9 ways to make any home feel like a summer home

By Ingrid Fetell Lee
A summer cottage surrounded by greenery.

Author’s note: This post was originally published on June 26, 2020. It has been updated and republished.

Ways to make any home feel like a summer home

The idea of a summer home was unfamiliar to me as a kid. Most of my childhood summers were spent in my regular old house (or houses, because I alternated between my divorced parents’ homes each week). But as I got older, I was sometimes invited to spend a weekend away with a friend whose family had a cottage by the seashore, or were renting a cabin in the woods.

What is a summer classic home to you?

The phrase “summer home” connotes luxury. And to be sure, it is a luxury to own a vacation home. But the summer houses that I loved weren’t known for their resort feel. They had thin walls weathered from exposure to the elements. And smelled like a combination between old wood and fresh air. Bed linens and towels were always mismatched, their once-bright colors faded with use. Sand or mud accumulated in the front hallway. Furniture pieces felt lived in — no one got mad if you put your feet up on the furniture.

On sunny days, we’d investigate the shed outside (there was always a shed outside), which contained bikes in various states of rustiness, old frisbees, hula hoops, and torn kites that might, with a little bit of tape and persistence, be briefly coaxed back into the sky. On rainy days, we’d dig through the box or closet full of games, the corners of their boxes torn, trying to find one with enough of the essential pieces to actually play. Internet, if available, was meager, and cell service non-existent. There was no A/C, just old fans. And moths banged against the screen windows at night. If there was a TV (and if there was, it was the old CRT box type), it had a VHS player hooked up to it with seven videotapes on a nearby shelf. At least four of these movies were about summer camp.

Two flip flops on the floor of an outdoor shower.
In these houses, the real luxury was a simpler life, one closer to nature and further from all of the constraints of my usual routines.

As a high schooler and college student experiencing these places for the first time, I found them freeing. They introduced a space between me and the endless striving that defined my normal existence. I often came back awakened to new possibilities for my life, with new ideas running through my brain.

In my conversations with readers about their homes, overwhelmingly I hear one sentiment repeated again and again: the desire to make home feel like a haven, a refuge from the stresses of the world outside. The summer home is a natural refuge. And from it we can learn about how to create the kinds of buffers and settings that lend themselves to deep relaxation, recreation, and rediscovery.

So if you’re looking for vacation vibes without a road trip or PTO, here’s how you can harness the magic of a summer home right where you are. In this post, I break down nine things you can borrow from these breezy, carefree spaces to turn your home into a getaway. Consider this your invitation to make every day feel like a vacation!

Note: For more ideas on making this summer your most joyful yet, check out our free, downloadable guide.

Get rid of the excess

One of the most freeing elements of a summer home is the lack of clutter. Because summer homes aren’t lived in full-time, there’s less accumulation of the stuff associated with everyday life. Kitchens are often sparse, with few single-purpose gadgets. There’s no avocado slicer or microplane grater. But rather, a haphazard collection of knives that handles most tasks adequately. There’s little in the way of technology, and a limited set of books and toys.

Morning light hitting a tidy kitchen countertop.

Having less stuff around removes the cognitive load associated with sorting, storing, and caring for these items. It also eliminates reminders of certain roles we play in life that have obligations or stresses associated with them. Not having to look at the pile of bills on your desk each day, or the PTA calendar on the fridge, frees up mental space for other thoughts and ideas.

You don’t have to declutter everything, but pay attention to things that feel particularly burdensome when you notice them out of the corner of your eye. Try putting a reminder about the bills on your calendar and tucking them into a drawer. Take that giant stack of books by your nightstand and pare it back to two or three books max that you think will bring you joy. (Or put all of them away and order up a couple of new beachy reads. The clothes that need to be donated or mended? Again, tuck them in a basket in the back of the closet to deal with in the fall.

While it would be better to deal with these items permanently, we all need a break sometimes. And creating a clean slate, even temporarily, can help you get the space you need to feel refreshed and ready to tackle some of those bigger challenges down the road.

striped beach towel | ways to make any home feel like a summer home

Choose a light summer color palette

A defining feature of summer homes is a feeling of lightness. (My Design a Home You Love students will recognize this from the Visual Weight spectrum in the 5-Point Space Breakdown.) This gives spaces an airy, unburdened quality that makes us feel like we have space to think and to breathe.

