Create a super stylish place to live by following some simple tips.

Inject life into you room…

1. Smells as good as it looks

It’s not just about your decor, nice smells add to the feel of your home.

Use fragrance, potpourri, candles or create an indoor herb garden to add delicious smells…but make sure it is not too overpowering.

2. Display fresh flowers or greenery

Flowers can make a stunning focal point and add a feeling of freshness to a room.

You can use wall vases for displaying flowers in entrance halls or places where there isn’t much counter space.

3. Frame your flowers

Once your flowers have come to the end of their days why not dry them out and stick them into a box frame.

Most box frames are light wood or black in colour, so try spray painting the frame and glue dried flowers onto the backboard.

4. Fake it if you are not good with plants

You can now get some realistic looking artificial flowers and plants. These are great if you have allergies. Plus you don't need to water, so you can't kill them!

Personalise your home…

5. Holiday inspiration

You can pick up some unusual items on your travels. Be reminded of your favourite holidays by displaying carefully selected mementos.

Don’t forget that maps can also make great decor.

6. The gallery look

Get the gallery look and feel by mounting your photos, recipes, postcards or kids artwork in a collage of smart frames.

Black and white photos can make your display have much more impact.

7. Customise your walls

Don’t be afraid to paint your own art directly onto your walls. It can help to balance the room where conventional art would not.

Try using simple designs to draw attention away from off-centred features such as fireplaces.

You can always paint over it if it does not look right!

8. Art for kids rooms

Make rooms more interesting with wall murals, vinyls and paintable wall applications. Adds fun, texture and colour and still looks stylish.

These are great for both children and adult spaces.

9. Show off your jewellery

Don’t hide your decorative jewellery away. Place your favourite jewellery on mannequins or jewellery trees.

If you don’t have space on your dressing table put hooks on your walls. You can make your own by screwing small attractive door knobs onto a painted slat of wood.

Don’t go over the top otherwise it will look untidy.

Create striking focal points…

10. Make the most of your homes features

Architectural features make natural focal points, so try to make them extra special.

An alcove can be a focal point when painted a different colour from the rest of the room. Windows can be emphasised with floor length curtains if it does not block out too much daylight.

Fireplaces make great focal points, so make the most of it when not in use by placing decorative objects inside, such as candles, pebbles, artificial flowers or painted logs. Decorative fire screens can also grab attention.

11. Investment buys

It is worth investing money on a few quality timeless items that will make stunning focal points.

Don’t always go with the latest trends. Choose focal items that will not quickly date and you’re sure you would want to keep.

12. Something different

Make statements with unusual items that are sure to become a talking point and something you are proud to show off.

Items that are mass produced for high street stores are more likely to have already been seen in store by your visitors.

13. Focus on the bed

Make your bedroom look stunning by dressing your bed. A bed dominates most bedrooms and naturally becomes a focal point, so it must look fabulous.

To make a bed look cosy and inviting, dress with crisp high-quality bed linen and plump cushions. Throws or fabric panels can also add a touch of colour and texture to plain bed linen.

Make a bolder statement by adding great lighting, a large headboard or a dreamy fabric canopy.

You can make your own headboard easily by covering MDF with either wallpaper or with fabric and wadding. Then stick to the wall with heavy duty Velcro.

14. Group items for impact

Grouping items together will make a more dramatic impact. Try hanging identical mirrors together or group a variety of different sized and shaped vases.

15. Bathrooms need focal points too

Don’t neglect the bathroom; you can have art in damp rooms. Jazz up the walls and add interest with framed art, glass art, stone art or waterproof perspex art.

16. Never have too much of a good thing

Remember to keep it simple. Too many pieces competing for attention will make the room feel cluttered.

Get rid of clutter…

17. Make your essentials look great

Remove bottles in bathrooms by putting shampoo and soaps into inexpensive stylish dispensers

Clear glass jars containing food items such as pasta, rice and sweets can add interest in your kitchen.

18. Make a place for everything

Clutter can make your living space feel smaller, so have a place for everything.

Make coats hung at the end of the stairs a thing of the past by investing in a classy coat rack or stand.

Pets and kids can make a lot of clutter. Try using stylish boxes to store their toys.

19. Get organised

Filing your paperwork away in stylish folders and hanging a letter rack is sure to clear up messy papers.

Get rid of bulky dvd cases and store your dvds in convenient folders, this will take up a lot less space.

20. Disguise unsightly home items

‘Boys toys’ such as surround sound systems do not always look great. Make effort to disguise modern technology and hide wires.

Some radiators can look ugly, especially a white radiator against a coloured background. So why not try painting them a similar colour to your walls or use a radiator cover to hide them.

Keeps furniture looking great…

21. Coasters as table art

Use coasters to add colour and style to your table. They can look great and will stop unsightly drinks marks and scratches.

22. Decorative table runners

Use a table runner to add texture and colour, soften a piece of furniture and stop scratches.

Illuminating…

23. Maximise natural daylight

Natural daylight can make your room feel more spacious. In rooms with little daylight opt for blinds, sheer voiles, or window vinyls instead of curtains to let in more light but still maintain privacy.

Hang large mirrors near or opposite windows to flood your room with daylight. Mirrors are great for increasing light in small hallways.

24. Add atmosphere

Candles at night can change the mood of a room. Try adding candlelight with wall sconces and candelabras.

Create an enchanting display of light on your wall using lampshades with decoratively patterned holes.

Colour has an impact on how we feel. Use different coloured light bulbs to change the ambience of a room.

25. Dare to be different, don’t stick with convention

Lighting can give you room the ‘wow factor’, so make the most of it and think about making a feature of your lights.

Try illuminating your shelves to add some impact to your display or light up a picture in a living room. Lighting can give your staircase a whole new look by adding simple lights at skirting level.

Add colour, contrast and texture…

26. Textures are important

Pale colour schemes can give a feeling of space but it can leave you uninspired. Texture and shapes become important to making the look work.

Try ribbed carpets or fluffy rugs on wooden floors. Place different shaped accessories together, such as cushions on a sofa to make a feature.

Choose different tones of the same colour to give a subtle layered effect which will also add interest.

27. Bring colour into your life

Create impact by adding bold splashes of colour using furnishings and accessories.

Resist the temptation to add too many colours in a room. When choosing colours make sure they are complementary.

Don’t be afraid to use bold colours. Add contrast by putting light and dark together. A dark sofa can be softened with pale cushions and throws.

28. Adding patterns

To combine many pattern designs in a room, ensure they contain the same colours. This will give a co-ordinated look.

Bold patterns on items such as wallpaper and curtains can make a focal point in your room. For maximum impact use patterns in just one area.

Don’t forget the small details…

29. Tie up those curtains

Tying back your curtains you can not only let more light into your room but it can also make your curtains look more luxurious and expensive

30. Glam up your doors

Doorstops and door handles can not only be functional but they can be stylish and add colour

Before making any major changes to your interior decor try to get a picture in your mind of how you want the space to look. Imagine what it will look like at different times of the day. You can get inspiration from websites and magazines. Keep all of your ideas together in a scrapbook.