Lately I’ve been completely drawn to lemons — and grapefruits, oranges, limes and tangerines too. Expect to see more citrus popping up in my decor this season; the bright, fresh colors and playful shapes are such an easy way to bring summer into a room.
I literally hunt the web for “lemon watercolor art” and “children’s clothing with lemons.” I can’t help it — citrus prints make me smile. In fact, I have an adorable baby girl outfit with little lemons on it that I’m waiting to arrive. It’s one of those tiny, perfect touches that feels joyful and fun.
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Back to the mantel: I love creating seasonal mantels and changing them out throughout the year. Sometimes I’ll skip a season to let ideas brew, and then a fresh look suddenly comes together. For this summer mantel I leaned into a garden-and-lemonade-stand vibe rather than my usual coastal summer theme.
I know many people place family photos on their mantel and are perfectly happy with that. I love photos too, but I also enjoy switching things up seasonally with fresh art, found objects and colorful accents. This year I wanted something that felt like sitting on a back porch and looking over a garden — fruits and vegetables, pots, pops of color and a relaxed, homey feel.
I skipped a big spring mantel because I went all out last year, but I hadn’t done a full summer mantel since we moved into this house, so it was time. I intentionally shifted away from nautical or beachy elements and embraced a garden aesthetic: bright citrus watercolors, vintage-style pitchers and a few playful props to suggest a lemonade stand.
To anchor the space I searched for citrus watercolor prints and found several beautiful, printable designs I could download and frame myself. Printable art is a fast, budget-friendly way to switch your decor seasonally: you can print at home or at a local print shop, trim as needed, and display in simple frames or even attach directly to a backing with washi tape for a casual look.
This time I used washi tape to hang the watercolors — quick, charming and easy to change later. I also practiced some new hand-lettering skills on a small chalkboard sign I found in a dollar section; that handmade touch is one of my favorite accents on the mantel. Little personal elements like that help the whole vignette feel curated rather than staged.
I even included a small watering can that reminded me of time spent tending plants — a simple prop that reinforces the garden vibe. Little details like potted herbs, a stack of gardening books, a weathered crate or a bowl of fresh citrus can add dimension and tell a small summer story across the mantel.
If you’re thinking about creating a similar mantel, here are a few simple tips that helped me pull this look together:
- Choose a clear focal point — in my case, a set of citrus watercolors — and build around it with complementary items.
- Mix textures: pair smooth glass vases with wicker, chalkboard signs, ceramic pitchers and soft greenery for visual interest.
- Vary heights and scale to keep the arrangement balanced: use books, small crates or stacked frames to lift shorter pieces.
- Stick to a defined color palette — bright yellows and greens with a neutral background keep the look cohesive and summery.
- Include a small handmade element, like a chalkboard message or a hand-lettered tag, to add personality.
I also created a “Citrus Water Bar in a Jar” recently and it remains one of my favorite summer projects — simple to assemble, pretty to display and perfect for entertaining. Little vignette-style displays like that pair nicely with a seasonal mantel and reinforce the summer theme throughout your home.
How do you like to decorate for summer? Do you prefer coastal touches, garden-inspired vignettes, or something completely different? I love hearing new ideas and seeing how others bring the season into their homes.
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