Weekend Workout!

Decorating your home can seem like a massive undertaking, but there are simple ways to revamp and reinvigorate your environment quickly and effectively. A rejuvenated room is well worth the investment in terms of sale potential and personal comfort; you'll see that the effort involved in spending as little as a weekend working on your property will shine through! Plus you will feel a real sense of achievement, as you relax in your fresh and welcoming home.

Get a plan
The key to any interior project is organisation. It sounds simple (and slightly boring) but the first step to changing any room is to clear it of unnecessary bits that tend to pile up. Once the de-cluttering, dusting and cleaning have been done the room will seem instantly fresher. Time now to create an action plan. Create a list of items and tools required for the makeover, such as brushes, paste and paint. This will promote focus, which ultimately saves time! If you need a little inspiration or just a few tips, visit the interior design experts who will be offering free consultations at the Improve Your Home Show at the King's Hall Belfast, 13 & 14 October.

Choose Colour
A change of colour scheme can add instant character to any space or just a piece of furniture. The only rule is to prepare well, using dust sheets to protect flooring and furniture.

Colours affect moods and it is a good idea to bear this in mind when choosing schemes for specific rooms. Pastel colours such as chalky pinks or duck-egg blues create a relaxing and soft atmosphere and are fantastic when used in bedrooms or a casual country kitchen. Citrus brights are good emotive and energetic colours, as are zesty lime and zingy Clementine; both work well in kitchens or bathrooms. Paint is an inexpensive option for a dramatic change at a time when every penny counts!

Find the Flow
Once a room has been cleared and painted the stage is set for the dressing. An inexpensive way to make a big difference is to alter the furniture layout. Think how you use the room and proceed from there.

Multi-purpose furniture such as ottomans or even old trunks are extremely useful and also serve as extra seating for impromptu gatherings. Consider visiting charity shops and antique fairs: both are underused resources. They are full of interesting furniture solutions that can be kept as they are, or up-cycled with paint or new fabric to become something totally unique to your home.

Look at Light
Lighting can transform a room. Think about whether enough of it is entering your space and if it can be optimised by introducing mirrored surfaces to reflect light around the room and create the illusion of space. Pieces of furniture made from clear materials also open up an area.

In order to add artificial light to a room it's worthwhile investing in energy efficient lights as the options available have greatly improved. We are no longer forced to buy the bulky and dim bulbs from the past. Beautifully sculpted LED ceiling lights are now available and can be taken with you if you move. Lower level lighting, from table lamps or skirting spot lights, evoke a cosy atmosphere in any room, changing the mood instantly.

Try on Textures
Layering is a quintessential part of adding interest to any space. Soft furnishings can update a room within moments of introducing them. Curtains can be heavy, deep velvet for a luxe look or light and casual cotton for a clean and neat appearance. Cushions can add pops of your chosen accent colour.

This will lift your overall colour scheme perfectly while the texture of the material adds another level. Cosy woollen cushions are inviting while silk cushions denote an eye for elegance.

Make a Statement!
Your home is a perfect place to show off your personality, an eye-catching piece of artwork, glassware or a feature wall in a beautiful print will have guests talking. The Craft Island, a group of Northern Ireland's interior product designers, will be exhibiting their latest designs, from lighting to furniture, at the Improve Your Home show, King's Hall Belfast on 13 & 14 October. 

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