5 ways to add colour to 5 spaces – room ideas that are speedy not spendy

Small updates can make a huge difference and if you add colour to the mix then you’re on to a winner. Don’t let the impending darker evenings affect your mood, keep happy with splashes of colour in every room of your house and see if it prevents a little SAD creeping in.  

We've come up with our favourite quick room ideas (we use these every year at Realhomes.com Towers for quick updates and they work) – keep scrolling for ideas.

1. Buy supermarket cushions for the living room

Cushions are one of the simplest and most effective ways to add colour to a living room – or any room in the house. We love how these new season cushions from George at Asda are all different colours, shapes and sizes – it’s a great idea to vary them as it creates more interest – and who likes a uniform look, anyway? Find similarly fabulous buys via Sainsbury's Home, TK Maxx, Aldi and beyond...

For more living room ideas, don't miss our guide.

2. Choose cheap but cheerful tableware for the diner

Plain colour has its place, and we love mixing plain plates with coloured or white ones to add instant interest. Look at these gorgeous stoneware Wilma designs from Habitat – they instantly add vibrant colour to this table and the simple design is fresh and modern. You can choose from different bowls and mugs and they also come in black – for all of you non-colour fans out there!

3. Add a quick splash of paint to a bedroom (or just a new throw)

If money is tight but you still yearn for a new look in your bedroom then consider painting the lower half of your walls – what would have been the dado rail line in a period property. If you have the budget then popping up some tongue and groove is a reasonably easy job and it looks great painted. We love the Borrowdale shade by Linda Barker Paints that’s shown here on the tongue and groove, and is teamed with Little Voice on the wall. Want a quicker solution? A bright throw is instant (once you're back from the shops or have had it delivered). We love this throw from Habitat – it's just £15.

• 44 best-ever bedroom ideas – decor, design trends and expert tips

4. Pick out bright towels for the bathroom

Investing in some towels is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to add a splash of colour to your bathroom, and towels are a great update - we all hanker after hotel style soft and fluffy ones don’t we? Matalan have a fab selection in various colours and designs – these geometric towels will also add pattern, and they come in pink too! 

• Bathroom ideas – 49 stylish looks, trends and tips for your makeover

5. Got time to spare? Give your kitchen cabinets a lick of paint

Sarah @nudeandthenovice has an amazing home full of colour and pattern, and her most recent update is her fabulous kitchen. Tired of the old look, albeit a colourful one, Sarah has painted her units in a pale green, which has a more calming effect in her kitchen. She has kept the marble style worktop and added these Casa tiles from @marrakechdesign which work perfectly with the rest of the scheme. 

• Painting kitchen cupboards: top tips and ideas to makeover your kitchen fast
• Best paint for kitchen cabinets: 8 paints to transform your space instantly