The most personal space in your home should be the coziest of retreats; and, since most of your time in this room is probably spent in bed, it makes sense to pay careful attention to your bedding -- in terms of both comfort and style. Luckily, you'll find that options abound: beautifully hand-embroidered shams, handmade quilts and coverlets, and impossibly soft imported sheets, all easy to coordinate for one of the simplest weekend makeovers of all. But remember, bed linens don't all have to match. You can shop sales for sheets, dust ruffles, shams and blankets that pick up one tone in the main pattern of the comforter, for example -- then tie it all together with a lightweight throw at the end of the bed.

For a luxe ambiance, pile your bed with masses of pillows or show off a combination of heirloom linens. Prefer a more low-key effect? Choose pillowcases and sheets that have embroidered trim in a color that matches the walls or a blanket. Or mimic the look for less: Sew strips of cotton braid or fabric in contrasting shades on plain sheets you already have. Remember, whether tailored or traditional, go for whatever makes you comfortable.

Plentiful use of fabrics gives a bedroom a soft serenity, so be creative. For example, the imaginative headboard shown here is a three-panel screen covered with fabric coordinated to the bed, then crisscrossed in a darker tone. To add some romance, you can create an airy "canopy" by running inexpensive netting from mounted drapery brackets on the ceiling above the bed to a pair on the wall behind it.

For a spacious night table with a storage secret, simply top a file cabinet with a round of fiberboard, then drape with a long circular skirt. Revamp a boring dresser with a table runner in a favorite print. And don't forget the windows. In bedrooms, privacy and light control are important considerations. Pair lined draperies that can be pulled closed at night with sheer curtains underneath.

As you select fabrics for your bedroom, you may want to limit the busy prints, which make some people feel jumpy. Look instead to the soft hand, adaptability and washability of solid-colored cottons and linens, which come in all kinds of weights and textures.

It's not usually a do-it-yourself project, but installing a new countertop is one of the most practical ways to transform your workspace (and it usually takes only a day or two to complete the work). Granite and solid surfacing are gorgeous, of course, but for a budget-friendly alternative, take another look at laminate countertops. To get your imagination going, listen to these descriptions from just one laminate surfacing manufacturer's line: the appearance of slate, sandstone, marble, concrete or granite, all in a choice of tones (which you rarely have with the real thing). Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can get the glossy look of granite surfacing or any of the other hot materials without the "hot" price tag. There's no doubt that laminate is the most economical countertop surface. But what's more, though it does show cuts and nicks, this material resists stains, high temperatures and abuse from heavy pots and pans. And, it's easy to clean and long-lasting. For a personal twist, consider custom-edge treatments or inlays.

Fresh paint is often the panacea for tired rooms. And well it should be -- a great new color can quickly remedy the most humdrum decor. Start by spinning the color wheel. Have the courage to venture beyond the safety of white and taupes to some of the clusters of colors that can lend distinction, like soft purples, silvers and grays or the serene blues of sky and sea.

Whatever colors you select, test them on the wall first, and in a big way. Paint a sizable area and leave it there awhile so you can see the effect of different lighting conditions. Don't be afraid to change your mind. A wasted can of paint may seem expensive now, but imagine waking up every morning with the same thought: "I wish I'd tried a different color."

To add extra dimension to painted walls, consider using one of the decorative or faux finishes that are so popular today. No longer for professionals only, these finishes are easy to apply using sponges, rags or specialty rollers. Before you start on the walls, practice the effect -- be it a marbled, striated, crackled or woven look -- on a big piece of cardboard, then prop it against the wall so you can live with it awhile. With paint, the secret to long-term happiness is test, test, test!

Need some cabinet magic? Without even repainting or replacing the doors, you can use knobs and pulls to lift your old cabinetry out of the doldrums. Whether you go for sleek stainless-steel handles, Victorian-style bin pulls, glass knobs or something whimsical such as dragonfly-shaped knobs and pulls, hardware can lend immediate personality to your kitchen. Before you trek out to the stores or begin to browse online, figure out how many knobs and pulls you'll need. Next, take measurements to make sure your choice will work. Think about comfort -- does it feel good in your hand? -- as well as style. Found the perfect hardware? Take 10 minutes for installation, and every time you open the cabinets you'll feel good.

