Summer Ideas: The Best Tips for a Great Summer from 7 Bloggers

In this post: Looking for tips for a great summer? This collection of summer ideas includes relaxed and easy solutions for decorating and entertaining.⇒

This is going to be an amazing summer!

Ok, I don’t really know that for sure, but summer has so much going for it without even trying. The weather, for starters, encourages time spent outdoors. With school out of session, our schedules take on a more casual and malleable shape, even for those of us whose kids have long since graduated. And the longer days allow for weeknight socializing and spontaneous get togethers.

In a year in which I’ve declared my word of the year to be “easy”, summer it seems, should be the easiest of the easy. In that spirit, I’ve joined with a group of my favorite bloggers to share with you our best tips for a great summer and you’ll find ideas for entertaining, decorating, gardening and more. Enjoy!!

Summer Ideas

What is a great summer? For me it’s all about being relaxed and carefree. While I don’t take the summer off from working, I do like to ensure the summer months are as casual as possible. No uptight formal entertaining for me this time of year, and decorating takes on a more laid-back approach. One way to represent this attitude is to use a common thread of the most tranquil color I can think of… blue. You’ll find summertime blues throughout my summer posts, as the hue is reminiscent of the sea and sky. From a serene coastal tablescape set outdoors, to a cottage inspired guest room prepared for summer visitors, shades of blue work their magic both indoors and out. You can see them on our patio mixed with breezy neutrals, or sprucing up a spontaneous gathering in the yard with a small group of friends. I even use blue chinoiserie in this simple DIY. Nothing says free and easy summer days quite like calm and peaceful blues. Find more summer decorating tips and ideas at Designthusiasm | Summer Decor.

One of the best things about the summer months is the fact that life tends to slow down a bit, and we take on a more relaxed and laid back approach to cooking. Summer means outdoor grilling, dining al fresco, and lighter fare. One of my family’s favorite summer meals is grilled chicken & rosemary potatoes. Now that everyone is gathering together again, another great idea is a charcuterie board. A charcuterie board is super fun to assemble, and everyone loves it. Desserts like lemonade icebox cake, citrus banana popsicles, and no churn strawberry ice cream are perfect for the summer months because no oven is required!

Backyards, porches and patios are the best spaces we have to enjoy outdoor living as an extension of our homes. I’ve put together a few decks, patios and porches in my day and today I’m sharing a few tips for getting the most from your outdoor spaces. Adding string lights and lanterns is such a great way to add ambience especially when the sun goes down. Lights make any space feel cozy and special, just like a resort space. So make sure you add lighting to your outdoor spaces to make the most of these special spaces of summer. We added string lights to our deck and across our patio as well, creating a beautiful outdoor room. The addition of remote controlled candle lanterns is another great way to add ambience when the sun goes down. Your guests will be so happy as the lights come on and the sun sets over the horizon, filling your outdoor room with beautiful soft light. Stop on by and see how we’ve added beautiful lights to our backyard spaces!

The gentle breezes of summer are upon us, and now is the perfect time to refresh and renew our bedrooms for warm weather! One of my best tips is to choose a color palette that is perhaps lighter than you would normally use. Selecting crisp summer whites for your bedding, accented with coastal colors like watery blues, pale lake greens, and sandy beiges can set a relaxing summer vibe that you’ll love. The best part is that you can incorporate these softly muted tones to ANY decor style! Learn more about choosing bedding, accent pillows, summer flowers, and accessories in my post on SUMMER BEDROOM TIPS.

Container gardens filled with pretty summer flowers are one of the season’s great pleasures. They are the perfect way to add a splash of BIG color to your porch, patio, or any outdoor space. However, container gardens are not limited to just flowers. They can hold fragrant herbs and patio vegetables as well. You just need a sunny spot and a little know-how to enjoy the beauty and bounty the summer has to offer.

If you are looking to kick start the season of outdoor living – in style, I have a few outdoor lighting ideas to inspire you to make the most of your outdoor spaces when the sun goes down. Since we don’t want to have electrical cords running from the house and getting in the way outside, I have come up with a few attractive and doable DIY outdoor candle lighting ideas that will help you to light and add ambiance to all your outdoor areas from the walkway to your front door to a romantic outdoor chandelier on the back deck that makes dining outdoors feel like you are on vacation. Come on over to In My Own Style to see just how easy these outdoor candle lighting ideas are to make along with a lot more outdoor decorating ideas that you can do to make outdoor living at your house this summer better than ever. 

I don’t know about you, but the thing I’m most looking forward to is summer entertaining! From backyard BBQs, to casual wine and cheese gatherings, to s’mores around a fire, there are so many ways to enjoy friends during this season! But guess what? It doesn’t have to be hard to be wonderful! I’m sharing six easy ways to entertain this summer. Whether you are the fancy type or as casual as can be, some of these are sure to inspire you to invite friends over and spend a warm summer night lingering outdoors! I mean, does it get any better than that? Come on over to Maison de Cinq for lots of creative entertaining ideas!

A Few More Tips for Summer Entertaining

Summer entertaining should be as breezy and tranquil as a lazy afternoon by the shore. Here are ten relaxed and easy tips to ensure your gatherings reflect the spirit of the season.

• Keep the Menu Simple: Opt for easy-to-prepare dishes like grilled meats, fresh salads, and fruits. Think foods that can be enjoyed at room temperature.
• Self-Serve Drink Station: Set up a drink station with a variety of chilled beverages so guests can help themselves. Include options like lemonade, iced tea, and a few cocktail choices.
• Outdoor Seating: Utilize outdoor spaces like patios or gardens. Scatter around some cushions and throw blankets for a cozy, laid-back vibe.
• Twinkling Lights: String up some fairy lights or lanterns to create a magical evening atmosphere as the sun sets.
• Simple Decor: Use natural elements for decor—think wildflowers in jars, a string of seashells, or bamboo torches.
• Background Music: A soft playlist of summer tunes or acoustic music can add a relaxed tone without overwhelming the conversation.
• Games and Activities: Have some casual lawn games like bocce ball, cornhole, or a stack of card games ready to keep the mood light and fun.
• Bug Prep: Keep bugs at bay with citronella candles or a DIY essential oil bug spray to ensure your guests are comfortable.
• Easy Desserts: Offer simple make-ahead desserts like fruit tarts, ice cream sundaes, or a s’mores station for a sweet finish to your gathering.
• Flexible Timing: Instead of a formal dinner time, host a come-and-go style event where guests can drop by throughout the day. This eases timing pressure and creates a laid-back atmosphere.

Follow these tips to ensure summer parties that are effortless and enjoyable, letting you and your guests relax and soak in the delights of the season.