Spring is just around the corner

Spring is on its way even if it doesn’t feel so at times. Whist we may not all like cleaning, spring does bring on the mood for it. Spring cleaning is more about lightening the atmosphere in the home, lighten the mood and freshen up in every sense:

Visually add light

The spring with it longer daylight hours that are very welcome after the darker winter evenings. Light can literally lighten the mood and help to add the spring feeling, by cleaning the windows & throwing open the curtains you can let the light in.

Bring the outside in with smell

Add the fragrance of fresh spring flowers. Daffodils are a sure favourite and great on a budget.

Throw open the windows and let the sound of spring come in

The birds in the trees and the gentle breeze on a spring morning can freshen your mood. Letting in the fresh air also helps to ventilate the home.

Lighten the feeling

Lightening the mood with lighter weight fabrics, linens, cottons etc can help to bring the spring feeling in.  Whilst we may still need a cosy blanket nearby for the still somewhat chilly evenings, they are not necessary all the time.

Spring Forward

The thought of spring makes us want to plan for the future.  I’m not sure if it’s the thought of warmer days and baby lambs, but for some reason spring makes us look at our homes with fresh eyes.  Initially clearing the cobwebs can lead to decluttering but then before you know it out come the paint brushes. Traditionally a time for decorating, most start by clearing the clutter and things just get out of hand.

Declutter

Creating clean surfaces helps to create a much lighter feeling in the home.  Clutter can be helped with clever storage solutions giving everything its own space. The hallway can often cause clutter with shoes, bags and coats. Check out the range of Hallowood Shoe Racks & Storage Units with prices starting from just £35 Spring is the perfect time to refresh your house with massively discounted furniture.

Flat pack furniture is said to have been invented in 1956 by Mr Gillis Lundgren, a Swedish draughtsman, who bought a table, and had to unscrew its legs to be able to fit it into his car, which gave him the idea of manufacturing furniture in kit form.

Today also known as Ready-to-assemble furniture (RTA) or knock-down furniture (KD), the Swedish have taken flat pack furniture to the masses with retail giant Ikea having gone global.

But is Flat Pack the way?

Flat pack furniture has a few advantages

• Its cheaper to produce as its produced-on mass by CNC milling machines, reducing the labour costs.
• It is smaller to store and ship reducing the transport costs and impact on the environment.
• It is highly customizable. The same template design can be adapted to produce other items
• Flat pack furniture can be taken home that day, put together at home without the need for delivery

And a few disadvantages

• The designs are simple and limited by the need to be put together by the masses.
• Flat pack furniture is more fragile than solid furniture, as they are usually made out of cheaper materials such as MDF and chipboard.
• Dismantling the products a few times will make their durability drop significantly, and even if they are never taken apart, they still won't last as long as ready-to-use furniture.
• Flat pack furniture relies on the assembler’s ability – it doesn’t matter how good the instructions are if the assembler doesn’t put the item together correctly it will fail.
• Flat pack assembly relies on all the pieces being there.

Quality Vs Quantity

Pre-built furniture has been around for centuries. Whilst the manufacturing techniques have evolved there are some major advantages over its flat packed counterparts

• Crafted by skilled workmen pre-built furniture is more solid as they are assembled at source
• Whilst usually more costly pre-built furniture will outlast flat-packed furniture making it the more economical in the long run
• Pre-built furniture is crafted from real wood and hence no two pieces are exactly the same.
• No Assembly Required- Ready Assembled furniture comes ready for use, you only need to select the place to put your furniture.
• No Hassle of Missing Parts – less hassle all round.
• Style - Available in more styles and designs as compared to flat packed furniture.

So, whilst Flat-pack furniture is overall less expensive and more convenient in the short-term, however it doesn't last as long as ready-to-use furniture and can become damaged easily.

What’s in a colour?

 Pantone's 2020 Colour of the Year Is PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue

According to Pantone the colour of the year “Classic Blue” is a timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

Imprinted in our psyches as a restful colour, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquillity to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centres our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.” 

Be Bold

ALL the walls of a Living room…Probably the boldest move but bang on trend as enveloping colour is set to make a come back for 2020.

If you are not feeling quite so bold then try a feature wall - what is one wall between friends… after all you can always paint over it next season. Feature walls are a simple yet high impact way to transform any room in your home.

If you are making over the whole room, whether contemporary or country style why not look at teaming your 2020 colour scheme with painted furniture or natural oak.

Soften the edges

Bring the “Classic” Blue in with accessories - start small with soft furnishings and accessories such as lampshades, pillows etc.

