Simple painting hacks to spruce up your home

It's autumn, and as the weather turns colder and people naturally spend more time inside, the tired decor becomes more noticeable.

But not everyone has the time or money to re-decorate the whole house. Instead, try a few painting hacks to give your home a fresh new look.

There’s no need to re-paint a whole room if you fancy a change – instead try a focal wall, otherwise known as a feature wall, suggests Rex Nye from independent builders' merchant D.W.Nye. Not only do you save time and money but you can make a big impact.

From shimmering metallics to special effects, a focus on a single wall will add drama to a room. Try rich terracota in a living room or deep blue to add depth to a dining room.

Pick a bold colour for a bedroom wall. Stripes are having a trend moment – add horizontal stripes to make a room appear bigger.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to do a complete repaint, a great way to brighten a room is to add a splash of colour to the ends of the doors. Use bold primary colours for maximum impact. This method also works well on chests of drawers. Paint the ends of each drawer in different colours to add a fun vibe to bedroom and kitchen furniture.

If you covet a new floor but don’t fancy the upheaval or have the budget to invest, why not simply paint it? Painted floors are a hot trend in home décor. Although floor painting has been around for years, it’s gaining in popularity, probably because you can create any new colour palette or style you like.

Concrete floors, natural woods and even vinyl can all be refreshed with a lick of paint. Choose a paint specifically designed for the surface you want to cover. Not sure which colour to choose? Greys are perennial favourites, while high-gloss whites set off a room and make it appear bigger. If you’re feeling braver, try an on-trend bold red or a rich yellow.

If you thought sponging and stippling were a thing of the past, think again. Paint effects are bang on trend, and these days they’re simpler than ever to achieve.

A stippling effect is created when the tips of a brush’s bristles are dabbed onto fresh paint to create a subtle design. Special stippling brushes, available in different sizes, allow you to create anything from a soft dotted effect to a solid colour.

With sponge painting you can create an ombre effect – one colour blending into another. Simply apply a base coat of colour to your chosen surface, then use sponge to dab on another colour, allowing the base to show through.

Finally, spruce up a wooden dining table and chairs with a bold colour for a sleek and thoroughly modern new look. Make sure you sand the surface well, ensuring no gloss remains. If you don’t sand well, any paint you apply is likely to peel off. Use an oil-based primer, then apply at least three coats of paint. If you don’t want to paint the whole table, simply paint the legs.