Bringing the Outside In: 6 Great Ways to Incorporate Natural Elements Into Your Summer Decor
Bringing the Outside In: 4 Great Ways to Incorporate Natural Elements Into Your Summer Decor
Here in North Carolina, we can feel the promise of summer in the air. Visions of ice-cold drinks on the porch, backyard parties with friends, and sun-filled excursions are coming to mind. And, as May comes to its close, we’ve also been getting excited about summer-inspired decor.
We have a feeling that when the season really hits, we’re going to want to be in touch with summer no matter where we are. When the season is in full swing, staying connected to those summer vibes even indoors can make all the difference. What better way to do this than by decorating with natural elements?
If you like the idea of decorating seasonally, but in ways you could keep year-round, this post is the perfect guide to refresh your space with natural home decor ideas for summer.
It’s time to revamp your home decor for summer! Here are six easy ways to use natural elements in home designand decor to bring all those good vibes and good light inside.
4 Easy Ways to Decorate This Summer Using Natural Elements
1. Linen Drapes
Linen isn’t just for your wardrobe, it makes a great summer indoor decor too! We recommend using panels of linen to dress your windows (pun intended).
Framing your windows with pretty and lightweight linen will provide both texture and interest inside your home. What’s more, with their simple beauty, linen drapes will frame the view from each window, letting the scenery be the star of the show. We suggest keeping your drapes on the lighter side of the color spectrum for summer, so the sunshine can really make its way in. White or off-color linen is never a bad option.
2. Earth Tones
To really continue your design’s story of bringing the outside in, choose earth tones for your furniture, accessories, and paint colors. This includes celestial blues, mossy greens, chocolatey browns–even muted shades of lavender. If you can find the shade commonly in nature, then you’re on to something!
Similar to the effect linen drapes will have on your home, earth tones will complement and accentuate the views from your windows rather than detract from them. And, by mimicking the natural world, they’ll provide your living space with a sense of calm and peace. Check out one of our projects where we incorporated these colors into the bedroom, emitting a sense of peace and tranquility in the area that’s needed the most.
3. Wooden Furniture + Finishes
This is pretty much a no-brainer! Incorporating a variety of wood pieces in your home will amp up those good feelings you get from being outdoors. We love a classic wooden dining table or an accent table, but wood finishes generally are also great: think kitchen islands, trims, or drapery rods above your windows. If you live in North Carolina, Phillips Collection in High Point sells a gorgeous console table made of driftwood.
If you’re looking for summer wall decor, consider a statement piece made from driftwood or reclaimed wood. These lighter finishes work well with sunny, relaxed interiors and evoke a summery, natural feel.
4. Mirrors
Mirrors are an often-overlooked way to bring a ton of light and sparkle into your home. If properly placed, they can reflect the scenery outside, making it seem like there are two windows and effectively opening up the space.
In one of our projects, our team strategically placed a large mirror to reflect the view from a huge picture window. It optimized what was already an awesome feature in the home and helped us achieve our goal of bringing even more of the outside in.
5. Indoor Plants
Nothing says “bringing the outside in” like lush greenery. Indoor plants not only add aesthetic appeal to your home, but this underrated summer living room decor idea also purifies the air and boost your mood.
Choose low-maintenance plants like snake plants, pothos, or ferns. Alternatively, display freshly cut flowers or seasonal arrangements in vases to add a splash of color. You can see in our Brinley’s Cove project how we added a few indoor plants throughout the living and dining areas for that subtle touch of foliage.
6. Beach or Coastal Decor
Decorating with a coastal theme is a perfect way to capture the carefree and refreshing feeling of summer. Beach-inspired decor instantly adds a light, airy, and calming atmosphere to your home, making it feel like a seaside escape even if you’re miles from the coast.
To get the look, start with a color palette inspired by the ocean. Soft blues, sandy beiges, and crisp whites create a clean and tranquil base. You can add hints of coral, seashell pink, or sunny yellow to brighten the space and evoke a cheerful, summery feel.
Check out how we gave this living space a beachy atmosphere in one of our projects, as well as some more useful tips on how to get that coastal vibe.
Ready To Bring Your Space To Life? We’re Here To Help.
At Bardi Designs, we love helping people create homes and spaces that truly feel like their own. Whether it’s a fresh design, a renovation, or starting something completely new, we’re here to bring your ideas to life with care and creativity.
If you’re a homeowner, builder, or architect looking for thoughtful, creative design, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect about how we can make your vision a reality!
