One of the easiest ways to update a room and give it a fresh new look is to rearrange your ornaments and collectables – no shopping required

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If your home is looking a little blah, the easiest way to refresh it is by creating new tablescapes. It’s relatively simple and fun to do, and if you use things you already have, it doesn’t cost a cent. Have a look in your cupboards; there are probably plates, holiday souvenirs and items such as old silver and china that could be used in a display.

First decide where you want to create the tablescape.

Coffee tables are ideal as are mantelpieces and hall tables. But you could also put together an arrangement on a bedside table, a bathroom vanity and kitchen shelves.

The secret to a good composition is to vary the shapes and sizes of the ornaments and most importantly the heights. Including contrasting materials such as rattan and mirror will also help to give the composition interest. Using odd numbers works well and always try to include flowers or pot plants to bring it alive.

1. Designer Tanja Beyers of Profurn Contracts anchored two corners of this coffee table with pairs of vases and lanterns and used books to make the items in the centre more prominent.

2. The selection of artefacts in organic materials on the hall table instantly gives an indication of the taste of the owner, Kita Veale of Homestead Decor. Note how her composition frames the mirror and echoes the angle of the staircase.

3. A kitchen dresser is ideal for displaying a collection of china. Mary-Anne van Zyl filled hers with old Spode and other blue and white ceramic tableware.

4. On this chest of drawers in her bedroom, designer Sheila Jorgensen of White on White interiors arranged perfume bottles, a vase of flowers and a couple of interesting pieces in front of the mirror, using books and magazines to create different heights.

5. To draw attention to this painted cabinet, Hema Nana of Sugarapple.co.za used an artwork as a backdrop and combined a number of different accessories in front. What pulls it all together is the blue and copper colour scheme.

6. Look around for items in a single colour – white always looks good – and cluster them together for impact. Make it interesting by including different sizes, shapes and textures.