HOME IN ON OUR IDEAS FOR A NEW LOOK

Spring has sprung again ...and what better time to give your home a bright new look.

A few subtle changes can make all the difference - and needn't cost a fortune.

So here's our eight-page guide full of great DIY ideas on redesigning your home...

LIVING ROOM

If you want to create more space you could make an arch between your living room and the dining room. It's not as daunting a job as it sounds. Pre-formed arch systems and one coat plasters make it easy - check out Do It All.

Create an impact of colour by mixing patterns. Checks, florals, spots and stripes sound like they might give you a headache if all used in the same room. But if you choose carefully and have one colour in common they will work well together.

Give the room a focal point like the fireplace - which you could retile or add a tiled hearth - or make the best use you can with an unusual feature like a chimney breast or large windows.

Pale carpets need not be impractical. They make a room look bigger and if you treat them with Stainmaster or Scotchguard they'll be protected from marks.

Experts say blue is a great colour to decorate your living room because it tends to encourage lively discussions. Use yellow, though, and you'll activate those egoists and they'll be arguing rather than making merry.

DINING ROOM

This room is usually only used for short periods of time, so you can go wild and use dramatic colours. Reds and oranges encourage people to talk openly, often intimately.

Carpets should be hard-wearing and treated just in case food and wine gets spilled.

Don't use central lights - they'll spoil any cosy atmosphere your wall colour has made because they are too harsh. Instead go for wall lights and candles.

Be up-to-the-minute with style by mixing plain white china with your usual dinner service and display choice pieces around the room when you're not using the room for eating.

Brighten up your woodwork by stripping off any paint and using wood dye stunning effect. Finish with clear varnish.

KITCHEN

Most of the wall space will be taken up by cupboards, so you can afford to be bold. Try using two different shades of paint on different walls.

Your kitchen should be the centre of family life - so don't use blue as a colour scheme. It hinders idle gossip and chat - but encourages serious talk. Instead go for orange or peach because they are said to be creative colours, while warm shades of pink help you relax.

Stainless steel looks great in the modern kitchen. Keep it really shiny by using 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner, Shiny Sinks and Bar Keepers Friend.

BEDROOM

Emphasise lots of doors on wardrobes rather than trying to hide them. Use paint effects like colour washing to make them interesting.

For a romantic effect screw a bracket above your bed onto the wall and drape floaty voile material over it for a coronet look.

If you don't want to totally redecorate then changing the door and furniture fittings can make a big difference. Do It All have a large range.

BATHROOM

Fit an airing cupboard around ugly hot water pipes, add a few shelves - and you'll have a perfect place to store towels.

For a total facelift a new bath, sink and loo will make a huge difference to your bathroom. Slimmer models will mean you'll have more floor space in the smallest room.

Tile the walls and floor to make the room easy to clean and make a very effective decor scheme.

If you need to be woken up in the morning red, yellow or bright green are perfect for the bathroom. But if you like to relax in the bath pink or peach will help relieve tension.

IT'S A FACT

Eight out of 10 Brits take up DIY at some time...and more than a quarter of them spend at least pounds 500 a year on buying tools and materials.

IT'S A FACT

A dislike for having strange workmen in the home is one of the most common reasons people prefer DIY, according to a new survey.

Copyright 1997 MGN LTD
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