Home decor idea: 30-minute makeovers

Freshening up your space is easier than you think. In as much time as it takes you to watch an episode of your favourite sitcom or iron a load of laundry, you can give new life to any room in the house. We've come up with some quick and easy ways to make over your home, with a focus on things that can be done in mere minutes.

Bathroom
- Put dimmers on light fixtures. Softer lighting adds ambiance.

- Dress up white cabinets by replacing handles with antique or glass pulls.

- Replace standard lighting with something different. If you've got the height and ceiling space, hang a chandelier for instant drama.

- Trade in your old bath mat, shower curtain and hand towels for new ones for an instant bathroom refresher.

Bedroom
- Add a reading corner. All you need is a long-neck floor lamp and comfy chair to curl up in. If you have the space, add a small end table for stacking your must-reads.

- Perk up your bed with a new duvet. Opt for a neutral colour and then jazz it up with bright pillow shams.

- Add an accent wall. Choose a bold shade that complements the colour you already have and cover one wall. A royal purple goes nicely with light grey or pair chocolate brown with off-white or beige. It makes a statement and takes much less time than painting the whole room.

- Find a streamlined laundry solution. Going to the trouble of updating your bedroom can be impeded by an overflowing plastic laundry hamper. Instead, put a hook on the back of a closet door to hang a laundry bag and get it up off the floor and out of sight.