Are your closets overflowing with pictures and other framed goods that would undoubtedly look much better hung in a prominent location than hardly ever seeing the light of day? Hanging pictures is a great way to tie a room together and add some character and personality to your space.

Instead of simply hanging one picture here and another one there, you can work through your collection a whole lot quicker if you think outside the box and cluster pictures, creating a gallery wall.

But before you go grabbing for a hammer, nails and maybe even a level, assess the space and items you have lying around and come up with a plan. While you may not stick to it 100 percent once you get started-and that’s okay-having even a rough idea of how you envision the space when it’s complete will save you a lot of trouble.

Stick to Your Style. While you may have swooned over gallery walls in other people’s homes or in design magazines, trying to recreate something you’ve seen will most likely leave you feeling less than impressed with your own creation. Tune into your own personal style and incorporate photographs, artwork from your children, greeting cards, a favorite piece of fabric or any other trinkets that truly mean something to you. When creating a gallery wall, anything goes.

Mix and Match. Variety is key here. From various sizes of artwork to numerous textures and even different colored frames, don’t shy away from incorporating different pieces and styles to create a personalized, yet cohesive, look.

Plan It Out. The best way to avoid putting unnecessary holes in the wall is to plan out the entire design before you even think about taking a hammer to the wall. (If you’re a visual person, this step is even more important, so try to resist the urge to skip it.) While it’ll require some additional time, you’re going to want to trace each frame onto a piece of paper. Once the templates have been cut out, tape them to the wall in a pattern of your choosing. Then move them around as necessary until you find the perfect grouping.

Switch It Up. One of the best (or worst?) things about incorporating a gallery wall into your space is the fact that it’s never finished! Don’t be afraid to keep adding things or even swapping out certain pieces.

If you’re ready to finally cross that gallery wall off your to-do list, remember, the options are endless. And there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.

Just because you have a budget and short span of free time on the weekends doesn’t mean you can’t make some impactful changes in your home. Even the smallest changes can make a difference. Here are five home upgrades that you can not only complete in less than a few days, but also for less than $20.

Replace Old Hardware
Whether in your kitchen or bathroom, hardware can say a lot about your home’s style. Swapping out the handles on your cabinets and drawers can change the vibe of the room for just a few bucks. Removal and installation are a breeze—just unscrew the old and screw in the new. Look at your local hardware store, or even online, for inexpensive options that pack big style.

Replace Switch Plates
If you happen to live in an older home, chances are your light switch plates are outdated. Maybe it isn’t the style that’s old, rather the plastic is faded or discolored. Either way, it may be time to swap them out for new ones. For less than $20, you can get a new set of switch plates for an entire room, maybe even more. Get creative with paint and design each plate to compliment whatever room it will live in.

Weatherstrip Doors and Windows
Whether you’re pumping A/C in the summer or heat in the winter, if your doors and windows aren’t weatherstripped, you can end up with high utility bills. Simply stick your foam or felt weatherstripping tape along the tracks of your doors and windows. Though installation is easy, you may need a few basic tools, such as a drill or screwdriver. For more drafty areas, consider a low-cost door sweep.

Re-caulking the Bathroom
Check your bathroom tiles inside and outside of the bathtub, as well as all around it. If the seams are starting to crack or discolor, it may be time to re-caulk. To start, collect your tools, including the chalking, a bucket of water and rags. Consider a caulking tool for a more precise application. With less than $20 and a free afternoon, you can breathe new life into your bathroom while also keeping moisture away that can cause serious damage in the future.

Paint Doors or Trim
Of course, a fresh coat of paint on your walls or exterior can do wonders for curb appeal and transformation. But paint doesn’t need to be limited to just walls. Painting a fresh coat onto the trim around the interior doors and frames of your home can help to hide years of damage from pets, children and natural wear and tear. Or, paint your front door a bright or interesting color, adding a dramatic new flair to your home’s exterior.

A weekend may not seem like enough time to upgrade your home, but with a few tools, some creativity and a crisp $20 bill, you can achieve plenty of your design dreams. DIY pro or novice, these budget-friendly home improvement projects will keep you busy all weekend long, maybe even less!

Everything old is new again, and that goes for decorating with color. While the last decade in home décor has largely been defined by white and varying shades of beige and gray, today’s designers are harking back to yesteryear with paint colors, furniture and even kitchen appliances.

