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" Photo: Jeff McNamara Talk about repurposing! Find a cool new use for old maps If you&amp;#039;re like me, you love to mix things up from time to time. But constantly making over a room can get costly. For easy updates without breaking the bank, follow these tried-and-true do&amp;#039;s and don&amp;#039;ts. Do get creative with your wall covering. Layer an assortment of maps using wallpaper adhesive. It&amp;#039;s great for camouflaging uneven walls and is a creative way to pay homage to the many road trips you&amp;#039;ve taken\u2014or want to take. Don&amp;#039;t follow the crowd. Trends come and go, and easy updates are the best way to keep current. But you have to live with the look, so be sure you love it. Just because it&amp;#039;s in style doesn&amp;#039;t mean it&amp;#039;s your style. Do be a salvage specialist. Go homegoods shopping at thrift stores, garage sales and salvage yards. Often the most random, tossed-aside things\u2014like assorted letters or an old school locker\u2014can find the coolest purpose in your home. Don&amp;#039;t hang onto stuff past its prime. Know when something has served its purpose\u2014and donate it to a local charity.   Photo: Jennifer L\u00E9vy \u2022 Styling: Dan Pasky Garage sale junk becomes a gallery-worthy display! Do follow your emotions. If red makes you happy, put it in a room where you spend a lot of time; if thoughts of ocean getaways relax you, create a coastal theme in your bedroom or bath. Don&amp;#039;t throw out useful items simply because they don&amp;#039;t fit your current decorating scheme. If you have the storage space, use it. You never know what attic treasure might be just the ticket when you&amp;#039;re next redoing your room. Do unify random decorative objects by painting them all one color. Scour your attic or garage sales for a hodgepodge of &amp;quot;throw away&amp;quot; items that can become a surprisingly cohesive display. Don&amp;#039;t ignore lighting. Table lamps and sconces can be an affordable way to create interest in any room. Materials and shapes run the gamut and jazz up any decor. Getting a new shade for an old lamp is a great trick, too. Don&amp;#039;t let small accents stand alone. Itty-bitty items can lose their impact, so when displaying mantel or tabletop knickknacks, give them some clout by grouping with other objects that are similar in size and style. Do recycle. Antique items add texture to modern spaces. When an old piece seems to be on its last leg, instead of tossing it (and adding to the landfills) or buying new, update it with a fresh coat of colorful paint.   Photo: Ken Gutmaker Do look up. The ceiling is often a neglected design element, yet a simple coat of paint can give a room a bold new look\u2014no structural changes required. Don&amp;#039;trush to pick a wall color. Paint a small piece of foam core, 1 to 2 square feet, and observe it at various times of the day and in different areas of the room. Like Cinderella&amp;#039;s carriage, tangerine may turn into pumpkin at midnight! Do limit your boldness. If you&amp;#039;re painting a bright color over a large area, be careful with accents in other bold hues that might distract from the main attraction. Sometimes just one strong color says it all. Don&amp;#039;t paint an important piece, like a family heirloom. You&amp;#039;ll negate the value, and if you ever want to see the original finish again, removing paint can be an unrelenting job, especially on carved or ornate pieces. Paint is permanent, slipcovers aren&amp;#039;t. Don&amp;#039;t paint before choosing accents. If you&amp;#039;re planning to add pillows or vases, select paint color after you buy them to ensure you get the perfect match.   Photo: John Gruen Upholstery nails are an easy and chic update! Do add a personal touch to new, uninspired furniture. This foot stool goes from bland to bold with a simple application of upholstery nails. Don&amp;#039;t forget about storage. When shopping for new pieces, pick those with a dual purpose, like an ottoman with a hidden compartment, a bookcase to hold collectibles or baskets to stash papers. A messy environment can be stressful and unattractive. Do dress it up! Colorful chair covers and a patterned table runner can give a dining set an instant (and affordable) makeover. Just change the wardrobe when you&amp;#039;re ready for a new look. Do accessorize. One of the easiest and fastest ways to completely change the personality of a room is with affordable accents like throw pillows, vases and lamp shades. Bright red and white add a punch to this space. Don&amp;#039;t overdo it. Simple touches may transform a room\u2014but too many will drown it. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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