Summer wall decor ideas invite light, color, fun and vibrancy into your home, and with warmer days on the way, now is the perfect time to refresh any room with something that captures the essence of the season.
Whatever your interior design style, you'll find wall decor ideas to suit it. By experimenting with colour and adding personality with wallpaper, mirrors and art, you can create a cosy, bright atmosphere in your living space all summer long.
Here, we asked interior design experts to share their favorite summer wall decor ideas that will instantly elevate both your décor and your mood.
6 summer wall decor ideas to brighten up your home
(Image courtesy of Jennifer Barron Interiors)
If you're ready to swap out your moody wall decor for something that matches the laid-back vibe of summer, these six expert-approved, mood-lifting summer wall decor ideas are sure to help.
1. Use a striking wallpaper
(Image courtesy of Jennifer Barron Interiors)
As we all know, wallpaper is a great tool for making an impact. Available in a variety of patterns, colors and textures, wallpaper ideas can add personality and seasonal flair and instantly elevate the atmosphere of a room.
“Wallpaper is one of my favorite mediums because it always makes a space unique and interesting,” says Jennifer of Jennifer Baron Interiors. “Wallpaper brings so much to a room that paint can't achieve: color, pattern, texture.”
“In the summer, finishing off a room with light-colored wallpaper can inspire homeowners (and guests) to get into a warmer, summery mood,” suggests Jennifer. “Wallpaper never goes out of style for me!”
Choosing wallpapers with tropical motifs, lush foliage, plants or a nautical theme will give your space a seasonal feel and bring the outdoors inside – bringing a sense of warmth and energy into your home.
2. Swap art and photos
(Image courtesy of Cathy Nordström / Photography Anne Nyblaeus)
Of course, the most obvious answer is to add or replace your wall art with something that reflects more of summer. Artworks and photos help capture moments and emotions, making your decor more personal and meaningful.
“Refresh your wall decor for summer with paintings of summer scenes or family photos from past summer vacations,” suggests interior designer Cathy Kuo. “As long as you take care of the frame and the print itself, there's no reason not to swap out art in frames if they're similar in size,” she adds of this easy summer swap idea.
A beach scene or floral painting will make even the cloudiest day feel sunshine-filled, and whether the piece is bold and colorful or subtle, art embodies the vibe of summer in an instant.
Plus, creating a gallery wall and displaying framed photos of vacations and memories from past trips will give you a sense of nostalgia every time you pass by.
Blakely Made's “Night Light No. 10”
3. Add mirrors to increase natural light
(Image credit: Paloma Contreras)
Another timeless trick is to decorate with mirrors, which, whether hung in groups or alone, will reflect more natural light throughout your space.
Of course, this is a great idea any time of year, but it really comes into its own in summer, when your home is already filled with sunlight. “I'm a big advocate of wall mirrors to add light and depth all year round, but in summer they're especially effective at bringing sunlight into your home in a beautiful way,” agrees Cathy.
Consider where natural light falls in your space and use mirrors to reflect it even more. Placing a mirror opposite a window will essentially double the amount of natural light in the room, creating a brighter, more inviting feel.
“Pairing a vintage mirror with new plumbing fixtures or modern wallpaper will create an intriguing and unique look that stands out from something store-bought,” suggests Jennifer Baron. “Often found at vintage markets or auctions, these pieces add invaluable character to a space. One-of-a-kind vintage pieces make viewers want to know more.”
4. Incorporate sunny yellow hues
(Image courtesy of Cathy Nordström / Photography Anne Nyblaeus)
Yellow is not only one of the biggest color trends for 2024, but it's also unsurprisingly synonymous with summer. Decorating with yellow instantly lifts your mood, evoking feelings of warmth, happiness, and energy. Yellow brings a sense of brightness and optimism, making it perfect for summer.
“Summer embodies a fun, warm and inviting colour palette, basking in the energy of the sun and making you feel energised and cheerful. While yellow may seem like a classic choice, especially when combined with bold contrasting colours such as green and blue, the striking interplay of these colours adds a contemporary touch to a space,” suggests Joanna Landais of Eklektik Studio.
Whether you choose paint, paper, patterns, or decorative accents, incorporating yellow is sure to bring a summery feel to your home.
“We need joy in life, and what better way to achieve that than by introducing colour into our interiors,” says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador for Farrow & Ball. “While decorating an entire room in bright hues might seem like overkill, a splash of colour here and there can bring a smile to your face without overwhelming the space. Try painting your window frames a bright yellow like Farrow & Ball's Babouche to let in a bit of sunshine, which will bring a little hint of summer into even the gloomiest of days,” he suggests.
5. Try a plate wall
(Image courtesy of Jennifer Barron Interiors)
If you're looking for something to hang on your walls other than prints, why not try the trendy plate wall?
“There are lots of ways to incorporate decor elements into your home to make it more 'summery.' One of our favorites is a plate wall,” says Jennifer, who designed the dining nook, pictured above. “Whether it's all blue and white porcelain, all rose medallion porcelain, incorporating orange, pink, and green, or even a mix of the two, the light, airy feel of this finishing layer creates a space that's warm and fun in the summer.”
Choose a variety of plates that match your decor, fit a summer theme, or are meaningful to you. Look for plates that come in a variety of colors and patterns, and don't be afraid to mix and match different sizes, shapes, and designs for an eclectic look.
“The plates add dimension as opposed to art, which is always flat,” she adds. “A wall of plates keeps the atmosphere interesting and classic, perfect for a summer dinner party.”
6. Hang woven accessories like baskets, bowls, and candlesticks.
(Image courtesy of Neptune)
Perfect for creating a relaxed, bohemian vibe, woven wicker, rattan and seagrass accessories will add a rustic, natural charm to your walls. If loud colours and patterns aren't your thing, hanging wicker baskets, bowls, sconces and mirrors will add soft textural elements to complement neutral walls.
“Nothing embodies summer quite like woven wicker,” says designer Gray Walker. “Lined along the walls with unique baskets and bowls, it creates a cool, casual vibe that is synonymous with summer decor.”
They work particularly well in spaces that blend indoor and outdoor aesthetics, such as sunrooms and garden rooms. Whether used alone or in combination with other pieces, braided accessories are an easy way to bring a crisp, laid-back summer vibe into your home.
“A wicker or woven mirror is a lightweight and often inexpensive way to update your walls for summer,” suggests Bethany Adams. “Retailers like H&M and Zara Home have lots of fun, affordable options. The best part is that it can work in almost any room, but for the biggest impact, consider entryways and powder rooms first.”
Summer is the perfect time to refresh your wall décor. Not only will your outdoors look sparkling and refreshed, but our expert ideas can also liven things up indoors and inspire you to try something new.