Frame a pretty wallpaper with wood trim for an inexpensive upgrade to your space.

Delicate spring green blossoms create a breezy atmosphere in this vintage-looking entrance. A colour palette inspired by the outdoors is sure to refresh any room, especially when paired with warm wood floors.

Paint the inside of your front door a vibrant hue for a cheery entryway.

A sunny yellow door is a welcoming counterpoint to black walls and keeps the narrow hallway from feeling sombre.

Get more ideas in our DIY & Home Improvement section.

Playful and easy-to-clean polka dot oil cloth fabric covers three stools.

Designer Sarah Richardson designed a grand kitchen for her holiday home, perfect for baking and entertaining during Christmas. An oversized butter-yellow kitchen island offers a casual spot for morning coffees and a large work surface, ideal for party-time food prep.

Get a complete tour of Sarah’s holiday home in our photo gallery.

Two levels of upper cabinet doors add interest to this spacious kitchen.

After years of open shelving, it was time to return to solid-fronted upper cabinets for the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome’s dream country kitchen. These are House & Home‘s own design, fabricated by Heritage Kitchens.

See more photos from the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome and watch Lynda Reeves tour the space. Plus, find more inspiration in our photo gallery of 10 Kitchens With Colourful Cabinetry.

Dare to paint your ceiling a bold colour.

If your kitchen walls are covered with cabinets, be bold and paint your ceiling instead. Here, dark floors and a magenta-hued ceiling are broken up by stark white cabinetry and large windows, keeping the space airy and bright.

For more colour-infused spaces, see our Colourful Kitchens photo gallery.

A David Hicks patterned rug sets the fresh tone.

Marble tile flooring is warmed up with an area rug that was the starting point for the cool blue and green palette. The white painted trim, crown moulding and wall establish the fireplace as the focal point. Pale green walls and a light blue ceiling mimic the outdoors creating the effect of a skylight. Customizing simple white drapes with ribbon trim is an easy do it yourself project and can be easily changed later on.

A cheery colour palette gives an energized feel.

Fashion Magazine’s fashion editor-at-large, Susie Sheffman, chose accents in citrus hues to make her all-white dining room warm and inviting. Susie made the geometric art by cutting the centres out of prints, then framing both the cutouts and the borders. We love a great DIY!

See more graphic rooms in our photo gallery.

A banquette makes great use of a small space.

A side table, repurposed from a guest room, was updated in cheery red for this kitchen’s eating nook and paired with an oversized floral painting and colourful throw pillows.

See more sunny spaces in our photo gallery of 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

A wavy mirror cabinet adds whimsy to an already colourful, eccentric room.

Bright orange and yellow cherry blossoms delight in a custom Fromental wallpaper. A hand-loomed wool carpet in a Moorish pattern and a vibrant ikat pattern on the dining chair demonstrate how designer Katie Ridder revels in extravagance.

Get more design and decorating ideas in our Katie Ridder photo gallery.

Choose bright tones for upholstery.

Timeless Louis XV-style chairs are painted white and upholstered in a fun mauve hue. Modern bird print fabrics in the same tone pull together the new-yet-old look.

Find more new traditional decorating ideas in our photo gallery.

Citrine chairs add pop to a white room.

Designer Windsor Smith’s studio is practical yet inviting. Toronto designer Sabrina Linn loves the wall-to-wall sisal carpeting and industrial chairs and pendant that make the space seem less sweet and more like a workspace. “The classic way to add colour to a space is through accessories,” says Linn.

Read more on Decorating With Citrine.

See more of Sabrina Linn’s favourite interiors in our photo gallery.

Bright canvases add robust flavour to this artist’s weekend home.

Artist Bobbie Burgers’ vibrant Okanagan weekend home is bursting with colour and modern design. The crisp, gallery-like space is filled with lush floral canvases, giving the room a distinct springtime atmosphere.

Soft vanilla walls are a classic choice for traditional homes.

Keep your living room feeling like spring year-round with a sumptuous shade of yellow. For a daringly bright look, keep to warm colours such as red, orange and gold.

Have you found an amazing wallpaper pattern but can only afford one roll?

“This idea from designer Summer Thornton is a great example of an easy way to give a space architectural interest, colour and pattern all in one go, while keeping the project budget manageable,” says Apartment Therapy‘s managing editor, Janel Laban. “She simply framed out a wallpapered section of the wall with painted moulding for maximum impact and minimum cost.”

Or try these DIY Wallpaper Panels for a less permanent display.

Get more Apartment Therapy design lessons in our gallery.

See our photo gallery for more fast decorating fixes.

