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25 stylish summer homes

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25 stylish summer homes

A cozy and inviting summer home, perfect for lounging Author: Robin Stubbert

House Tours

25 stylish summer homes

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Get inspired by these 25 timeless, summery spaces.


Summertime, and the living is easy – especially when you’re kicking back at a family lake house or seaside cabin in Canada’s expansive cottage country. And whilst summer decorating trends change from year to year, there are a few classic elements that remain evergreen, from nautical accessories to rustic ceiling beams, white paneled walls to screened-in porches.

Whether you’re renovating a cottage or simply turning your urban space into a summer retreat, grab inspiration from these 25 beautiful interiors to help you achieve that timeless, summer fresh look.

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25 stylish summer homes

Reclaimed wood

Even modern spaces can achieve the rustic look with a few decorating tweaks. This beautiful summer home uses planks of reclaimed wood to create a cabin-chic feature wall.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Donna Griffith

25 stylish summer homes

Stone fireplace

Early and late summer months can see some chilly nights. A grand fireplace in the lounge room won’t just keep you warm once the sun goes down, but lets you play around with stone and textures.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Robin Stubbert

25 stylish summer homes

Pops of colour

Bring a bit of island living to your summer home’s decor with pastel walls. Coral and light blue are signature colours of Caribbean design and look great paired against white and pale grey furniture or trim.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Stacey Van Berkel

25 stylish summer homes

Nautical decor

Introduce subtle elements of nautical decor in versatile furniture and accessories, like the woven drum table here that pays homage to a sailboat’s coiled rope.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Donna Griffith

25 stylish summer homes

Shabby chic

When decorating your summer home, look to vintage and salvage shops for old furniture that has a rustic feel to it. The shabby chic look is a timeless cottage trend and is easy to achieve with pieces that have a bit of patina, like console tables with worn paint or old copper baskets with a few dents.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Barry Calhoun

25 stylish summer homes

Clean neutrals

The easiest way to keep your home feeling fresh and summery is by decorating with clean neutrals. Contrast whites with fresh, calming neutrals that reflect the elements, like pale blues and earthy taupes.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Robin Stubbert

25 stylish summer homes

White-washed floors

Keep with the light and airy theme throughout your summer home, taking into consideration the colour of the floors as well. White-washed planks open up the living space of this Muskoka cottage, for a seamless look that’s calm and inviting.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

25 stylish summer homes

Porthole window

Add some architectural interest to your summer home and play up the nautical theme with a porthole window. This master bath breaks up the vanity area with a small porthole, opting for natural light rather than wall sconces.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

25 stylish summer homes

Screened-in porch

Every summer home should have a covered, screened-in porch for those rainy days when you’re stuck inside. Arrange lounge spaces with comfy oversized cushions for reading and playing board games until the sun comes out.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Robin Stubbert

25 stylish summer homes

Tall ceilings

Reach for the sky in your summer home with heightened ceilings that show off the structure’s bare bones. The sunroom in this cottage leaves the drywall behind in favour of tall, open ceilings that allow for the architectural framework to be on display.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Donna Griffith

25 stylish summer homes

Seaside patterns

Coastal summer homes can still have fun with seaside style without coming off themed or kitschy. This PEI kitchen gives a nod to its local sealife with graphic curtains featuring a lobster print.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

25 stylish summer homes

French doors

French doors are a stylish entry option for summer homes, leading in from the balcony or terrace. Leave them open to invite a warm breeze to flow through your home and give you unobstructed views of season’s breathtaking sunsets.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

25 stylish summer homes

Outdoor fabrics inside

Don’t be scared to decorate your summer home in swaths of white fabric – just make sure it’s hard-wearing. This colourful cottage furniture is covered in a crisp outdoor fabric with a navy piping to give it a classic preppy look.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Stacey Van Berkel

25 stylish summer homes

Rope banister

Don’t be scared to try a little DIY project using some of the elements hanging around your summer home. This PEI cabin gets crafty with sailing rope used as a railing up a small set of stairs.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

25 stylish summer homes

Ceiling fans

If your summer home is a bit off the beaten path, the chances of getting central air conditioning are slim to none. Get a breeze going in the bedrooms with retro ceiling fans that are just as cool as they look.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Robin Stubbert

25 stylish summer homes

A great outdoor entertaining space

No summer home would be complete without a well-designed spot to dine al fresco. A bar cart, stringed lights and blankets make this a versatile dining space that you can gather around even after the sun goes down.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Janis Nicolay

25 stylish summer homes

Navy and white stripes

Nothing says nautical chic quite like the classic colour combination of navy and white. The guestroom in this coastal cabin layers the two hues in the bedding, striped rug and table accessories for a timeless look that’s not over-the-top.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

25 stylish summer homes

Oversized windows

Long summer days mean more hours of sunlight, so let that sun shine in! Floor-to-ceiling windows lining the walls of commonly used spaces allow natural light to stream through and save energy.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Janet Kimber

25 stylish summer homes

Jute rugs

Area rugs are a must for achieving a completed look, no matter what room of the house. Opt for grass-woven rugs like jute over synthetic pile when decorating a summer home – not only are they made of natural materials, but they’re hard-wearing as well.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Angus Fergusson

25 stylish summer homes

Folding doors

Blur the lines of indoors and out with folding doors between the kitchen and outdoor dining space. These doors allow you to create a larger area for cooking and entertaining without separating you from your guests.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Kim Christie

25 stylish summer homes

Loft space

Summer homes have a rotating list of visitors, meaning you’ll need to maximize your space to create sleeping quarters. This beachfront cottage builds up with a loft space overlooking the living room, the perfect spot for wee guests to climb into at the end of a long day swimming in the lake.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Robin Stubbert

25 stylish summer homes

Slipcovered sofas

A standard of laid-back lake house design, slipcovered sofas are a must for family summer homes. Easy to clean and more affordable than buying a brand new sofa, slipcovers offer up a relaxed look that can be changed from season to season.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Jonas Lundberg

25 stylish summer homes

Serene sunroom

There’s nothing quite like kicking back and relaxing in a peaceful sunroom during the summer months. Build a serene space by decorating with crisp whites and soft greys and keeping the windows bare so the sun can shine through.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Donna Griffith

25 stylish summer homes

Exposed ceiling beams

Exposed wooden beams not only amplify the architectural interest of your ceilings, but they also add charm and character to your summer home’s interior. Check out antique markets and hardware stores near your property for locally-sourced salvaged options.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Robin Stubbert

25 stylish summer homes

White paneling

A signature lake house look, white paneled walls reflect natural light to create a bright, summery space. This sunroom extends the paneling to the ceiling to give the room an airy, sky-high appeal.

Image by: Style at Home By: Lauren McPhillips Source: Michael Graydon

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