Add a splash of colour to make most of rooms

The quickest and easiest way to revamp a room is it give it a lick of paint but not everyone is confident when it comes to choosing colours. When re-decorating, consider carefully what you want to achieve. For example, think about the size of your room, do you want to make it appear more spacious, or are you trying to make a large room appear more intimate? The colour you choose plays a large role in achieving the effect.

If you do want to make a room feel larger, then paint the skirting board a darker colour. Many make the mistake of painting the skirting white but this has a shrinking effect. Also consider the function of the room carefully, too. A dining room, for example, can handle deep inky blues or sumptuous reds whereas for a study you might want something bright and breezy to help you concentrate. Large open spaces are always tricky as using different colours often ruins the effect of the room.

Instead, opt for different textures, use paint as well as wood, tiles and wallpaper but stick to different tones of the same colour.

Sample pots are a great way to test a colour, I'd suggest making a moodboard of the paint, fabric and any other colours you might want to add to see what works.

When you think you have the right mix, try the paint on the walls. Don't just put the sample paint on one wall as different sections of the room will get different amounts of light. If you're not brave enough to put it on the walls then paint inside a cupboard instead.

For a quick fix, painting the front door is most satisfying. Or, thanks to advances in paint technology you can paint the bath tub – a great place to add a more vivid colour to your bathroom.

Paint is available for tiles, too. Although expensive, no-one comes close to Farrow & Ball in terms of timeless colours.

Visit www.farrow-ball.com to see the selection. Or if you're trying to make 2010 an environmentally friendly year then I'd suggest Auro Paints (www.auro.co.uk).

For more hot styling tips and advice, visit www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk