Everything you need to Enjoy your Summer Home

If you follow along on social media, then you’ll know that recently I’ve begun a second career as Licensed Real Estate Agent at Compass in the Hamptons. I specialize in home buying, selling, and rentals. As summer is kicking into high gear, everyone is after the perfect summer home. Whether you own a second home—or if you’re looking to buy contact me, even if you’re not looking in the Hamptons, I can help you connect to the perfect agent wherever you’re looking—, renting, or just looking to make your primary residence the perfect summer oasis, I wanted to share with you some key items that make the perfect summer home.

Over the past few years, my wife and I have had 8 incredible summer rentals in the Hamptons, and as a Private Chef, working in the Hamptons market, we wanted to share our unique insights on how to set up your summer home. So, let’s go!

1. Create an outdoor space. Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors. Often, a home will allow you to create multiple spaces to enjoy—deck dinning, an outdoor firepit, swimming pool—but even a small balcony or patio (remember, we moved to Sag Harbor from Manhattan, so we know how to navigate smaller spaces!) can give you the opportunity to set up and enjoy early sunrises and late sunsets from the comfort of your summer home. Outdoor spaces can get really luxurious and extravagant, but you only need a few basics for the perfect summer space: comfortable seating, a small table—to hold your magazines, books, cocktails, or coffee—, an outdoor rug to warm the space. Below are some linked products that we love for summer.

There is no limit on the style of outdoor furniture you can find and really, purchasing according to your own taste is the best way to go for a space you love.

For smaller spaces, this Britanna Patio chair set is great because the cushions are comfortable and the wide wicker knots give a great breezy summer feel.

Britanna 2pk Patio Club Chair Natural $350 at Target

Another great option for a smaller outdoor space, is this Skylark 3pc Cushioned Woven Rocking Patio set by Opalhouse. $385.00 at Target

For a larger outdoor space, the Fairmont 6pc Patio Seating Set will give you a great outdoor space for entertaining. $2399.99 at Target

Often you may find that summer homes have outdoor rugs featuring kitschy big anchors or whales. My experience is that we always lean toward homes that have elegant, clean, and contemporary looks. For a timeless space, try a neutral outdoor rug like this beautiful Montpellier Outdoor Rug by Safavieh $75.99 at Target

2. Easy Organizing and Serving Pieces. This category is a bit general but the purpose is really to stock your summer home with some items that make hanging out and entertaining easy and enjoyable.

One easy and stylish organizing item is a large decorative basket. This can be used to hold extra throws in the entertainment room for movie nights, beach towels at the back door for pool or beach time, shoes that accumulate by the door…the possibilities are endless. Whatever use you adopt, having a few decorative baskets will make keeping your space tidy and organized simple.

This Emlyn Basket $99.95 at Crate and Barrel is a great summer design. For a beautiful, budget friendly option, order this Open Weave Basket from Threshold, $18 at Target

Outfit your home—entertainment areas and bedrooms—with some light weight summer textiles. A beautiful throw can add warmth and texture to your space. This Saro Throw in navy is a perfect summer accent. $96.99 at Macy’s

This Olive and Linen Turkish Throw is another great option $41.16 at Macy’s

Unless I’m serving a formal outdoor dinner service, I use melamine dishware for outdoor eating. It is worry free dishware, easy to clean, hard to break! I always prefer neutral dishes and for a pop of color you can play around with change it up with your napkins.

This Aaron Probyn Melamine Dinnerware set of 12 in pearl gray is a nice clean accent to your outdoor summer table. $144.40 at West Elm

Have some summer themed serving items on hand. These Natural Fiber Round Placemats (Set of 4 $23.96 at World Market) are a fun decorative piece to set the outdoor table. Add some jars of summer flowers and you have an effortless summer table scape.

Trays are a favorite method of organization in our home. They add dimension and serve to organize candles, coasters, remotes, jewelry, vases, etc. And of course, they are great for serving. You should have a variety of nicer indoor trays and some easy to use outdoor trays.

This JR William Core Collection serving tray is a beautiful accent piece. The navy blue is great for a seaside summer home and of course, Hampton White is a classic wherever you summer. $148 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

For outdoor service, this Rattan Serving Tray by Opalhouse $25.00 at Target is a great option.