Also: Home & Garden 2006 Over-the-top!

HOUSE SMART By Lou Manfredini

Makeover magic

Not everyone has money to burn when it comes to remodeling. But with less than $1,500 and a little ingenuity, you can turn any room into a showplace.

One of my favorite things to do is to surf the home improvement shows on TV. I really like the ones where designers transform a room for the price of a new laptop. Sure, it can be done, but who wants to come home to a lamp made of copper wire that's spun up like a turban?

Call me old-fashioned, but I like makeovers that focus on the room itself. These are the sort of decorative improvements that make living in your home a joy and boost property value. Now, if you're ready for real change, break out the calculator.

To begin, think small and focus on one area, like the family room. Pick five things to change and finish these first, then expand as you go along.

Paint is the quickest way to give a room a new look. But avoid "linen white" -- the home decorator's classic fallback color -- and try something bold to shake things up. Most paint stores now sell tiny samples, which means you can experiment without making a commitment. Paint and tools should run about $150.

Now, for the floor: If you have old carpeting, consider a laminate floor that resembles natural wood (lumberliquidators.com). The material can cost as little as $1 per square foot, but for this exercise, we'll spend $2.50 (for more money, you get better selection, quality and durability). These systems click together easily and take about half a day to install. Laminate flooring for a 12-by-15-foot room will cost about $450.

Next, throw down an area rug in the center of the room to warm up the place. You can accent the walls with a solid-color rug or go for a machine-made Oriental rug that looks nearly as good as one that's handmade. Either way, an 8-by-8-foot rug costs about $300.

Now, check what's hanging in the windows: This can bring the room together. Try installing pleated shades (levelor.com) for about $50 per window; let's figure we'll use six. Many home centers have these in stock and will custom-cut them while you wait.

Finally, let's turn to lighting. Just as a stage play comes to life with the placement and intensity of light, your family room can take on new and unexpected ambience with the flip of a switch. Hang track lighting to create a mood, or focus a few floor lamps to reflect light off the ceiling for a soft glow. Another idea is a ceiling fixture or wall sconce. New lighting will cost about $150.

If your math is right, you'll see we're somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,500. Not bad!