With money being tight for most of us at the moment, you could be forgiven for wondering how you can save a few extra pounds - and DIY is certainly one way to accomplish this.
Regardless of whether or not you have previous experience in carrying out a bit of handiwork, with the right tools and a positive frame of mind, there are plenty of jobs around the house that - if you've got the time - there is no reason to call the professionals in for.
For some people, one of the most daunting rooms of the home to renovate is the bathroom - and this is mainly down to the wrong perception that sprucing it up will involve getting your hands dirty on a much larger scale.
While for the bigger jobs this may be true, it's not always the case if all you want to do is breathe a bit of life into a bathroom that is feeling a bit outdated.
Here are some of our top tips to freshen up where you freshen up.
Don't be afraid to paint
Because the bathroom is traditionally one of the smaller rooms of the house, splashing out on enough mildew-inhibiting paint to cover your walls won't set you back a fortune.
As a result, one of the easiest ways to make your bathroom feel like a completely new part of your home is to change the colour of it. You may want to wallpaper the area you are thinking of decorating first, so don't be afraid to opt for a textured covering to add an extra dimension here.
Additionally, you may wish to inject a bit of colour into a room that is so often dominated by neutral colours or monochromatic themes. Why not experiment with something bright to really help you to wake up when taking your morning shower?
If you're into what's fashionable, 2014's Pantone colour of the year is radiant orchid, which is a rich purple hue that would look great with a white bathroom suite.
Accessorise
While you could be forgiven for thinking we're talking about clothes here, there are plenty of ways to inject a bit of life into your bathroom by investing in new complementing accessories.
From toothbrush holders to waste bins, there are loads of ways to spruce the place up without spending a fortune.
If you want to add an air of serenity or romance to the bathroom, then buying some matching candles could certainly be worth looking into.
Other options include soap dispensers, lamp shades (if you don't have spotlights) or a new bathroom cabinet, which we'll move onto now.
The importance of a good bathroom cabinet
One sure-fire way to make your bathroom feel more shiny and new is to invest in something to make it easier to keep tidy.
A good quality cabinet is the perfect solution here, hiding all those messy bits you don't really want your guests seeing when they pay a visit.
Keeping your surfaces clear is often half the battle when it comes to having a bathroom to be proud of, while most cabinets also double up as a mirror, which is perfect for when you're getting ready for work in the morning.
Installing this type of storage needn't be a difficult chore, either - regardless of whether your walls are tiled or papered.
If you're putting your cabinet up over tiles, then you can either drill through the grout to fit your wall plugs or - if you feel brave - drill through the tile. When attempting the latter, use a masonry bit to drill slowly at first so you don't crack the tile, applying slight pressure. Eventually you will have made a perfect hole through to the wall, at which point you can put more force behind the drill, before inserting the plug.
Of course, it's important to ensure your cabinet is secure before filling it up with odds and ends - as if it comes off the wall, then it will certainly prove to be more trouble than it's worth!
Make a rail effort
The humble shower rail is an area of the bathroom that is often overlooked, but paying a bit of attention to little details like this can make a huge difference to the appearance of your bathroom.
For example, you may want to opt for a chrome rail if you want to complement a shiny, modern environment, while if your taste is a little more vintage, then a brass version could be what you're after.
Of course, with the rail comes the curtain - and there are plenty of options available here as well, when it comes to redesigning your bathroom on a budget. You could even have a go at making your own if you're brave enough - play about with materials and designs to find something that suits the overall feel of the room.
If shower rails aren't your thing at all, then for a little more cash you could get rid of it completely and go for a glass screen instead. Because of their sheer weight, these can be more difficult to install and are often a two-man job when it comes to having them fitted, but the right design can look really nice and make a significant difference to the overall appearance.