Little New England Summer Habits That Make Home Feel Like a Retreat

There’s something about summer in New England that makes us want to slow down and soak it all in. Long days, salty air, lighter meals, open windows—it’s a season that naturally invites ease. Even if your schedule hasn’t changed much, summer gives you permission to shift into a different rhythm. It’s about leaning into that coastal lifestyle we’re lucky to have here on the South Shore.

And here’s the best part: you don’t need a designer budget or a Cape Cod beach house to enjoy it. You can create that same “summer staycation” feeling right at home—whether you live steps from Wollaston Beach, near the restaurants in Marina Bay, or in a quiet Quincy neighborhood.

It’s not about big renovations or picture-perfect Instagram spaces. It’s about small, intentional choices that make your home feel softer, calmer, and more like a relaxing summer oasis.

Here are a few simple ways to bring that retreat-like feeling home this season:

1. Let the Morning In 

Before the emails, before the coffee, before the kids—open the windows. Even just for a few minutes. That fresh New England morning air clears out the overnight stillness and sets the tone for the day.

2. Create One Peaceful Corner

You don’t need your entire home to feel like a retreat. Just one space. Maybe it’s a reading chair with a view of your backyard, or a clutter-free nightstand with a journal. That one calm spot can become your summer reset button.

3. Adjust Your Evening Lighting 

Think about how a seaside café in Marina Bay feels at night—soft lights, warm tones, never harsh. Recreate that at home with lamps, candles, or string lights. Summer evenings already have a glow. Let your home echo it.

4. Create a Summer Scent 

Nothing says summer like sea salt in the air at Wollaston Beach or fresh basil from a backyard garden. Find one scent—citrus, rosemary, linen—and make it your seasonal signature with candles, soaps, or diffusers.

5. Streamline the Entryway 

Summer living means flip-flops, beach bags, sunscreen, and sandy towels. Instead of letting them pile up, keep a few hooks or baskets by the door so your comings and goings feel easy—not chaotic.

6. Go Barefoot-Friendly

A true sign of a summer oasis? Wanting to go barefoot. A quick sweep of the floors, soft rugs, or even a towel by the patio door for wet feet makes home feel welcoming and stress-free.

7. Add a Soundtrack 

Background noise matters. Swap TV chatter for a breezy playlist, the hum of a fan, or the sound of summer rain. The right soundtrack can make your evening feel like you’re on vacation—even when you’re home in Quincy.

8. Keep Cold Drinks Within Reach

Think sparkling water with lemon, iced coffee, or a chilled pitcher of mint water on the counter. Hydration isn’t just practical—it feels like a treat on hot afternoons, the same way grabbing a drink by the water in Marina Bay does.

Your Home, Your Summer Staycation

You don’t need to travel far to feel like you’re getting away. With a few small changes, your own space can become the best kind of summer escape. That’s the beauty of living local in Quincy—between Wollaston Beach, Marina Bay, and all the South Shore has to offer, you’re already in the perfect place to enjoy the season.

So open the windows, kick off your shoes, and let your home become the summer oasis you’ve been craving.