Six of the best home improvements

You don't have to go mad on decorating, or even buy works of art, to change the feel of a room - just add a touch here and there. Accessories such as rugs and lampshades can make all the difference. The key is not to spend a fortune, and to improvise. Maybe use old maps as wallpaper, or make the most of half-used tins of paint by painting stripes on odd walls. We've come up with six suggestions, one for each room of your house, to make an immediate difference.

Hall

Yellow mottled wallpaper, pounds 25 a roll, by Designers Guild, 267-271 King's Road, London SW3 (0171-243 7300)

Front room

Pink acrylic door knob with mini spirit level, pounds 40, from Space, 214 Westbourne Grove, London W11 (0171-229 6533).

Dining room

Classic urn stencil, pounds 12.99; stencil stick, pounds 2.99 each, available in 22 colours, all from the Stencil Store, 89 Lower Sloane Street, London SW1 and branches nationwide (enquiries and mail order, 01923-285 577/88).

Kitchen

Party Day orange paint, pounds 17.49 for two-and-a-half litres, by Dulux Definitions, available from good home and DIY stores (enquiries, 01753 550555).

Bedroom

Turquoise silk lampshade with glass bead droplets, pounds 12, from Bhs, 252- 258 Oxford Street, London W1 and branches nationwide (enquiries, 0171- 262 3288).

Bathroom

Multicoloured mosaic tiles, pounds 10 per kilo, from Paint Magic, 79 Shepperton Road, London N1 and branches nationwide (enquiries and mail order, 0171-354 9696).