No time to spare?

Is a time crunch standing between you and your vision of an ideal abode? You don't need to wait until that elusive day when you can focus on making improvements. Perhaps it's only necessary that you use what little time you do have wisely.

Even those who have only a few minutes here and there can declutter, make a room more spacious, get better lighting or add a little wow to an otherwise humble home, local experts say. When you have little time, the trick is to make little improvements.

The experts shared their ideas on ways to spend precious moments in exchange for big payoffs. We asked how apartment dwellers or homeowners could improve their spaces if they had only 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes to spare.

Light up your life

Matthew McLaughlin, Circa Lighting:

--5 minutes: Give a lamp new life with a clean, modern drum shade. Add clip shades to the candles of a ceiling fixture.

--10 minutes: Try various types of light bulbs -- globe, faceted or prismatic. They can make old fixtures feel young again.

--15 minutes: Spend time on the Internet learning why wattage isn't the only thing to consider when buying bulbs. See the lighting fundamentals section of americanlightingassoc.com.

--20 minutes: Decide what kind of lamp you'd like for that room with a single overhead fixture.

--25 minutes: Install a picture light, a great way to add a layer to a lighting scheme. They can softly highlight artwork while taking the place of a night light or can be installed on cabinetry to illuminate books and collections.

Declutter

Jennifer Truesdale, STR8N UP Professional Organizing Services:

--5 minutes: Gather all the papers and magazines lying around the house. Sort and file them later.

--10 minutes: Pick up everything that should not be on the floor. School bags, toys, shoes, you name it.

--15 minutes: Collect and sort dirty laundry and place it in the washing machine.

--20 minutes: Clear counters in all of the bathrooms.

--25 minutes: Get all of the dirty dishes washed and dried. Or remove clean dishes from the dishwasher and put them away.

Wow!

Ethan Allen Design Team, Mount Pleasant:

--5 minutes: Dim the lights and light candles for a more dramatic, warm and inviting mood.

--10 minutes: Place a bowl on a table and fill it with fruit, seashells or pine cones.

--15 minutes: Intersperse decorative plates, vases or other items with shelved books.

--20 minutes: Collect and arrange branches in a clear glass container.

--25 minutes: Hang a mirror where it will reflect something beautiful.

Spacious living

Leigh McAlpin of Dwelling on King Street:

--5 minutes: Make your bed. The room will feel more open and clear.

--10 minutes: Open your blinds, drapes and shades. Allow natural light to filter in.

--15 minutes: Keep the colors neutral, bright and light. Having a consistent and uniform palette eliminates the visual stops and starts.

--20 minutes: Change out old light bulbs. Your rooms will appear bigger and brighter.

--25 minutes: Move around your furnishings. Evaluate which pieces you may want to eliminate.