket. This will be perfect for outdoor meals or simply lounging in the sun.

10. DIY Lemonade Stand

A lemonade stand is the ultimate summer DIY project. Not only will it bring a bit of nostalgia to your summer, but it’s also a fun way to entertain kids or serve refreshing drinks to guests at outdoor gatherings.

• Materials: Wooden crates or boards, paint, a small chalkboard (optional), and fabric for the canopy.
• Instructions: Build a simple structure with wooden crates or use planks to create the base and shelves for your stand. Paint the stand in bright, summery colours like yellow or turquoise, and add a canopy using fabric or a simple parasol. For extra fun, attach a small chalkboard where you can write the “menu” or prices. This makes for a cute and functional decor item for summer parties.

Conclusion

Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors, vibrant colours, and laid-back vibes, and your decor can reflect that. With these DIY summer decor projects, you can easily update your home with fun and functional pieces that bring the sunny season into your living space. Whether you’re making beach-inspired mason jars, creating a cozy rope-coiled planter, or adding nautical pillows to your living room, these projects are simple, affordable, and guaranteed to add a splash of summer joy to your home.