IF you're looking around your house and with a pounding head and churning stomach, you've probably got a property hangover.

These symptoms are hardly surprising in the current market, so most people are opting to sit tight and improve.

A recent survey of estate agents by lender GE Money found that simply redecorating all the bedrooms or a living room adds at least £4,000 (2.6%) value and that doesn't include the feel-good factor of having rooms you'll enjoy.

Fashionista Lulu Guinness recommends wallpapering or painting just one wall to turn it in an instant feature'.

She's just one of the experts consulted for advice on winning ways to improve a home by Annie Deakin, editor of the magazine for the online interiors site mydeco.com. Annie says: "We discovered that even the tiny details can make a difference."

Sir Terence Conran recommended flooding a room with as much natural light as possible to transform it, while supermodel Erin O'Connor's interior designer, Suzy Hoodless believes the best quick fix is arrangements of flowers and plants.

Textile designer Celia Birtwell snaps up new cushions whenever she wants to update a room, and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp plumps for a new toaster and kettle to smarten a kitchen and matching fluffy towels for bathroom appeal.

Those efforts could pay dividends according to Miles Shipside of property website Rightmove, who says: "Homes with an immaculate finish are still popular if priced realistically'. Badly presented homes have to be really modestly priced to sell, and first impressions really count."

WINNING WAYS WITH COLOUR

Probably the safest and most chic choice for decor is monochrome - the classic and versatile pairing of black and white.

Fionnuala Johnston, design manager for B&Q says: "It's a great basic which can dressed up with metallics, warmed with soft colours or made dramatic with punchy contrasts like red.

"Just varying your accessories - throws, lampshades and cushions - from time to time can instantly freshen the scheme."

Other trend savvy colour choices are greens, with grass green and sage green the leading shades. Soft blues, such as duck egg and teal combine brilliantly with chocolate and soft browns.

B&Q wallpapers start from £9.98 a roll, and feature black and white choices such as the Colours Collection Riley or Bonita.

SCOURING THE STORES

Supermarkets, DIY and home stores such as Homebase, B&Q and Matalan are now vying with each other to produce the best quality products at the lowest prices.

But a new port of call for a canny shopper seeking designer homeware at up to 60% off could be HomeSense, which has stores in Poole, Cardiff, Bristol, Northampton, Manchester and Gloucester and is a sister company to TK Maxx.

Dave Alves, HomeSense buying director advises looking for a hero' piece. "These are unusual or eye-catching pieces that literally can transform the look of a room.

"Contrast is the key here - if your style's vintage or traditional look for one piece of contemporary furniture that will stand out and give the wow' factor, similarly if you've got a modern room add something oozing character and age, like a period-style chair."