Top 10 affordable home updates

Top 10 affordable updates

 
If talk of a recession has turned you off the idea of moving house, it\'s time to make the most of what you have. Our panel of designers suggests easy, affordable ideas anyone can tackle....

Fabulous flooring

 
\'With the latest advances in technology, you\'d be hard pushed to tell the difference between good laminate flooring and real wood floorboards. The biggest difference is that laminates are kinder to your bank balance.\'

Anna-Lisa De\'ath, GH homes editor 

Kitchen wonder

 
\'In the kitchen, spend money where you can see it. I used carcasses from a building centre and MDF doors, sprayed by a car body shop, then bought fabulous work surfaces with the money I\'d saved. Later, I can change the doors if I want to, but the major investment in the work surfaces will last for the life of the kitchen.\'

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, interior designer 

Eco-friendly design

 
\'We all have a responsibility to do the right thing for the environment, but it can be a daunting prospect if you\'re just getting to grips with eco products. There\'s now a wealth of information and eco-friendly DIY supplies on the internet, so I recommend researching the subject thoroughly to find the greenest, most cost-effective solutions.\'

Oliver Heath, interior designer and colour consultant fro earthBorn paints 

New doors

 
\'New door and drawer fronts can update a tired kitchen in a flash, and there are plenty of companies offering a wide range of affordable designs.\'

Anna-Lisa De\'ath, GH homes editor 

Mirror mirror

 
\'For small bedrooms, the trend for glass and light-reflecting mirrored furniture is ideal. One piece can be all a room needs, and it blends with most styles. If new furniture is beyond you, look in antique shops and stalls for old mirrors, vases and candlesticks.\'

Jeff Banks, designer 

Substitute stone

 
\'Real stone floors look gorgeous, but they\'re not cheap. Luckily there are some fantastic fakes that mimic not only the appearance but also the texture. Vinyl lookalikes are inexpensive and available both in tiles and on a roll.\'

Anna-Lisa De\'ath, GH Homes editor

Statement walls

 
\'Most big DIY stores sell odd rolls of wallpaper at vastly reduced prices - perfect for creating a fresh backdrop to a dull alcove, lining shelves or adding dramatic impact to a small dark hallway.\'

Richard Randall, interior designer 

Play with furniture

 
\'The cheapest way of giving your home a fresh look is the simplest: move the existing furniture around. Consider what the room is used for, clear the clutter, then make a list of what you want from the room...Does it need to be functional, decorative or fashionable - or all three? Just because a room has been arranged in the same way for years doesn\'t mean it\'s the best or only layout possible.\'

Richard Randall, interior designer and presenter of ITV 1\'s 60 Minute Makeover 

Candle light

 
\'Use inexpensive pillar candles to create a warm ambience. Arrange in a cluster, using different sizes and heights, for a striking fireplace centrepiece. I often intersperse candles with unusual stones I\'ve collected, so they become a talking point.\'

Zandra Rhodes, designer 

Picture this

 
\'Wall art and mirrors are a cheap, easy way to change the look of a room - as long as you buy carefully. Not only can they add an injection of colour, but mirrors also create the illusion of space and light. Place large pictures centrally on a main wall or try grouping a cluster of small images to create an unexpected focal point.\'

Anna Ryder Richardson, interior designer