In this post, we’ll look at twenty one of the most beautiful summer kitchen ideas for decor inspiration in your home. All of these ideas are unique, stunning, and small kitchen friendly!
One thing about me is I am always chasing that perfect summer feeling. You know that feeling you get when you watch Sandlot or Dirty Dancing. That feeling you had as a child when it was the last day of school and you just couldn’t wait for the summer to start.
I feel like summer loses some of its sparkle as we get older and have to think about yard work, sun screen, and keeping the air conditioning working. One way that I can find that nostalgic summer feeling, though, is with summer decor.
And the perfect place to bring that summer flare into your home is in the kitchen!
I love making my indoor kitchen feel like an outside kitchen in the summer. By that I mean filling the small spaces with beautiful green plants, decorating my dining table with fresh produce and wildflowers, and keeping my windows open as much as possible in the summer months.
Often when we think of seasonal home decor, our brain instantly jumps to the holidays in the winter months, but decorating for the summer season is just as fun and brings me just as much joy.
These summer kitchen ideas will inspire you in ways to decorate your counter space, dining area, prep space, seating area, and kitchen appliances!
I’ve compiled a list of my favorite budget-friendly, do in one weekend, type projects that are the perfect way to breathe that summer nights air right into your home.
This year, I’m determined to not let the heat of summer get me down, but instead I’m going to embrace that it’s the perfect time for ice-cold drinks, delicious meals, and time spent with family members outdoors.
Keep scrolling to see beautiful summer kitchens full of summer kitchen ideas that will make your home feel the way summer is supposed to feel!
21 Beautiful Summer Kitchen Ideas
Related to Summer Kitchen Ideas:
- White Rustic Kitchen Decor Ideas
- Cabin Backyard Ideas for Summer Nights
- Backyard Barbecue Dinner Party Decorations
1. Colorful Bouquets and Candles
Credit: @dustsheets_and_decor
The name of the game for summer decor is COLOR! You don’t have to paint or make any huge changes in your kitchen to accomplish this, though.
A beautiful centerpiece bouquet with multicolor flowers will have the same effect. I also love the orange taper candle and pink candle holder combo you can see behind the flowers in this picture.
Other places to add colorful accents include switching out your hand towels, a fun table cloth, or even new curtains.
2. Gingham Tablecloth and Napkins
Credit: @jessie_loeffler_randall
Gingham is my absolute favorite spring and summer trend this year. A summer kitchen ideas list wouldn’t be complete without it!
Gingham is reminiscent of sunny day picnics and cute sundresses. Bring that nostalgic feeling into your home with a gingham tablecloth and match napkins.
I love this tan almost pink color seen above, but other great colorways for gingham are red and blue.
3. Vibrant Pendant Lights
Credit: @stephen_karlisch_photo
Light fixtures can make a huge difference in the design of your kitchen. Due to their positioning so close to eye level, they attract a lot of visual attention.
Choosing the right design is important and if you’re looking for a summer upgrade, this is a great place to start!
Go for a statement color like this stunning mid-century green or a bright pop of yellow to really lighten up your kitchen decor.
4. Summery Seat Cushions
Credit: @annepulliaminteriors
The perfect way to add a summery touch to your kitchen without breaking the bank or taking on any large projects is with seat cushions.
Since they come in all shapes and colors, you can really customize the look to your kitchen.
Shoot for a brighter color to get that warm weather feel in your small space. I can’t get enough of how cute the bows look on the back of the bar stools!
5. Vegetable Pot Centerpiece
Credit: @by_anitarussell
Of all the ones on this list, this might be my favorite of the summer kitchen ideas. I’m a huge advocate for growing food from your own food scraps and this is the cutest way to do it!
Easy foods to grow from scraps are onions, carrots, avocados, chives, and garlic (among many others). Make the sprouts your centerpiece to bring some summer life into your decor.
Any excuse to purchase a gorgeous ceramic pot is all I need to take an idea and run with it.
6. Plant Filled Sink Window
Credit: @myscatteredjoy
The absolute best way to make your small kitchen feel like summer is to fill it with living things.
There’s nothing better than stepping into your kitchen first thing in the morning for a cup of coffee into a sea of beautiful greens and leaves.
If you’re lucky enough to have a window above your sink or any natural lighting in general in your kitchen, don’t let that space go to waste and fill the sill with green!
7. Patterned Dishware as Wall Decor
Credit: @southernconch57
Sometimes we want to add a little color and pattern into our home decor, but the thought of doing an accent wall or adding wallpaper just seems like too much.
The perfect way to bring pattern into your kitchen is with patterned dishware! Not only is it a far more affordable and less permanent option than tiles or wallpaper, but you can easily switch out patterns for different seasons.
Have fun with how you display your beautiful dishes whether it’s on open shelving or with a beautiful hutch!
8. A Monochrome Accent Color
Credit: @our_casa_flamingo
If you’re the type of person that doesn’t decorate or design with color often, sometimes it can feel overwhelming to try in spring and summer when you want that added pop!
The good news is, picking just one accent color and sticking with it throughout the entirety of your kitchen is a BEAUTIFUL look.
From the flowers to the vases to the wallpaper, a monochrome look can sometimes be the most chic option you can go with.
9. Bright Bar Stools
Credit: @newenglanddesignworks
Upgrade your kitchen decor to the warmer weather by switching out your island bar stools!
