buy it or diy it?
Check out our do-it-yourself ideas or restyle with shopping tips for your living room, kitchen and bedroom
Do-it-yourself tips and shopping hints for a quick makeover
Industrial style Transform your coffee or side table by removing the legs and replacing them with on-trend metal hairpin legs for a warehouse inspired feel. Try ebay or Etsy for a set and follow the instructions to screw them securely into place.
Sew pretty Give your sofa a mini makeover by sewing your own cushion covers. Mix and match a few different fabrics and style them up on your sofa to refresh your look. Envelope-style cushion covers are quick to make if time is of the essence. put your feet up Reupholster a large footstool in a statement fabric for an instant update. Cut the material to size so it fits around the top of the stool, with enough for the edges and under the base. Secure with a staple gun making sure that it’s taut all the way around. Move it A reshuffle of your furniture can make a big difference to your room. Switch large pieces around like the sofa and television, then slot side tables and shelving units into their new space. Off the wall Create your own piece of wall art to hang as a focal point above a fireplace. Use stamps and silver ink to illustrate a simple tree design, or get creative with spray paints on canvas to come up with a speedy abstract idea. Colour block Add a splash of colour by painting a shelving unit in a punchy shade. This looks great against white walls or in a room needing some character. Try lining the back of the unit with wallpaper to introduce some pattern, too. prints charming If you’re feeling bold, why not decorate an alcove in your living room with patterned wallpaper. Choose a paste-the-wall style of paper to help speed up the process, but you may want to call in help from the experts if there are lots of fiddly bits to work around.
Hanging out Fix a rail to the wall above your kitchen counter to store utensils, pots and pans. This is a great way to showcase your prettiest kitchenware and will help keep your space in order with all the essential items to hand. Paint job Transform your dining room furniture with a lick of paint in a colour to suit your scheme. Mix and match different shades for your dining chairs to create a striking set, and try a dipped paint effect on the legs for a contemporary twist. Tile tip Is your kitchen looking a bit tired? Spruce up plain wall tiles by adding decorative stickers for a fresh look. Use them to enhance a splashback that looks a bit out of date. Try Amazon for a range of different designs. clean lines Refresh your kitchen tiles by giving them a good clean and re-grout them with a grout pen. A new layer of white grout will have your tiles looking as good as new; do choose one that is waterproof and mould resistant. Smart idea Apply a frosted film to the glass panels on your kitchen cabinets to help hide clutter on the shelves inside. Cut a roll of film to size to fit each panel. Choose a pattern for added interest. DIY Details Bring your kitchen units up to date in next to no time by changing the handles on drawers and cupboards. Go for a playful design for a quirky look or stick with something that suits your current kitchen decor and will stand the test of time.
14 Curtain call
Hide unsightly kitchen appliances by hanging an under-the-counter curtain. Choose a fabric that coordinates with your blinds or other kitchen textiles and hang along a small rail that is cut to fit the space.
15 Wall decor
update your bedroom walls in just an hour by hanging a series of shelves or picture ledges. Try Homebase or ikea for floating and bracket designs and then style them up with your favourite accessories for a new look.
16 New from old
Give a tired piece of bedroom furniture a new lease of life by upcycling it with a lick of paint. sand the surface before painting and apply a layer of wax when finished. Get creative with a pretty stencil design to add a final flourish.
17 smart space
Why not lean a large mirror against your bedroom wall to instantly refresh the space and make it feel bigger. By reflecting light in a new way, you’ll see your room differently without investing lots of time and money in a big DIY job.
18 Pretty panels
revamp a wardrobe by applying patterned paper to the surface of the doors. Cut the paper to size and remove any air bubbles as you stick it down for a smooth-looking finish.
19 Soft touch
Fix a rail to the wall above your bed to display a fabric wallhanging or oversized cushions. you could even use a pretty throw for a quick transformation. Do check that the rail is strong enough to bear the weight of the fabric.
20 Bright idea
Take one lampshade-making kit, a new fabric, and transform your room in no time. Buy a kit with a ring of the correct diameter for your lamp base and follow the simple instructions to apply your chosen fabric.
21 finishing touches
If you don’t have time to repaint your bedroom, wall stickers are a quick and hassle-free alternative. They are perfect for adding interest or decorating a feature wall. Experiment with adding designs to the ceiling or along shelves, too.