Summer is such a great time for outdoor gatherings, slow mornings, and refreshing seasonal decor. Today I’m taking you on a tour of our home—inside and out—all styled for summer! Over the past few months, we’ve worked on so many projects and created beautiful decorating moments that reflect summer. As we go through each space, I’ll share some of my favorite things, highlight DIY projects we’ve completed, and show you how small changes brought a fresh seasonal feel to every corner of our home.

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A cozy, vintage-style kitchen with white cabinets, open shelves displaying dishes and decor, a farmhouse sink, and black wooden bar stools at a white island. Warm lighting and rustic accents create an inviting atmosphere.

Summer Kitchen

The kitchen is truly the heart of our southern home, and during the warmer months, I love letting it breathe with a neutral palette and simple decorative touches. Our open concept layout allows the light to spill in, keeping everything feeling fresh and airy. I added soft color through vintage art and a green vintage glass bubble vase that remind me of fresh herbs and summer foliage.

A cozy, vintage-style kitchen with white cabinetry, marble countertop, open shelves displaying dishes and pots, a white stove, flowers in a vase, and a black decorative chair in the foreground.

At the center of our kitchen island, I styled a beautiful green bubble glass pitcher filled with white roses—my favorite flower and an anniversary gift from Skip. I placed the pitcher in a handmade Amish lazy susan basket we picked up on vacation in Tennessee. The texture and craftsmanship are stunning and really set the tone for a welcoming summer kitchen.

A woven tray on a marble kitchen island holds a green textured vase with white roses and a frosted candle jar. In the background are white dishes, a clock, and a stove with a white brick backsplash.
A kitchen island centerpiece with a vase of white roses on a woven tray, set on a marble countertop. The background features white cabinetry, shelves with kitchenware, and a vintage-style light fixture.

Open Shelves for Display

My open shelving continues to be the perfect place to display vintage dishes and functional pieces I use every day, keeping things cozy and curated.

A bright, cozy kitchen with white cabinets and open shelves displaying dishes, glassware, baskets, and jars. Pots, pans, and kitchenware hang on hooks. A green plant and framed art decorate the space.
Looking for all kitchen links?

Click below to shop all of my kitchen finds on LTK !

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Summer Living Room

In the summer living room, I kept things calm and collected with a soft palette of black, white, and green, paired with subtle gold accents. Our slipcovered furniture not only keeps the room light and inviting but also practical with boys and a pup running around.

Bright, airy living room with white walls, wood beams, and large windows. Features a round wooden coffee table, white sofas with striped cushions, a fireplace, plants, books, and a black chandelier.

The coffee table is one of my favorite places to change with the seasons. For summer, I kept the styling simple with a stack of home décor books, a vintage ledger, a new gold scalloped bowl, and a matching vase with airy stems. I love how the neutral tones and soft textures layer beautifully without overwhelming the space.

A cozy living room with a round wooden coffee table holding candles, books, a vase with flowers, and a bowl of greenery. In the background, a sofa with neutral pillows and a draped green blanket creates a warm atmosphere.

One of my favorite things in this room is the faux eucalyptus tree tucked into a vintage barrel. It brings a feeling of the outdoors inside and adds just the right touch of summer greenery.

A cozy white armchair with a decorative pillow sits by a window. A tall leafy plant in a rustic wooden barrel stands beside it, creating a bright, inviting corner with natural light streaming in.

On the mantel, I arranged neutral vintage finds, LED candles, and faux rosemary topiaries for a soft, collected look. Above the fireplace, our smart TV displays a soft vintage landscape that blends seamlessly with the room’s color theme.

Bright, elegant living room with a round wooden table holding books, candles, and a vase of flowers in front of a white brick fireplace. Above the mantel is landscape art, with plants and decorative objects arranged symmetrically.
sneak peek

This print will be available in my online shop soon, so be sure to check the shop page and subscribe to the email list for updates!

Looking for all living room links?

Click below to shop all of my living room finds on LTK !