A touch of all round class

PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is an elegant and sophisticated colour that lends its self well to luxurious fabrics such as velvet – In the living room, add a Classic Blue velvet sofa to give it a chic touch or In the bedroom add a classic blue velvet headboard. Classic Blue is an impressive colour when combined with bright, contrasting tones. If the style of your home is elegant and modern, combine fantastic metallic accents with Classic Blue.

Now that the Joy of Christmas is becoming a distant memory, we are bombarded with sale adverts on the TV, social media and newspapers. Are you tempted? Do you plan to get a sale bargain? So, if you are tempted, its best to have a plan before you hit the shops or the hit that buy it now button. Without a plan your purchases could go completely wrong.  

Set your budget

Before you even look, make sure that you know how much you actually have to spend. Afterall you don’t want to jeopardise the rest of the year by over stretching yourself. Also, its best to have a realistic idea of what these things cost – so when you get to the shops you have an idea of whether you are getting a bargain or paying over the odds.

Know your space

When buying larger items such as furniture a tape measure needs to be your friend. Afterall when looking in the shops where there is a lot more space than in our homes it can be hard to size up and judge whether something will fit. We have all stood there in the shop and thought “Yeah it will fit” only to get home and find out it won’t.

Flat pack furniture was invented in 1956 to make getting furniture home easier, but with the trend going back to solid built furniture whilst the issue of delivery is easily solved, access into the home can still be as issue.  

Through the front door – will your furniture purchase fit through the front door and internal doorways when it’s delivered? Or do you need to find and alternative access point such as patio doors or through a garage?

So, the Furniture is through the front door, but now it needs to find its forever home. Is the pathway clear or do you have immovable objects in the way? Immovable objects such as radiators, built in cupboards, narrow hallways, low ceilings, turns in the stair, bannisters etc need to be measured and accounted for.

Delivery access – Do you have an awkward driveway or a postcode that is hard to find? Do you live in an apartment? If so, some sneaky retailers charge extra for awkward delivery addresses so make sure you get a delivery cost rather than an estimate.

On Foot or Online?

Shopping from the comfort of your own living room sounds like the perfect option, but when buying larger pieces such as furniture that are more of a considered purchase being able to touch and feel the finish is invaluable. If you don’t fancy fighting your way through the crowds at sale time, then do your homework pre-sale and check out all the options at quieter times so you can shop the sale online. It is important to remember though not everything will be in the sale so have a few options if possible. Top tip: Look out for retailers that offer a Price Match Guarantee and Free Delivery.

Hostess with the Most-est

With Christmas a recent memory looking forward to the new year you may be reflecting on how your house and furniture coped with playing hostess to family and friends over the Christmas period. Being a great hostess isn’t easy, but it is made even harder if your hosting space is not up to the job. If you are limited on space, then the furniture placement is crucial.

The key to good design in the dining room centres around the size of your dining room table and how many people you need fit around the table at any one time. Because whilst you want to make sure your dining room is cozy, you also need to ensure that everyone has plenty of room to move around as well as be seated.

According to interior designers, the trick of the trade is to leave at minimum 92cm / 36 inches between the edge of your dining table and the wall or other furniture. This allows people to walk around the back of a person seated at the table and should allow a person to enter and exit their seat without banging the chair against the wall or other pieces of furniture.

If you have a through room (one with 2 doors or access points) then keeping at least 115cm / 45 inches between your table and the dining room entryway will also keep from any bottlenecking in and out during dinnertime.

Oblong

Rectangular dining tables are the most common shape chosen for dining. It’s practical, fits easily into most dining rooms, and looks great. Oval tables have the same practicalities as a rectangular table but are more unusual and can serve as an elegant contour to your room.

Depending on the position of the legs in relation to the tabletop, as a general guide:

• 120cm / 47” rectangular table seats 4-6 people comfortably
• 150cm / 60” rectangular table seats 4-6 people comfortably
• 195cm / 77” rectangular table seats up to 8 people comfortably
• 240cm / 95” rectangular table seats 8-10 people comfortably

Top Tip: If you like to entertain why not choose an extendable dining table to accommodate more guests when needed.

Circular

Round dining room tables create a more intimate dining environment than other shapes. However, they are often regarded as not being as space efficient as a rectangular table. Round tables are a great option for kitchens or spaces without a designated dining room as they create better flow.

Top Tip:  If you prefer to entertain for large groups, a rectangular or oval table may be your better option.

