California Cool Decor: Your Home’s Summer State of Mind
California Cool by watereverysunday (image copyright)
California Cool Decor: Your Home’s Summer State of Mind
Summer is heating up as we speak. Soon we will have all the summer fun, but also the scorching heat and the humidity. So how do we keep our cools? How about some California Cool to your home?
Imagine the California beaches and surfing days. Bring in the airy desert coolness into your home. California cool decor involves some nostalgic feelings. Some retro pieces, desert plants, native American and Mexican motives, and some mid century modern furnitures.
Imagine the clean and vast negative space of ocean and the desert. Somewhat muted pastel colors, organically washed by sand and salt. It is a bit like those dreams that we wake up to forget in the morning then we continue to dream again every night.
Take it easy. Relax. Think about your California dreams. Maybe listen to the song - "California Dreamin'".... (It was actually written on a winter day in NYC dreaming about warm California days. So keep dreaming!
Now, Let’s Dive into California Cool and How to Bring This Style Home.
What is California Cool?
It’s more than just a style — it’s a vibe. California cool decor captures the relaxed spirit of West Coast living, effortlessly blending retro charm, desert airiness, and a touch of surf culture. California is uniquely blessed with all three landscapes — mountains, sea, and desert — and California cool decor reflects that rich mix of nature and vibe. Think: sun-bleached tones, vintage finds, woven textiles, and mid-century modern lines, all living together in harmony.
Look at the image above — a visual playlist of California cool. From a mint green vintage station wagon and surfboard-paired pillows to retro clocks and a turntable, it’s a mood that feels both nostalgic and freshly free-spirited.
Elements to Embrace in California Cool Decor
🌿 Organic Plants & Desert Vibes
Introduce tall, sculptural greenery — like a potted cactus or a fiddle leaf fig. These plants bring in that desert coolness, adding vertical movement without cluttering your space.
Organic Plants & Desert Vibes, Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
Add in woven planters, rustic terracotta pots, or driftwood stands to keep the look grounded and earthy. Choose plants that evoke arid calm — slow-growing, architectural, and self-sufficient — just like the laid-back California spirit itself.
SHOP DESERT PLANTS (Artificial)
|
  |
🌀 Textures That Tell Stories
Woven throws, tribal patterns, and vintage fabrics reflect influences from Native American and Mexican artistry. Drape them over chairs or stack them high on a chrome rack for both function and form.
Native American & Mexican Blankets, Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
Let each textile tell a story — something handmade, passed down, or picked up on a road trip. Fringe, embroidery, and handwoven patterns add soul to the space, connecting your decor to cultures that have long defined the Southwest.
Handmade Mexican Yoga Mat $28, westpath.com
SHOP THROW BLANKETS
|
|
Touchat Native American Blanket Western Decor Boho Throw Blanket $24.99 |
|
🎨 Muted Tones + Playful Pops
Soft sage, sun-washed turquoise, sandy beige, and terracotta — all kissed by California light. Pair these with the occasional burst of retro orange or seafoam green for just enough playfulness.
Mute Tones + Playful Pops, Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
These colors should feel like they’ve faded under the sun and been softened by the sea — gentle but memorable.Even your neutrals can have depth when they carry the warmth of a summer afternoon.
SHOP THE LOOK
|
|
🪑 Mid-Century Meets Boho
Streamlined furniture with curved edges in avocado greens or earthy browns. Add accent chairs with graphic pillows or a record player setup to tap into the mid-century nostalgia that’s central to California cool.
Mid-Century meets boho, Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
Balance structure with soul — let the furniture speak to functionality, while your accents add warmth and individuality. It’s the art of mixing eras and vibes: part Palm Springs vintage, part Venice Beach chill.
SHOP THE LOOK
 Modern Corduroy Accent Chair $129.99 |
 |
 Crosely Cruiser Turntable $59.99, amazon.com |
 Infinity Instruments Square Retro Clocks - More Colors Available $21.99 |
🎸 A Dash of Surfer Culture & Rock n’ Roll Spirit
Lean framed California beach, surfing and desert themed posters casually against the wall or on the floor, feature a well-loved record collection, or bring in a quirky toy van — this style doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s about the stories you collect and the memories you make.
California Style Retro Room Corner: Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
Add layers of personality with little rebellious touches — maybe a surfboard tucked in a corner, or a sun-faded band tee hung like art. This is where nostalgia meets nonchalance. It’s fun, it’s personal, and it says you don’t follow rules — you follow vibes.
California Cool Decor: Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
Keep picture frames on the floor instead of the crowding the walls to preserve that essential negative wall space — it keeps the room feeling clean, open, and airy, like a California breeze.
SHOP THE LOOK
 Bike & Board Throw Pillow Case $19.99, caseshells.com |
 |
 Superior Surf Canvas Print Connor Nelson (19"x13") $92, society6.com |
Let Your Space Breathe
California cool embraces negative space. Just like the ocean and desert have their open expanses, your home should too. Allow for that airy, breezy feeling by keeping rooms uncluttered and light-filled.
It’s almost dreamlike — that feeling you get waking up from a good dream that quickly fades, only to return again the next night. That’s California cool. A little nostalgic, a little sun-washed, and always easygoing.
Airy California Style Living Room: Image: watereverysunday-imagefx
Negative space isn’t empty — it breathes, it pauses, it invites calm. Let your home exhale.
It’s almost dreamlike — that feeling you get waking up from a good dream that quickly fades, only to return again the next night. That’s California cool. A little nostalgic, a little sun-washed, and always easygoing.
There’s magic in restraint — when you let light, shape, and silence do the talking.
SHOP THE COFFE TABLE & DECOR BOOKS
|
|
Relax, These Days Are Yours
So play “California Dreamin’,” and let it fill your home like an ocean breeze. Whether you’re basking in summer sunshine or just dreaming about it from afar, California cool brings the warmth, the calm, and the style — no matter the season.
Welcome to your California daydream. ✨
STAY COOL EVERYONE!
*We are not affiliated with any company/products/brands/website featured in this blog except for our own and amazon.com.
Comments
Post a Comment