Give your summer home décor a makeover with our 7+1 simple ideas

Decorating the summer house might often be last on the list and no wonder: there are strawberries to savor and sunshine to be soaked in – and to-do lists to scrap. Design Stories put together seven simple ideas for a summer cottage mini makeover, take a look and get inspired!

1. Fresh flowers make all the difference

Never underestimate the power of a bouquet: pair a beautiful vase with fresh wildflowers or a floral arrangement to add some joie-de-vivre to the summer cottage décor. Designed by Kristine Five Melvær and made from mouth-blown glass, HAY's colorful Juice vase is the perfect companion to all kinds of flowers and it boasts a big, unique personality that also makes it a stunning decorative item as such.

• HAY's Juice vase >
• All vases >

2. Soften the space with textiles

Mix and match textiles to update the space in no time. Spice up the sofa with a colorful throw, opt for a cushion cover or two with a bold print or refresh the bedroom with crisp linen duvet covers – the choice of colors and materials can add either an upbeat mood or tone it down for a more harmonious feel. Perfected with calm, earthy tones, Anno's Oras throw can be effortlessly combined with a variety of styles.

• Anno's Oras throw >
• All blankets >

3. Take your lighting to go

Whether you root for a traditional cottage style or a more modern luxury cabin look, portable lighting is guaranteed to make your stay more enjoyable. Marset's versatile FollowMe lamp, designed by Inma Bermúdez is easy to carry from one room to the next and enjoy its ambient glow out on the terrace or garden – and you can even let it guide your way to the privy.

• Marset's FollowMe Plus lamp >
• All portable lighting >

4. Introduce a dose of cottagecore

Changing the rug is by far the easiest way to transform the whole mood of the room. The laid-back look of the Huvila rug, designed by Mervi Pesonen, draws inspiration from traditional, woven rugs and adds vintage flair to modern cottages and apartments. Perfected with a fresh color palette and an irresistibly upbeat pattern, the Huvila rug is a stunning combination of traditions and timelessness.

• Finarte's Huvila rug >
• All rugs & carpets >

5. Opt for a new hue

Painting the summer house might seem like a daunting task, especially when updating a space packed with memories. However, subtle changes can have a sizeable impact. Simply adding a coat of paint in a fresh white shade helps strip the walls of any stuffiness. Finnish Cover Story paints are plastic-free, breathable, and come in an astonishing range of colors – all of which are also available in clever, A4-sized color samples.

• Cover Story paints >
• Cover Story color samples >

6. Add a piece of Nordic summer

The summer house sauna is at the heart of magical Scandinavian summers. Dipping into a lucid lake fresh out of the heat, steam still rising from your skin, or sitting outside the sauna listening to the stillness of the summer evening are truly unforgettable experiences. Made in Finland, the Sade sauna cover and sauna pillow by Lapuan Kankurit make relaxing sauna moments even more enjoyable – and give the bathing space a refined look.

• Sade collection by Lapuan Kankurit >
• All bathroom textiles >

7. Set the table with selected favorites

The summer home tableware collection might be a downright jumble, but nevertheless, a very charming one – the souvenir coffee cups and chipped ceramic bowls all narrate memories from past summers. However, adding a more streamlined set to the mix can help tie the rest together and calm down the mood of the kitchen. Marimekko’s Siirtolapuutarha collection can be effortlessly combined with existing sets, and it introduces a delightfully fresh and eclectic feel to the décor.

• Marimekko's Siirtolapuutarha table >
• All tableware >

+1. One more round

Classic board games are an essential part of the Finnish summer cottage culture, much like fresh peas bought from the marketplace and accidental tan lines. Created by Clara Von Zweigbergk, the HAY PLAY collection features three iconic games: Yatzy, Backgammon, and chess. Packed in beautifully designed boxes, you can just leave them out for the rematch.

• HAY's HAY PLAY games >

See also:

• Summer Shop at Finnish Design Shop >
• All products at Finnish Design Shop >

Text: Mira Ahola Images: Manufacturers