As a general guide to buying round dining tables:

• 80cm / 31” dia circular table seats 2-3 people comfortably
• 100cm / 40” dia circular table seats 4 people comfortably
• 120cm / 47” dia circular table seats 4-6 people comfortably
• 150cm /59” dia circular table seats 6-8 people comfortably
• 180cm /70” dia circular table seats 8 people comfortably

Check out the great range of dining room furniture from Hallowood Furniture starting from just £119

Racking it up

If you drink a lot of wine at home, then wine storage is a consideration. Wine consumption in the home has seen an up serge in recent years since the decline of the traditional pub.

Wine was traditionally stored on its side because it was said to prevent the cork from drying out however this theory has been disproven by scientists in recent years. Storing bottles on their side however has the added advantage that you can make better use of the space available to you. Standing bottles vertically in an existing piece of furniture such as a sideboard is limited by the height of the bottle as they do not stack.

Elegant and efficient

However you choose to store your wine collection, if you are doing it in one of the main living areas then it needs to be elegant and efficient. There are lots of purpose made wine storage solution pieces of furniture available on the market – some on view and some behind closed doors. Check out the Clifton Oak Painted Wine Table from Hallowood Furniture, Normal Price: £179 discounted at the moment down to just £129. With four shelves to the cabinet, with specially crafted racking to house wine securely and neatly, the unit can hold 16 bottles. In addition to this, there is the added benefit of a handy drawer, sitting above the wine racks – perfect for storing items away neatly.

Top Tip: With many versions of wine cabinets available to purchase ensure you can choose the ideal one to fit the space you have and your wine consumption rate.

Show off your collection

If you are a wine connoisseur, then you may be looking to show off your wine collection. Dependent on the number of bottles you would like to have on show a tabletop tiered wine rack for your finest collection may be of interest. The Waverly Wine Rack is a stylish piece of furniture allowing you to store your wine in style and in a neat way. Ideal for use on a sideboard or dresser in the dining room or placed in a corner of your kitchen's worktop. Available in a 2 tier holding 6 bottles and a 3 tier holding 9 bottles this practical range of solid oak wine racks come ready assembled so no construction is necessary - Waverly 2 Tier Wine Rack is currently available for just £29.

However, by paring it down to what you need and a chosen few decadent decorative items, you can turn your table into a feature. Combined with a light source for reading, either above on the wall or a table lamp, these thoughtful additions should help keep your side table looking stylishly all year round.

 Add balance

The most popular way of using small side tables is to place matching ones on either side of a sofa or bed. This helps to balance a room; symmetry adds something visually and makes the room look complete.

Light the way

Adding light next to a bed, sofa or armchair makes it easier to read, work or watch TV. According to the internet a rough rule of thumb, a lamp should be roughly one-third the width of the table when measured at the lamp's widest point (usually the base of the shade). When space it at a premium maybe consider a wall mounted light or standard lamp to free up table space.

Set the mood

Within a busy household, bedrooms aren’t just for sleeping, these multifunctional spaces must work hard so make sure yours is an inviting place when you need to unwind and relax. Depending on the size, you could have an aromatherapy candle to fill the room with a calming fragrance to help you wind down when it’s time to sleep.

Add sophistication

There’s no reason for useful accessories to compromise your display, so look for alarm clocks and lamps that are gorgeous as well as being functional. Decorate and display smaller items to add interest and colour to your display like your favourite photo in a frame to bring personality . If you take off your jewellery at night ass a mirrored or metallic bowls to keep it together.

And breath

Having plants around our home, whether it’s flowering or evergreen are good for our health. Houseplants make the best natural air purifiers. They help to cleanse the air from toxic chemicals and raise the air’s humidity by releasing water as moisture vapor – this can protect us from getting respiratory problems, dry coughs and sore throat.

Having indoor plants is the simplest way to bring nature into your household - plants brighten a space with colour and texture. If you are not so green fingered then Succulents are a good idea as they need minimal care, come in a range of colours and they like the warm, dry air inside our homes - Just make sure they have plenty of daylight or place them in a sunny spot.

The small side table is also an incredibly versatile piece of furniture - check out the range of Bedsides and lamp tables from Hallowood..

What's the key to styling success? Yes, whilst you could just have one single item as a centrepiece there’s an art to styling a coffee table. Interior designers tell us the tried-and-tested formula sis a fusion of five key elements: something tall, something organic, something low, something textured and something personal.

Decorating the top of a coffee table is easy! It is essentially a square, rectangle or a circle and depending on its size there are a few options for the placement of your accessories.

Clean Slate

To achieve an effortless ‘designer look’ in your home the best way to start is to give your room a quick spring clean by clearing the clutter. By plumping up your sofa cushions, getting rid of the opened, discarded letters, old magazines, coasters you never use, and Lego figures currently littered all over the coffee tabletop, you can start with a clean slate.  

