When looking to make changes to your home, the idea of months of upheaval, noisy building work and high costs can be off-putting. However, there are ways in which you can update and refresh your space without being too dramatic, giving it an instant new look without the stress that goes with it.

Lots of small touches can often have much more of an impact than a bigger project, simply because the big improvements can often dominate the room and take attention away from smaller details. With this in mind, allow us to present our top five ways of updating your home quickly, easily and cheaply – a new look may be just around the corner.

1) A cluttered home can feel boring and unattractive, especially if it takes attention away from stylish furniture or accessories. To combat this, keep things neat and tidy with plenty of chic storage; kitchen and bathroom storage cupboards are easy to install and blend with the rest of the room, and more importantly help you stay organised. To make a real impact, go for a contrasting colour and style to really update the space, or consider stencils to put your stamp on your new piece of furniture.

2) Strangely, subtle changes can have a big impact, perhaps because they work together to create one big look. Consider changing small aspects of the room to alter the style, such as door handles, throws and even the feet of wardrobes and sofas. Artwork and soft furnishings can also help, so study interior design magazines and ask experts for tips on how to achieve your dream look on a budget.

3) Splashes of colour draw the eye in and instantly update any room. But instead of lengthy re-decorating sessions, change items such as bedspreads and sofa cushions to help break up the room and make it more interesting. In terms of bedspreads UK companies are stocking up this Christmas as people seek to make changes to their homes in the New Year, so now is the ideal time to get something new and exciting: go for big bold colours to attract attention and add an interesting twist.

4) Your home should feel like a space that is uniquely ‘you’, to help you relax and feel at ease in your surroundings. One of the best ways to achieve this is to surround yourself with personal trinkets and lots of photographs: no one else will have the exact same mementoes, and it’ll give friends plenty to talk about when they visit. Trawl markets or car boot sales for cheap and stylish photo-frames, or make your own if you’re feeling confident.

5) Instead of extensive (and expensive) insulation and draft-proofing, consider other methods to keep your home cosy this winter. Thick curtains are an ideal way of keeping the heat in, as are draft excluders at the bottom of each door. Also, invest in fleece blankets and other throws for beds and sofas, to curl up under while relaxing in the evenings: going for colourful patterns can also brighten the room and make you feel more cheerful during dark winter nights.

If you’re looking to make home improvements but don’t want to do anything too stressful, these small touches can be an ideal way of gaining a fabulous new style on a budget. However, remember that home improvement is a work in progress, so always keep your eyes peeled for bargains and trinkets to continually refresh your look. ‘Home Staging For Dummies’ recently compiled a survey that found that most people left around five years between decorating sessions, which can result in your home feeling stale and boring.

Regular reviews and additions to the home keep it fresh, so don’t be afraid to experiment. With our tips and tricks, it can be easier than you think.