In these tough economic times, we are all looking for ways to update our home decor in a "guilt-free" way. That means no big impulse splurges on dining room furniture, lighting or major accessories. But cutting back doesn't mean that we can't create new looks to freshen up the most important room in our homes. On the contrary, a new tablecloth , creative use of a table runner or even some new chair pads can breathe new life into a room and sometimes even change its look completely. So where to start? Here a few ideas to get you started on your "cheap and cheerful" dining room make-over.

The Runner/Chair Pad Combination

Find a great runner and chair pads in a pattern or colour that will bring a new look to your room. Make sure they coordinate with each other and with the other furniture and accessories in the room. You will be amazed at what a difference they make.

Spice up an old Cloth:

Take one of your old tablecloths and add some new napkins that pick up on one of the colours in the tablecloth. Throw in some new napkin rings and voila, you have a whole new look, without splurging on a new tablecloth. Bored with your plain old tablecloth? Throw some patterned placemats on top to bring it to life.

Charge it!

Are you tired of looking at the same old dishes? No need to invest in a whole new set. That can be pricey. Instead, find a great charge plate that works with the dishes you already have. They will give a completely new look to your dinnerware.

Table linens can be an inexpensive and simple tool to freshen up the look of your dining room. For more inspirational ideas on how to create a fabulous setting, see Creative Table Linens - 10 Ways to Spice up your Table or visit www.trendexhome.com for a large selection of table linen products.