6 summer wall decor ideas to update your home for the season in an instant

Summer wall decor ideas invite light, color, joyfulness, and vibrancy into your home. And, as the warm days roll in, now is the perfect time to refresh your rooms with something that captures the essence of the season.

No matter your interior design style, there is a wall decor idea out there to suit. Whether you want to experiment with color or create a statement with wallpaper, mirrors or art, you can curate a more inviting and cheerful atmosphere in your living spaces that will last all summer through.

Here, we asked interior design experts to share their favorite summer decor ideas for your walls that can instantly uplift both your decor and your mood.

6 Summer Wall Decor Ideas To Brighten Up Your Home

If you're ready to swap out your moody wall decor for something that resonates with the laid-back, leisurely spirit of the summer, these 6 uplifting and expert-approved summer wall decor ideas are sure to do just that.

1. Use wallpaper for impact

As you well know, wallpaper is such a fantastic tool for creating impact. With an array of patterns, colors, and textures available, wallpaper ideas can instantly elevate a room, adding personality and a seasonal statement.

'Wallpaper is one of my favorite mediums, as it always makes a space unique and interesting,' says Jennifer of Jennifer Barron Interiors. 'Wallpaper brings so much to a room that paint cannot quite accomplish, like color, pattern, texture.'

'In the summertime, it’s nice to finish out a room with a brightly colored wallpaper that leaves the homeowners (and guests) wanting more of the warm summer feeling,' Jennifer suggests. 'Wallpaper will never go out of style in my book!'

Choosing a wallpaper with tropical motifs, lush foliage, botanicals, or nautical themes can make your space feel connected to the season, and bring the outdoors in. It's about bringing that sense of warmth and energy into your home.

2. Swap out art and photographs

Of course, the most obvious answer is to add or swap out your wall art for something more reflective of summer. Artwork and photographs help you to capture moments and emotions, making your decor feel more personal and meaningful.

'Refresh your wall decor for summer by bringing in paintings of summer scenes or family photos from past summer vacations,' suggests interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'As long as you're careful with the frames and the prints themselves, there's no reason not to just swap the art inside your frames if the sizing is similar,' she adds for an easy summer swap idea.

Paintings of beach landscapes or florals can help to transport you to sunshine, even on the cloudiest of days. Whether you opt for bold, colorful pieces or more subtle works, art can embody the spirit of summer in an instant.

Additionally, creating a gallery wall or a selection of framed pictures of vacation snaps or mementos from past travels will bring a nostalgic touch to your day whenever you walk by.

3. Add mirrors to increase natural light

Another timeless trick is decorating with mirrors – whether hung as a group or singularly – to bounce more natural light around a space.

Of course, this is a good idea at any time of year but really comes into its own in summer when your home is already flooded with sunlight. 'I'm a big proponent of wall mirrors for adding light and depth all year long, but they're especially effective in the summer at really bringing the sunshine inside in a beautiful way,' Kathy agrees.

Think about where the light naturally falls in your space and use mirrors to reflect it further, positioning a mirror opposite a window can effectively double the amount of natural light in a room, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere.

'Vintage mirrors alongside newer plumbing fixtures or a modern wallpaper creates a level of interest and uniqueness that stands apart from something store-bought,' suggests Jennifer Barron. 'Often found through vintage markets or auctions, these pieces bring so much valuable character to the space. One-of-a-kind, a vintage piece will always leave onlookers wanting to know more.'

4. Introduce sunshine yellow hues

Not just one of the biggest color trends of 2024, yellow is naturally synonymous with summer. Decorating with yellow will instantly lift your mood, evoking feelings of warmth, happiness, and energy. It’s perfect for summer because it brings a sense of brightness and optimism.

'Summer embodies a joyful, warm, and inviting color palette that basks you in the sun's energy, leaving you feeling revitalized and cheerful. While yellow may seem like the go-to choice, especially when combined with bold contrasting hues like greens and blues, the striking interplay between these colors adds a contemporary touch to your space,' suggests Joanna Landais of Eklektik Studio.

Whether you choose paint, paper, pattern, or decorative accents to bring in a pop of yellow, it's a guaranteed way to get you feeling more summery at home.

'We all need some joy in our life, and what better way to do so than inject some color into our interiors,' says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. 'Whilst committing to decorating a whole room in brights might feel too much, a judicious splash here and there will induce a smile but not overwhelm a space! Try bringing in a touch of sunshine by painting your window reveals in a bright yellow such as Babouche from Farrow & Ball. This will bring in a little hint of summer, even on the gloomiest of days,' he suggests.

5. Try out a plate wall

If you're searching for things to hang on a wall that aren't prints, might we suggest the trending plate wall?

'There are a variety of ways to incorporate decor items to make your home feel extra “summery.” A very special and layered go-to of ours is a plate wall,' suggests Jennifer, who designed the dining corner seen above. 'Whether it be all blue and white porcelain, all rose medallion porcelain, bringing in oranges, pinks, and greens, or a mix of the two, the light and airy feel of this finishing layer creates a warm and happy space for summertime.'

Choose a selection of plates that complement your decor, suit a summer theme, or have meaning to you. Look for plates abundant in color and pattern and don't be afraid to mix different sizes, shapes, and designs for an eclectic look.

'The plates also bring in dimension as opposed to art which always lays flat,' she adds. 'Plate walls keep it interesting, classic, and perfect for a summer dinner party.'

6. Hang woven accessories like baskets, bowls, or sconces

Perfect for creating a relaxed, bohemian vibe; woven accessories made from wicker, rattan, or seagrass will add a rustic, natural charm to your walls. Hanging wicker baskets, bowls, sconces, or mirrors can bring in an element of soft texture that enhances neutral walls if you aren't a fan of overt color or print.

'Nothing says summer like wicker,' says designer Gray Walker. 'Arranging unique baskets and bowls on a wall creates a cool casual vibe that epitomizes summer decoration.'

They work particularly well in spaces that aim to blend indoor and outdoor aesthetics, like a sunroom or garden room. Whether used alone or grouped with other pieces, woven accessories offer an effortless way to bring the breezy, laid-back feel of summer into your home.

'A rattan or woven mirror is a light, and often inexpensive way to update your walls for summer,' suggests Bethany Adams. 'Retailers like H&M and Zara Home have so many fun and affordable options. The best part is you can use them in just about any room, but for maximum impact consider the foyer and the powder room first.'

Summer is the ideal time to give your wall decor a refresh. Not only does it feel radiant and renewed outdoors, but you can bring that sense of vibrancy indoors too with these expert-led ideas to help you get inspired to try something new.