Create Focus

With any table decoration the centre of the table is the safest place to place a decoration – it’s the furthest from the edge and hence the less likely place to be knocked off from. That doesn’t mean you cant place things on the corners or near to the edge but just bear in mind the passing traffic and little hands.

Don’t block the view

There is nothing worse that being sat talking to someone and having to constantly look around an object that is obscuring eye contact. In a living room where most of us watch the TV it is always important to have a clear unobstructed view of the television otherwise you will be constantly moving and remaking your display.

Contain it

If your coffee table is constantly in sue you may wish to place you decorative items on a tray or mat that can be easily removed when the table needs cleaning or is being used for something else like the kids homework. Top tip : a mirror can act as a reflective surface and create a lovely lighting effect with lit candles in the evening.

Less is More

As with all styling, whether it be personal fashion or interiors, the less is more rule always applies.  A lovely stack of books with a decorative topper or a beautiful arrangement of flowers in a simple vase can look stunning and achieve the required effect without going over the top.

Line them up

For rectangular / longer/ larger coffee tables try lining up piles of similar accessories along the centre. Anything from a low stack of books, a small bowl and a few standalone objects like pebbles or shells brought together to create the look. Remember to create groupings that are either the same colours and tones or have the same theme.

These hints and tips can be adapted to all tabletops, so are not just coffee table decor ideas!

Both sideboards and dressers are ideal for storage and for displaying items such as flowers and ornaments. 

Ideal for storing away cushions, throws, crockery or even books, a sideboard or dresser can complement your kitchen, dining room or living room. Being both beautiful and functional both sideboards and dressers have valuable storage space ideal for when every possible nook and cranny is needing to be utilised (often to capacity). Out of all the storage items of furniture the humble sideboard and Dresser is often overlooked, but why when they are so versatile?

A bit on the side

Sideboards are traditionally a rectangular, waist-height unit that (unsurprisingly) sits against the longest wall in the dining room. Traditionally used in the dining room to store wine glasses, serving dishes and the best china, it is also a great place to store vases, napkins, and the like. However, with storage space is at a premium out of all the storage items of furniture the humble sideboard is often overlooked, but why when it is so versatile? The humble sideboard is:

• An additional serving surface
• Has lots of hidden storage
• Somewhere to display your favourite objects
• Availabe in a variety of widths and depth

A natty dresser

A dresser is a versatile furniture piece that will look stunning in any dining room and can easily be placed in a kitchen to great effect. If you are looking to show your ornaments and knick knacks in a stylish way but are a little shy on space then this dresser is for you. Making the most of the verticle space available, dressers help you to create a classic, traditional feel for the dining room or the kitchen - dressers are timeless.

Dressers boast plenty of storage so you can finally give those heirlooms and photos scattered around the house a rightful place. 

• An additional serving surface if needed
• Has lots of hidden storage
• Somewhere to display your favourite objects
• Availabe in a variety of heights, widths and depths

Check out the fantastic range if Sideboards and Dressers from Hallowood Furniture - available in a variety of painted and real wood finishes. 

The real beauty of a nest of tables is that the largest table can be used as a lamp or side table, and the smaller nesting tables fit underneath; only to come out if, and when needed.

Space Savers

Ideal for smaller rooms where space is at a premium. It can be very handy to have a nest of tables for when you have guests – a convenient stow away surface to put drinks on. Small corners need not go unused when you’ve got the right nest of tables. Suddenly the forgotten space that usually just collects dust can become another opportunity for you to beautify and add some personality.

Avoid Spillages

If you do not have a central coffee table, some people are minded to putting cups on the carpet and potentially spilling them. Nests of tables provide handy extra surfaces or table space when necessary, without taking up too much space. Each nest can be split and stored as separate pieces. Equally, they can stored neatly and snuggly together in their attractive nests.

Spread the love

One might suggest it is a waste of a perfectly good table to have it tucked away for the ‘just in case’ moments and some people do buy a nest and use them as individual tables around the house in permanent use. A nest of tables is a handy set of occasional lamp tables, coffee tables and side tables all in one.

Add a touch of your style

Practical doesn’t have to be plain! With a few well-placed decorative items, it’s easy to style your nest of tables to fit in with the rest of your decor without detracting from its purpose. Top tip - Don't be tempted to go overboard with accessorising - Sometimes less is more, and a few choice ornaments will add style and still leave space for functionality.

Check out the great range of Nests of tables from Hallowood   

Do you need to maximize your small space? We all can relate to needing more space for lifes trappings. In my case its what to do with shoes - they seem to be everywhere. We have a shoes off policy in our houseand hence shoes live downstairs as appose to upstairs in the wardrobe.  