There are a number of ways to achieve this feeling. But one of the simplest is lightening up the color palette. Lighter colors reflect more light, making a space feel sunnier, even if you don’t have a ton of natural light. Swap out darker accessories for ones in lighter colors. Such as washable white slipcovers for your sofa (or even just a sheet draped over) or a light-colored rug. A light tablecloth for your dining table, or even just a few lighter throw pillows (you can just order the covers and swap in the inserts you have), can also help bring a summery feel to a year-round space.

Add beachy patterns

Not all summer homes are near the beach. But their decor often echoes beach culture: colorful stripes and tropical florals. Casually tossing a few beach towels or blankets over your furniture can create an instant summer transformation. Beach or picnic blankets can also make great summer rugs. And depending on what you have on the floor, can be layered on top of your existing ones.

If you want to start small, consider layering in prints with items like tea towels or napkins. Or a set of reusable enamel or bamboo plates designed for eating outdoors. (Something like this would be a great option.) And a pro-tip for parents of young kids: search your closets for cheery tiny textiles. Our first summer with a baby, I used swaddle blankets like this one to add an affordable pop of summery pattern to sofas and end tables.

striped curtain in bedroom | ways to make any home feel like a summer home

Let the air in

Summer homes often have a porous quality. Their uninsulated walls are more open to the elements, and are often cooled by breezes, which bring in the scents of nature outside. And occasionally a (less welcome) 6-legged critter or two.

If you live in a climate where you can forgo A/C, try turning it off and sleeping with the windows open. (Add a fan if you need to.) And if not, look for ways to bring the scents of nature into your space. Perhaps through a summer-y scented candle or a bunch of fragrant flowers.

A blue fan sits atop a wood dresser.

Maximize your outdoor space

Think about your favorite vacation spot. I’d be willing to guess that you spend a lot of time outside. So if you have a yard or a patio, now is a great time to maximize it. You don’t need to buy a ton of outdoor furniture to make a big difference in your ability to use the space. Think about adding shade, comfortable seating, and lighting — things that make it a joy to be outside.

Even a tiny bit of space is worth exploiting. When I lived in Paris for a summer, I stayed in a tiny attic apartment with a diminutive balcony. There was one window box. And I planted it with herbs and edible flowers. The apartment had one small foam chair, the kind that folds out into a single mattress for guests. And each evening I would drag it outside and sit there with a glass of wine and my journal, writing and people-watching until the sun set.

And if you don’t have a balcony or a fire escape? Consider portable ways to create a joyful public space. Assemble a to-go kit with a bright picnic blanket, a colorful thermos for a cold beverage, and a couple of outdoor cushions to lean against while reading or chatting in the park. Or head to a bonfire pit with s’mores supplies in hand for a good night out.

outdoor dining table | ways to make any home feel like a summer home

Flip your closet

Packing for summer vacation involves a certain amount of editing. You can’t bring your whole closet. So you have to pare down to the essentials: shorts and t-shirts, maybe a few light sundresses and a jean jacket for chilly evenings. Peering into a closet and seeing only what you need is strangely freeing. You’re not burdened by all the heavy winter sweaters or the buttoned up work clothes.

One way to replicate this feeling while staying home is to flip your closet. Space-starved apartment dwellers are used to having to swap summer and winter wardrobes and store the off-season items. But even if you have the space, tucking heavy clothes out of sight helps focus your attention on the here and now.

And while you’re at it, consider taking a break from your full-length mirror for a few weeks. By either covering it up or tucking it out of sight. One of the joys of a summer vacation off the grid is the freedom to pay less attention to how you look. Summer homes almost never have a blowdryer. And full-length mirrors are rare. (In fact our house doesn’t have one at all. Because I like the freedom of living without it.) I find that spending time in places like this quiets the unconscious background noise in my head that hums with judgments about my body and how I look. Having time away from all that reminds me just how present it is most of the time. And frees me to think about other things.

