Summer is officially here. Take your cue from the brightly hued and boldly patterned stars and stripes that wave proudly overhead and bring summer style to rooms left unchanged all winter long. Go Patriotic--use the flag's red, white or blue as inspiration to redecorate an entire room or add some simple summer sizzle.

There's no need to go all out when using a strong color. The richness of RED is so dramatic that a little goes a long way. Use it in moderation. Wallpapering above a chair rail in RED for example, brings warmth to a room, adding depth and power. Interior Decorator Amy Lau of Amy Lau Design thinks of RED as "a perfect representation of energy and boldness."

A color with a "spirit all its own." Sprinkling several RED accessories around a room will bring cohesiveness by uniting the elements to the eye. RED has that bonding power. As fashion and interior designer Donna Karan notes, it is the "color that brings everything together." RED evokes the passion indicative of the emotions and personality of the person who uses it. Here are a few helpful hints for bringing the fire into your home:

How to use RED in your home

Use RED as a hint of a color within a design. The accents will pop when they are used in pieces throughout the room.

Used in a foyer or entryway, RED is particularly effective. It will energize the space and draw people in.

The perfect place to add the color is with pillows, decorative accents and lighting.

Colored glassware is particularly effective for bringing RED into your home. The translucency of the glass tones down the intensity of the hue.

How to Decorate with White
How to Decorate with Blue