Summer Shelf Styling Tips

Easy breezy summer shelf styling tips to bring the outside in.

Today, I had every intention of sharing a summer mantel with you, BUT with my boys being home now the inside of our home is a mess. I clean and tidy and within an hour the house is turned upside down again. So, I thought I’d share some shelf styling tips in the pool house.

Come on in!

The pool house used to be a She Shed. You can see more photos here of that, but last summer we turned it into a pool house, you can see the reveal here.

It’s a wonderful outdoor retreat with built in seating by my hubby and plenty of room for the entire family to kick back and relax.

My husband also built the butcher block counters and raw edge shelf, which I think adds so much warmth to the space. We store cool drinks and soda in the mini fridge.

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Summer Shelf Styling Tips

Add Life with Real and Faux Plants

If you’ve been following the blog for awhile then you know I LOVE plants. I shopped my home for what I already had.

The string of pearls in the terra cotta pot is from Target from last year. I don’t think it’s currently available online anymore. This one is similar. The mini snake plant in the white pot is real and is from PlantsandPonytails. I shared more about it here.

The aloe plant is from our kitchen and the galvanized pot is Home Depot. I love having aloe in the house because it’s great for burns and cuts. My grandmother always had a plant and I remember thinking it was magic.

Decorating with Shells

Living here in Scituate Harbor I always love to decorate with beach treasures. I scattered a few shells on the shelf but also filled a large driftwood bowl with more.

Shells add beautiful texture and color to a home and are perfect way to be reminded of the sea even if it isn’t on your doorstep.

I actually have shells scattered in the rafters of the pool house 😉

Woven Textures

Woven textures add a relaxed mood for the summer months. Rattan, bamboo, sea grasses all give a relaxed coastal look.

I got this woven lantern last year at Target – but it isn’t available now. Here is a similar one.

Watercolor Artwork

I framed one of the watercolor free printables I shared with you last week. The frame is a little big for the watercolor but it’s what I had on hand.

This soft watercolor with crashing waves adds a dreamy quality to the shelf. Crashing waves and salt air. Can you almost smell the fresh sea air?

I actually love the airiness of the clear glass frame and camouflaged the size with more shells.

If you’d like to print one for your home click here.

More Tips

• When styling a shelf, play with heights you want to have different heights to add visiual interest.
• Varying color, hues, and textures makes for more visually pleasing display.
• Odd numbers – always bundle elements in threes, fives, etc. For some reason one’s eye prefers odd numbers.

Shop the Look

I hope these tips were helpful and I hope you enjoyed a glimpse of our pool house.

This post is part of the Seasonal Simplicity Tour hosted by my friend Krista of The Happy Housie.

Be sure to see all the beautiful summer vignettes and mantels by my friends below.

Today I’m joined by some of my blogging friends who are also sharing their summer mantel and summer vignette ideas.

Just click the links below the images to be taken to their post…

Simple Thrifty Summer Mantel Decor at The Happy Housie
Easy Summer Mantel with Peonies at Modern Glam
Effortless Summer Mantel Ideas at Grace in My Space
Summer Entry Way Decor Ideas at Lolly Jane
Summer Shelf Styling Tips at Finding Silver Pennies
Outdoor Garden Bench Vignette at Craftberry Bush

Simple Summer Living Room at House by Hoff
The Summer Edition of our Coffee Bar at My Sweet Savannah
Eclectic Summer Mantel at JoAnna Anastasia
Simple Summer Style Kitchen Shelving at Cassie Bustamante
How to Create a Summer Mantel with Character at Sincerely, Marie Designs

Summer Mantel Decor at Rambling Renovators
DIY Bedroom Plant Shelf at She Gave it a Go
Summer Mantel Decor at Amidst the Chaos
How to Create a Fresh Summer Mantel for Free at This is Our Bliss
Summer Hutch Styling at Clean & Scentsible

Bright Simple Summer Mantel at Tatertots and Jello
Easy Summer Mantel Styling Ideas at Cherished Bliss
Boho Summer Mantel Decor at Life is a Party
Easy Breezy Modern Minimalist Shelf Styling at This is Simplicite
Summer Mantel at Rooms for Rent