Summer Living Room Décor Ideas

With the sunlight beaming through your window panes it is the right time of year to be inspired to make some changes to your interior and swap around some of your living room décor.

Very soon you could be standing in your living room in your painting clothes ready to take on some decorating- brush in hand and holding a tub of trusty Dulux paint.

 5 Summer Living Room Ideas 

If you like to change things around a bit and like the idea of giving your living room a whole new fresh look – and impress friends and family when you invite them over for a spot of summer entertaining, then we have a few ideas to help you on your way.

 Country Summer House 

The country style loves shabby-chic floral patterns and loose linen covers, but has moved towards a more rustic quirky summer house look, filled with fifties retro furniture and vintage accessories. Use a white or cream low backed sofa and cover it with throws and cushions in duck egg blue, chartreuse lime green and coral hues. For the vintage look, fit tongue and groove panelling and paint white with silk finish – avoid gloss paint for this look. As the icing on the cake add some industrial-style lighting

2. BHG, 1,3. Living Etc.

Modern Vintage Style

This latest trend blends the heritage look that’s not too precious with slick contemporary furniture. This works well in a home that already has some traditional aspects to its architecture. Consider a Victorian fire surround juxtaposed with a modern glass-topped coffee table. Use cushions on neutral toned sofas to make a statement. Go for striking white wood work – from the fire surround to window frames, contrasted with muted pastel painted walls or go for traditional wallpaper floral designs. It could be time to pick up some wallpaper paste.

1. Pinterest, 2. House of Fifty
 
Pure Whites - Summer Freshness 

If you love minimalism then go for an ultra-summer look with an all-white finish, from walls, furniture to light fittings and even vases. Add some warmth with showing off a natural wooded floor and a flash of colour be it some flowers or a well-chosen painting. Avoid wallpaper, so keep wall strippers handy – and go for a sharp, smooth and crisp look on flat surfaces, while you can add texture in choice of furniture. Choose white shutters for your windows instead of curtains.

1. House Beautiful, 2. Living Etc.

Bright, Bold and Patriotic 

Hang out the bunting! If you are much more into bright bold colours then this is the year for Brits to be festive as the Olympics comes to London and it is the Queens Jubilee. Get patriotic and decorate your living room walls in different shades of red for a modern scheme – bright scarlet and dark burgundy. Go for wooden flooring for some warmth, then contrast with harder white fire surrounds, window frames then blend in natural wooden furniture and wicker baskets for storage.

 Crown paint has a huge colour range for interiors and certainly worth referring to when planning the colour scheme of your living room to get that summer look. For more ideas on colour schemes, visit Homebase online where you can use the ‘create your own look’ interactive decorating tool and downloadable living room guides.

1., 2. Living Etc.

This post in partnership with homebase.co.uk

Fresh and beautiful bathrooms for summertime

In the winter, my bathroom is where I go to enjoy a long hot bath after being out in the cold. In the summer, the bathroom is where I go for a cool, refreshing shower after a hot sticky day.

To create a cool retreat, it helps to keep your summer bathroom as clutter free as possible.  Keep  reflective surfaces clean, as well as and lighting fixtures (Make sure they all have working bulbs, as well).  Since there are more hours of daylight in the summer, it is especially important to keep lighting bright and as close to outdoor light as possible.

Keep colors bright and cheery, or choose simple, crisp whites.

Update anything scented in your bathroom from spicy or musky to light scents, either floral or clean.  Heat activates scent, so you don't want to overdo it.

1., 2., 3. via BHG, 4., 5. Traditional Home

Really cute boho-chic summer entertaining and serving ware sale!

Must check this out - going on at Daily Candy's online shop - Swirl

 

Love these soda trays and glasses!!

Told you the stuff was super cute!  But it's also going to sell out super fast, so if you see something you like go to the Swirl site, sign up to be a member ( it's free, and fast), and click the tab at the top that says "Pop-up Shop: Summer Entertaining."  I think you also get 10% off your order by entering SUMMER10 at checkout. 

Have fun!

