Looking for some summer decorating ideas for the living room? Oh, good. This post has tons of summer decor tips and ideas and inspiration.

A small model of a white house with a dark roof sits on a closed book, surrounded by potted green plants and soft natural light—a charming scene perfect for summer decorating ideas in a cozy indoor setting.

Do you have any decorators that live in your house?

You know.

All the people with the big opinions who eat honey oat Cheerios and wear summer headbands and never miss a movie night and are all about living their first-job life right now.

Those people.

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that when I gave birth to two tiny blonde-haired blue-eyed littles with their tiny hands and their ballerina toes, one day I would be getting free decorating advice from them.

Unsolicited.

Free of charge.

Gratuitous.

Like when I just changed up the living room a little for summer.

And my decorators?

They had this to say.

Bright, cozy living room with beige sofas, a patterned rug, and a wooden coffee table topped with floral and bead decor—perfect for summer decorating ideas. Plants, dishes, and mini houses on the shelves add charm to this inviting space filled with natural light.

Here is my living room all decked out for summer.

Did you notice what’s different?

Did you notice what I changed up for summer?

If you have followed this blog for more than a hot minute, you know that this room has been a challenge for me. I’ve painted the walls two different colors and changed out the rug and hung at least SEVEN different things on the wall and painted the coffee table and then took the paint off the coffee table.

All in an attempt to fall in love with the room.

A small white ceramic house with dried flowers sits inside a glass and gold display case on a mirrored table—perfect for summer decorating ideas. Nearby, an open book wrapped in twine rests as green-leaved branches add a fresh background touch.

A close-up of delicate pink flowers in a glass vase, placed on a wooden tray with decorative wooden beads—perfect for summer decorating ideas. Soft, natural lighting creates a calm and elegant atmosphere.

A close-up of a distressed white wooden table leg on a beige carpet with a white floral pattern—perfect inspiration for summer decorating ideas. The image highlights part of the tabletop and the elegant curved leg detail.

Yep.

YOU GUESSED IT.

It’s the rug.

Do you remember the big rug choice for Westleigh’s room? I know she’s a decorator and all, but she still needed your help with the rug for her room.

Just in case you missed it? You can see the entire post here.

A woven basket with white floral patterns and two rectangular wooden handles sits on a beige floral-patterned carpet, offering charming inspiration for summer decorating ideas.

Bright, cozy living room with white sofas, a beige armchair, a patterned rug, and shelves. Summer decorating ideas shine with flowers on the light wooden coffee table, plants, and wall art. Neutral tones and natural light create an inviting atmosphere.

It worked so well for her room, that I thought it might work well in the family room, too.

And look at this room!

I replaced the other rug that was in here that Buddy had kind of destroyed and it’s so perfect in the space.

And just in time.

Because it is the time of year when Texas is hot. Wait. That didn’t explain it properly. Texas is HOT or HOOOOOOOOOOT.

And when it’s hot?

You want your living room to feel cool.

A wooden tray on a coffee table holds two vases with pink and white flowers, a small glass terrarium, and wooden beads—perfect for summer decorating ideas. A beige sofa and green plants are in the softly lit background.

Bright, airy living room with white furniture, a patterned rug, a rustic wooden coffee table, and decorative accents like flowers and greenery—perfect for fresh summer decorating ideas with books and ceramics on shelves and tabletops.

Then I just kind of fluffed the living room by shopping the house to match the new rug.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but that hutch in the corner is one of my favorite DIY’s ever.

I found this hutch at a local thrift store on sale and transformed it into a farmhouse hutch.

d on.

Close-up of a wooden cabinet with multiple small drawers, each featuring a round metal knob—an inspiring piece for summer decorating ideas, with its natural finish highlighting wood grain and charming signs of wear.

A beige rug with a white floral pattern and scalloped border lies on a dark wooden floor next to a light-colored wall, perfect for adding warmth to your summer decorating ideas.

And when I was done?

When I had arranged the last topiary and fluffed the last pillow and tucked the throws into baskets and brushed off the scallops on the side of the rug, the twins burst through the door full of laughter and giggles and conversation all ready for family dinner.

And mid-conversation, they paused.

And stared wide-eyed at the living room.

And then they looked at each other and back at me.

“MOM,” they said. “MOOOOOM.”

I braced myself for the unsolicited decorating advice and opinions on my summer decorating ideas. Would it be good? Would they like it? Would they turn up their nose and start fixing macaroni and cheese?”

“WE LOVE IT MOM,” they said. “Seriously. It’s the best the living room has looked. And the rug is so soft and so pretty.”

A cozy living room with a cream tufted sofa, white and striped pillows, a distressed wood coffee table, potted greenery, and neutral accents—perfect for inspiring summer decorating ideas.

 

I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding and smiled.

I was so happy.

They liked it.

