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If you are planning home improvements for yourself then the cost vs value argument is not going to be a strong one. I know we all thrive to have a home that looks as good as the magazine photo's, but in reality many peoples houses become cluttered in a couple of days. I haven't seen many magazines showing spectacular photo's of rooms with yesterdays pots left on the side because they haven't had chance to clean up yet!

Whilst it is nice to be proud of your house when visitors come around, almost all of the time it will be someone that has an idea of how you live.

When improving your home for sale however this is a different matter.
As visitors are looking for a potential home, they will be mindful of how the home is decorated.

If it means paying somebody to do the job professionally to excuse the potential paint splatter floor, then that's the option you should take.
Most people should be able to cut corners however and keep labor costs to a minimum.

When it comes to fixtures and fittings, potential home buyers will hope for expensive looking items to show off their home, giving it that all important "wow" factor.

Try searching through magazines to see a style that you like - then shop around!
There is no point paying over the odds for a stylish dresser when a similar style is available at a fifth of the cost.
Stylish items can be quite affordable in the right places as replica designer items such as sunglasses have shown ($190 real - $30 replica). Unless you're really looking for a set designer nobody will be any the wiser.

If you fail on finding a decent piece of furniture at a fraction of the price, then another idea is to see if the shop has any designer items on stock clearance.
Many shops have a final few items that are no longer produced, and have the stock just taking up space. It's worth asking even if they're not advertising a stock clearance. A good deal can be made in this way. A true designer item at the fraction of the cost.

Learn more about this author, Paul Cartmell.
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