12 Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Space

As long school days are coming to an end and the sun is in full heat, you want bring a little summer vibe your home without breaking the bank. If you’re like me, it’s not about reinventing the whole house. But rather, a light seasonal refresh that will give your family and friends a welcoming, atmosphere to enjoy. Let’s jump into these 12 budget-friendly summer home decor ideas that will turn your home into a cool and inviting space.

12 Budget-Friendly Summer Home Decor Ideas to Refresh Your Space

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1. Add Summer-Themed Thrifted Finds

If you are a thrifter like me, you can easily find summer elements to add to your space. Instead of breaking the bank on a couple pillows, you can get an armful of goodies at a fraction of the cost. Some of my favorite summer thrifted finds include: vintage picnic baskets, flowers pots, lightweight linens, blue transfer ware, white dishes, glass vases, jars, and flags.

But you do you. Perhaps make a list of summer items or colors that you would to add to your living space. Then when you make a trip to the thrift store you will have a more pointed goal of what you are looking for.

2. Bring Nature Inside

Incorporate the beauty of nature into your home decor by bringing in outdoor elements. Fill a glass vase full of flowers from your yard, or a mason jar with dandelions that your children have picked for you. Display a bowl of fresh peaches on your table. Or, hang a handful of fresh lavender from a door knob.

You can arrange shells in glass jars or use driftwood as wall art or table centerpieces. I like to display our farm fresh eggs or the flowers we have growing around the farm. These outdoor elements bring in the natural sights, smells, and vibes of summer, making our home feel like a rejuvenating retreat.

3. Lighten Up with Linens

I’m a sucker for the fuzzy blankets and thick cozy bedding, but when it’s summer I’m ready to shed the weight. Its time to swap out the heavy curtains and bedding for lightweight linens in soft, summery hues. Its also a great time to opt for sheer curtains that allow natural light to filter through, creating an airy ambiance.

Two of the most common summer fabric choices are linen, and cotton. So, switching out pillowcases, throw blankets, aprons, kitchen towels, curtains, and bedding are sure to align your home with the summer vibes that we are all going for.

4. Add More Color

Whether you like your neutrals or love being immersed in color year round, summertime is the time to let colors shine. Find a color (or colors) that give you and your family the vibe you are going for.

Add touches of your summer color by incorporating accents like throw pillows, area rugs, fresh flowers, and artwork. You can choose bright hues like coral, turquoise, and lemon yellow to evoke the energy of the season. Or, you can add pops of patriotic red and blue. Try mix and matching patterns and textures to create visual interest without breaking the bank.

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5. Create an Outdoor Retreat

Extend your living space outdoors by creating a cozy patio or backyard retreat. Make a list of things your family enjoys doing outdoors and center your space around that. Is it bonfires, bird watching, entertaining, playing, or reading?

Already have a space? Spruce it up! Try to repurpose old furniture with a fresh coat of paint or add inexpensive outdoor cushions for comfort. Hang string lights or lanterns to create a magical ambiance, or get an outdoor tablecloth for dining around on lazy summer evenings.

This is the first year in our 18 years of marriage that we finally got a patio table and chairs to put on the deck. It felt like a splurge, but I know it will be used to its full potential. What can you do this year to build into your outdoor retreat?

6. DIY Decor

Sprucing up your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune! Get creative and unleash your inner artist with DIY decor projects. Upcycle old mason jars or paint terra cotta pots to create planters for your space. You can paint rocks for your garden or press flowers that you can display. The list is endless.

Besides, school is out for the summer. You can take the extra time to do some of these DIYs with your kids and enjoy a little family time in the process of decorating your home for summer.

7. Refresh with More Greenery

Summer is a good time to introduce new house plants, wreaths, and hanging flower baskets indoors and out. Succulents, ferns, and wreaths are not only affordable but also add a touch of greenery to any space. Also, you can get creative with displaying them in stylish planters or hanging macramé plant holders.

Another fun way to add greenery it to create an indoor herb garden or one in a window box right outside of your kitchen.

8. Swap Out Accessories

Give your home a seasonal makeover by swapping out accessories like wall art, pillows, dishes, napkins, trinkets, flags, etc. In other words, pull out your summer decor bin from the garage and see what you have.

9. Rearrange the Furniture

One of the most affordable ways to spruce up your home for the summer is to simply move the furniture around. It not only gives you an opportunity to clean those spots where the furniture has sat and collected dust for months, but it also gives your space a new, refreshed look.

10. Reorganize Shelving

Do you have a shelf or cabinet that displays books, home decor, or dishes? If so, this is a great time to reorder or reorganize these spaces and give them a new look. You can also take this time to add those pops of color or summer accents that you are wanting to incorporate.

Another idea is to repaint an old shelf or cabinet for a new look that won’t break the bank.

11. Use Mirrors to Maximize the Natural Light

Maximize natural light in your home by removing heavy drapes and allowing sunlight to flood in. Opt for lightweight curtains that provide privacy without blocking out natural light.

Another thing to try is strategically placing mirrors around your home to reflect sunlight and create the illusion of a larger, brighter space.

12. Incorporate Summer Books

Another way to spruce up your space is to incorporate books into your summer decor. These can be books you are wanting to read over the summer, summer-themed books for the kids to grab, or simply book spines that showcase your color scheme.

As a homeschooling family, who loves to read, this one is a natural way for us to decor and display our books at the same time. Plus, no extra money has to be spent!

With these budget-friendly summer home decor ideas, you can refresh your family’s space into a retreat that reflects the vibrant season of summer. From embracing natural elements to adding pops of color and DIY touches, there are endless possibilities to refresh your home without breaking the bank. So, roll up your sleeves, get creative, and let the sunshine in as you get started!

Thrifty Summer Home Decor Ideas Q & A

1. What are some summer color schemes I can use for home decor?

Popular summer color schemes include bright and cheerful colors like turquoise, coral, lemon yellow, and sea-foam green, as well as calming shades of white, cream, and soft pastels. Others enjoy pops of bright red paired with shades of blue.

2. What are some budget-friendly ways to decorate my home for summer?

Budget-friendly ways to decorate for summer include DIY projects using inexpensive materials, shopping at thrift stores for seasonal decor items, and repurposing items you already own with a fresh coat of paint or new accessories.

3. How can I update my outdoor space for summer entertaining?

To update your outdoor space for summer entertaining, consider adding comfortable seating, outdoor rugs, and string lights for ambiance, as well as incorporating practical elements like shade umbrellas, fans, and coolers to keep guests comfortable.