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Greenhouse and Backyard

Our backyard and greenhouse have been a labor of love this summer! We’ve added a pond, created a pea gravel patio area, and strung lights over our recently thrifted patio set. You can read more about how we transformed this humble find in a separate blog post.

A white metal patio table with four chairs sits under a large, frilled white umbrella in a gravel garden area, surrounded by greenery and a white greenhouse in the background.

I also gave two thrifted urns a quick makeover using paint to bring out their beautiful details. They frame the patio space perfectly and make the whole area feel pulled together.

  • A charming white greenhouse with an open door, perfect for a summer home tour, is surrounded by potted plants. In front, a gravel patio features a white metal table and chairs under a large umbrella amid lush greenery.
  • A white decorative urn planter with raised grapevine designs, filled with green foliage and red flowers, stands on a gravel surface outdoors, adding charm to your summer home tour.
  • Close-up of a white ornamental planter with a decorative handle, filled with green leaves and vibrant red flowers—an inviting accent for your summer home tour—set against a blurred gravel background.
  • Vintage metal chairs with peeling paint sit on a gravel patio next to white ornate planters filled with colorful flowers, surrounded by lush greenery—perfect inspiration for your next summer home tour.
  • A white decorative planter filled with green ferns and small red flowers sits on gravel outside a rustic building—perfect inspiration for your summer home tour—with cozy indoor dining visible through large windows.
  • A white ornate urn planter holds green trailing plants with small red flowers, set on gravel with ferns and greenery in the background—perfect inspiration for your summer home tour.

Though the greenhouse gets hot in the afternoons, golden hour is the perfect time to enjoy it. We’ve had quiet dinners out there surrounded by sunflowers, one of my favorite summer blooms. I created a seasonal place setting using gifted dishes and a few versatile pieces that transition beautifully between indoor and outdoor dining. I’ve shared more tips for entertaining and summer table styling in a separate blog post.

A rustic wooden table set with a vintage floral plate on a woven placemat, a glass of lemonade with mint and lemon slice, a vase of sunflowers, stacked plates, and a green checked cloth.
Rustic wooden table set with plates, bowls of lemons, green-checked napkin, glasses of lemonade with lemon slices, and a vase of sunflowers, creating a bright and inviting summer table setting.
Open double doors reveal a bright, rustic kitchen with wooden beams, a checkered floor, a long table with sunflowers, wooden benches, hanging lights, open shelves, and potted plants at the entrance.
A stack of vintage white plates with green floral patterns, topped with a set of gold forks, sits on a blue and white checkered cloth on a rustic wooden surface.
A small bouquet of bright yellow sunflowers in a glass jar sits on a rustic wooden table, surrounded by woven baskets and ceramic plates.
A stack of three decorative bowls holds six bright yellow lemons, sitting on a wooden table in natural sunlight. A striped cloth is partially visible in the foreground.

Front Porch

Moving to the front porch, we gave it a refresh with a coat of deck sealer, freshly painted railings, and new rugs that pull everything together. I filled a few planters with blooms using aged terra cotta pots I created with my simple DIY technique.

A sunlit porch with wicker chairs, potted ferns, and red flowering plants. Small American flags are placed among the plants, and outdoor seating with cushions is visible in the background.

To celebrate the season, I added American flags to the planters and porch swing along with a few patriotic prints for a timeless summer feel.

  • A front porch with white railings, potted ferns, and a black door with glass panels. An American flag hangs on the right side near the steps leading up to the entrance.
  • A bright, inviting porch with wooden floors, wicker chairs, potted plants, an American flag, and a cozy swing at the far end, all bathed in sunlight.
  • A cozy front porch with white railings, rocking chairs, potted plants, and an American flag flying. Lush green plants surround the wooden porch on a sunny day.
  • A cozy porch with a black rocking chair, a wooden swing with beige cushions and an American flag pillow, a ceiling fan, potted plants, and a geometric rug, overlooking a green yard.
All the best tips

10 Summer Porch Decorating Tips

Want to create the ultimate Summer outdoor escape? Check out my best tips!

get the tips

In the dining area on the porch, I styled a festive summer tablescape using a thrifted Coca-Cola crate as the perfect backdrop for an old-fashioned treat—Coke floats! It brought back so many childhood memories and was such a fun way to highlight the spirit of summer gatherings.