In this design, a white painted fireplace and shelves pop against yellow walls, bold art and cozy chairs.

Juicy yellow paint sets off the punchy palette in this vibrant living room space. A painted floral canvas and throw pillows coordinate with the bright tangerine couch.

Update furniture with paint.

HGTV star and designer Thomas Smythe suggests freshening old pieces with paint. “You’ve watched Sarah Richardson and I do it a hundred times; now get off the sofa and do it yourself!” This side table painted a cheerful yellow adds a fun element to his own living room.

Browse more of Thomas Smythe’s homes, plus get more Budget Decorating Ideas in our photo gallery.

A sleek, retro space.

This living room strikes the perfect balance between clean and mod, and warm and inviting. Modern art and bright yellow and orange accents play off the sleek, sparse architecture, like the glass and stone fireplace wall. The bright, geometric area rug lends the room a youthful exuberance.

See more graphic rooms in our photo gallery.

For instant impact, paint walls with 16″-wide vertical stripes in a simple two-toned palette.

Take the stripes right over baseboards and mouldings for added drama. Continue the theme with striped accessories — different widths easily mix as long as every pattern has a similar background colour.

See more sunny spaces in our photo gallery of 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Albert Hadley’s own home in Naples, Florida.

This mostly-white living room features pops of yellow, wood and brass that keep the eye grounded. Designer Albert Hadley also incorporated tropical-inspired accessories like a terrarium, bird sculptures and a grass-base coffee table for a Floridian feel.

See more Albert Hadley interiors in our photo gallery.

Rosy neutrals add warmth to this feminine space.

Take a note from spring runway fashions and incorporate blush, the season’s hottest new shade, into your decor. This serene sitting area, in a principal bedroom, uses a muted palette pulled from the contemporary artwork. The Lucite table and cross-back chairs keep the look light.

For a rainbow of inspiration, see our Colourful Spring Rooms gallery.

Decorating with colourful furniture, flowers and stylish wallpaper adds drama to your living space.

In this design, a pretty tufted sofa and bright-green drapes add an exotic element. A contrasting pink chair, delicate wall sconces and a vintage chinese garden stool convey a sense of the homeowner’s personality.

Refined furniture and a complementary palette tames an audacious combination of patterns.

In this living room design, oversized, painted stripes visually raise the ceiling without looking busy. The large, playful floor lamp lends a fresh, fun perspective. A lively range of purple and brown hues, combined with a mixture of striped and floral patterns, also adds a lighthearted note.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Refresh a room with a coat of two of paint.

Update a tired room by changing up the wall colour — or better yet, the walls, trim and ceiling. Use a mid tone on walls and a paler tint on the ceiling with trim in goes-with-everything grey as the basis for a rich, regal space. Add a complement to enhance the look: try experimenting with colour wheel opposites (think shades of red with greens, shades of blue with oranges, and shades of yellow with purples) in soft graduated shades. Here, H&H senior style editor Morgan Michener added gold-hued upholstery, embellishments, art and accessories to make lilac walls pop, with hits of black to anchor the arrangement.

See our photo gallery for more fast decorating fixes.

Use bold colours for a room infused with attitude.

For a space that truly dazzles, choose a sofa in a pattern packed with personality. For more punch, a splashy wall colour, like this dark fuchsia hue, is a bold statement that is sure to make the room memorable. Accents in similar jewel tones — such as the purple velvet pillow and sapphire rug — complement the strong paint colour.

Find more inspiration in our gallery of Purple Rooms, plus more Rooms With Jewel Tones.

A playful paint shade relaxes luxe traditional details like the chandelier and marble fireplace mantel.

Nothing says springtime like pretty pastels. In this living room, aqua, soft green and yellow come together to create a fresh, feminine space. The fireplace and furniture are kept white for a light and airy look.

Decorate with inexpensive antique furniture and accessories to add character to your space.

Some of the best bargains in home shopping are discovered at roadside flea markets and antique fairs. Ex-Torontonians Alistair Green and Lesley Hinder have a London home that is full of finds that they have repainted, refinished, retiled and reupholstered, for instance. The Spanish Art Deco tub chairs, the focal point of this room, were found in a junk shop and rebuilt and reupholstered with a painterly floral fabric. The Swedish grandfather clock was found at an antiques dealer, as were the coffee table and chandelier. Consider frugal vintage furnishings if you have a keen eye for design, a love of treasure hunting, lots of patience and an interest in makeover projects.

Get more Budget Decorating Ideas in our photo gallery.

A ho-hum table passes as a glam antique when gilded with inexpensive gold leaf.

Fresh green wallpaper and a tailored pink settee keep the look soft and cosy. Tree branches add a touch of the outdoors and require minimal upkeep.

