Wall Eyewash

The monsoons are here again and they have wrecked your walls. What's worse is that you cannot redo them for the next three months or so. You have tried covering it up with paintings and photo frames but the mildew and moisture patches are just too large.

Don't worry! Those ugly stains can be sneakily covered and transformed into masterpieces with a little creativity.

Remember that old worn out dupatta you were going to throw away? Fasten the dupatta to the wall in a fancy fan-like flow. You can add on sequins and attractive wall knick-knacks of your choice. Wooden or painted plaster of Paris ethnic masks can turn that dreadful wall into a focal point.

If the dupattas you own are too good for your walls, then buy a simple one from a local fabric store.

Sneaky Seating

You know how that ugly, grey trunk filled with stuff your husband 'needs' lies awkwardly in the corner. It crowds up the bedroom and gives it a scruffy look. How you wish you could throw it away! But of course, all hell would break loose if you even tried to.

Well, here is what you do... Bring out that trunk and show it off with a style. Throw on a brightly coloured dhurrie or quilt and a couple of soft cushions or bolsters and create the perfect seating for your kid's room or the living room too!

De- Barred

Remember the first time your parents came over for dinner? Remember the frozen look on their faces when your husband offered your mom a drink? Yes, you vowed never to bring booze into your home again... or at least not when your parents visit!

But think about it... you don't have to exhibit your collection of the finest wine and whisky or flaunt those dramatic long stemmed wine glasses. Not in front of the fainthearted at least. Just try a unique pedestal… ahem, bar cabinet.

An unusual bar designed with panelled wood and an elegant wooden or granite top will act as an elegant pedestal. Place an ornate statue or a pretty glass vase on it and your secret will be safe.

Cabinet Camouflage

Does your passageway stand out from the rest of your home for all the wrong reasons? The electrical switches and fuse boxes jut out and the pairs of shoes scattered about. Well you can change that with a quick fix idea that won't pinch your pocket.

Cover up that fuse box with a sleek wooden cabinet. Extend it all the way down to the floor and use the lower half as a shoe cupboard. Jazz it up by painting over it in an abstract style. Your cabinet won't look out of place and the passage will have a stylish wall too.

Lofty Secrets

Have you ever wished you had a home without beams protruding in all the wrong places? The worst part is you can't do anything about it without the ceiling crashing down on you. At least that is what you thought, until now.

Use those large horizontal beams to create an innovative ceiling for your home. You could create a matted ceiling with metal rods to hold the mat in place. This way you have an interesting concave ceiling, plus, you hide the awful beam.

You could also convert one side of the beam up to the nearest wall as a storage space. Use wooden panelling to create a flap down storage for all the odds and ends.