With the warmer months upon us, it's always nice to refresh your kitchen for summer. As one of the most used rooms in the home, surrounding it with seasonal touches can add extra appeal to your scheme and reflect the changing landscape around you.
You don't need to completely change up your kitchen ideas every season, but small updates can make a big difference. You probably change up your cushions, blankets and decor in your bedroom or living room throughout the year, so why not do the same in your kitchen?
If you're not sure how to effectively update your kitchen for summer, we asked interior designers their favorite ways to breathe new life into your kitchen during the warmer months: They may be small things, but they can make a big difference to your kitchen space.
How to update your kitchen for summer
Whatever your interior design style, there are plenty of ways to update your kitchen for summer. From incorporating lighter textiles to getting that dopamine rush with summery colors, there's something here to suit every space.
1. Decorate with summer kitchen items
(Image courtesy of Maxwell Attenborough)
The beauty of kitchen decor is that it's both aesthetically pleasing and functional, and one way to give your kitchen a summery update is to change up your kitchen appliances.
“The great thing about the kitchen is that many of the focal pieces of the space are essential and practical, making it a really clear and obvious place to focus when it comes to seasonal refreshes,” says Cathy Kuo, interior designer and CEO of Cathy Kuo Home.
“I like to keep decorative summery bowls on my countertops and fill them with my favorite colorful summer fruits, like peaches,” she adds. Similarly, if you have a collection of dishes that you use all summer long, rotate them out and display them on an open shelf or plate rack. This is an easy change that will instantly add summer patterns and colors to your kitchen.
In this special feature, we will show you how to decorate your kitchen counters.
2. Use cushions in summery colors
(Image courtesy of Cat Dal Interiors/Racheal Smith)
If you have a place to sit in your kitchen (such as a breakfast nook, kitchen table, or kitchen bay window seating), incorporating light and pale colored fabrics can instantly add summer style to your kitchen décor.
“Updating your kitchen for summer means making the space feel light, airy and vibrant. Incorporating bright, fun colours can instantly elevate the atmosphere of your kitchen,” says Fiona Ginette, co-founder and director at HØLTE.
Cushions and table linens are a great way to add some bright color with fabrics. Because this kitchen has a dining nook in the corner, adding more colorful cushion covers instantly brightens up the space and creates a summery color palette.
Ellen Merchant Cottage Pillow
Eudora Blue Floral Print Pillow
Striped Indoor/Outdoor Bolster Pillow
3. Make your kitchen smell like summer
(Image courtesy of McGee & Co)
Interior design is more than just pretty to look at. A successful design encompasses all of the senses, from touch to sight to smell. Each season is associated with a specific scent, so incorporating summer-like scents is an easy way to update the overall feel of your kitchen plan and get your home smelling great.
“Scent is a powerful tool in setting the mood of a space. In the kitchen, try swapping out wintery scents like wood, clove and cinnamon for floral, citrus and fresh scents,” suggests Tash Bradley, interior design director and colour psychologist at Rick.
If you're all about the scent, place a simple scented candle on your island or counter, or for a more upscale look, opt for a candle in a pretty pot or collectible candle holder in the kitchen or elsewhere. We love Net-a-Porter's SOHO HOME Bianco Bergamot & Mandarin Zest Candle.
4. Replace stoneware vases with colored glass
(Image courtesy of Kathy Kuo Home)
Just as swapping out your kitchenware for brighter, lighter pieces can help update your space for summer, swapping out your vases and flower pots for seasonal pieces can have the same effect.
“A vase filled with fresh summer flowers can be just as refreshing. While I might use pewter or stoneware vases in autumn and winter, I love colourful glass vases in summer,” explains Cathy.
Choose ceramic vases in summery colours and patterns, or follow Cathy's lead and opt for timeless coloured glass vases, as she did in her kitchen, to instantly add a summery element to your decor.
Corinne Twisted Glass Vase
5. Choose light-colored curtains
(Image courtesy of Tori Murphy)
During the winter months, many decor choices focus on creating a cozy, warm atmosphere in the kitchen. While you want to maintain a cozy atmosphere, in the summer it's important to let in some early morning light to keep the space cool.
An easy way to update your kitchen for summer is to replace your kitchen curtains with lighter colours and weights – heavier fabrics are better for the colder months, while cotton, linen and lightweight curtains are better for summer.
It doesn't need to be a major or expensive makeover — just keep one set of curtains for colder months and another for summer, easy to change and store away. Or, for an even easier solution, choose neutral curtains that can be worn all year round, and add a thicker lining in winter.
6. Display summer-themed artwork
(Image courtesy of K&H Design / Paul Raeside)
When we think about decorating any room in our home, one of the first things that comes to mind is the artwork we want to display. Kitchen art ideas are no different, and updating your artwork and frames is an effective way to update your kitchen for the summer.
There are many options for summery artwork. A seasonal landscape or a painting of fruits like lemons, limes, or berries might be a natural choice. However, you can also choose artwork in bright, colorful hues and swap out the frame for one that's more summer-appropriate.
In this white-and-blue kitchen, the empty wall space is adorned with colorful abstract artwork. The pops of color instantly add a summery feel to the space, and the pastel frames give it an extra touch of class.
Artistic Wall Abstract Color Field Wall Art
Whitney Stripe Picture Frame
Artistic Wall Table Still Life Wall Art
There are so many fun and inspiring ways to freshen up your kitchen for summer – all you need is to choose the right decor elements. Whether you want to go bold with colorful accessories, swap out your textiles for lighter options or add some playful kitchenware, here are plenty of ideas to help you create a beautiful summer kitchen refresh.
