From Fred Albert,
Your Guide to Furniture.
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Folding Screens

Folding screens are a great way to add architectural interest to a room. They can liven up a dead corner, conceal a mess, or help divide a space so it serves several purposes. With so many great-looking folding screens to choose from, you're bound to find one that'll give any room a lift.

Shower Curtains

After the walls, there's usually no larger surface in a bathroom than the shower curtain. It takes time, planning and money to change the walls. But you can swap out a shower curtain in a matter of minutes and change the whole way the room looks and feels. Best of all, you can do it for as little as 15 bucks, so you can afford to be playful, or to change the curtain seasonally. And take a look at trading those old shower rings, while you're at it!

Accent Tables

For years, I stared the end of my sofa every time I walked into my living room. Then last fall I moved an old Chinese trunk there and--voila--a blank expanse of fabric suddenly became an interesting focal point that naturally led your eye up the sofa arm. Accent tables can be quite affordable, you can move them from room to room, and they can take many forms--from a stump to a stack of books or vintage suitcases.

Houseplants

It may seem obvious, but until you've seen the way a plant can transform the look of a room, you never quite believe it. The color, texture and mass can help fill a space that looks empty and can add life to a room that feels forlorn. Palms, umbrella trees and weeping figs are reliable choices, but leave the fake plants to fast-food restaurants and hotel lobbies. Nobody should have to live in a house that looks like Denny’s.