Summer Home Tour: Coastal Living Room and Kitchen Refresh

Welcome to my annual summer home tour! By “summer home” I mean my everyday house updated with light, coastal touches for the season—not a vacation home. I enjoy a simple, relaxed coastal style, so each year I swap in a few beach-inspired accents to give our main spaces a breezy, summery feel.

I almost left our spring decorating in place because I loved how it looked and because I don’t always want extra work. In the end, my love for coastal decor won out and I made a few small swaps: a couple of starfish, my old sailboat, and some new bay leaf topiaries. I also rehung the framed canvas beach art I made last year—one of my favorite focal pieces that channels Highway 30A vibes.

Today I’ll mostly share the living room and kitchen. Those are the rooms we use the most and the spaces I enjoy styling the most. The fireplace and mantel greet guests at the front door, so keeping them fresh and summery is always a priority.

A new area rug anchors the room and does a great job hiding everyday crumbs and dirt from the kids. It’s a large, dark-gray/navy rug in a 9 x 12 size—practical and stylish for a busy family room. I love how a rug swap can change the entire look without much effort.

I also installed bamboo shades in the living room and kitchen this season, which add natural texture and soft warmth to the windows. They’re a simple upgrade that makes a big design impact.

Our sofa is a slipcovered, family-friendly style that’s about six years old. The slipcovers come off easily for washing, which is essential in a home with kids. The sofa remains one of the coziest spots for family snuggles.

The media stand near the sofa is a favorite in our home. It’s sturdy, affordable, and always draws compliments. I also built a blanket ladder to the left of the media cabinet—an easy DIY for storing throws throughout the year.

Shop the Living Room

Just past the living room is the kitchen and eat-in dining area, which I refreshed earlier this year. The small eat-in space was never terrible, but it needed a new personality. I replaced dated elements, added fresh finishes, and brightened the area with coastal details.

A small arrangement of fresh flowers in my favorite blue glass vase brings instant summer color to the table. I also added a lemon wreath to the wall system in the corner for a playful seasonal touch. Open shelves above the countertop are a DIY I completed for under $40—perfect for rotating seasonal decor and printable art.

I like updating those shelves each season with new pieces and fun printable art designed specifically for summer. Small, affordable swaps make this one of my favorite seasonal projects.

To stay on top of clutter, I introduced a new filing system for household papers. It’s a simple change but has made a noticeable difference in keeping counters clear.

Summer fruit is one of the season’s best pleasures—strawberries and peaches have been stars in our kitchen lately. I made a strawberry pie that tasted as good as it looked, and fresh peaches from a roadside stand have filled the kitchen with a wonderful, sunny scent.

I also swapped in a durable rug in front of the sink. I tested two options and kept the one that will stand up to daily use—practicality wins in a busy kitchen, though both looked great.

A small coffee corner next to the kitchen is where I start nearly every morning—my husband often has a fresh cup waiting, which is the sweetest daily ritual. I swapped seasonal printable art in this nook to keep it feeling fresh for summer.

In the living room, I like to refresh a small gallery wall and console table throughout the year. I still love the turquoise abstract canvas I painted and framed myself—simple DIY framing gave it a finished, gallery-style look.

To keep the house smelling clean and inviting, I diffuse essential oils in the afternoons. Peppermint and a calming “Stress Away” blend are my go-to combinations for a fresh, relaxing scent.

That wraps up my summer home tour—thanks for stopping by! If you liked these seasonal coastal ideas, try small swaps like new textiles, a few coastal accents, fresh flowers, and printable art to give your own home an easy summer refresh.

More posts you will love:

• The Best Summer Decorating Ideas
• Summer Printable Favorites & seasonal artwork
• 25+ Stunning Summer Fireplace Mantel Decor Ideas