Looking for ideas for kitchen island decor for summer? Here’s a simple idea you can put together in minutes.
I’m sitting here waiting for my fake tan to dry, hoping the air conditioning will get fixed soon.
(total aside: if you are from Texas, you literally shivered at that non-airconditioning statement.)
And none of that is even important right now because I have the cutest decorating idea for a kitchen island for summer.
It kind of happened by accident.
We got home from the Cape and when I walked in the door, I realized that the house was still decorated for Easter.
All the bunnies and carrots and eggs were still there. And we are midway through July.
Something had to be done.
Something had to be changed.
So I started with this flat basket that I got years ago as a base I stared at it and stared at it and then an idea popped into my head.
An idea I wish I had thought of several years ago.
And then?
I added this.
Kitchen Island Decor for Summer
1. Start with a tiered tray
Don’t you love a project that starts with a tiered tray.
Just between us? Tiered trays are the superheroes of the decorating world.
My tiered trays hold ornaments in the winter and pinecones in the fall and eggs in the spring.
And now I had a new tiered tray idea for summer.
It’s the CUTEST idea for a DIY.
I didn’t make this tiered tray, but I wish I had come up with the idea first.
The tray is made from vintage wire seed trays with pieces of vintage balustrades.
So now I had my tiered tray (I linked several of my favorite trays at the end of the post) and my idea.
What do you think I added next?
Something so practical, so wonderful, so helpful, so necessary for the kitchen.
3. Add herbs
Herbs.
Yep.
You know I’m trying so hard to cook healthy this summer.
Remember the vegetable quiche?
It would have been even better if I had just reached over to my kitchen island and picked a few herbs to add a little more flavor.
I got these at Trader Joe’s (my go-to for anything plant-related).
4. Place them in pots
So I picked up several of my favorite herbs.
And then I needed pots.
But not just any pots.
These cute burlap planters with a sturdy top and plastic lining.
You can see a super similar set of them here.
They come with the cutest labels in a set of 5. Then I took the planters and the herbs and now the kitchen island looks like this.
5. Layer in the pots for the perfect kitchen island decor for summer
I added the herb planters to the layers of the tiered tray and an additional larger basil herb plant to the truck.
This would work with any tiered tray or this super cute one that I found or one that you already have and you also use terracotta pots for the herbs instead of the burlap pots.
I linked some of my favorite (affordable) tiered trays at the end of the post.
And any herbs that you like would work well too.
I trimmed a few of the herbs to make them fit.
(total aside: In herb news, my husband is planting a pizza herb garden in a couple of months when it’s cooler. I’m going to be sharing that project soon.)
A kitchen island that’s practical and useful and pretty too?
Sign. Me. Up.
And the best part?
It only took me about 10 minutes to put it all together.
I was thinking it might look even cuter with clay tags for the pots or herb markers like these and these.
And now?
My tan is radiant.
My air conditioning is about to be fixed.
And my kitchen island is ready for summer.
- this white-washed square-tiered tray
- this metal three-level tiered tray
- this super white tiered tray
- this round white washed tiered tray
- this two-level rustic farmhouse tiered tray
- this three-level tiered tray
- this white oval tiered tray
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
So cute. Hope you get air soon.
Just wondering about the Cape Cod basement makeover. Any pictures? Have a cool (with a/c) day.
Too cute! I really hope your air gets fixed SOON!!!
love the TJ herbs and flowers! pizza herb garden? my husband is obsessed with cast iron pizza and TJ piizza dough
KeriAnne, I feel for you not having air conditioning. It’s so hot and humid too. You are a good sport about it so far.
Wow, that you could even have a coherent thought without air-conditioning is a supreme feat in my book!
I love Trader Joe’s plant section- I am looking at an Olive tree I purchased there. 🪴Thanks for the summer island decor idea.♥️
Looking for the square white one on the bottom row, but not finding a link. Help?
You are too darn cute!!!
Super super cute! So much cuter than the piles of paper on my kitchen island!
Oh I love your herbs on the counter summer refresh!!! What a great idea! I have mine on our screened in porch in Magnolia pots on a ‘Round Top’ shelving unit. I bought it when we lived in Houston. Such great TX memories. Ohhh noooo. I’m sorry that your air conditioning is not working. I hope it is repaired quickly. It is so hot this summer. We’ll wait for an update. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hope you’re as cool as a cucumber soon!! xx
This post made me laugh because I walked through my living room earlier this week and realized I still had spring decorations out and tulip pillows on my sofa. :-/ This summer is whizzing by and I need to catch up!!! Whew!
Super cute! Love to have fresh herbs at the ready!
Always a fan of herbs...and added to the island...yes, please!
So cute!!!!
So cute and summery!!! Who doesn't love a tiered tray, right? Weird - my younger daughter just texted that her a/c is not working and she'd FT but the tech is coming out to fix it any time. Apparently it happened yesterday. Poor thing. She said if it wasn't able to be fixed today she'd be moving in. And it is her daughter - my only grand's bday today so they're going to the huge fun pool part today after it gets fixed (fingers crossed) since for once it isn't raining. Hope by now you are in air conditioned bliss enjoying that adorable island decor now.
This is super cute and perfect for the kitchen, herbs ready for adding to summer dishes. Thanks for this idea.
What a great idea! Perfect and practical...that's great. Karen B.
Good luck with your AC! I really like those burlap pots. So fun!