Part art deco, part ‘50s suburban and part ‘60s mod, these awesome retro colors are fresh and refreshed to fit today’s tastes, say the color mavens at Sherwin Williams, whose wall color faves this year include shades of pink, aqua and pale or mustard yellows with accents of slate or peppery coral—great ways to set off the stark white of baseboards, crown moldings and door frames.

Big Chill, a retro appliance company launched in 2001, is finding huge success with its growing line of refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers in pink, aqua, yellow and more that bring a spirit of nostalgia to today’s kitchens, along with their high-tech efficiency.

Small kitchen appliances from crockpots to mixers and toasters are now available in a wide range of bold and retro colors, and look for pink velvet, pale blue and teal sofas from a variety of furniture design companies as vintage furnishings make a huge comeback.

You might also find bright orange and sage green shantung side chairs, shabby-chic and pastel-colored buffets and bookshelves and other accessories, and don’t miss the lighting display in most home stores, where Tiffany lamps and vintage shades are gaining ground in sales.

A roomful of these vintage colors can make you feel a little nostalgic, a little happier and a little more optimistic. What more could anyone ask for?

When it comes to living a luxurious lifestyle on the beach, there’s perhaps no destination more stylish than the Hamptons. Over the years, this iconic locale has developed its own aesthetic, as New Yorkers bring the sophisticated appeal of the city and blend it with breezy beach vibes. If you can’t get enough of this stunning look, here are a few ways to bring the Hamptons style into your home no matter where you live.

Light and Airy
Most importantly, try to keep your décor light and uplifting. Crisp white walls and furnishings that are accented with various shades of blue make for the perfect seaside color scheme, but don’t be afraid to incorporate neutral tones, as well. An abundance of natural light pouring in from oversized windows will keep things feeling fresh and airy, as well as ensure those stylish houseplants you have get enough sunlight.

Mix and Match
Achieving Hamptons style is a balancing act. You want your home to have a chic quality that’s carefully curated, but look effortless at the same time. To do this, try juxtaposing reclaimed items with sleek finishes or use natural textures to create contrast with the white walls. In order to avoid getting too eclectic, remember that less is usually more.

Grand Proportions
The aesthetic is certainly much more subdued than other lavish design styles, yet there’s still an element of opulence that’s usually evidenced through grand proportions. Oversized windows, coffee tables and sofas should come to mind. Open floor plans that flow freely from indoor to outdoor living spaces further this sensation.

Coastal Influences
Of course, it wouldn’t feel like the Hamptons without some ocean-inspired décor. As the capital of coastal cool, there are many ways that you can incorporate these influences while staying on brand. It could be a simple bowl full of seashells on your coffee table, accent pillows with nautical patterns or even a salvaged ship’s helm hanging from the wall.

A good-looking houseplant adds pizzazz to your home. It can also be the next best thing to a live-in housekeeper, says John VanZile, author of Houseplants for A Healthy Home, out in May.

That’s because a number of houseplants contain properties that help rid the air around you of various chemicals and parasites. In fact, VanZile told House Beautiful, installing a few potted plants in your home can help you breathe and even sleep better without ever lifting a vacuum.

Rubber Plant: In addition to a adding dramatic accent to any room, studies show that rubber plants can remove airborne toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde—found in many cleaning supplies. VanZile advises wiping the leaves with a moist paper towel now and then to keep their pores open for optimal air purification.

Boston Fern: These lush ferns are great for removing common airborne pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene, which are thought to cause headaches, trouble breathing and the growth of cancerous cells. The Boston fern also combats winter dryness by raising indoor humidity.

Areca Palm: A 1989 NASA study declared this stately palm to be one of the most powerful air-purifying plants, particularly for its ability to remove formaldehyde from an indoor environment.

Peace Lily: The beautiful, blooming Peace Lily is a powerhouse for filtering air. NASA studies show it can filter benzene, formaldehyde, tri-chloroethylene (TCE), xylene, toluene and ammonia from indoor air-toxins that can cause headaches, respiratory problems and an increased risk of cancer. The Peace Lily can also remove airborne mold that aggravates allergies and asthma symptoms. VanZile recommends placing a few in your bathroom to reduce mold growth.

Philodendron. These popular and attractive houseplants are easy to grow and clean the air of formaldehyde and xylene, a toxin found in glues and leathers.