Affordable ways to improve your home

Bright idea

Beat the credit crunch blues by adding splashes of vibrant colour to your walls. Blocks of bold paint will produce a striking modern look and accessories and textiles in contrasting colours and prints will make a dramatic impact.

Walls painted in Poppy and Borghese matt emulsion, both £24 per 2.5l; Balance three-seater sofa, £1,595; cushions covered in (from left) Central Park print, £30 per m, and Varese fabric, £49 per m; Keswick graphite oval rug (150cm x 240cm), £495; all Designers Guild