The Green Edit | Easy Ways to Refresh Your Home for Summer

There’s something about summer that calls for simplicity—the kind that feels lived in, sun-warmed, and intentionally unstyled. It’s the season of open windows and slower mornings, and your interiors should reflect that same lightness. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to refresh your home for summer is with greenery. Whether you’re working with fresh-cut branches or beautifully realistic faux stems, the effect is always the same: an effortless sense of vitality and movement that instantly softens every space.

Bringing greenery indoors is more than just a decor trend—it’s a foundational layer in creating a space that feels alive and balanced. In the summer months, when florals can feel overly sweet or high-maintenance, lush leafy greens offer a timeless and versatile alternative. Think olive branches that arc gracefully from a ceramic vase on your coffee table, or a trailing pothos that adds a lived-in touch to a kitchen shelf. These moments don’t require floristry skills or a green thumb—just a thoughtful eye and a few well-placed pieces.

The beauty of indoor plant styling lies in its quiet impact. In the living room, a tall glass or stone vessel filled with seasonal greenery becomes an understated focal point, its organic shape echoing the natural world just outside the window. In the kitchen, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in simple crocks add both function and texture, grounding the space with their earthy tones and subtle scent. Even a single stem placed beside the sink or tucked onto a cookbook stack brings intention to the everyday.

If you’re wondering how to decorate with greenery in smaller or more intimate spaces, the answer is in scale and placement. A petite bud vase on a nightstand. A trailing ivy softening the edge of a bathroom shelf. A cluster of faux topiaries layered into a built-in. These subtle gestures layer beautifully across a home, creating rhythm and warmth without overwhelming the eye. And when it comes to longevity and ease, faux greenery offers a near-perfect solution—ideal for low-light corners or high-humidity zones where real plants might not thrive.

Blythe Pot

McGee & Co.

Gretchen Vase

McGee & Co.

Cordelia Planter

McGee & Co.

Blythe Pot

McGee & Co.

The key to a successful summer greenery decor scheme is restraint. There’s no need to fill every surface; instead, focus on contrast and texture. Pair smooth ceramics with wild, leafy silhouettes. Let negative space play a role. Choose greenery in varying heights, shapes, and tones to echo what’s found in nature—nothing too matchy or manicured.

Delphi Footed Vase

McGee & Co.

As you consider your own seasonal home refresh, look for places where a little green might go a long way. A forgotten corner that could use a bit of life. A surface that feels just a touch too stark. Greenery doesn’t have to be loud to be transformative. In fact, the quietest details often make the biggest difference.

In the end, bringing the outdoors in is less about following rules and more about creating a feeling. One of ease, lightness, and connection to the natural world. With just a few thoughtful additions, your home can feel like summer—rooted, relaxed, and effortlessly in bloom.