Decorating with fresh colours and shelves help make a fireplace shine.

An apple-green paint treatment above the living room’s mantel creates an attention-grabbing niche to display photos on a framed mirror. Purple-shaded lamps pull in the palette from the room’s furniture and potted orchids add a touch of whimsy.

Pattern and fun hues add a fresh twist to a grand room.

With its sea-glass-inspired shades, this space couldn’t possibly be more soothing. The ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore Serenity (2055-60) to mimic the sky, while the walls are coated in Fresh Cut Grass (2026-50). Ceiling-height drapes trimmed in the room’s two signature colours make for an unexpected detail and a David Hicks rug adds a hit of geometric print.

In this Long Island home, slim-legged chairs, tables and a modern tripod lamp balance a weightier upholstered sofa and chair.

“Steven Gambrel is one of the most talented designers out there today,” says Erin Gates, a Boston interior designer and author of the popular Elements of Style blog. “This room’s colour scheme and mix of modern and traditional elements is at once cosy and high style. His ability to make a room cohesive but not boring is something I try to emulate on a daily basis.”

Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Blogger Erin Gates’s Favourite Interiors.

A bright and lively living room.

New recessed lighting, a leaded-glass window and mini floral mosaic tiles on the fireplace surround gave the tired, wood-trimmed living room new life. Fashionable chairs upholstered in a kelly-green trellis print are the perfect companions to a simple white sofa.

See the “before” photo in our Stylish Family Home Makeover gallery.

Glass, mirror and rattan mix beautifully in this boho-chic sitting area.

Colour adds drama to a living room, especially when paired with a complementary colour. Here, blue and yellow strike the perfect balance of hot and cold to create a playful atmosphere. Small pops of pink give the room a springtime feel.

Update a classic shape with printed fabrics and pastel hues.

Painterly, feminine fabric covers the seat cushion and pairs well with the water-blue velvet on the main body. Rustic and modern tables give the room edge.

Find more new traditional decorating ideas in our photo gallery.

A patterned screen, bright colours and painted furniture give this living room design bohemian flair.

Vintage wicker is a hot find these days and it’s easy to breathe new life into second-hand pieces with paint. Glossy black lacquer paint revitalizes this sofa set while reupholstered cushions, covered in a bold patterned fabric, create a look that’s fresh and current.

A vibrant blue cotton rug and pillow liven up a sophisticated sitting area.

Any springtime hue will spruce up cool grey walls and black accessories. Here, a bright cyan rug and pink flowers placed atop the mantle lend an eye-catching pop of colour.

Bright and cheerful prints inject an instant dose of playful style to a space.

Black and white furniture, a zebra-print rug and chalky azure walls let the peonies bloom in this design.

Bold colours, a patterned rug and pillows and a shapely Jonathan Adler floor lamp give this living room design punch.

Chalk white paint tempers the intricate pattern on these carved Moroccan side tables, infusing them with a stripped-down, graphic and modern feel.

Colourful throw pillows brighten up a couch.

Throw pillows done in luxe designer fabric are a small splurge well worth the expense, especially when your living room is a sea of neutrals. Potted plants and freshly cut flowers thrive in this well-lit space.

Abstract artwork and chinoiserie vases add interest to an all-white space.

Spiro brings in colour with throw pillows and fresh flowers, allowing her decor to adjust with the seasons. Bright colours and patterns on cushions give the otherwise white palette some springtime cheer.

Dare to paint your furniture.

Australian decorator and design blogger Anna Spiro celebrates colour in her Brisbane bungalow. “Pink is just the best colour. It’s an absolute favourite,” she says. In her brightly-hued living room, she custom-painted her Lloyd Loom wicker sofa fuchsia. Throw pillows in a range of colours and prints add vibrance and texture.

For a rainbow of inspiration, see our Colourful Spring Rooms gallery.

A chinoiserie thrift-store chaise, drum stool and patterned cushions evoke a air of genteel splendour.

H&H style editor Michael Penney chose vinyl for the chaise upholstery so that it could also be used outdoors. A new shade reinvented the $6 secondhand lamp.

See more photos of Michael’s former apartment and a tour in our gallery and video. Plus, see tours of his new house, too!

Vibrant colour, pattern and texture appeal to adults and kids alike.

An heirloom coffee table was sprayed bright purple to give it a new modern personality. A raspberry-pink wall defines the office area, tucked neatly into a small nook.

See the “before” photo in our Stylish Family Home Makeover gallery, plus see more pink spaces in our Decorating With Pink photo gallery.

West-facing windows are softened with sheer roman blinds.

