Think smart and you can find bold inexpensive ideas for your rooms

Moving home can be costly and disruptive while the kids are at school, but you can create a whole new house right where you are, with these fresh renovating and decorating ideas.

Three ways to discover a new home style

• Window shop. You might not need a new sofa or cupboard, but browsing in a department store can help you get a feel for changes of mood – for example, how untreated wood can evoke a country style if you have exposed floorboards, or how mirrors and glass will add a cleaner finish to homely ‘clutter’.

• Designs on trial. Instead of grabbing a few ideas from a friend’s home, why not ask to borrow a chair or a table you’ve always fancied, and live with it for a few days and see if it really appeals? Then you can invest in something similar.

• Period detail. Find out when your home was built and make it a project to uncover its retro style. If you prefer modern décor, add just a vintage touch in your hallway or lounge – whether your home is 20 or 200 years old.

Savvy tip
Make sure your home doesn’t harbour any expensive secrets before you blow your budget on redecorating. If there is damp or a leaky roof to fix, these problems can’t be put off. They could even damage any renovation work you do if you ignore them.

Pass it on –
National Trust properties are maintained carefully to suit the period when they were first built. Often the combination of colours on walls or the mix of fabrics in lounges and bedrooms give off a stunning effect without you realising how unusual the shades used are together. It’s the perfect way to rethink your own style. Check out The National Trust’s listof places around the UK they think mums would like to visit!