I love how the designer in the photo above has matched the color of the stools to the bowl of limes near the window as well as with the artwork.
If you’re hesitant to add bright color to your walls or cabinets, bringing the color to your seating is the perfect compromise.
10. Wallpapered Accent Wall
Credit: @newenglanddesignworks
On the other hand, if you are looking for summer kitchen ideas that offer a drastic change to your home decor, you absolutely must consider wallpaper.
I’ve been seeing wallpaper making a huge comeback this year and for great reason.
It can add so much vibrancy and life to a space with very little effort, very little cost, and it’s easy to remove or cover if the need arises.
11. Blue and White Chinoiserie Ceramics
Credit: @citrineliving
When I think of warm weather decor, the stunning blue and white colorway signature to the ever popular chinoiserie patterns always comes to mind.
I have an aunt who decorated her entire kitchen with blue and white accents and when I would visit her home as a girl, I remember falling in love with the look.
It’s light, whimsical, classic, and will never go out of style. This pattern looks best on vases, dishware, china, hand towels, and even on rugs or curtains!
12. Butter Yellow All Over
Credit: @sunnyhousestudio
It’s no well kept secret that butter yellow is the color of the summer. If you’re looking for summer kitchen ideas that will make your space feel like summer year-round, this is the route to go.
In kitchens you can get away with really bold design choices that might overwhelmed other parts of your home. Take advantage of this and go big!
This butter yellow floor to ceiling kitchen is so dreamy it has me heading to Sherwin Williams…
13. Perfectly Placed Palms
Credit: @mksadler
If you live in a more tropical location, decorating with palms can be the perfect way to add some summer flare to your home!
Whether they’re really palms or faux branches, it doesn’t take many to create a stunning effect in your small kitchen.
Place them in a vase in an empty corner, standing tall over some open shelving, or even as a centerpiece on your dining room table or island!
14. Pretty Painted Door
Credit: @homeofcharl
There are two types of families: families who paint doors, and families who have never considered painting their doors.
I grew up in the latter and when I learned that a lot of people paint their doors according to the season, I felt like my world shattered. What a brilliant idea!
Choosing an accent color to paint your door with is the perfect way to add seasonal flare without too much time, effort, or cost.
15. Fresh Produce as Counter Decor
Credit: @mosebacke
My favorite summer kitchen ideas and decor is the kind you can eat! The best part about summer in my opinion is the fresh produce.
Take a trip to the nearest farmer’s market, load up on brightly colored produce of all different shapes, and instead of rushing everything into the fridge before your guests come, leave it out in your prep area as decor!
Obviously this decor has a shelf life, so save this stunning look for when you’re hosting a dinner party or feeling down on a rainy day. Or just purchase faux fruits and veggies for a look that lasts!
16. Statement Patterned Rug
Credit: @akindofhome
Kitchen rugs can be a dangerous design choice due to kitchens being such a high traffic area with the potential for lots of spills. I have to say, though, the look is worth it!
If you’re worried about stains, I suggest purchasing from a company like Ruggable that carries machine-washable rugs for ease.
For these summer kitchen ideas, choose a rug with a brightly colored pattern in natural materials to bring some life and visual interest to your small kitchen.
17. A Succulent Centerpiece
Credit: @maggiegriffinathome
I absolutely love the way succulents look and I love even more how easy they are to maintain.
Nothing screams summer more than stunning summer foliage and succulents. Whether real or fake, they make a stunning and geometric centerpiece that can fill the extra space on your island.
Go for a longer trough style container like the photo above then fill with succulents of all different shapes and sizes for a stunning summer conversation starter piece.
18. Crystal Counter Carafe
Credit: @dileklifestyle
One thing about me in summer is I feel like I can NEVER stay hydrated.
Tackle your self care needs and your decor needs with a stunning crystal carafe filled with cool ice water on your counter tops.
Carafes are so beautiful and it’s a waste to only bring them out when hosting dinners. Let them take center stage all summer long on your counter in the season you need water the most!
19. Swap to Amber Light Bulbs
Credit: @interioryesplz
You will never find a cool-toned light bulb in my house and I think you can see why.
Amber lighting is the way to go when trying to create warm and cozy ambiance in your home and kitchen.
This look is perfect for summer as it effortlessly recreates natural light and those stunning summer golden hour sunsets in the comfort of your own home. Who wouldn’t want to prepare dinner in the middle of sunset??
20. Produce Themed Decor
Credit: @acorn_cottage_
I’ve been seeing these strawberry vases all over social media recently and I can’t get enough of them.
They’re so summery, cute, and will add the perfect touch of whimsy to your kitchen designs.
Vases and ceramics are such an easy way to add personality to your home and decor, plus they’re incredibly versatile with how they can be styled!
21. Summer Landscape Artwork
Credit: @theroaringcreekhome
If the views from your small kitchen windows leave much to be desired or you live in the heart of a city, one of the best ways to bring some summer scenery to your home is with landscape artwork.
You can find free or cheap printables all over Pinterest and Etsy that are absolutely gorgeous. Just thrift some vintage frames that match your kitchen hardware for an overall cohesive look.
Now you can pretend your cooking dinner in a country cottage with waves of wildflowers and trees just outside your window!
Related to Summer Kitchen Ideas:
- White Rustic Kitchen Decor Ideas
- Cabin Backyard Ideas for Summer Nights
- Backyard Barbecue Dinner Party Decorations
