"An all-white room is really just a blank canvas waiting to show its true colors," says designer John Loecke. This otherwise neutral living room owes its lively look to carefully placed colorful accessories -- a decorating solution that's not only easy to emulate but also ultimately easy on the pocketbook.

 

Buying a sofa is a big deal. Buying a sofa in a bright color or pattern is an even bigger deal -- especially if you're the type who easily tires of things. Instead, purchase a neutral sofa and dress it up with old pillows. You'll thank yourself when the redecorating urge hits and you only have to pay for new pillows. White slipcovers work, too.

Add color with fashionable, soft outdoor fabrics, which are supersmart for window treatments as well as for indoor seating. Talk about sun -- and stain -- resistant! A bright light fixture and modern art do their part to punch up the white walls.

 

New kitchen cabinets can be a real budget buster and an absolute no-no in a rental. Instead of replacing, make small changes to what you're stuck with by changing out old door and drawer pulls with new hardware. Just save the standard pulls to put back when you move out.

Don't underestimate the power of one strong color in an otherwise blah room. Here, red dining room chairs give the space all the pizzazz it needs. Plus, the chairs can be pulled into the living room for additional seating when friends are over.

 

The bedroom is one room where all-white walls really just don't cut it. If you're going to be renting for a while, ask if you can paint just one wall, promising to repaint before you move out. Since you're just painting one wall, make sure to get the most impact out of it by covering the wall in a shocking hue such as the energetic pink shown here. It'll direct the eye to the most important feature in the space.

Instead of making your bed with a matched set of bedding, dress it with a variety of sheets and pillowcases that share a common color or theme. Take the customization a step further and have a headboard cover made from coordinating fabric.

 

Choose colorful bins and sorters in a closet. Or use double-sided tape to paste funky gift wrap or patterned paper to the walls for an easily switchable (and removable) look. After all, don't your clothes deserve it?

 

Art doesn't have to be the framed, put-a-hole-in-the-wall variety. Objects that highlight an interest, such as this surfboard, can also add oomph and color to a room.

 

Bold colors, by nature of their sunny dispositions, naturally lend themselves to warm-weather environments, but they can also be used to brighten dark spaces. The trick: Temper their intensity with lots of white paint. Not sure where to start? At right, you'll find four of our favorites from Glidden's Bright and Lively collection. For more information, visit www.glidden.com.

Like what you see in this story? As of 2006, the items featured in this story were available from these manufacturers.

Table Inox table, chairs Elena chair in orange -- Design Within Reach; 800-944-2233; www.dwr.com. Fabric for Draperies Swirl Outdoor Fabric -- Scalamandre; 800-932-4361; www.scalamandre.com. Upholstered chair Jessica, sofa La Sectional, headboard Peabody queen headboard -- Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; 800-789-5401; www.mitchellgold.com. Pillow Stockholm Fish pillow -- Jonathan Adler; West Coast: 800-657-7752; East Coast: 877-287-1910; www.jonathanadler.com. Fabric for ottoman and pillows #SC5222 Water Flower in Orangeade, pink fabric for draperies #SC4793 Sea Bouquet in white and Petal Pink, fabric for headboard #SC5431 Sea Lanes in Lemondrop, green fabric for draperies #SC4992 Sea Vine in white -- Sea Cloth, South Norwalk, Connecticut; 203-854-4863; www.seacloth.com. Windowshade -- Hunter Douglas Window Fashions; 800-937-7895; www.hunterdouglas.com.