My husband has a level of self belief in his DIY abilities which fills me with a sense of dread every time he appears with his toolbox and a knowing grin. I’m not saying he is totally useless, far from it, it is just that he has a tendency to take on tasks he has never done before with a blasé attitude that I find rather un-nerving. It is only a matter of time before disaster strikes and we end up in one of those documentaries about domestic nightmares… oh the joy.

The latest project which has caught his beady eye is the need to replace our interior hardwood doors. Now this may not sound like much of an issue but given that we live in an old property with very few straight lines and the doors we have chosen were a bit on the expensive side I am sweating before he even gets the packaging off them. The chances of him hanging them all perfectly without a major fit of swearing is practically nil – I am in fact contemplating leaving the house for the weekend in search of some peace!

His Lordship then informed me that once the doors are up they will show up the state of the floors, and as he has spotted some rather fine engineered wood flooring on sale locally he is going to attempt that next. I am definitely off upstairs to pack a bag now. The banging and bashing has started in earnest just as I reach the front door, and I make my escape whilst the grin is still in place. Goodness only knows what I will find on my return… I think I will swing by the off licence on the way home in order to celebrate or drown our sorrows – fingers crossed the former not the latter. We shall see!

Is your bedroom looking dull? Need to spruce it up but don’t have much money? Well, why not “do it yourself”?

Yes, the dreaded DIY, the word that strikes fear into the hearts of those who have just paid out for new household insurance… but don’t be afraid; it really isn’t as hard as it looks. A simple lick of paint, that signature piece of furniture, or a few added accessories here and there can make a huge difference to your bedroom. You don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount of money to make your room look worth a million pounds. All you need is some motivation and a pair of hands. I can provide all the motivation but you’ll need your own hands!

Firstly, try adding some floating shelves. This will provide some storage space and can also transform a plain wall. This look is also quite versatile and can work in either a modern or traditional bedroom. The shelves can also add colour to an otherwise dull bedroom, and you could display some fancy objects or simply use them to store some books.

If you’re going for the traditional look, use some neutral colours or pastel colours. For a more modern look, try abstract shapes, bold colours, or even black and white. However, if the idea of screwing things on to your wall seems daunting and you don’t want to risk claiming on your building and contents insurance (!) you’re looking for something much simpler, an upholstered headboard should do the trick. It could transform your bedroom, or be that finishing touch that’ll make all the difference.

If you’re decorating a child’s bedroom and you really want to get your money’s worth, why not invest in a bunk bed; they are practical and look great. They save so much space and you can put your own stamp on them by personalising the lower bunk, adding a pull out chair, a pull out desk, or even both!

So, no matter what your budget is, you can transform your old bedroom and bring it up to date, without all the fuss and bother that initially would have had you running in the opposite direction.