At the start of every summer, I start mentally redesigning everyone’s spaces when I see them. Why stop at my own front door when it comes to summer updates?!
This really starts when I see products that make me think of people. Sometimes it’s on the showroom floor and sometimes it’s at an industry event, but I have my eye out for new selections, and often I think, “oh, so-and-so would love that.”
Y’all know I love summer, anyway, so I get even more excited about updating homes for the occasion!! Those late dinners outdoors, the oversized umbrellas, the outdoor fabrics that (nowadays) are truly incredible, the long days, the SUNSHINE, and my toes in the sand when I’m not on my own patio…I really do believe that homes feel happier in July than they do in February.
So, shouldn’t summer design be a little fun, too?!
Why not let yourself have some summer fun right here, right now. Scroll through my recent summer product finds…they’re all from vendors that we personally work with whose products we have included in our designs. They’re vetted, and these products are hand-picked.
Oh, and I don’t get affiliate income on any of this. It’s here because I believe in it, simple as that.
I just ask that you comment to tell me, what jumps out at you?!
New pieces feel like they’re from a resort
Florian Outdoor Swivel Lounge Chair | Arteriors
Outdoor swivel chairs completely change how people interact. Have you ever thought about that?!
I will say this forever: swivel chairs make conversations better. People naturally turn toward the pool, then back toward the conversation, then toward the sunset, then toward whoever just walked outside with margaritas. The entire space feels so organic and relaxed!
Best uses:
- Covered patios
- Pool cabanas
- Outdoor conversation zones
- Paired in twos across from a fire feature
Palermo Firepit | Gabriella White
Think of it…a firepit is a magnet for everyone on your patio. People gather around fire instinctively, even in summer in Keller, Texas!
This particular firepit has a clean enough profile that it works in more contemporary outdoor spaces, and can also be added to more personalized spaces.
Best uses:
- Poolside lounge areas
- Modern patios
- Conversation group anchors
- Homes that entertain frequently
If you have a large backyard that feels emotionally “empty,” adding a fire feature is one of the fastest ways to fix it…
11ft Crank Auto Tilt Umbrella | Gabriella White
People will spend thousands on their outdoor furniture and somehow forget that comfort determines whether people will use the space. And part of that is shade.
Read: Good shade changes everything!!
Best uses:
- Pool loungers
- Outdoor dining areas
- Transitional patios with mixed sun exposure
- Homes without full patio covers
Serenique Dining Table | Seasonal Living
The best summer gatherings happen when nobody feels rushed. I love tables like this one because they encourage that naturally.
From a design eye, the teak also gives it warmth, which is doubly important for summertime selections.
Best uses:
- Large family gatherings
- Lake homes
- Outdoor kitchens
- Entertaining-heavy households
Summer Entertaining Pieces Guests Will Notice
Beatrix Serving Bowls | Blue Pheasant
I love artisan-style serving pieces because they make entertaining feel intimate BUT also elevated. Fancy that!! Just look at these serving bowls: they feel collected.
Best uses:
- Outdoor dinners
- Pool parties
- Charcuterie displays
- Casual summer entertaining
Milan Outdoor Tray Set | Made Goods
A beautiful tray can be an adornment AND can quietly organize chaos. And this one is just beautiful!!
Best uses:
- Poolside entertaining
- Outdoor bars
- Coffee table styling
- Serving drinks outdoors
Ceramic Lemon Planter | Abigails
This instantly made me think of the Italian coast!! This planter has enough personality to make a patio or outdoor kitchen feel totally alive.
Best uses:
- Outdoor kitchens
- Pool cabanas
- Patio dining tables
- Summer floral arrangements
Ceramic Helter Skelter Vase | Seasonal Living
If you haven’t ever considered adding a sculptural surprise in your outdoor space, this is your chance. This vase definitely has movement and scale. It can function like outdoor artwork…
Best uses:
- Pool decks
- Covered patios
- Modern outdoor spaces
- Large-scale planters and branches
Learn more about how to get size and scale right in any space…
Details for Layering Your Space
Axel Navy Wavy Pillow | On Cloud 9
I’m personally very careful with overtly themed designs. But a little bit does go a long way, if selected with intention.
These subtle movement-inspired patterns make me think of the ocean waves, and I can totally get behind that!
Best uses:
- Poolside seating
- Covered outdoor sofas
- Blue-and-white summer palettes
- Casual lounge spaces
Malmo Pouf | Surya
People love movable seating! And poufs are one of those pieces that become sooo useful during outdoor gatherings, because people naturally reposition them throughout the evening as activities and the sunlight shift.
Best uses:
- Casual entertaining
- Kids’ hangout spaces
- Layered seating groups
- Media rooms in summer homes
Nicosia Guest Towels | Pigeon & Poodle
Luxury is often achieved in the tiny conveniences.
The homes people remember pay attention to the little things. This is one of those details!!
Best uses:
- Pool baths
- Guest bathrooms
- Summer entertaining
- Vacation homes
Pieces That Add more Personality!
Asha Framed Canvas | Villa & House
One of the easiest seasonal updates people overlook is artwork.
Softer abstract pieces like this one instantly shift the tone of a room in a BIG way without requiring major redesign.
Best uses:
- Entryways
- Summer home refreshes
- Neutral interiors needing softness
- Bedrooms and sitting rooms
Abstract Art Pink | Oly Studio
Add a little color tension and see what happens!! I do really appreciate art that introduces emotional contrast, too. That’s what I see here. But, you know, I love pink!!
Best uses:
- Contemporary interiors
- Feminine-modern spaces
- Hallways
- Guest suites
Cara Side Table | Oly Studio
Sculptural furniture is where practicality and adornment meet. Sometimes, what your space needs is a object that sparks curiosity!
This piece adds sculptural interest but in such a subtle way, it won’t overpower anything else in the space!
Best uses:
- Lounge seating
- Reading corners
- Modern bedrooms
- Pool cabanas
Belda | Made Goods
Texture is what makes luxury spaces feel finished. Have you been too focused on color palettes? Then your space will never feel totally “done.”
This piece gives you a rich texture option to layer in!!
Best uses:
- Organic modern interiors
- Summer styling refreshes
- Neutral rooms needing warmth
- Layered accessory groupings
Summer design should feel joyful.
The homes people feel best in (especially in summer) are the ones that feel easy to be in. For your outdoor spaces, that might mean the patio where everyone gathers for hours after dinner. Indoors, maybe it’s a guest bathroom that feels more luxurious than any guest expected.
What fascinates me is how often that transformation starts with surprisingly small selections, like any one of these on this list.
If you have an outdoor space, patio, pool area, cabana, or even a room in your home that feels close to being ready for summer but isn’t there yet, send me a few photos of it. I genuinely love seeing how people use their homes and where small design decisions could dramatically improve daily Return On Enjoyment®!!
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. In 2024 and again in 2025, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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