The ’60s abstract by Robert Swain cues the subtle pink, purple and blue accents. Two big sofas give the effect of a sectional, while the Barcelona chairs keep the space open and welcoming.

See more photos of DwellStudio founder Christiane Lemieux’s New York loft.

Gold accents elevate the room.

In this formal living room, a white linen sofa is the ultimate in crisp luxury. Peony-pink drapes and chocolate accent pillows balance the room’s masculine and feminine aspects.

Find more inspiration in our Traditional Living Rooms photo gallery.

Smaller accessories are an easy way to introduce hot pink.

Use bright accents in a lively mix of patterns and solids to punch up a neutral living space. Toss pillows in a range of coordinating shades onto a white sofa or layer an area rug in a bold saturated hue over neutral broadloom. A treasured object, like a faux-twig bird’s nest, provides a whimsical finishing touch.

See more pink spaces in our Decorating With Pink photo gallery.

Create impact with a vibrant wall colour.

“The colour-blocked chartreuse wall on our back stairs landing is the only place where we went crazy with colour,” says House & Home editor Suzanne Dimma. The settee is from Trianon with Designer’s Guild fabric, a look she first spotted at a photoshoot and had to have for her own home. “The pink settee and the green wall juxtapose so against each other,” she adds. The framed print is by artist and friend George Whiteside.

See more rooms from Suzanne’s new house, plus her old house, in our gallery of Suzanne’s houses.

Paint walls with stripes for a fun – and cheap – take on wallpaper. This striped wall cost $120.

Homeowner Emily Norris found these vintage tufted bedframes for $80 and painted the frames but kept the gold velvet upholstery as-is. For drapery, Emily bought outdoor fabric off-season for $4/yd. and splurged on custom sewing.

Find more budget bedroom makeover ideas in our gallery.

Cool lavender accents create a soothing colour palette.

The weighty wood sleigh bed was replaced with an open-ended frame that makes the room feel spacious. Layered with a quilted coverlet, neutral bedding and cable-knit throw pillows, the new bed exudes comfort. Opulence introduced by the mirrored furniture and chandelier keeps it from feeling too casual. Using a three-drawer dresser in place of traditional bedside tables reduces the number of pieces needed and opens up the room.

To see more of of this stunning bedroom makeover, watch an Online TV tour and see our photo gallery.

Mauve hues create welcoming appeal and up the glam factor in this bedroom.

A mix of lilac, purple and white in layers of pattern create a look that’s fresh and exotic. A pretty block-print coverlet and paisley pillows draw the eye, while gold star patterned wallpaper on the ceiling adds whimsy. The bed frame is outlined in glossy black to help anchor the room’s soft colours.

See more colour drenched rooms in our photo gallery.

A dash of colour transforms a demure grey couch.

In this cottage-inspired space, a pair of mauve throw cushions add a rich accent to this otherwise neutral palette. The gold floral print lends a luxurious touch while the white beadboard keeps the look casual.

Take chances with bold colour.

In artist Virginia Kelly’s bedroom, bright walls provide a contrasting backdrop to her own hummingbird painting. Mixing multiple shades of yellow pulls the room together.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of 100+ Gorgeous Bedrooms and Rooms With Brass Pendants.

In a bay window, drapes frame and highlight the bed.

Designer and popular blogger Emma Reddington countered the light, ephemeral feel of this space with a rough reclaimed wood bed and bench. “The room itself is quite formal with the original fireplace, bay window and chandelier,” she explains. “But all of the furniture is informal, low to the floor and made of the most basic materials.” The throw pillows, for instance, are fashioned out of an old rug.

For more design and decorating ideas, browse the Emma Reddington Home Makeover photo gallery, or see a video tour of this house in our Online TV segment.

Two twin beds are more versatile than a Queen.

H&H style editor Michael Penney chose a cheery shade of yellow for the second floor guest room. He found these beds at a Toronto thrift store for a cool $125 each, then painted them black for contrast against the custard walls. The wicker trunks were only $70 each — perfect for storing extra bedding and for guests to set their luggage on. And he swapped the teal drapes for raw linen ones that wouldn’t compete with the floral shams and plaid rug. In this room, he tried to balance everything that’s cute and pretty with pieces that are more sober and humble. Read more about decorating his second floor.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Turn an oversized painting into a showstopping headboard.

A platform bed — designed by artist Bobbie Burgers‘ father — lends a casual vibe to this vibrant Okanagan guest room. Bright yellow bedding imported from France adds a luxe feel that guests are sure to remember.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms and 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Get the look of wallpaper for less with a wall stencil.

