House Rules judge and interior stylist Kyly Clarke shares her top styling tips for all budgets

When it comes to clever tips and cost-friendly inspiration for DIY home makeovers look no further than interior stylist Kyly Clarke and builder Saul Myers.

The House Rules: High Stakes judges have not only a wealth of experience and expertise — their passion alone for making the most of our living spaces is all the inspiration needed to take on a new project.

From using tricks to transform dreary walls or adding new dimension to rooms with Myer’s favourite styling tool, adding chic elements to your home is within reach for all budgets and DIY experience.

Declutter

If you haven’t tackled it already, decluttering every room will help you see the bigger picture before tackling bigger projects. Like many stylists espouse, Clarke said a focus on statement pieces instead of clutter added polish to a home.

“As we are spending so much time inside less clutter in each room will help create a sense of overall calm,” she said.

Walls

Saul Myers said one of the easiest ways to transform a room was by adding pizzaz to the walls. And not just with paint — there was a myriad of options for improving plaster walls from using wood panelling, to bright colour.

“When you look around your house I bet you see plain boring plaster walls, lacking contrast and interest. I see opportunity,” Myer said.

Depth and texture could be added to a room with half-height or full-height timber wall panelling.

“It’s so easy to install and requires almost no finishing,” he said. “Just patch the nail holes and paint it a bold colour and plain, boring wall no more.”

He said other plain walls could become styling gold mines by adding shelves or detail with beading.

“Building in shelves makes a humble wall a styling dream with candles, books and plants. Or a simple beading detail with a colour pop creates the world’s simplest and easiest feature wall,” he said.

Clarke said while it didn’t take much to give a room a fresh coat of paint, wallpaper was another way to add instant chic to walls.

“Wallpaper is a great recipe for a chic home that needs character and intrigue. It packs a punch and can be situated in the statement areas of your home adding a time period and specifically chic direction.

Accessories

Clarke said cushions and rugs were a cost effective way of changing the look and feel of a space. “You can add colour, pattern and texture to your home — adding texture gives a room dimension and several perspectives,” she said.

Myers was a big fan of rugs and their power to define space, add character and create atmosphere in a room.

“The right style, shape and size rug in the lounge room makes it feel more intimate, or more grand. And using one under the dining table sets the tone for the formality of dining — all without building any walls you can define different spaces in your home.”

Get creative

If you needed a project then Myers had the perfect solution - up cycling old or tired furniture.

He suggested sanding them back, even scuffing them to add character befgre painting a bold colour. funtire.

“Make them into a statement piece rather than an eyesore. The best part is they have built in character that you can’t buy from a store.

“And in future years you’ll have a story to tell and something you have crafted during these unique times.”