Whether you’re looking for a total update, or just want to freshen things up in time for spring, there are plenty of easy ways to make a big difference to your living space. Interiors columnist, Alison Cork shares her top tips.
Get your wish list on paper
However fantastical – this bit of the process is free! Seeing the full extent of what you want to do on paper in front of you is a great leveller. It will discipline you either to limit the scope of your work or to find some more money pronto!
Sit down and have a good think before you start
It will save a lot of money in the long run if you take time to consider your options and which are the most important, so that you can edit your choices down to what is going to deliver you form as well as function, and the order in which you should best tackle the work.
Style suggestion: Le cocktail chair, £425, oliverbonas.com
Edit your wish list
According to your budget, but allow yourself one ‘wow’ item per room. This is true regardless of the size of your budget, but particularly powerful if you have limited cash. Less is most definitely more when it comes to making that all important impact in a room, and just one drop dead gorgeous item is all you need to get people talking. The rest of the room can happily play second fiddle – my golden cocktail cabinet is a good example of this.
Style suggestion: Oxford ottoman, £465, alisonathome.com
Go with your heart when choosing colour
Your instinct is almost always going to be right. I think of room colour as I do about make up – you can use almost any colour, it’s just how you use it that counts. So, if you're bold by nature, go for that gold wall (as I did!), but if that scares the pants off you, stick to just a few gold accessories – a vase/mirror/satin cushion/plant pot. Never be dictated to by colour or afraid of it - it's a tool for you to use, and not the other way round.
Style suggestion: Gold cherub candelabra, £125, alisonathome.com
Invest your money in key purchases
Every time I sink into my handmade mattress from Heals, I bless the day I spent my entire quota of wedding gift vouchers on one bed, I sleep like a baby and that is priceless. Ditto sofas and chairs, which are fundamental to your comfort and physical well-being.
Style suggestion: Heal’s Abacus Bed, £1,095, Heal’s
Alison Cork is a home expert and journalist – she writes a weekly column for the Daily Telegraph and founded interiors brand Alison at Home and discounted home ware outlet One Regent Place.