Summer is the season of long days when you feel lazy and need some freshness. Vibrant colours. Shining sun. Warm weather. Summer is all about colour! Add pops of colour to your decor. Patterns are another hot trend this summer. Mixing pops of colour with contrasting patterns is a great way to liven up any room in the home. Whether you incorporate this trend into toss pillows, rugs, or even bedding - you\'re sure to win over your guests. Beach beauty The beach and the ocean are two summer favourites and they are frequently used in summer decor. The 2012 summer season will be no different, as shades of blue, aqua, white, and tan grace decors across the country. Transform your everyday home decor with beach inspired colours and art. A jar of seashells and a few accent pillows in shades of blue and aqua can quickly transform your ordinary living room into a summery space. Tie the decor together by replacing your ordinary oriental rug with something more earthy and summery for the season. The combination of colours, textures, and design will give you just the look you are after. Citrus blast Celebrate the fun and whimsical side of summer by capturing the citrusy colours that are so prominent in the season in your home decor. Oranges, bright lemon yellows, and vibrant key lime green are all fun ways to add some zest to your everyday decor. The colours are especially good for sprucing up your kitchen space during the summer months and will lend a fresh new look to the area. Do not forget to incorporate them into your outdoor living space, as well. Polka dots, citrus splashes of colours on lounge and patio furniture will make your area come alive. When the colours are fresh and exciting, it is fun to be in the space. You might also want to swap out your ordinary planters for some brightly hued ones during the summer months. Your herbs will look happy and cheerful when you pluck them to use in fresh summer salads and dishes. Colour story Colour themes always have a central part to play in home and interior decor and there are quite a few colour trends for 2012 that can bring your immediate surroundings to life with their selection. Some of the shades to consider to be incorporated in your decor design are plum, teal and dusky red. Beige is a favourite of many when it comes to decor but this year you can try changing the radiance of your surroundings if you have had it hanging around you for too long. Furthermore, terra cotta is one shade that is going to take the center stage in decor in the summer of 2012. Metal magic Metallic shades are always an obvious decor choice but in 2012, such shades will only be in with soft matte variations. Another fashionable decor colour shade choice will be glowy golden metallic shades. At the same time, the soothing shades of grey will be back in the trends, particularly with the shades of slate and charcoal. The summer of 2012 promises to be a busy one. Make the most of the activities and events that will play a significant role in your life during the season and incorporate elements of that design into your decor. With the right colours and pieces, your plain living spaces can be filled with all of the fun and vibrancy that is so prevalent during the summer months. Quick summer tips -Go for floral prints in sheets, throw pillows and shams -Pick out slip covers to change the look and feel of couches -Display decorative fruit baskets and welcome mats and signs -Put fresh cut flowers in decorative vases to brighten any room -Spray down your window screens and thoroughly clean your windows and glass to completely let the sun shine in -Thinking of painting? Now may be a good time to go bright, light and cheery -Put away floor rugs or swap them for brightly coloured floral prints -Use a variety of floral teacups to float votive candles in; arrange them on a table for an elegant look -Replace heavy blankets, comforters that are on couches and bedding around your house with light cotton in summer pastels -Use fluffy throw pillows on couches, sofas and loveseats to encourage settling in for a read or a summertime snooze -Try mixing in different colour schemes such as greens, blues and whites to liven up a room and bring a feel of the ocean into your home -Try sheer or lace curtains instead of heavy drapery -Don\'t want to replace the drapery? Try only changing the valance -Replace dark lamp shades with lightly coloured or floral printed ones -De-clutter a room; it may mean relegating a few items to another room, storage, a friend\'s place or even a garage sale -Hang a mirror on the wall so that it appears to bring the garden and outdoor light into your home -Install ceiling fans with lights in bedrooms and rooms that need ventilation; these are useful attractions if you decide to sell your home -White furniture in a room creates a whimsical feel -If you have dark wood tables, try a touch of white lace to create a softer look in summers. There you are! Go right ahead and liven up your once winter ready space into a summer oasis.