1. Stencil drawer fronts
Bespoke a budget chest of drawers from Ikea with a simple chevron stencil. Stipple on furniture paint using a dry, coarse-haired paintbrush. Finish with a clear matt varnish and leather tab handles.
2. Update doors with fluted film
Use glass film to transform a plain display cabinet into an up-to-date
storage piece. The fluted glass film will also help to prevent chips and
scratches. Or give it a twist by choosing a stained glass or patterned
window film design, for a truly bespoke cabinet.
3. Make a basket lampshade
Remove the handles of an Ikea Snidad basket and spray with black spray
paint. Remove a small circle in the base, add an oversized bulb and
black cord- and you've got a designer-look lampshade in just a couple of
hours!
4. Highlight great features with paint
A painted border will draw attention to lovely period door frames and deep skirting boards. If you already have colour on the walls, choose a deeper shade. Use a ruler and spirit level to draw a border around 5cm wide and use decorating tape to achieve a crisp edge.
5. Create a gallery with framed wallpaper
Frame samples or offcuts of wallpaper in identical frames, using a white mount for a formal effect. Choose simple frames, so the patterns are the focus and use different patterns in a similar colour palette. You could even use offcuts of fabric if you don't have wallpaper to hand.
6. Make your own artwork
You don't need to spend a fortune on artwork to decorate your walls, you can make your own! A piece of fabric, an old duvet cover, a favourite scarf, or even a charity shop sourced dress, can simply be stretched over a canvas and stapled into place. If you have enough fabric left over, make a couple of cushion covers too, to tie the room together.
7. Make a feature of it
This dining room colour scheme has been instantly updated with the simple addition of a tiled wall. Use a colour that ties in neatly with your scheme for a cohesive effect. In this case the impact is doubled with a collection of favourite plates, hung randomly, but with a unifying motif.
8. Add some greenery
Plants breathe life into any living room colour scheme and in a neutral room like this one they add a gorgeous hit of colour. Not green fingered? Don't worry - this tip doesn't have to pass you by. There are now loads of great fakes available and they look really realistic - try Blooming Artificial (opens in new tab) for everything from plants to trees.
9. Rotate your collections
Use your living room’s natural focal points as a means of displaying your favourite pieces. If the room doesn’t have a built-in feature such as a fireplace, create a focal point of your own with a striking console table or pair of bookcases.
10. Add a bookcase
Colour is added through books and accessories. To break up the
repetitive nature of a book collection, trying creating ‘breathing
space’ in a scheme by using some shelves for decorative accessories,
again tying in two or three colours for a unifying effect.
11. Introduce a coffee table
However small or large your living room, a coffee table adds a decorative and practical note. Opt for one that contains storage, whether it’s an upholstered ottoman or a generous piece with shelving. Glass options like this one are a good idea because they won’t dominate a compact space. Use it to display books, candles and flowers and place it close to seating.
12. Update soft furnishings
Updating a rug, cushions or fabrics can all have an uplifting effect. Try changing your cushions with the seasons opting for delicate florals, painterly prints and light graphics as spring approaches and heavier textures and deeper colours in the winter.
13. Upcycle furniture that's past its best
If you're thinking about throwing out a piece of well-worn furniture, stop. Take another look and see if you might be able to upcycle it. This wardrobe has been given a new look with remnants of wallpaper on the glass panels. A coat of paint or varnish, or new upholstery, are other easy ways to give an unloved piece another go.
14. Cosy up with sheepskin
If you don't already have a sheepskin (or faux sheepskin) rug, this tip will involve a tiny trip to the shops. However, John Lewis has natural sheepskins (opens in new tab) in a choice of four colours, for £35.
15. Change cupboard door handles
Give kitchen units a cheeky update by swapping drawer and cupboard
handles for a new design. Cup handles and simple door knobs work well in
a Shaker-style kitchen. Bar handles are also very popular just now and
will suit any modern kitchen scheme.
16. Put up a shelf
Whether you want to keep favourite reads easily to hand or display beautiful trinkets, you cannot go wrong with a simple shelving idea. Shelves are obviously practical, but they also offer the opportunity to add character to your scheme.
17. Mismatch your furniture
Got your eye on a junk shop find, but worried it won't fit in with your existing pieces? Mismatched furniture is far cooler than you think. Kitchen seating is a prime example - different colours or styles can look great. So if you've found a bright red chair and love it, don't feel you have to purchase a whole new set.
18. Neaten up with pretty storage boxes
Anyone who loves interiors knows that storage is their friend. Make a
feature of your storage with cute trunks or pretty floral cardboard
boxes - not only will they give you extra space to store things in a
calm and uncluttered way, but they'll look pretty fab, too.
19. Hang a photo gallery
Photo gallery wall ideas are creative ways to cover a bare wall or a cheerless corner. Experiment with shapes, sizes and frame designs and put anything from old family photos to children's drawings up there. 'Gallery walls can fill up the large blank wall sitting in your bedroom or living room.
20. Display fresh flowers
Fresh cut flowers are an easy and affordable way of turning a room round in a flash. They require absolutely no effort and you can go as big or small as you like. Even a single bloom will look great.