How to Go Coastal for the Summer

Summer is here and today I’m focused on all things sun, sand, and surf. If you’re wondering how to add a few of those elements to your home decor this year, I’ve got a few ideas! Follow along and I’ll show you how to go coastal for the summer.

I woke this morning still thinking about a conversation I had with a good friend just yesterday. She loves the ocean as much as I do yet she has nothing that reminds her of the sea in her decor. I knew she had several ocean related items bought on trips to the coast that we took together. She told me they were packed away in a closet.

Her downtown Dallas condo is gorgeous. Completely done in neutrals with a farmhouse vibe. She explained that being landlocked just as I am, coastal decor seemed out of place. So I asked her where exactly she kept her farm. If you cannot add a seashell here and there because you don’t live by the ocean, how can you have that cute little “Farmhouse” sign in the kitchen?

Where you live should have nothing to do with your decorating style. It’s about who you are and what speaks to you. Going coastal for the summer doesn’t have to be a complete shift from your normal decor. Simply adding a few elements from a carefree beach vacation will bring in a summer vibe instantly.

Creating a Simple Coastal Vignette

Mine is a seasonal home. Every change in the weather brings a new look from top to bottom. It works for me. I get bored with any given style or theme. But I will be the first to admit that it’s not for everyone. For some, adding a few subtle touches with each new season is enough. Creating a simple coastal vignette might be just the thing!

While wooden trays are beautiful, summer calls for a lighter look. A basket tray of any style, shape, or size, will automatically bring a beachy feel to your design. In addition, a tray allows your vignette to be mobile so to speak. Easily moved if you need the space yet it instantly draws the eye.

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Depending on the size, adding three or four beachy elements will be all that’s needed. Using items that you’ve collected such as driftwood or shells are perfect for a coastal vignette. Make the centerpiece something you treasure. For this tray, I’ve included a picture of sea turtle that is not only beautiful but was painted by my sister-in-law, Diana. So talented!

Cornering a taller element can solidify a staggered look. To keep it interesting, make sure the other items in the vignette are of varying sizes.

The links below are all great options for creating a beachy vignette of your own this year.

Seashells and Lanterns

I’ve used my lanterns over the years to create mini dioramas for each season. They are such a fun way to display some of my favorite treasures. For the summer months, I simply add a candle and few shells to most.

But there are a some that I simply can’t resist adding a little more detail to. Last year’s Mandy and Me lantern is still my favorite.

Since Mandy was needed elsewhere now, I re-created a different memory in the same large lantern. I’ve been obsessed with little bikes this year and have used them in wreaths and tiered trays several times so far. Finding this little blue beach cruiser was pay dirt for me.

I added a few shells, plants, and a beach fence. The finished lantern feels like a memory to me. I’ve seen this scene before!

It reminds me of my daughter’s bike in San Diego. We often meet her for breakfast at our favorite beach restaurant when we’re visiting. While we are waiting on a precious parking spot, she passes us by with her favorite mode of transportation.

Lanterns are a wonderful way to go coastal for the summer months! You’ll find links to some of my favorites below along with a few things to help you create a diorama of your own.

Styling a Coastal Table

This year, I decided to bring a coastal feel to the family room with a coastal styled table. I love choosing pieces to pull the design into focus.

I added a wood carved pelican that was a gift from Katie last Christmas. Pelicans are just my favorite thing and I was totally in love with this one! To make it the focal point, I placed it front of a tall spiked plant that commands your attention.

A driftwood sphere that I found at Home Goods this year takes the center spot on the top shelf. The ever present candle lamp still works with a few adjustments. I changed the plain white candle for a turquoise one and placed my treasured “beach baby” next to it. Set on a few ocean related books, it’s in balance with the taller pelican.

For the bottom shelf, I left the basket that is always in place. To keep the coastal vibe going, I added a sand colored throw, a pretty pillow, and a few beachy elements. The tallest lantern above finished the look.

Coastal Pillows and Throws

Another simple way to go a little coastal this summer is by adding a few pillows and throws. Bringing in hues of blues, greens, or a sandy beige creates a relaxing atmosphere. Mixing in a little navy adds a nautical feel as well.

My summer refresh includes changing out my lampshades for a softer, calming, feel.

For even more ideas to help you go a little coastal, check out last year’s posts, Five Ways to Use Seashells in Your Summer Decor and Decorating with Summertime Blues.

Last But Not Least

As a final touch, get out those vacation pictures and add them here and there. They will bring a smile or a memory to family and friends!

If you’re a subscriber of My Home of All Seasons, make sure to stop by the library before you leave today. The coastal printables from last year have returned along with a few new ones. Check them out below!

If you haven’t joined us yet, please do! Your email added to the following form will add you to the list. Your welcome letter complete with the password for the Printable Library will hit your inbox in minutes. Come along as we decorate our way through the summer season!