If you know it is time to embark on a home improvement project, but don’t see the need in starting a big renovation or remodeling project, then start thinking details. When you look at your rooms, do you see unnecessary clutter on the desk in the office? Perhaps the wall color in the bedroom has begun to look a little drab. Look closely at the sofa. Those stains are difficult to ignore.

This is where the real home improvement comes in. Sprucing up your much-loved house and adding interesting detail to the rooms that already exist. There are ways, like adding custom cabinetry, to improve a room without changing it dramatically. For those people that enjoy their rooms the way they are now, but want the joy of improving the look or layout can find easy avenues of betterment.

For example, the clutter in your office could be easily cleaned up with beautiful custom-built cabinets. The inherited antique desk would look beautiful framed in matching wood shelving. The clutter that is not on the desk easily gets transported to the shelves. You don’t lose anything. In fact, you gain storage and turn what was once just an office into a stunning library. All the books, papers and magazines that are piled up on the floor and desk get a rightful place on the shelves and cabinets.

Perhaps custom cabinetry is not right for your house, then start thinking about color. Where can you improve on your room color? You may be surprised to find multiple options around the house when you start thinking creatively. One of the trendiest and most visually interesting things to do with room paint right now is the highlight wall. Find a wall in each room or in a few of your rooms to paint a bright interesting color. For example, if you love the color green but know that painting your entire kitchen green might be too much then just paint one wall.

You would be surprised how much painting can change the look of your hose and change your outlook as well. Home improvement doesn’t have to mean big projects. In fact, if you don’t have time even for repainting, you have another route you can take. Everyone loves shopping for the house. Look around and make a list of how old some of your furniture items are. Start replacing some of the oldest items, one at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself and try to replace everything at one. Just replace items one at a time. This is a very easy and subtle way to gradually improve your surroundings.

So, the next time you listen with envy to a friend talk about home improvement, look around and think of all the small ways you can make big changes to your environment.