Summer’s here, with decor derived from cool, sea-inspired themes indoors and vibrant or nature-inspired colors outdoors. Here’s a snapshot of what’s hot for summer 2012:

Go bold outside

From turquoise to bubblegum pink and sunshine yellow, happy-go-lucky hues are splashed across everything from Adirondack chairs to paper umbrellas to planters in solids and patterns.

If your outdoor room is home to solids, layer on brightly-colored accessories in stripes, floral motifs and geometric patterns that incorporate your color scheme. Cost Plus World Market’s Rio pattern stripe embraces the retailer’s red-hot electric blue in addition to other colors, including touches of red. The collection includes pillows, cushions, textiles and tabletop sets, as well as paper lanterns and string lights.

“You’d be surprised at how pillows will make a space pop,” said Angie Thornbury, who designs a line of modern outdoor furnishings for la-Fete.

A change of accessories, ambient lighting or textural layers is all it takes to transform the look of an outdoor room from, say, hotel chic to Moroccan riad.

Try color blocking

Solids on solids is an effective way to incorporate seasonal colors. Blue, for instance, works well with most colors.

Ikea’s PS Vago molded plastic easy chairs come in yellow, pink, white and black; Cost Plus World Market’s Adirondack chairs come in orange, yellow, lime green or blue.

“One chair can layer into an occasional setting, easily tying in color and keep the setting eclectic, while four around a coffee table or fire pit can really create a stunning focal point,” said Kimberly Yant-Dominguez of Cost Plus.

Take a cue from nature

If vibrant colors aren’t your thing, consider incorporating colors that mimic nature such as leafy green.

Pottery Barn takes inspiration from great escapes, including its Palmetto Collection of synthetic wicker and pillows featuring palm trees against a white background and bamboo prints against a green background. For an island feel, toss a couple of these pillows on a white lounger.

Pale colors are another alternative. Ikea’s focus is on pinks, blues and yellows in stripes and florals, featured on everything from pillows to lighting. Its wind- and solar-powered Solvinden pendant lamp is available in white, yellow and pink.

“Nautical is super-trendy right now,” said Gary Godby, manager of a Baltimore, Md., home store, who was struck by the many water-inspired decor items at a recent home furnishings show, including throw pillows adorned by underwater creatures and accent pieces festooned with shells, rope and other items associated with the sea.

To get the look, start with a simple coat of paint in colors such as light blue, gray and other “beachier colors,” he suggests. Add painted furniture in distressed colors such as white, light blue and yellow, which call to mind a beach house feel.

Liz Roberts, buyer for Stebbins Anderson, has gone hook, line and sinker for the trend. The Towson, Md., showroom is filled with nautical finds, including seashell lamps and elaborate living room setups that look straight out of Coastal Living magazine. She decorated her own bathroom in a beach motif. If you can’t commit fully, incorporate accent pieces such as pillows, throws or picture frames.

“Have fun with it,” she said. “Treat it like you are on vacation.”

Sources: Baltimore Sun and Los Angeles Daily News