Cheap curtains can often be a bit of a false economy as cheap fabric often does a poor job at keeping the light out. But if you've already bought a pair that aren't up to the job, don't despair. The website cheapcurtains.co.uk has blackout linings for reasonable prices that can be added to existing cheap curtains.
If you're happy with your curtains at a functional level but they're lacking a bit of style, there's loads of things you can do to spruce them up. Tie-dye may be passe if you're not a hippy, but the similar ancient art of batik - the word tik comes from the Japanese for dot - can make for a stunning piece of fabric. Make sure the dyes you buy are compatible with the type of fabric you have and be careful with hot wax.
It almost goes without saying that you'll want to use stencils with caution, or risk ending up with that community centre mural look; it's crucial that you keep it simple and classic. A judiciously applied stencil design on a dull wardrobe door, dressing table or infant's cot will really add a personal touch, particularly if you create your own stencil from scratch. You could even go down the Banksy route with something in an edgy urban graffiti line. To do stencilling well, you'll want really stiff, durable card and use a scalpel, not scissors, to cut your shape. When spraying through your stencil, take care not to spray too much, or your design could bleed and run. You can always add a second coat when it's dry.
Co-ordinated furniture costs extra, but there's no better way to give the illusion of a carefully planned living room or bedroom set than with matching furniture in a striking pattern or texture. Sets are expensive, but fabric doesn't have to be and you don't have to be an expert with a needle and thread to re-upholster basic furniture items.
A boring footstool can be covered with a funky fabric on top and simply bunched and stitched underneath with guests left none the wiser. Reupholstering an entire sofa can be almost as expensive as buying a new one, but if you colour-match your sofa exactly with just one of the colours in a patterned fabric, you can easily create cushions that make an elegant match with your three-piece suite.
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