You dont have to be Imedla Marcos, with a growing family, shoes for all occasions seem to take over the house. According to a 2008 study by ShopSmart magazine, the average American woman owns 19 pairs of shoes, with 15% of women owning 30 or more pairs. That sounds like a lot, but when I add them up... Court shoes, ankle boots, trainers, beach shoes, knee high boots, brogues, deck shoes, flip-flops, wellingtons, high heels, hiking boots, wedges... need I go on

Make the most of your space however small

Think Vertically…

Floor space is usually at a premium so the logical thing to do is to think vertically. Stackable shoe racks are ideal when thinking vertically – making the most of the available space. Open storage like this can be great by the back door, in a laundry room or a hallway cupboard, but not necessarily in the front hall.

Behind closed doors…

A free-standing shoe cupboard can be an ideal choice by the front door as any mess can be hidden behind closed doors. Check out the Clifton Painted Shoe Storage Cabinet which includes a flat shelf, which is useful to store gloves, scarfs and hats etc... Perfect for use in the Hallway or open Living room for shoes.

Double up…

If you are short of space in the hallway then maybe looking for a piece of furniture that ticks two boxes like a shoe bench – as the name suggests a bench that also has shoe storage space. This can be a great option if you need a seat to put on your shoes.

Check out the fantastic range of shoe storage furniture from Hallowood Furniture starting from just £35

A footstool is an incredibly versatile and useful piece of furniture. Having multiple uses all over the home coming in a vast range of shapes, styles, heights and sizes.

Footstool

As the name suggests footstools make the perfect partners to sofas and chairs. As sitting rooms became more modest in size the footstool replaced the chaise sofa for most people. After a long day on your feet a footstool is a great way of providing a footrest at a slightly lower level than a sofa or armchair. When not in use a footstool can be pushed out of the way to create more floor space, and in some cases are even small enough be stored underneath a sofa out of sight.

A footstool however is much more than somewhere to rest your weary feet after a long day in the office, why not check out the best uses for a footstool, maybe giving you ideas for how you can work them into your home.

A Seat for a Child

The petite nature of a footstool makes it the perfect seat for little ones. Being at the right height makes the distance from the floor more attainable for shorter legs and often children gravitate towards a footstool making it their own spot to sit in the room. A house with children is never without clutter so maybe look out for a child friendly foot stool with the added advantage of hidden storage for their favourite books and toys. With children in mind the choice of fabric needs to be a careful consideration look out for upholstery in a brightly coloured, durable fabric, and team with a side table to make the perfect spot to play ‘tea-parties’. In a playroom a footstool with storage could always harbour spare bedding for an impromptu sleep over.

Check out the range of Animal Storage Stools from Hallowood apart from making your feet comfy, the storage space under the lid is also really useful. You can store TV remotes, toys, books, magazines, slippers, you name it. This stool is designed not only for adults but also for kids. It makes a perfect sitting stool for your younger one to sit on and do their reading and watching TV.

Side table

If space is at a premium, then a footstool also makes a smart side table. Team with a sturdy tray to rest a cup of tea, books, flowers or even candles, and your footstool is transformed into a gorgeous side table. The current trend in footstools is to have a contrasting highly pattered fabric in co-ordinating shades to your sofa and place matching cushions on the sofa itself. Whatever your style a foot stool doesn’t have to match your sofa so why not choose a fabric that will stand out. When you have visitors, simply lift away the tray and the footstool serves as a comfortable place to sit.

Pet bed

Our fury friends often get more pampered than we would care to admit but do we really want them lounging all over the sofa? If your pooche takes up too much room then why not encourage them to use a footstools as a posh pet bed. If upholstered in a resilient fabric and regularly de-furred a footstool should keep everyone happy whilst still making mans best friend feel like royalty.

Bedroom storage

A larger, ottoman style footstool can make not only the ideal coffee table, but also a handy piece of furniture for a bedroom. The ideal height for perching whilst getting dressed, a luxury padded footstool with the hidden storage could be the ideal place to store blankets or winter woollies out of sight, keeping your space clutter-free.

The hallway in our home is usually the first room we come into when we arrive home and the room, we use to access every other room in our home so therefore we should make the most of it.

Do you need Consoling?

The console table is one of the more traditional pieces of furniture that is originally designed for the hallway. Today the sleek dimensions of a console table (usually around 35cm deep) make it ideal for modern build homes and the console is found having many uses around the house. Top Tip: Nowhere to put a desk but need to work from home on the odd occasion, then why not tuck a stool or chair under it for a convenient laptop desk. Add a striking mirror to create an instant focal point and drop station for keys. 

