A SPOT of spring decorating. It sounds simple enough, though what seems to be a fairly easy and cheap job can sometimes escalate into a financial nightmare! But it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you are new to DIY decorating, there are plenty of examples on YouTube on how to get things in the right order

Create the look without committing

Build a mood board, either online, a pin board, scrapbook or just a large sheet of card or paper. Start collecting images of rooms that you like and samples of fabric and paint. If you are undecided about the look you are aiming for, create more than one mood board, leave them in the room for a few days and you will soon know which you like the best.

Before buying anything…

1. What do you need? Try a handy online calculators, such as the one at diy.com/calculators/

2. Set a budget and stick to it. Remember to include extras, such as lampshades, cushions and curtains.

Now to the shops…

1. Wallpaper with a short pattern drop means less wastage, so more economic.

2. Cheap wallpaper often tears when loaded with paste, which is frustrating and increases waste. If you’re new to wallpapering, better quality paper may prove cheaper in the long run.

3. If your heart is set on a particularly expensive paper, use it on one wall only and paint the remaining walls.

4. If you buy paint or wallpaper in the sale, check that all the dye lots are the same and don’t skimp as there won’t be any left if you run out.

5. As with all bulk buy offers, will you use the surplus? Think carefully before paying more for materials you are unlikely to use.