Upgrade your favourite spaces with cool colours and deco tricks
Compiled by Tara Dennis

It's cool to be blue
Make the most of a window without a view by turning the attention inside instead. A slimline venetian is ideal for hiding outdoor uglies while still allowing filtered light through. Keep the room light and airy with sky-blue walls. And for affordable art, hang framed prints for a new view you can enjoy. And keep that bench seating in mind if you need extra storage.

Flower bowls are a beautiful alternative to long stems in a vase, and are easy to put together. Add a layer of smooth pebbles to a glazed ceramic or glass dish. Fill the bowl with water, trim the stems from the flower heads and set them afloat. Lovely!

Grand Entrance
When you first walk through the door, having somewhere to drop shopping, mail, keys and jackets is a great idea. For limited spaces, a wall-mounted coat rack will take care of clothing, bags and hats, while a built-in or even freestanding bench will do the job of a seat.

Coloured Squares
Well look at this! You can use your cup and cushion when you are looking for inspiration for your walls. Choose your shades and mark up the wall into squares of equal size. Paint one square at a time, using masking tape as you go for a neat finish. Then leave your cup on display - permanently!

Out of the Box
Home office furniture can look bland and boring but with the addition of stylish boxes in 'you beauty' blues it can take on a whole new look. Coloured boxes and trays in all sizes are fantastic for storage: they stack easily, hide junk and look mighty cool. And by adding a smart new chair as well as few personal touches, you really can put the home back into your office.

Pretty Places
Presentation is just about everything and you can make even a simple table setting seem something quite special with almost no effort at all. Stack your dishes - in one colour or more - and tie a rolled menu (or love letter) with organza ribbon, then add a name tag and a floral sprig. Bet you get what you want tonight!

Sofa, so good
Considering a new sofa? If your old one has a well-made frame and inner springs think about reupholstering instead. For an average 2-3 seater you'll need about 15m of fabric plus labour. Springs can be repaired and new fillings added for probably less than a new piece.

Glass act
Get the party glowing at your next BBQ with hanging candles. Use clean jars or glasses with a rim and suspend them from the rafters or tree branches with lengths of pliable wire. For hours of soft, flickering light, fill with long-burning, colourful candles. Or opt for citronella to keep the mozzies at bay.

Island dream
A kitchen island is a dream come true for anyone short on bench space but big on floor area. A simple cupboard construction with a wide bench on top not only serves as an extra prep and serving area, but also as storage and a breakfast bar. And there are any number of wonderful styles to buy if you don't want to have one custom made.