1. Divide and conquer
To jazz up a lacklustre dining room containing a less-than-exciting matching suite, ditch the chairs that came with the table in favour of contrasting-yet-complementary ones, residential designer Sabrina Linn  says. Simpatico pairings include chocolate leather highbacks with a lighter oak table, ornate Queen Annes with a modern mirrored table or funky round-backed chairs with a rustic walnut one. If the table is long and rectangular, install two armchairs or wingbacks at either end for yet more contrast. And if the room is devoid of a rug, install a sisal, seagrass or sexy silk one to corral the whole vignette.

2. Lose the edge
That elaborately curvy kitchen counter or island with fussy edges may have suggested a customized look to the previous owners of your home, Toronto-based Linn says, but such details can now look horribly dated. To both update your kitchen and give it a timeless appeal, she advises, replace any snaky, curved, carved or otherwise ornate counter- and island tops with cleanly stylish square-edged versions.

3. Be a cut up
Are you in the dark about how to brighten up a long, poorly lit hallway? To allow more light into the space, replace any standard interior doors with ones that have etched-glass inserts, which will offer complete privacy yet allow light to pour into the hall from other rooms, Toronto decorating expert and TV personality Karl Lohnes says. Moreover, he adds, hang or lean large floor mirrors along the wall across from the doors; this will visually widen the hallway, creating an airy effect and bouncing light around. Finally, visually shorten the hall by installing two to three small rugs instead of one long runner, hanging a series of overhead lighting fixtures and choosing a paint colour that is similar in tone to the flooring – when the walls and floor share similar tones, the space looks less delineated.

4. Aim high
Too often, Linn says, homeowners install inadequate overhead lighting, whether it’s bad track lighting in a living room or kitchen or a meagre-looking hanging lamp in a bedroom or den. In all four cases, a dramatic chandelier, whether ornate or contemporary, is guaranteed to enliven, creating a focal point for the eye as well as better illumination. (And don’t forget to install a dimmer with it.)

5. Play (with) taps
If you’re happy with your countertops but your kitchen still lacks elegance, try replacing faucets, cabinet pulls or backsplashes for new and instant pizzazz, Lohnes says. Regarding pulls and knobs, choose oiled bronze hardware for a casual look or polished black ones if you want a modern feel. In terms of faucets, gooseneck varieties are still popular, but go with a sharply angled or geometric one for a contemporary effect. And when it comes to backsplashes, connect the upper and lower cabinets with one in a contrasting yet complementary tone: A tiny tumbled-stone subway tile will help achieve a casual look, whereas a large-scale, high-gloss glass tile has a more modern feel.

1. Before you start, plan your space to maximise efficient use of it.

2. Instead of blindly following the latest design trends, let the interiors reflect your tastes and personality.

3. Each room should have a focal point — a bright wall, artwork, curios or a piece of furniture — to which the eye is drawn. The remaining elements in the room should be in harmony with it.

4. Choose furniture that suits the shape and size of the room to avoid clutter.

5. See the room in natural light, before choosing a colour for it.

6. Conceal wiring and switch points wherever possible. Do plan the locations of appliances and furniture beforehand to do this with ease.

7. The most utilised space of the house —the kitchen — should be ventilated, well-planned and clutter-free as well as being safe and functional. Use materials that are easy to maintain.

8. If you find more than one decorating style that you like, simply combine them into a look that’s all your own.

9. You can never go wrong with plants in the living space or in the balcony. They always add a personal touch and add to the aesthetics. Most interior plants, particularly palms, look good in almost any setting.

10. Lastly, there are really no hard and fast rules for interior decoration. In fact, it’s by breaking the rules that some of the most memorable interior decorating schemes evolve.

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you’re looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, Make your home distinct with these little accents:

- Rearrange the furniture: Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. Arranging the sofa diagonally across the narrow living room will make the room look wider and provide a warm, inviting layout.

- Paint, paint, and clean: You will be surprised by what a coat of new paint or cleaning your existing mouldings and doors will do to any room, or to your entire house. Don’t forget baseboards, mouldings and doors. Find new colours and useful utensils at your local home improvement store.