Effortless Summer Style: Farmhouse Decor Tips for a Light and Breezy Home

 by Janine

Reading Time: 5 minutes

When summer arrives, it brings a natural invitation to lighten things up—in your space, your mindset, and your home life. And while traditional farmhouse style has long leaned on whites and neutrals, today’s version welcomes more color, personality, and warmth. The key to a beautifully styled summer home is balance: a space that feels fresh and open, but still full of character.

Here are our favorite ways to refresh your home with summer farmhouse decor that’s light, breezy, and far from bland.

1. Infuse Color Through Accents

Instead of defaulting to all-white, add personality with color—think sage green, cornflower blue, butter yellow, dusty terracotta, or vintage red. These hues bring life to your space without overwhelming it and play beautifully with natural materials.

Try this: Add a soft pop of color with printed napkins, a striped table runner, or cheerful curtains. Our Garden Grace and Driftwood collections are made for this kind of seasonal refresh.

Valance curtain with a scalloped edge in a soft delicate floral with a striped lining peeping out under the scalloped edge.
This botanical print in green, terracotta, white, and neutral beige is the perfect summer accent.

2. Choose Light Materials—Not Just Light Colors

What makes a home feel breezy in summer isn’t just the palette—it’s the weight and texture of your materials. Look for cotton, linen or tobacco cloth—materials that move with air and feel breathable, not heavy.

Consider swapping out dense or layered fabrics with lighter options in curtains, table linens, or rugs. Even a single plaid or chindi runner on a wood table can instantly lighten the space.

Table runner in a neutral plaid of beige, cream, taupe and soft brown
Keep things fresh and neutral with our Cliffside Collection

3. Let Nature Set the Tone

Fresh-cut stems, potted herbs, faux greens, and even a branch or two from your yard can help your home feel grounded and alive. But there’s no pressure to fill your house with bouquets—think casual and seasonal.

Display ideas: A small bud vase on a windowsill, a low bowl of lemons on the table, or a hanging herb bundle in the kitchen are understated and elegant.

potted greenery
Even faux greens add life and a refreshing touch to your space

4. Play with Pattern

One of the easiest ways to lift a room is through pattern. In summer, gingham, ticking stripes, soft florals, and plaids feel right at home in farmhouse or cottage interiors. They bring movement, charm, and just the right amount of visual energy.

Layer patterns by mixing a floral print napkin with a striped placemat or pairing printed pillows with a solid-colored throw.

farmhouse ticking red fabric 18" x 18" pillow cover farmhouse pillowcase
Our Farmhouse Ticking Red Collection is perfect for a summer refresh!

5. Keep the Clutter Out, But Keep the Charm

Summer styling works best when the space feels open and relaxed. But that doesn’t mean cold or empty. Edit shelves and surfaces to highlight meaningful items—maybe a vintage pitcher, a woven tray, or a stack of books in summer tones.

The key is intentional simplicity: keep only what feels relevant to the season and let your space breathe.

 

A garden market sign with a couple of decorative throw pillows and a basket with flowers
A refreshingly uncluttered space keeps your home feeling breezy and airy.

6. Bring Summer to Unexpected Places

A seasonal refresh isn’t just for living rooms and porches. Add summer touches to entryways, bathrooms, and even bedrooms. Think linen hand towels, a fresh valance, or a simple bedside pitcher with wildflowers.

Even a new set of napkins in the kitchen or updated tier curtains can shift the mood.

Kaila patchwork bedding in shades of gold, rose, cream and navy
Our Kaila bedding ensemble brings cottage core vibes in perfect tones for summer.

7. Create Easy Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Open windows, gauzy curtains, soft lighting, and natural textures help connect your indoor space to the outdoors. Use woven rugs, lantern-style lighting, and botanical prints to bridge that gap—even if you don’t have a porch.

Our Wheat Fields Jute collection and decorative lanterns offer that perfect blend of rustic and airy.

a neutral beige chindi rug with fringe ends
Keep flooring light a natural for a summertime feel.

Final Thoughts

Summer farmhouse decor is less about following rules and more about capturing a feeling: open windows, longer days, and the laid-back rhythm of the season. Choose what makes your home feel lighter—visually and emotionally—and don’t be afraid to add color, mix pattern, or embrace imperfection.

At Piper Classics, we love helping you find pieces that bring that seasonal magic to life. Explore our latest collections to find fresh ways to style your home this summer—with heart, history, and a touch of sunshine.

About the author

Written by Janine Bosh, Owner of Piper Classics

With decades of experience in home decor and design, I have a deep passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces that reflect personal style. From selecting the perfect colors and textures to curating timeless pieces, I love helping others bring their decorating visions to life.