Homes: budget front room makeover - in pictures

Before
A heavy, brown leather sofa and armchair felt crammed into the space and, along with a beige rug, dulled the decor. A large TV and its techy paraphernalia took over one corner. The owners were bored with the artwork, wanted to inject some character and free up some space. Photograph: Rachael Smith

TV corner The television now sits on apple crates (£22, Hen and Hammock). The Sky box and games console are tidied away in the cavity at the back. Cullen screwed casters to the bottom.

Windows For privacy, the lower half is covered in Frost window film, £6 for 1.5 metres, from B&Q. Use the edge of a credit card and a scalpel to tidy edges.

Rug Adds brightness to the space. Mell dhurrie rug, £40, Habitat.

Wall art Staple-gun curtain or fabric across a basic timber frame for a splash of colour. Takumi fabric (130750), £32 a metre, Scion.
Photograph: Rachael Smith

Sofa With a couple of throws, a cushion covered in Ikea fabric, and bolster cushions tied in fabric, Christmas-cracker-style, the sofa is given a lift. Havill yellow throw, £45, and piano throw, £40, both Habitat. Square cushion in Malin Cirkel fabric, £4/m, Ikea. Bobble trimming, £6.25/m, VV Rouleaux. Bolster cushion covered in Aquar Plains Four, £20/m, Scion. Bolster cushion tied with cord, £4.73/m, VV Rouleaux.

Lampshade Adds interest to an otherwise empty corner. Angelina spindle lamp, £49.98, B&Q. Bobble trimming, as before. Use a glue gun to attach the trim to the shade. Photograph: Rachael Smith

Suitcase toy storage The suitcases were in the loft – Cullen simply cleaned and spray-painted them. Montana Cans spray paint in Flipper Blue, Roof Grey and Lychee Pink, all £6 each, Cass Art. Photograph: Rachael Smith

Ladder shelf A secondhand ladder (prices start from about £50 on eBay) is transformed into a quirky corner bookshelf, to make use of the wasted space above the television. Chop to the required lengths and screw on to the wall, allowing sufficient depth for the books to sit flush against the wall. Again, try eBay for vintage Penguin paperbacks. Photograph: Rachael Smith

Mantelpiece The plain mantelpiece is enlivened with decorative masking tape – spots and stripes – directly on the wall. The vessels are charity shop finds, spray-painted for a new lease of life. Washi tape, from £3, Molly Meg. Montana Cans spray paint, £6 each, Cass Art. Beads, from 30p each, Creative Beadcraft. Photograph: Rachael Smith

Coffee table Gives the room a focus. Customise an affordable one (Kilo side table, £25, Habitat) – by spray-mounting two doilies to the table and spraying paint over the top. Spray in a well-ventilated area and take off the doilies while the paint is wet. Photograph: Rachael Smith