Readers' real home makeover ideas
Cabinet with punch
"My living room cabinet was a nice, soft gray, a peaceful color, and I loved it for a while. But I decided it needed some punch! Benjamin Moore's Springtime Bloom gave it oomph" —Lesli DeVito, Greenwood, Virginia
Video: Décor elements every room should have
Rock 'n roll
"For instant cool, I added a rock 'n roll graphic and painted the bed." —Tamara Anka Gordon, St.-Lazare, Canada
Bing: Themed bedrooms
Colorful pillows
"Sometimes just adding a new cushion — or two, or three — to your sofa gives your friends the impression you've redecorated the entire space...shhh!" —Leah Viney, Adelaide, Australia
Video: 8 worthy home décor splurges
Lacquer
"Freshen up an old chest with green lacquer and new knobs. Add a colorful printed fabric shade to a flea market lamp." —Erin Benedict, Fullerton, California
Display collection
"Group and display a collection on inexpensive wall ledges. It gives it more impact while keeping it orderly." —Erin Benedict, Fullerton, California
Barn doors
"My husband and I added these rolling barn doors in our open-floor-plan-home and now we have options — open for flow or closed for privacy. We ordered the hardware online, and it was cinch to install." —Jennifer Napolitano, Southington, Connecticut
Statement piece
"We don't think it gets much easier than taking a functional piece, like this entryway 'gossip bench,' and giving it a much-needed makeover with fresh paint, new knobs, and modern fabric. It would take any foyer up a notch." —Carly Martin and Melissa Vantoever, Charlottetown, Canada
Curtained walls
"If a room is full of windows and it's hard to place furniture, curtain the entire wall. It adds soft texture and allows you to arrange the room any way you want. You can even hang art in front for extra impact!" —Emi K. Price, Ashley Gilbreath, and Amanda Reynolds, Montgomery, Alabama
Decoupage
"Have a piece of furniture with a damaged veneer that can't be easily repaired? Decoupage the surface with book pages for a unique and interesting new look." —Gloria Fox, Roanoke, Virginia
Unique wall art
"In a stairwell with 15-foot-high white walls, I painted only the lower portion to match the front hallway. Then I applied vintage dictionary pages to divide the top and bottom." —Amy Duncan, Everett, Washington











