Stunning Summer Family Room Ideas to Inspire You

The family room. It’s where we congregate to watch television, play board games, read, eat a meal – you name it. It’s a more private area of the house where family members are comfortable to lounge in their pajamas or other casual attire. The living room, on the other hand, is a little more formal where you’re likely to entertain visitors. Today I’m sharing family room ideas decorated for summer freshness. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Photo by Toledo Geller

Clean and uncluttered. The family room above is decorated minimally in pale blue and white, with a sisal rug in the color of a sandy beach. A whale’s tail decorates the coffee table and rope-type fringe is reminiscent of the rope on a boat’s sails.

Touches of red decorate the summery room below. Grain sack fabric on the chairs, gingham lampshades, a wicker sofa table with a quilt on top, a stone fireplace, and wainscoting all add texture to the mostly white space. 

Photo by Patrick Ahearn Architect

This is the third room on today’s line-up of family room ideas that features bare windows. For a light summer look, consider removing heavy drapes or curtains and let the sun shine in. This works great if you have large trees outside, but nothing on the windows allows the sun to quickly heat a room.

Photo by MINDLIN consulting / Live Life Your Way

Simple shades at the windows lightens the room but blinds can be lowered to block the sun’s harshest mid-day rays. Blue and white is always a great color scheme for summer decorating. The worn leather furniture looks so comfy and plush, providing a great place to curl up with a summer novel. I recommend Where the Crawdads Sing if you haven’t read it already.

Photo by Benson Interiors, Inc.

Bamboo shades mimic the wood tone of the ceiling beams in this smaller room. Furnishings are kept to a minimum, which I think is important in summer. We spend so much time outside, who has time for dusting knick-knacks? A large oil portrait is all that’s needed above the fireplace mantel to make a statement in the room.

Photo by DeGraw & DeHaan Architects

You can’t go wrong with red upholstery in a cabin style room. While the room may feel dark for summer, it can create a cooling vibe, much like being in a cave sheltered from the sun. Not to mention, it evokes memories of vacations out west or at a campground.

Photo by –

Nautical stripes are a great summer touch, whether you add them with a seasonal rug or throw pillows. If I had the budget, I’d swap all of my heavier area rugs with lightweight rugs during the summer months. 

Photo by GLENN BAN DESIGN

If you do choose to keep windows at the curtains, lightweight prints are an excellent choice. They add color and pattern without feeling heavy. Changing pillow covers or slip covers with lighter prints is an economical option for sprucing up your family room this time of year.

Photo by Phoebe Howard

A patriotic color scheme is always in fashion during summer. Add a board game or two like backgammon to the coffee table to encourage family interaction as opposed to spending evenings in front of the television. Finish off the space by swapping out existing artwork with a framed flag.

Photo by Violandi + Warner Interiors

And finally, here’s a corner of my summer family room with the most comfortable chair I’ve ever bought. It’s from Pier One, but I don’t think they carry it anymore.

Whatever you choose to do to add a touch of summer, keep it light and fresh and you can’t go wrong!

 

Enjoy More Summer Decorating Ideas:

Summer Fresh Decorating with Blue and White Stripes

How to Add Summer Textile to Any Room

Cozy Summer Living: How to Lighten a Room