They really, really liked it.

Sometimes unsolicited decorating advice is the best.

Especially when it comes with giggles. 🙂

A cream-colored rug with a repeating pattern of gold and brown floral motifs inside diamond-shaped outlines—perfect for fresh summer decorating ideas with its symmetrical, evenly spaced design brightening any room.

// floral block print rug //

A rectangular rug with a cream background, featuring a repeating diamond pattern filled with delicate, muted floral motifs and surrounded by a leafy border in soft beige and taupe—perfect for fresh summer decorating ideas.

// this khaki block print rug //

I’m getting tons of emails about the rug, but in super sad news, you all sold it out when I shared it before.

I did find a few other similar options that I’m sharing here.

Hope this helps a little. 🙂

A box filled with fresh vegetables—green peppers, small onions, hot peppers, snap peas, and a melon—plus a jar of pickled green beans, perfect for creative summer decorating ideas.

PS As if life couldn’t get any better?

Look at this harvest that our friends who have a farm brought by to the house.

It almost made me feel like I was in Kentucky again. 🙂

A cozy, light-filled living room with white sofas, a wooden coffee table decorated with flowers, neutral decor, plants, shelves, and a soft patterned rug. Text above reads "Summer Decorating Ideas for the Living Room"—perfect for fresh summer decorating ideas.

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Posted On: July 28, 2025

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  1. Image for Mary Mary

    Couldnt agree more with the twins! The rug is perfect in your living room. I tried, without success, to buy it but seems its out of stock everywhere!

    Reply
  2. Image for Barbara Fisher Barbara Fisher

    I love your living room. I would love to find the rug. I looked on Amazon. I can’t locate it. Please help. Love your designs and your blog. So friendly!!

    Reply
    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      I'm so so so sorry that it's sold out everywhere now. :( I did add a few other options that are similar!

      Reply
    1. Image for KariAnne Wood KariAnne Wood

      I'm so so so sorry that it's sold out everywhere now. :( I did add a few other options that are similar!

      Reply
  5. Image for Barb Barb

    I love the new look - so fresh and airy! I’ve always loved your “signature” blue and white decor - but THIS is so beautiful, inviting and relaxing!

    Reply
  6. Image for Karen B. Karen B.

    The rug and your style make the room a happy place. Great job! And the sweet twins giving it their sign of approval is the best.😉 Karen B.

    Reply
  7. Image for Cindy Vojanec Cindy Vojanec

    I ordered the same rug in blue when you first ordered it and I am so in love! I put it in my bedroom and it feels wonderful on my feet. Your room is gorgeous, as always!

    Reply
  9. Image for Jane Jane

    I enjoy so much getting your emails and reading and seeing fun beautiful things. I have a lot of drama going on in my life right now so this is a blessing from you. Thank you for everything you do to brighten our day.

    Reply
  10. Image for Laura Laura

    Where’s the color? The pretty curtains (you don’t show the windows) and blue striped chair? Pretty rug but I’m afraid the room is too bland for me.

    Reply
  12. Image for Diana Diana

    This is the best room seems comfy but elevated at the same time. I agree with the twins it is lovely. Living rooms are complicated but this is perfect.

    Reply
  13. Image for Victoria Victoria

    I think the soft, muted tone of the room is perfect for summer. Just looking at it makes the room feel 5° cooler! Beautiful decorating sense, Karianne!

    Reply
  15. Image for Leslie Watkins Leslie Watkins

    So glad you have those sweet twins support...and if you need more harvest boxes...we will be waiting for you to join us in Kentucky...where cooler weather comes in this weekend. 82 on Friday! Just in time for you to drive in! Miss you, sweet friend.

    Reply
  16. Image for MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA) MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA)

    KariAnne, just love your new rug! It's absolutely beautiful in your family room! Your decor pieces just blend in so nicely! You always give us so many ideas that we can incorporate into our own home. I knew your gals would love your new rug. They are following in their Mom's footsteps! Enjoy! Thanks for sharing! Bless you!

    Reply
  17. Image for Dory Messenger Dory Messenger

    I think Amazon Canada has the rug. Where did you get the beautiful flowered basket with the wooden handles? Probably "shopping your house"... I would like to shop your house! 😂 The room is beautiful!

    Reply
  18. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    I love your room and that rug is so pretty, maybe I can find it in another place. I will look, thanks so much.

    Reply
  20. Image for Dory Messenger Dory Messenger

    To all searching for the rug - Google lens pulled up Amazon.ca (Canada) for it. I did not follow up, but it did not say "Out of stock" as other sites did. Worth a look if you really want it 🙂

    Reply
  22. Image for Mary Ellen Tascoe Mary Ellen Tascoe

    I just love the change for summer! I love the light color...calm relaxing....cool .... And when fall comes....lots of color❣️ beautiful

    Reply

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