ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Not everyone can afford a $500,000 room makeover, such as you may have seen recently on Oprah.

But just because you're short of cash, short on time and short on style doesn't mean you have to be short on options.

Interior designer Pamela Earnest advised that the cheapest, most dramatic way to make an impact on a room is paint. For instance, a cinnamon-colored paint can make a kitchen warm and inviting, Earnest said.

She said bland cabinets can be redone to add depth, and accessories with bold shapes and colors add interest and are easy to change when you get tired of them.

"Make it really interesting. Make it look like somebody really lives there," Earnest said.

When it comes to windows, try shutters instead of blinds.

"The pleated shades give you light control and things like that, but shutters add a warmth that you don't get from many other things," said Earnest.

Another tip -- plants. Earnest said they draw attention and make the place homier.

"They really give that feeling that someone really lives there, someone cares. And they're really inexpensive," Earnest said.

And finally, use some mirrors. She said they instantly make a room look bigger. Earnest said to add framing for a more decorative look.

"They just add some sparkle and some real life," Earnest said.

A little paint, some plants, shutters and mirrors can go a long way toward making a house into a home. And Earnest said you can often save the biggest cost of redecorating by doing work, such as painting or refinishing, yourself.