In this girl’s bedroom, designer Trish Johnston updated a builder-basic bedroom with new crown moulding, a custom duvet cover and a fun pink-and-white wall.

Get more budget bedroom makeover ideas.

Soothing lilac walls and minimal, weathered furniture keep this room simple.

The bed’s aubergine and cream coverlet from France complements the room’s dainty chandelier.

Get more inspiration in our Country Bedrooms photo gallery.

Get a summer-chic look with glass lamps and bold florals.

Old wooden screens make a charming headboard in this principal bedroom, where the white palette is punctuated by a hit of spring-fresh chartreuse.

A soft palette and glam accents make a children’s room suitable for guests, too.

This girls’ room from the 2008 Princess Margaret Showhome is sweet without being saccharine. The combination of blue and spring green keeps the room light and clean, while sophisticated elements, such as the mirrored console, chandelier, and floral pattern on both beds, will allow the room to grow up with the kids or double as a guest room.

See more photos from our Kids Rooms photo gallery.

Soft green walls are perfect for a bedroom.

One of The Real Housewives of Vancouver, Zilba’s woodsy second home accommodates guests for relaxing weekends away. Shades of grey and brown in the furniture, linens and artwork play off the natural palette. A large picture window and door flood the room with light.

Find more Celebrity Homes in our photo gallery.

A multifunctional built-in serves up storage and style.

This clever unit — with its centre panel upholstered in a cheerful green stripe — is also quite functional, providing plenty of storage space for books and display space for curios and artwork.

Tour the rest of the space in our Online TV segment and Scandinavian-Inspired Condo photo gallery. Plus, find more inspiration in our photo gallery of 10 Small Bedrooms.

An attention-grabbing vintage ceiling fixture adds a retro feel.

Blue and acid green colours set a soothing tone in the principal bedroom. A flashy ceiling fixture and headboard upholstered in an iconic David Hicks hexagon pattern blend effortlessly with a pair of low-hung ornate sconces — the resulting mix is the epitome of Sasha Seymour’s ’70s Parisian-apartment vision.

See before & after photos of Sasha Seymour’s Townhouse Reno in our photo gallery. Also, watch a tour of her retro-inspired home in this online TV segment. See more pretty, Tiffany-inspired interiors in our photo gallery.

Set into an alcove, this daybed piled high with patterned pillows serves as both a sofa and sleeping nook.

The deep bench raises the sofa to comfortably reach the window, which is charmingly off-centre. Reds and bottle greens pop against the walls, and gauzy drapes provide privacy while still allowing light to pour into the space.

Get more decorating ideas in our Gorgeous Guest Bedrooms Photo Gallery.

Graphic wallpaper and vintage posters add character to a small space.

This bathroom lacks size but not drama. Yellow patterned wallpaper and vintage movie posters make it feel youthful and special, and a simple white sink and mirror don’t compete with all the colour.

See more sunny spaces in our photo gallery of 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Swap a shower curtain for a glass partition to open up a cramped bathroom.

Glossy white subway tiles complement the stone tiles on the floor and enhance the soft floral motif on the walls. Lovely and cheerful yellow wallpaper with a delicate floral pattern adds texture and warmth to this beautiful bathroom renovation.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Bathroom Makeovers and 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Reclaimed pieces add country charm.

In her Collingwood country house, designer Sarah Richardson painted a salvaged clawfoot tub yellow to coordinate with the country-chic drapes. The vanity is also a reclaimed find that blends well with the feel of the old home.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Cottages & Country Houses, Traditional Cottages, Budget Decorating Ideas and 26 Happy Yellow Rooms.

Inexpensive flower prints framed in vintage frames add personality on the cheap.

H&H style editor Michael Penney and his wife Sara were inspired by a hotel in Maine that used a similar pink hue in their hallways, and decided to brave the colour in this upstairs bathroom. Sara wasn’t sure right away, but Michael convinced her by emphasizing the flattering reflective light it would create. They loved the existing pedestal sink, so decided to pinch pennies by keeping it. They traded the beige linoleum for hexagonal white floor tiles with grey grout — easier to keep clean in bathrooms and kitchens. Read more on decorating their second floor.

Read all about Michael’s new house — including before shots and DIY projects — in his blog, tour through each floor on Online TV, see the full story in our June 2011 issue, and browse all before and after photos in the online gallery.

Striped wallpaper adds a feminine touch.

Homeowner Alison Booth doesn’t shy away from colour, and her conveniently-located second-floor laundry room is no exception. Strong colours and graphic patterns balance each other and add interest. For a bold wallpaper like this, keep cabinets and flooring in neutral or white.

See more luxe laundry rooms in our photo gallery, plus more tips on Decorating With Pink.