Bright and Pretty Summer Bathrooms

Finally! It is getting nice and hot outside. I love hot weather - and I also love a nice cool shower after being outside in the heat and humidity. With so much time "freshening up" in the bathroom, I love mine to look bright and uplifting.

I adore this palette - a nice way to wake up.

I think that white in combination with bright pops of color is the ticket to a fresh summery bathroom.


Okay - so not particularly bright - but check out this shower!!! It's like your own private Mediterranean cave!

I can't wait to have a bathroom large enough to use real furniture in the bathroom.

shiny white tile and crisp blue stripes always says "clean" to me.

via BHG



via Sunset

Summer Essentials with Anne at The City Sage

Sorry I was silent yesterday - finding an internet connection in Alaska is not always an easy thing!

I promise that Anne aka "The City Sage," has made it worth your wait with this beautiful guest post..

Hi All! I'm so happy to be visiting Decorology while Ashley is in Alaska! With summer officially upon us, I've been celebrating the sunshine with a fabulous fashion giveaway and summer themed posts over at The City Sage--so I thought I'd share some of my warm weather Decorating Musts!

Crisp White Linens: It's a tried and true pieces of decorating advice to change your bed linens when the mercury rises, and nothing suits better than fresh, airy whites. I especially adore them with a bit of texture, like a matelasse, or with a scalloped trim.

A Touch of Greenery: Who doesn't thrill at the site of a big, bountiful bouquet? But a single blossom or even a succulent leaf can have the same effect; by bringing the outdoors in, you get to enjoy the season every time you enter the room!

Dining by Lantern Light: The romantic in me can't get enough of dinners under the stars. Plus everyone looks their best in this light--and even the most charred burger looks delicious when viewed through a candle's glow!

Natural Materials: Used sparingly, materials like wicker, rattan and sisal convey a relaxed front porch sensibility that feels just right on a hot summer afternoon. Keep the color neutral, or if you're feeling bold try a bright, cheerful coat of paint!

Breezy Window Treatments: Just as you would switch up your bed textiles for summer, you should also change out window coverings. Store heavy velvets and wools in favour of barely-there cottons or even a single panel of pink silk.

Travel Souvenirs: We bring out boxes of Christmas decorations around the holidays, so why not store a few special summer mementos to display come Memorial Day? A collection of postcards and knickknacks brings back summer memories with a smile.

A Piece of the Sea: Everything about the ocean says summer to me, from the colors and sounds to the smells and the feel of the breeze on your face. And you don't have to get all literal with a jar of seashells to honor the sea; glassware in lagoon hues will do the trick quite nicely!


Red and White: I love this color combo in the summer. To me it says clam bakes, Fourth of July, and sweet, juicy cherries in a bright ceramic bowl. Go subtle with gingham napkins for a picnic, or go big and design your whole patio around this palette!

Thanks to Ashley for having me and I hope to see you at The City Sage soon! xo Anne

Image Credits: 1, 2. Anne Naumann 3,4. Gemma Comas 5. Atlanta Bartlett 6. Domino 7, 8. House to Home 9. Domino 10. Marie Claire Maison 11. Rachel Whiting 11. Sam McAdam 12. Atlanta Bartlett 13. Rachel Whiting 14, 15. Elle Decoration France, June 2009.

Cheap and Chic - Simple ways to make your home look styled and so you

I had to share these really cute and summery ideas with y'all.

You can create nice displays with mix n' match flea market or basement finds.

A large mirror can act as a light source, and looks more casual when propped on the floor. Flea markets are the way to go if you don't have a large mirror. I found one for $20 once, all I did was paint the green frame white and it looks great now!

Ad flavor to your space by accessorizing to your heart's content. Mixing patterns and textures is fine as long as they color coordinate.

This is a cool idea I've seen a lot, but my books aren't really that colorful - but you can try arranging them by color and turn your bookcase into art.

Single blooms can add more interest than a formal bouquet, in my opinion.

Memorabilia and collections are best displayed all together, like in this salon style wall.

Install wainscoting along the entirety of one wall for a custom headboard look.

Painting a stair runner and varnishing it is easier to clean than carpet - plus you have freedom to do whatever you want! Masking tape is your friend here.

via Woman's Day