If you're keen to revamp your property but find the price of materials and labour is enough to make you baulk, it can be easy to ditch your plans until your bank balance is looking a bit healthier. 

However, having to stick to a tight budget is no reason to put off home improvements, as with a bit of time and effort you can refresh your interiors and add value to your property just by making small changes.

And the bathroom or kitchen is a great place to start. Andrew Leech, director at the National Home Improvement Council, claims that installing a new bathroom or kitchen can be a "real bonus" since they can be designed to save money on running costs and conservation, but also points out that this option can be expensive.

"It is really about looking at the more minor things in the house which can make a big difference," he adds.

Therefore, when you start thinking about your new interior design, rather than ripping up floorboards and tearing down walls, it may be worth paying close attention to the finer details of a room.

In the kitchen, simply replacing the tiles on your splash back or installing fancy new brushed steel kitchen taps can make for an almost instant revamp and are jobs that you can carry out yourself, so saving yourself the cost of calling in a professional.

Similarly, small changes in the bathroom such as investing in an electric towel radiator or fitting blinds in a bright, fresh colour will change the whole atmosphere of the room and can make you feel like you have a whole new interior.

Finally, you'll be surprised at the difference a clearout can make to a room. De-cluttering can make a room feel larger and brighter, so set aside an afternoon, whip out the black bin bags and have a good old tidy.