Spitting Into the Wind

Better Homes & Gardens has a nifty tool you can use to experiment with your choice of paint colours, floor coverings, furniture and accessories.

There are several room designs to get started -- pick one that looks the most like your room and get to work customising patterns and colours.

To try Color-a-Room, you must first sign up at Better Homes and Gardens. I had a problem with the registration because the options are for US residents only. Make sure your postal code has 5 numbers and you'll have no problems registering.

You can save your designs as favourites, and choose which items in the room you'd like colourised to go with the rest of the colour scheme. A handy tool for anyone considering a makeover for the lounge or bedroom.

The hardest part about painting a room is simply getting started. Walls, trims and ceilings can be painted in a mind-boggling combination of colour schemes.

Even if you have a general idea about the colour palette you want, picking those just-right shades from a wall of hundreds of chips is hit or miss. Benjamin Moore's Color Makeover Program is a remarkable way to get free advice from the folks who stare at these colours all day.

Go to the site, upload some photos of your room, explain what (if any) ideas you have and within 10 business days a Benjamin Moore mix master will deliver a personalised packet with a recommendations and oversize paint chips.

Draw up a list and start writing down the basics – decide which items will stay, such as a lounge or a rug, and which elements you would like to change such as a wall colour or curtains. Next, determine a budget. Keep in mind those changes that will have the most impact for your dollar, such as paint, furnishings, and accessories. These simple changes can make a dramatic impact to a room.