Shoe storage…

We all can relate to so many shoes, so little space, so you need to maximize your hallway space. Part of that is minimising everyday trappings that look cluttered such as shoes, brollies, bags and coats. If you don’t have built in storage such as an under stairs coat cupboard then a free-standing shoe cupboard can be an ideal choice by the front door as any mess can be hidden behind closed doors.

On the case…

Bookcases come in all shapes, sizes and colours and can be used all around the house. Usually narrow in depth bookcases are ideal pieces of furniture for the hallway allowing you to make the most of the limited space. Top tip: Bookcases are for more than books – try adding accessories - bringing your accessories together to create a picture-perfect result to add interest to your hallway.

Making the most of the space we have means finding furniture to fit every available nook and cranny – check out the range of hallway furniture from Hallowood https://www.hallowood.co.uk/hallway

The humble Side table doesn’t just have to appear in the living room, side tables have many applications through out the home and hence they can be found in every room throughout the modern-day home.

Lighting the way

In the living room a side table is often used to support a lamp and bring light into the areas besides sofas and armchairs, but they can work equally well as bedsides. Top tip - If you have plenty of other storage in the bedroom and don’t need drawers, then side tables can also be a much cheaper option than traditional bedsides.

Small spaces

We all have those awkward smaller spaces that need a smaller piece of furniture - if you have a smaller Hallway an occasional table can be used in place of a console table or bookcase by the front door to put your post on, or a plant. Often the smaller dimensions are perfect for smaller places.

Doubling up

In all rooms of the home a flexible piece of furniture can be useful. Have you thought about using an   occasional table as a mini dining table at family gatherings for the younger members of the family – the perfect size for children to sit at to eat dinner if you are short of space at the dining table. Talking of dining, occasional tables can be great in a dining room as an additional table space when you have guests over and have lots of dishes, glasses etc.

Not just a table

Some of the smaller side tables were originally designed as stools but just worked so well as a table – so maybe (obviously if strong enough) a side table could be used for a child to sit, freeing up other chairs for an adult.

Check out the great range of side tables from Hallowood https://www.hallowood.co.uk/living-room/oak-lamp-tables

According to research sharing mealtimes is good for your mental health. Dining together allows us to share experiences with family and friends, wind down, bond and talk. mealtimes provide a great opportunity for us to set aside a specific time of the day or week to give us time to socialise, relax and improve our mental health.

So if mealtime is so important why do so few of us practice this heath promoting ritual? According to an online poll of 500 people carried out by the telegraph most admitted to eating only a “few times a year”, with 3% of respondents not even owning a dining table.

Even though traditional dining rooms are not so much in fashion today with so many clever space saving ideas and options on the market there should be no excuse for not having a dining table

Dedicated space…

If you are lucky enough to still have a generous dining room and love to entertain then a larger format table seating 10-12 people is ideal however the space they take up may be off putting when used on a day to day family basis to feed 4-6 people so look for tables that can be extended - there are 2 main types, ones with a /more than one separate leaf and ones with a butterfly mechanism. Top Tip – if buying a separate leaf table then ensure that there is built in storage space for the leaves otherwise you will need to find somewhere to store them when not in use.

If you have open plan living, then an extendable table could also be for you as it allows you to enlarge your dining space when needed. With a busy family home having the ability to flex your space can be a big help.

Even with limitations…

If you have a small dining space or your space is limited, then space saving options that have either a drop leaf or chairs/benches that fit completely underneath the table can work.

There are even options if you have no dedicated dining space – a coffee table that converts to a dining height table because after all a dining room table is more than just for dining it’s a place where we can play games, craft and build things, its where the kids do their homework and some sit to work from home

So with dining to the forefront of your mind check out the range of dining tables and chairs from Hallowood https://www.hallowood.co.uk/dining-room/oak-dining-tables with tables starting from just £119

With the trend for less time spent in the pub and more time socialising in the home the wine rack has come back into fashion.

Traditional wine was stored on its side because it was said to prevent the cork from drying out however this theory has been disproven by scientists in recent years. However in the home storing wine in a wine rack still does have its advantages:

Neat and compact

Storing wine bottles in a wine rack helps to create order and definition of space within your kitchen or dining room. With many versions available to purchase you can choose the ideal one to fit the space you have and your consumption rate.

See what you have

There is nothing worse than over buying – well in all departments other than chocolate in my book any way. Having a wine rack for specifically storing your wine bottle collection lets you see at a glance what you have in stock.

