Don't move, improve! If the recession has put the brakes on that move to a bigger, better house, stop pining. Here's how you can start loving, and improving, the home you do have - and this weekend is the perfect time to do it.

Byline: Caroline Cook

Kerb appeal

PROBLEM: The house's exterior looks scruffy.

SOLUTION: Spruce up the outside to give your home some kerb appeal - a lick of paint, a new or refreshed front door and some foliage and planting will work wonders for your front of house.

For planting tips, look up www.lovethegarden.com. Check out www.internationalpaint.co.uk; www.dulux.co.uk; www.crownpaint.co.uk for specialist exterior paints and how-to guides for painting doors, masonry, guttering and metal railings.

For a classy-looking front door, gloss paint is the most hard-wearing.

Classic colours, red, green or dark blue look smart; glossy white or cream can look chic, as can more traditional colours such as Pavillion Blue and Arsenic. Check out www.farrow-ball.com for some great old blues and greens. Also invest in new chrome or brass fittings - B& Q (www.diy.com) has a wide and inexpensive range.

WILL IT ADD VALUE? Yes. As long as you do the job properly; remove old and flaking surfaces, prime and apply specialist paint for the job. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and if in doubt employ a professional to do the work.

Give your front door a fresh new look by painting in James White, pounds 14.50 for 750ml (www.farrow-ball.com)

Save on watering and use Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Natural Pine Bark, pounds 6.99. It looks neat, helps soil retain moisture and prevents weed growth. For more planting tips, see www.lovethe garden.com.

Bathroom blitz

PROBLEM: We need an extra bathroom.

SOLUTION: Tricky if you're not adding space by way of an extension or conversion. But not altogether out of the question.

Have a good look round the house and see if there is any little-used space lurking. Some homes have a central storage area between the bedrooms - a wasted airing cupboard that backs on to built-in wardrobes could be knocked through to make space for an en-suite shower room.

A downstairs cloak room might be used more as a walk- in shower, or is there space under the stairs?

WILL IT ADD VALUE? Having an extra bath or shower room will add lots of value and again when the property market improves, two bathrooms are almost a necessity for home buyers.

BUDGET UPDATE: Give your existing one a facelift. Tile paint and grout pens can do wonders to grotty tiles. Floor paint and cupboard paint can transform cabinets, built-in furniture and faded lino or floor tiles.

Tile paint and grout pens can do wonders to grotty, dated tiles (pounds 3.99). Floor paint and cupboard paint can transform cabinets, built-in furniture and faded lino or floor tiles.

Furniture and cupboard paint in white and willow, pounds 14.99 for 750ml. One coat tile paint in pistachio, pounds 14.99 for 750ml, and quick-drying floor paint in polar white, pounds 11.99 for 750ml, all www.international-paint.co.uk

Lofty ambitions

PROBLEM: We need space for an office.

SOLUTION: Moving on up and into the loft has never been easier. Planning permission isn't normally required and loft conversions are a sure way to add value. The loft is the perfect place for a home office, keeping you away from household distractions and if you work from home or for yourself, you could save on office rental and even get your business to pay for the conversion.

WILL IT ADD VALUE? Building costs are cheaper in the North and most expensive in London. Adding a bedroom with en-suite to an average three-bed semi will cost pounds 20,000- pounds 40,000 and add 5-10% to the property's value. Contact www.econoloft.co.uk, www.loftshop.co.uk and www.ribafind.org for more information.

Kitchen confidential

PROBLEM: The kitchen is dated and shabby.

SOLUTION: If it's really in bad nick and you can finance a complete new kitchen, now might be the time to go to the sales.

B& Q is currently offering 40% off, so rip yours out and start again.

Fitting a new kitchen could cost you between pounds 5,000- pounds 15,000, which is a bit steep if you consider you're unlikely to recoup any of that back in today's property market.

If you are staying put, spend on what will make a difference to your lives. Knocking a wall down to make an open-plan arrangement is a stylish and space-making option with a young family.

But if you are seeking space from your teenagers, maybe keeping rooms separate is best.

WILL IT ADD VALUE? Not yet but when the market improves, your new spanking kitchen will add much saleability and will improve its value by up to 5%.

BUDGET UPDATE: If a refit is too pricey, replace the doors or paint the existing ones. Look up the cupboard paint range at www.internationalpaint.co.uk and add a new work surface.

Paint tired doors with International furniture and cupboard paint in Porcelain, pounds 14.99 for 750ml, which can be used on wood and melamine surfaces (www.internationalpaint.co.uk)

Extend your horizons

PROBLEM: We've outgrown the house.

SOLUTION: Increase the footprint by building an extension.

Getting planning approval for an extension is pretty straightforward, as long as your plans are in keeping with the style of your property and area development plan. Before starting, check with your local authority's planning department to see what the procedure is. You'll need a good builder - if you don't have a recommendation from a friend, look at the Federation Of Master Builders to find a reputable one.

WILL IT ADD VALUE? Extra accommodation, especially bedrooms, will always increase the value of a property. Around pounds 10,000 will get you a basic extension but if you are looking to add value, check the selling price of properties in your area with extra accommodation, so you can be realistic about how much you should spend.

Tips for using the professionals

Builders:

Get three quotes that include all materials and labour. Get a contract drawn up and agreed outlining the entire works to be done, stage payments and the timescale. The Federation of Master Builders (www.findabuilder.co.uk) has a list of builders in your area and also a downloadable sample contract.

Surveyors:

Where party walls or any major structural alterations are involved, a surveyor's expertise will prove invaluable. The Royal Institution Of Chartered Surveyors (www.rics.org) has a list of local surveyors.

Planning consultants:

These are specialists who will undertake feasibility studies and site assessments, negotiating with council planning officers on your behalf in difficult circumstances (such as listed buildings) or if permission is refused for any reason. Visit www.rtpiconsultants.com