To make a room appear bigger, paint it the same color as the adjacent room. If you have a small kitchen and dining room, a seamless look will make both rooms feel like one big space. Tip: If you want to give the illusion of more space, paint the walls the same color as your draperies. It will provide a seamless and sophisticated look.

Don't overcrowd a room with furniture that is too large for the space; it will only make the room appear small and cramped. However, don't leave a room too barren either. In a narrow space, shelves can add depth to make a room feel larger. Tip: Paint the backs of the shelves the same color as the walls to create an illusion of depth. When dressing a window, remember designer Monica Pedersen's formula for balance: For a large window in a large room, use large-patterned window treatments. A small pattern tends to disappear in a large room.

Use eco-friendly materials when upgrading your home for sale. Buyers are willing to pay more for a home that is considered green. If you're on a budget, consider cork flooring. It's extremely durable and costs about half the price of traditional hardwood flooring. Tip: Consider plastering your walls. Not only is it a big selling feature, it's an eco-friendly, natural material that resists dust and fingerprints. It also works great in damp environments (like bathrooms) because it soaks up moisture.

Salvage old materials to save money. The Designed to Sell experts are always looking for ways to repurpose old junk. They've turned strips of hardwood flooring into a fence, cut down pieces of old laminate countertops to make shelves and made headboards out of just about anything, including old doors.