It used to be that all we had to worry about was the length of our hemlines to keep up with the latest trends. But now, if we are to believe all the DIY programmes and glossy magazines, it feels like a new style in interior decoration appears before we've even had time to let the paint dry on our current home revamp! But in truth, what really makes a home special is when it sparkles and shines and has a just-decorated vibrancy about it the minute you enter a room.

And the good news is to achieve that fresh, just decorated finish you don't have to spend a fortune or invest in a lot of your precious time. There are certain things you should try and spend more on if you can afford it to give your home a lift, but there are plenty of decorating solutions where you can get away with a bargain buy.

In the kitchen, for instance, if your units have solid, reliable carcasses you can replace the doors with relatively cheap updated ones and brighten them up by splashing out on some smart new handles. You may be surprised at how much good quality ones cost, but they can really make a huge difference and will cost next to nothing compared to a whole new kitchen. Also in the kitchen, don't forget to give you glasses and plates that just-bought freshness by cleaning them with Fairy Dish to give them an extra special sparkle.

In the bathroom quality taps will stand out and lift the most basic suite to transform the smallest room in the house into a gleaming sanctuary. A bathroom just goes to show what you can achieve with a small budget and some clever shelving to store all your towels and bath products and a couple of inexpensive decorative objects on display and your bathroom will have the sort of sleek, luxurious feel you'd normally find in a sophisticated hotel suite.

And in the bedroom always invest in a good quality pillow and the best mattress you can afford and save on your bed linen. There are some brilliant designs around this summer at the more affordable end of the market in stunning, bright colours. If the carpet is beginning to look a bit threadbare and worn wait until you can replace it with a good quality one and in the meantime add impact with a new rug which you should be able to pick up at a reasonable price.

And if you want to transform a dark, dull room into a vibrant one then invest in painting the room with an uplifting yellow colour and keep costs down by choosing a few new co-ordinated accessories like cushions and vases to finish off the look. Or think about layering different tones and textures of white together for a really cool, chic finish that will make any room sparkle and shine!