A festive table is decorated with American flags, vintage glass Coca-Cola bottles, flowers in jars, and dessert parfaits, creating a patriotic theme for an outdoor celebration.
summer
A glass dish of ice cream sits on a white plate next to a cupcake topped with cream and a strawberry, with a gold spoon and a blue bandana napkin nearby.
A festive table setting features American flags, Coca-Cola bottles, white flowers, candles, and patriotic napkins on a rustic wooden table with red, white, and blue decorations, evoking a celebratory Fourth of July picnic.
A glass bottle of Coca-Cola sits on a woven placemat next to a dessert and a cupcake with a strawberry. A blue bandana with a red and white ribbon is tied in a bow on the table, creating a festive setting.
A festive table set for a patriotic celebration features American flags, Coca-Cola bottles, cupcakes, napkins with blue bandana prints, and a patriotic centerpiece, all on a rustic porch with potted plants and an American flag wreath.
thrifted and styled

Vintage Coca Cola Crate Centerpiece

Want to incorporate vintage charm into your patriotic decor? Cocoa Cola crates are a classic staple in Americana decor. Get all of the details and sources for creating this centerpiece!

See the tutorial
  • A wooden crate holds two glass Coca-Cola bottles. Around it are two small American flags, green floral foam blocks, a clump of moss, and a floral knife, all on a rustic wooden table.
  • A hand inserts a wooden stick with a small American flag into green floral foam blocks inside a divided wooden box on a rustic wooden surface. Another flag is partially visible in the foreground.
  • Two hands are shaping green moss around a stick, next to a wooden crate with red edges, on a rustic wooden surface. A red and white striped object is partially visible in the top left corner.
  • A festive table is decorated with American flags, vintage glass Coca-Cola bottles, flowers in jars, and dessert parfaits, creating a patriotic theme for an outdoor celebration.
A brass vase with white wildflowers sits atop a large, vintage book. In front, two lit candles in brass holders rest on a wooden table. A blurred fireplace and mantel are visible in the background.
Looking for all summer decor links?

Click below to shop all of my Summer finds on LTK !

shop summer decor

Tips for Decorating Your Home for Summer

  • Start with small changes: Swap out heavy throws and dark accents for light textiles and natural textures.
  • Bring the outdoors in: Faux greenery, fresh flowers, and vintage vessels add charm and life.
  • Create a perfect place to gather: Style your coffee table, kitchen island, or front porch with decorative touches that invite conversation.
  • Mix old and new: Blending vintage finds with modern pieces creates a look that feels both curated and relaxed.
  • Think beyond red, white, and blue: Use neutral tones with subtle patriotic elements like American flags tucked into planters or table centerpieces.

Answers to Your Questions About Summer Decorating

How can I add summer charm without buying new decor?

Shop your home! Move things around, use fresh flowers or cut greenery, and give old pieces a new purpose.

What are easy updates for the front porch?

Try new doormats, planters in terra cotta or galvanized metal, and a few cozy cushions or pillows in block prints or stripes.

Where can I find the vintage-style TV art?

My curated collection will be available soon in my online store! You can get updates by visiting the shop page and joining my email list.

What’s a simple way to create a place setting for summer gatherings?

Layer neutral plates, a touch of gold flatware, linen napkins, and add a fresh herb sprig or flag for a personal seasonal touch.

A bright, cozy living room with a white sofa and armchairs, decorated with patterned cushions and a green throw. Large windows let in natural light, and a leafy potted plant stands in the background.

Thanks so much for stopping by my Summer Home Tour! It’s always so much fun to share our home with you. If you love seeing seasonal decor, easy DIYs, and the creative journey of a lived-in home, be sure to subscribe to the email list and follow along on social media @returninggrace. There’s always more decorating, crafting, and inspiration to come! 

salutation with a signature Wishing you grace, Stephanie
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