22 Summer Color Pops: Easy DIY & Design Ideas for Your Neutral Rooms

Throw Pillows & Throw Blankets

I enjoy changing my throw pillows and blankets with the seasons. With a neutral sofa and side chairs, I can use any color combination I choose. This year, I’m loving the blues and greens in these inexpensive pillow covers. The blue throw blanket provides a cozy backdrop for the fun pillows.

Add a combination of embroidered pillows and screen-printed covers to add texture to your furniture, both indoors and out.

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DIY Touch: No-Sew Pillow Covers

I recently created some pillow wraps using scraps of fabric, thrift store scarves, and vintage brooches. This is an incredibly affordable way to add a touch of vintage sparkle and shine to your summer decor. You can see all the options at Vintage Brooch Pillow Wraps.

To create one-of-a-kind pillows, look no further than these easy-to-make scrap fabric pillow covers. The lumbar pillow is a simple, eco-friendly pillow cover idea, while the Spring Flower Pillow Cover is crafted from a variety of colored scraps of fabric.

Breezy Summer Area Rugs & Window Treatments

A quick and easy way to add a splash of color to any room is to replace the area rugs with fresh colors. Even if your large rugs are neutral, you can add smaller accent rugs to areas such as by the door, at the kitchen sink, or bedside.

Another space for a quick pop of color is outside, by the front door. I constantly change the porch rugs to match the seasonal colors.

I don’t have many window treatments in the farmhouse. I prefer to keep the windows open and airy. However, the bedroom is one area where I prefer a cozy feel. These inexpensive curtain panels work well for the windows and French doors, adding a soft summer color. The grommets allow for easy opening and closing.

I used a leftover panel to update an old lampshade with an easy fabric makeover. See Fabric Refresh For Old Lampshade for details.

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DIY Rug – Handpainted Summer Rug

Want to create a unique one-of-a-kind rug? See this easy tutorial to create a hand-painted rug using inexpensive vinyl flooring, perfect for summer decorating.

Table Linens: Napkins, Tablecloths & Runners

I love table linens, and I enjoy setting my tables with seasonal colors. Summer is the perfect time to pull out those splashy colors and make your tables fun. Napkins are the most affordable way to add a pop of color. You can use napkins in so many ways. Fold them beside the dinner plates, add them to a napkin ring, or use them as placemats or table runners.

Add a splash of color with a napkin between the dinner and salad plates, or fold the napkin in a fun shape like this floral tulip fold napkin.

I love the summer picnic feel of a checked tablecloth. The green and white tablecloth features a fringe edge, giving it a cool summer feel. I’ve used the pink and white check tablecloth for many of my easy breezy summer tables, like this country garden party.

The bright green color of these placemats gives a festive and summer feel to the lemon dish place setting. A handwoven table runner enhances the colors of the Summer Provence dinnerware.

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DIY Tableware

Easy-to-make DIY fringe napkins and hand-painted flour sack napkins add splashes of color to create a festive tablescape.

Festive DIY Color Block Stamped Napkins are made with cheerful colors and can be used indoors, but look stunning on our outdoor dining table. The light and airy DIY custom painted tablecloth and napkins are perfect for the summer months.

Summer Bedding

Lighten up your bedding with fresh summer colors. Ditch the heavy, down-filled duvets and opt for lighter options, such as quilts and coverlets in fun colors.

If you don’t want to switch out your bedding for summer completely, add a pop of color with a fun throw pillow.

Or if you don’t want to invest in a new quilt or coverlet, add a festive, patterned vintage quilt to give your bed a fresh summer vibe.

Vases and Planters

I have an endless supply of thrifted and DIY vases and planters that are perfect for adding a touch of color while holding greenery or fresh flowers. In addition to my indoor planters, I enjoy incorporating bright colors into my porches or the landscape.

DIY Touch: Napkin decoupage

Some of the thrift store finds get a fresh makeover with napkin decoupage. This trio of upcycled thrifted vases received an easy makeover and looks lovely grouped on the fireplace mantel.

Another napkin decoupage idea is to cover inexpensive clay pots with seasonal colors to create unique plant containers.

Books

I love using vintage books in my decor. I enjoy collecting similar colors to use for different seasons. For summer, I like the cool shades of blue and green.

I also like to add coffee table books to my vignettes to add height and color.

Adding a cookbook to a plate stand adds a colorful decorative touch to the kitchen countertop.

Trays and Bowls

I’m always on the lookout for trays to help anchor my tabletop vignettes. Here are two trays that I used a decoupage technique to give them a bright and cheerful summer design. First, these bathroom trays are an Anthropologie Look-Alike Technique, and I used an inexpensive Dollar Tree Wooden Tray for this project.

The green tray also features napkin decoupage on the bottom, but it’s an updated thrift store find.

I’m always picking up decorative bowls at thrift stores because they add a touch of color. Fill them with other decorative objects, such as decorative fruit or moss spheres. I couldn’t pass on this bird bowl, and the leaf-shaped bowl is another favorite.

Candles and Holders

I’m also always picking up old candlestick holders when I’m thrifting, and they always add a decorative touch to tablescapes and other vignettes. Vintage brass and silver are my favorites because they add a touch of sparkle and shine, reflecting other colors in the space.

These adorable flower candleholders are a perfect addition to your summer decor.

If you find a deal on candlestick holders that don’t work with your decor, you can follow this candlestick holder decoupage tutorial to make them work.

Artwork & Wall Decor

I have artwork that I rotate on a seasonal basis. Bird prints, garden scenes, fruits, and vegetables all create a summertime feel when added to your decor. This delightful bird print, which I inherited from my aunt, makes an appearance each summer.

Don’t have wall space to hang your art? I like to prop prints on shelves, countertops, cabinet tops, and even on a stool.

This classic painting adds a country summer vibe with bowls of fresh berries and apples.

A set of thrifted, needlepoint birds adds a touch of elegance to a wooden shutter in our bedroom.

You can also update your gallery walls with summer-inspired prints or change up your plate gallery with summer dishes. It is not necessary to replace all the neutral colors, but just switch out a few plates to add a colorful splash.

Fresh & Dried Flowers For Summer Decor

I love having fresh flowers, and thankfully, my garden features several blooming plants, including hydrangeas, lilacs, and peonies. Fill your containers with fresh blooms for an instant burst of color.

I like to include fresh herbs and other greenery with the blooms.

Another way to add colors is with dried flowers. Each season, I try to preserve as many flowers as possible by drying them. The rustic dried flower hydrangea arrangement adds the soft, hazy colors of summer. A small collection of dried flowers looks amazing in a DIY paper cone.

DIY Flowers

Don’t have garden flowers? Then you can make stunning flowers using coffee filters. Check out these gorgeous paper peonies and the DIY Giant Tulip Bulbs that are guaranteed not to wilt.

Greenery Plants

Adding greenery to your summer decorations is another easy way to bring the outdoors in. Instead of heavy evergreens, look for light, flowing pieces, such as this running ivy plant.

More running ivy enhances the top of this bedroom cupboard.

Add a soft touch with the dusty colors of lamb’s ear, which look stunning in a thrifted brass planter.

Fresh Vegetables and Fruit

Summer is harvest time for fruits and vegetables, so why not fill bowls and baskets with your fresh produce? Keep your fresh veggies at your fingertips and fill your countertops with their vibrant pops of color.

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