Hide your work

What do you usually see on the bookshelves of a summer home? Romance and mystery novels, and maybe a few old classics — the kinds of books read purely for pleasure. There’s no business or self-improvement content, which might invoke feelings of guilt or pressure. To bring this into your space, simply tuck serious tomes out of sight, or at least take books you were “supposed” to read awhile ago and put them in a closed cabinet. (Better yet, if you’re still not excited about them, now might be a good time to donate them!)

And if you’re working through the summer, don’t forget to tuck your work out of sight at the end of the day, on weekends, and especially during a staycation. If your desk is out in the open, try putting your laptop and papers in a basket so that you’re not reminded of everything you have to do while you’re off-duty.

Whenever practical, put your phone and other devices on Do Not Disturb mode. (And turn that vacation responder on if you’re taking time off!) Even a brief break from the constant buzz of emails and notifications can make a regular day feel like a holiday.

Go low-tech

While it’s always an adjustment at first, the lack of TV at a summer home usually ends up being one of its most joyful qualities. Without the ease of being able to sink into the sofa and binge-watch, evenings always turn to more memorable activities, such as playing games or doing puzzles, lingering over a long dinner or an outdoor fire, or watching the kids stage a play or sing songs.

As with your mirrors, try covering your TV (or TVs if you have multiple) for a period of time. Make sure to stock up on a few new games or a fresh deck of cards, or think about fun conversation topics (we have a few ideas, here!) to pass the time.

Name your house

It might seem silly, but one charming feature of many summer homes is that they have names, just like boats. These names often evoke pleasant weather or natural imagery, such as “Fairwinds” or “Swept Away Cottage,” and in a subtle way, they set the tone for your experience of the place.

To bring this whimsical spirit into your own home, give your home a joyful name. This is a fun one to involve kids in. And if you’re up for it, paint a sign for your home too, one you can hang in your kitchen or outside if you choose.

For more ideas on how to have a joyful summer wherever you are, check out our free resource, A Joyful Guide to an Unforgettable Summer, which has more than 70 ideas to find play, adventure, and celebration this season. You can get it right here.

June 7th, 2023

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    Discussion (7 Comments)

  1. Eileen Haven on June 27, 2020

    Dear dear Ingrid so thrilled to hear news of babies arrival. I am so happy for you and husband.  Your son is very blessed to have
    Dear Ingrid, I am just thrilled to hear about the arrival of your son. He is very blessed to have you and Albert for parents.
    Dear dear Ingrid, congratulations on the birth of your baby.
    I am just thrilled for you and Albert. Your son is blessed to have 
    you two as his parents.Please take time for family now. We out here love you and want you to have a very relaxed joyful summer,  You give so much. It’s time for you to rest and receive. ❤️🥰🎊

    Reply
  2. Anne DeMarsay on June 28, 2020

    Congratulations on the birth of your son! Joyful news, indeed. Rest up and enjoy the little guy.

    Reply
  3. Kim on June 28, 2020

    Congratulations on the birth of your son!!!!  I’m a new reader to your wonderful website and felt compelled to write you.  Take it easy, enjoy your little boy and husband.  In spite of COVIS-19, there are many ways to enjoy the summer.  Again, congrats, I’m very happy for you all  👶🏼 💑 🍼🍼🍼🎂

    Reply
  4. Cindi Anderson on June 29, 2020

    I read a long time ago that people are more creative with their 2nd homes, because they don’t have as much judgement about them. For example, they aren’t fearful of color. I’ve always found that sad. Now you’ve given me some other aspects of that to think about, like the lack of clutter.

    Reply
  5. Anju on June 29, 2020

    Dear Ingrid,
    Many Congratulations on your bundle of joy! Have a beautiful, restful and joyful summer.
    Best wishes to your family. 🎈🌺♥️🌹🌸

    Reply
  6. Annaruth on July 17, 2020

    Congratulations Ingrid on becoming a parent! 
    Every holiday will that bit more joyful, and some, like Halloween may be more fun now!
    Enjoy this time.
    And thanks for your summer ideas. I bought 8 solar Chinese lanterns to add to mood of eating outside late in the evening.

    Reply
  7. Linda Sand on July 2, 2021

    Our last name is Sand so our apartment is called the Sand Castle and a sign by the front door says so. There’s also a small sand castle sitting on a shelf by that door. We get lovely comments on it.

    Reply

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