Colour, colour, colour – it can bring to life a dull room; add a point of interest with a feature wall; create an entertainment paradise inside or out; and give an ordinary home a touch of the unexpected.

One weekend, a bit of sweat and grunt – and you can completely change the entrance to your home. The front yard is what visitors see first and a shabby driveway or a bank that needs a retaining wall can detract from the overall look and feel of your home.

The key to a successful renovation – be it an entire house, a room or a backyard – is research and planning. Long before you visit your local Amber store, you need to decide your budget and the look and feel you are trying to create.