Paint gets all the glory for transforming the way a room looks, but there's an even cheaper—and cleaner—way to create a major impact. Sherry and John recommend taking a good, hard look at your windows. For just $10, you can buy
two Vivan curtains from Ikea (if you prefer a classic look) or use two canvas-like drop cloths (if your style skews rustic). Hang them about 18 inches wider than the window and about 4 inches below the ceiling to make your windows look supersized, Sherry says.
