Summer Home Renovation Ideas: Brighten Your Kitchen and Bathroom This Season

Photo from Meridith Baer Homes

Summer brings a fresh energy that naturally inspires change—more time at home, more sunlight, and more motivation to improve the spaces we live in every day. At Hummingbird Home, we believe this season is ideal for launching a kitchen or bathroom renovation. Whether you’re dreaming of a coastal-inspired kitchen or a spa-like bath, summer is the perfect time to take the first step.

Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite summer renovation ideas to help you refresh your home and maximize both style and function.

Photo from T&G Builders

Maximize Natural Light in Your Kitchen and Bath

Nothing transforms a space like light. In summer, we get the unique advantage of longer days and more natural sunlight—why not let that work for your interior spaces?

When we design kitchen renovations, we often explore opportunities to expand or reposition windows, add glass doors that connect to outdoor spaces, or even raise ceilings to let in more ambient light.

In bathrooms, large mirrors, glass shower walls, and thoughtfully placed lighting fixtures help bounce light around and create the feeling of openness.

If a full renovation isn’t on your calendar just yet, even smaller upgrades—like removing heavy curtains, swapping for linen shades, or painting walls a crisp white—can significantly improve the way light interacts with the room.

Photo from Shapeless Studio

Use Natural Materials and Light Finishes

Summer design leans into what feels light, fresh, and grounded in nature. That’s why we often incorporate natural materials and soft, organic textures into our kitchen and bathroom renovations. Light wood tones, like white oak or ash, bring warmth and softness without feeling heavy. Pairing those with creamy quartz countertops or matte-finish tiles adds a subtle elegance that works beautifully year-round.

In kitchens, we’re seeing a rise in demand for wood accents—think open shelving, slatted island details, or ceiling beams. In bathrooms, touches like natural stone vanities or tumbled marble floors evoke a serene, spa-like feel.

These materials not only bring a summer-inspired look to your home but also provide long-lasting durability that will stand the test of time.

Add a Pop of Seasonal Color

Summer is the season of color—lush greenery, ocean blues, sun-faded peach, and creamy pastels. This time of year, we encourage clients to explore how subtle uses of color can energize their kitchen or bath without overwhelming the space.

Photo from HGVT

In the kitchen, that might mean painting your island a soft coastal blue or installing a glazed ceramic tile backsplash in a warm coral tone. In bathrooms, we love incorporating sage green vanities, sea glass-inspired tiles, or colorful hardware to bring a unique but calming energy into the room.

Even if your overall palette remains neutral, these color moments add personality and can be easily balanced with timeless elements.

Design for Entertaining and Hosting

Summer is synonymous with hosting—outdoor cookouts, holiday weekends, and spontaneous get-togethers. A well-designed kitchen should support that lifestyle. Many of our clients choose to renovate with functionality and flow in mind, especially when it comes to entertaining.

Photo from Hummingbird Home Renovation

Adding a second kitchen island is a popular option, offering more surface area for prepping food and serving guests. Open shelving makes essentials easy to grab, while built-in beverage stations keep drinks organized and accessible. We also love incorporating large dining nooks and custom banquette seating to create informal gathering spots.

In bathrooms, summer often means guests—so we suggest features like double vanities, ample storage, and durable tile to keep high-traffic areas clean and comfortable.

Choose Durable, Low-Maintenance Materials

With the constant in-and-out nature of summer—kids home from school, muddy feet from the garden, water from the pool—it's important to choose materials that can handle the activity.

Photo from the Spruc

Quartz countertops are one of our top recommendations: they’re beautiful, non-porous, and resistant to staining. For flooring, we suggest porcelain or ceramic tile in both kitchens and bathrooms, as they’re water-resistant, easy to clean, and available in a wide range of textures and finishes. Satin-finish paint on walls and cabinetry resists smudging and wipes down easily without losing its luster.

These low-maintenance materials ensure your home looks polished while still being lived in—perfect for busy summers and beyond.

Start Now to Stay Ahead of Fall Renovation Demand

While summer might feel like a time to relax, it’s actually the best season to start planning your renovation. Design work, material selections, and permitting can all begin now—so that construction is ready to begin in early fall, when schedules are more structured, and you’re preparing for the holidays.

At Hummingbird Home, we guide clients through a detailed planning phase that includes mood boards, layout options, material sourcing, and trade partner scheduling. By starting in summer, you’re ahead of the seasonal rush and more likely to get your renovation done on your timeline.

Photo from Decorilla

Let Hummingbird Home Bring Your Vision to Life

Whether you're inspired to refresh your kitchen with lighter finishes or ready to invest in a luxurious bathroom retreat, Hummingbird Home is here to help. We specialize in high-quality, design-driven renovations that reflect the way you want to live.

📅 Schedule your consultation today, and let’s make this summer the season your dream home begins to take shape!