Now is the time to spruce up your home for the summer months, by using a little DIY know-how and a budget that won’t hurt the hip pocket.

The fabulous four
If you want your home to look fabulous for the summer season, focus on four key areas – the floors, the walls, the lighting and home accents or special details.

Fresh floors
You don’t have to spend big bucks to freshen up your floors. If your carpet is looking a little dull, a carpet clean might be all you need to inject some life back into your home. What about a new rug? This is an inexpensive way to add transform a room, while covering up stained carpet or tatty floorboards. Speaking of floorboards, why not give them a good sanding and fresh coat of polish? It may sound like a daunting task, but most major hardware stores have a hire service available, so you can inexpensively source the equipment. Just make sure you have the right products and can confidently operate the machinery – or find someone who can help.

Climbing the walls
Your walls are the biggest interior element in your home so it makes sense that a splash of colour on just one wall will bring about significant change. If bright and bold colours aren’t your thing, start with a neutral tone and add colourful, eye-catching artwork, which can be bought from chain stores for very little outlay. Or perhaps you could create something yourself using a blank canvas? This is a great way to freshen-up your home, without having to make permanent changes. Why not add a decorative mirror to a key feature wall? As the curtains are almost always open during the warmer months, you can make the most of the sunlight and bright sky with a beautiful mirror. This is also a great way to make a small space appear larger.

Let there be light
We tend to make the most of the natural light in summer, but don’t overlook the importance of using lights to create a festive mood for those balmy, summer nights. Adjusting and updating your lighting is a cost-effective way to change the feel of your home. As the days are longer in summer, you may require a little synthetic light for ambiance rather than visibility. Why not add a dimmer to your bedroom – immediate ambiance guaranteed! Changing your existing features can instantaneously update the appearance of a room – a new lampshade or overhead fixture is a cheap and easy DIY tool.

The little things
If your budget doesn’t extend to major renovations and your DIY skills leave a lot to be desired, don’t fret. Just unlock your inner designer and go on the hunt for some new accessories and accents to inject some colour into your home. Could your couches benefit from some new cushions? Add a fresh colour to your lounge room with a scattering of inexpensive cushions. Take the new colour one step further – how about a new vase, painting or signature piece for this room? You’ll be surprised at what you can find in chain stores and discount shops. You should be able to pick up a few well-priced items for your communal living areas. Don’t forget the great outdoors – solar lighting is a cheap way to brighten your pathway and will add a festive feel to your front lawn.