Make a feature

If creative display is what you have in mind then why not buy a feature style wine rack that shows off your bottle collection – there are many wall mounted and table top versions available. Look for a display rack that compliments your décor so whether you choose wood, metal, clay or acrylic there is something available for your interior design style.

Settling down

Storing red wine in particular on its side helps to let the sediment settle in the bottle meaning that less sediment gets poured into your glass.

Check it out...

Check out the latest range of wine racks from Hallowood Furniture – choose from table top and free standing furniture pieces with prices starting at just £29 for a 6 bottle rack.  https://www.hallowood.co.uk/dining-room/wine-racks-cabinets

It was in in a big way with every surface covered, then it was out in the phase of changing rooms when it was paint, paint and more paint, then it started to creep back with a feature wall and now its full on back!! What am I talking about? Wallpaper of course…

The history…

Wallpaper actually began in ancient China, they glued rice paper onto their walls as early as 200 B.C. A guild of paperhangers was first established in France in 1599, but In 1785 Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf had invented the first machine for printing coloured tints on sheets of wallpaper which drastically changed how wallpaper effected our lives.

Today wallpaper whilst wallpaper has never gone out of style, it’s had a hard time shedding its reputation as old-fashioned and intimidatingly permanent. Wallpaper is still the best way to personalize a room, it breathes life into a space and make it feel like your own.

Going digital…

In this digital age, innovation is endless. We are seeing modern, photorealist interpretations of classic designs popping up everywhere, botanical prints contemporized, graphic, digitalized geometric patterns inspired by a blueprint. Not only is bold wallpaper a 2019 home decor trend, but it’s also available in high and diverse supply with the price per roll ranging from as little at £9.99 right up to hundreds of pounds per roll.

Bold is in…

Big patterns, bold colours are in style. If you are not 100% sure your home can take it then…

Are you on trend?

Following one interior design theme throughout the home can create a cohesive look. That doesn’t mean that you need the same exact colours, wallpaper etc in every room, but sticking to one overriding interior theme will look more harmonious.

Play with elements like colour and texture but if you choose an industrial theme for the living room furniture then make a nod to the industrial look in the adjoining rooms – i.e. industrial dining chairs and or lighting features.

Matching Materials

If you choose a lightwood for the Livingroom furniture and the dining table but want something slightly different for the chairs, then why not pick dining chairs with the same finish legs but look for a padded chairs.

Fabric choices

If you are trying to make a well-designed look without changing the larger pieces of furniture try tying your look together with texture and pattern – ideally if you have a leather sofa then leather dining chairs work well, but if you already have chairs then maybe look at adding a pair of leather carver chairs or adding smaller leather items to your décor such as cushions with leather trim or leather effect handles.

Colour compliments

When considering your colour scheme you do not have to stick to the exact same shade in every room, maybe opt for a tonal look, or go for a complete clash with small hints of the other colour. If you have a bold patterned fabric in your living room, then taking colour choices from that fabric through into the adjoining room can create cohesion.

Plants don't just look pretty

Purify the air and help us feel calmer, plants are more than just a decorative accessory.

Bang on trend

Plants are in – literally in every design scheme everywhere. Look in any home living magazine or in your local homeware department and you will see green. Bigger the better is the order of the day with large scale greenery featuring on patterned fabrics, wallpaper and even furniture.

Real if you can

Obviously ideally real plants are best as accessories in your home as they do purify the air and help us feel calmer, however you do have to consider the commitment and be able to provide sunlight and regular watering. If you don’t have the time or inclination then choose low maintenance plants such as cacti or air plants, look at options like a terrarium that creates a sheltered, damp environment so is more forgiving around watering.

Think outside the box

If you're short on space, go vertical. Even the smallest home has room for a plant or two but sometimes you have to think in all directions – why not try some macramé and create a hanging planter.

Go with your interior scheme

Plants need to look like they belong. Don’t pick a miniature rose to adorn your industrial themed dining room or a cactus for your floral print boudoir. Your chosen plants should be a natural accessory to your design scheme not a compromise on your room's look. Don’t forget you will need some matching plant accessories such as a mini watering can or water spritzer.

Taking the nation by storm Marie Kondo, a Japanese organising consultant and author teaches us her method of organising. Known as the KonMari method, consisting of gathering together all of one's belongings, one category at a time, and then keeping only those things that "spark joy" and choosing a place for everything from then on.

Minimalism to the max

If you're looking to embrace minimalism to the max, then the first step is paring back your space.  Kondo teaches us to go through our belongings and rehome anything that doesn't 'spark joy'. She is not saying we can not have possessions but if an item is not used or necessary then why keep it, if an item of clothing is not worn or doesn’t make you feel your best then why give it wardrobe space.