It doesn't take much to make a big difference with tile. Just a couple of inches of backsplash along your countertops in a combination of plain and patterned tiles or plain tiles with a patterned border can turn ordinary into extraordinary. You can keep costs down by using a few ornate or handmade tiles set in a field of inexpensive glazed ones.

As you browse through your local tile showroom or home store, you'll find glazed and unglazed finishes, textured surfaces (like ribbed or crisscrossed) and even mirrored or metallic looks. Colors, of course, are virtually unlimited -- and so are the compositions you'll create.

For floors, the warmth of unglazed terra-cotta lends a rusticity that complements wood floors in adjoining areas particularly well; pebbled, stone-look tiles give a high-end panache for a fraction of the cost. Plus, tile floors are easy to clean. Just keep in mind that hard tile underfoot can be rough on the back -- and anything you drop will most likely shatter on contact.

When it comes to window treatments, the possibilities are endless, even in the fast-and-easy category. If you're aiming for soft elegance across a wall of windows, balloon shades are a perfect solution; you'll find many ready-made or made-to-order in mail-order catalogs. For a more tailored effect, consider buying mini blinds, wood blinds, shutters or Roman shades that complement your room. Cellular shades admit light while blocking unwanted views -- or viewers.

If you have many large windows to dress (and not such a large budget!), head for the bedding department. Satin, eyelet, striped, checked or floral print sheets act as well on a window as they do on a bed, and you don't have to be a seamstress to make this option work. Just invest in a decorative curtain rod, then cut open the ends of the deep hem at the top of the sheet and pull the rod through the pocket. Or, simply drape the sheet over the rod to create a soft swag.

Believe it or not, it gets even easier: Just dress up what you have. Add new, contrasting tiebacks (ribbons or scarves work well) and matching valances. Or, hang airy sheers beneath your looped-back draperies to add breezy lightness.

Few elements make as dramatic an impact on a room as well-chosen carpets and rugs. Wall-to-wall is a comfortable, beautiful choice, but it must be professionally installed; if you'd prefer a do-it-yourself option, consider laying a neutral-toned piece of bound carpet almost as big as your room. In an instant, the whole space will seem softer and more inviting -- to the foot, and especially to children playing on the floor. Neutral-colored carpet doesn't have to be dull; it can bring in interesting texture and even hints of color. Today's Berbers and sisal lookalikes are being flecked with many different hues to create a tweedlike appearance. These flecks show up as "new neutrals," too, such as soft greens, pale yellows and slate blue.

You can skip the carpeting altogether and go straight to the myriad choices in area rugs, from rich Orientals to jazzy geometrics. Or, pick up an inexpensive sisal area rug bound in a color that complements your room. It will brighten up everything around it -- with virtually no effort on your part. If you already have wall-to-wall you're not crazy about, a few strategically placed throw rugs can make it fade into the background.

When it comes to redecorating, fabric is the ultimate quick-change artist. For a simple pick-me-up in the living room, add a batch of comfy new pillows. Use a bold pattern you love, a splash of your favorite color -- or both.

If your sofa has seen better days, treat it to one of the many ready-made slipcovers (available by mail order) in a large, soft print, then complement with pillows that play up key hues. When selecting patterns for your room, remember to include a variety of scales. Pick smaller, more subtle prints or tailored plaids or stripes to support the main event.

Another way to go is to create a calming monochromatic look using texture for visual interest. Start by choosing a rich fabric -- nubby, tweedy chenille or plush velvet, for example -- then add depth with accessories; you might introduce contrast with woven wicker or rattan, or glamour with shimmery silk or satin.

Whatever your style, you'll find that one of the easiest ways to tie the room together is by repeating the upholstery or pillow fabric at the windows -- it can be as simple as throwing a striking piece of fabric over a rod as a swag or using ribbon to tie fabric onto a thick wooden rod.