Revitalising a room that's looking tired and dowdy can be done without wrecking your budget. Small changes can make a big improvement.
Do you love watching those TV shows where homes for sale are dramatically restaged in a weekend, usually on a very small budget?
We never cease to be amazed at just how much can be done with very little. But we also understand how easy it is to get stuck in a rut.
When you see the same house day in and day out, it's hard to imagine how it could be different. Many times people just simply stop ''seeing'' problem spots altogether.
They end up living with things that are less than ideal, but which could be addressed in an afternoon with a few dollars.
We see this all the time with clutter. People will live with ugly, messy papers strewn all over the place and then be amazed at how little time it takes to clean up and the big visual difference an absence of clutter makes.
Here are inexpensive ways you can breathe new life into your home. Start anywhere on the list.
LANDSCAPE WITH POTTED PLANTS
This is a quick way to makeover a deck or patio in an afternoon. Head over to the home-improvement store or nursery and pick up two or three large pots, some soil and plants. Then ''plant'' them on your patio or deck. Great choices of plants include herbs you can use in the kitchen, geraniums and impatiens.
DECLUTTER THE YARD
This is a great way to get exercise and instantly improve your home's street appeal. Pick up branches that have fallen during storms, and put away children's toys. All evidence that you have pets should be picked up and thrown out every day. If you have lots of statues and figurines in your yard, consider winnowing your collection. Less is more.
POWER-WASH PATIOS AND SIDING
Power-washers make quick work of cleaning surfaces that have become dirty or mouldy. They can also be a greener option than using your own elbow grease because they typically get surfaces clean without the need for additional cleaning agents. Simply hire one for the day.
PAINT THE FRONT DOOR(S)
Painting the front door is one of the easiest of makeovers you can do. Historically, red doors signify welcome, whereas dark blues and greens are supposed to bring calm and peace to those who enter. Have fun! And remember, if you don't like the result, you can make a change very quickly.
BUY SOME NEW HAND TOWELS
Enliven a bathroom simply by replacing tired, old hand towels with new ones. It's easy to find beautiful linen hand towels at most flea markets. If you find a bunch, consider keeping extras in a basket, where they're at the ready-and make a wonderful display.
DECLUTTER YOUR MAIN ROOM
You probably spend 80 per cent or more of your time in just a few rooms of the house. If the thought of a stemto- stern declutter is too overwhelming, focus on the room in which you spend the most time-the family room, perhaps. If you haven't used something in at least six months, be ruthless and toss it out.
STAGE A BOOKSHELF
Bookshelves are often the last place people think to make over, but they offer a marvellous canvas. Paint the backs a bright colour.
USE A FINISHER ON HARDWOOD FLOORS
Remove all dirt and grime from hardwood floors with a good vacuum cleaner. Then, with a mop, use a polymer finish to restore a bit of shine to tired floors.
ADD COLOUR TO A ROOM WITH PAINT
Change the personality of a room instantly by applying a fresh coat of colour. Rooms that get loads of light can handle rich, saturated tones, while dimmer spaces generally do better with light colours and semigloss finishes that reflect light around.
SCRUB THE WALLS
Take a bucket of water, a microfibre cloth and a little baking soda around the house and erase any marks- from scuffs to children's doodles- that have cropped up.
HANG NEW PICTURES
When was the last time you actually printed the pictures stored in your computer? Choose a few, find some frames and make a small gallery on a previously empty (or boring) wall.
REPLACE CUSHION COVERS
You can transform the feeling of a room by adding pops of colour and cheer in the form of cushions. New covers will create a totally fresh look in the living room or even a bedroom.
ACCENT WITH A SLIPCOVER
If you have a couch or chair that's a little long in the tooth but you don't have the funds to buy new furniture, consider a slipcover. For a fraction of the cost of a new piece, you get a whole new look.