Having less definitely has its advantages, for one you can see what you have and less choices can minimise the faff around getting ready. But don't be too ruthless: you have to live after all.

Divide and conquer

Define your living spaces – giving purpose to areas of your home can help to create clarity. If you have an open plan living space why not use large rugs to define and divide a space – separating where you eat from where you watch TV for example. To keep it minimal when adding soft furnishings such as throws to furniture, avoid pattern and excessive layering.

Keep it simple

Minimal interiors are all about keeping it simple. When choosing furniture pick one style and colour to create a cleaner look. Avoid gallery picture walls as they distract the eye, instead choose simple mirrors as they reflect the light and make the space feel larger.

Cover your clutter

There will be things that you want and need to keep but you don’t necessarily have to have them out on show. By keeping things behind closed doors you can minimise the effect on the eye and keep your space feeling uncluttered.

Neutral is the natural choice

When talking minimalism, the feeling is neutral. Lots of colour can clutter a room, especially when it comes to the larger pieces of furniture or curtains.  Choose tonal shades that are pattern-free when picking your accessories, to avoid making your rooms look busier than they really are.

A welsh dresser makes an ideal focal point in a kitchen or dining room, dressed with your china.

Traditional

A Welsh dresser or a china hutch to the Americans, is a piece of wooden furniture consisting of drawers and cupboards in the lower part, with shelves and perhaps a sideboard on top. Traditionally, a utilitarian piece of furniture used to store and display crockery, silverware etc and display ornaments.

Originally, a dresser was located in the kitchen and was a utilitarian piece of furniture where meat and other food was dressed or prepared, while prepared food was placed on sideboards in the dining room ready to be served. Today Dressers can be found in almost any room in the house, whether that’s in a dining room, living room, bedroom or hallway. A dresser serves the double purpose of being used for both the storage and the display of possessions.

Space efficient

Dressers make the most of the verticle space available - ideal for smaller spaces if space is a premium. 

Check out the new Portland range dresser. The sideboard comprises two neat single drawers to the top of the unit, both with neat metal handles. Below that sits a two-door cupboard space with shelf. The dresser sits on top of the sideboard to create an open display space. Two slim drawers feature with a two-door display cabinet above. All in all, the Portland 2 Door 2 Drawer Sideboard & Dresser is an impressive unit. Check out the introductory offer pricing.

Top Tip: Why not Dress your Dresser for Christmas - add some twinkly fair lights, some baubles in a vase, candles and show off your Christmas cake on a domed cake stand.

Do you have a favorite Easter tradition? Is easter time - Family fun time or DIY time? The 4 day weekend is most welcome as Christmas seems a long time ago. 

Easter falls particularly late this year and in some ways whilst its been a long time coming hopefully we will be blessed with fine weather as its later in the year, although they do say April showers and all that.

As you have 4 days to fill why not make the most of it...

Let the sun shine in

If the sun is set to shine then why not let it in - throw the windows open and let the breeze blow through your home. As everyone is home together why not use the time effectly and get everyone involved in a quick clear up - Its amazing but many hands do make light work.

Did someone say Egg hunt?

We are never too old for all the easter trimmings.. chicks, lambs, bunnies... all in chocolate obviously!! Check out your local newspaper for family easter egg trails near you - if nothing else it may help to walk off some of that chocolate. 

Bring out the BBQ? 

A traditional lamb roast may not be quite as appertising on a warm weekend so maybe its time fo a rethink? Lamb kebabs anyone? Make your Easter feast a family affair by involving the children in the food preparation and table setting.

Over the Easter weekend, make some time for family. Start your own family traditions, create many happy memories celebrating together.

With Mothering Sunday just around the corner, the dining table is back on focus.

If your dining room is a truly multi-functional space, then it’s where you eat family meals, entertain friends and family and sometimes even attempt to work. When it comes to dining whatever your style, room size or budget, planning is crucial.

How many people do you need to do you need to seat regular basis? Having a table that extends is a great feature, but you will still need enough seats to seat people. Extending tables can be helpful if day to day you only need say 4 seats but occasionally you need more.  There are different types of mechanism - centrally extending or extending from one or either end. The main thing to take into account is that once fully extended you have enough room left to add chairs around the table.

Are you sitting pretty? The dining experience can be marred by an uncomfortable seat.

Weight can be an issue - Chairs do need moving and weight is a consideration especially if you are of advancing years. There is a considerable weight difference between different types of frame – Solid Oak tends to be heavier than a soft wood frame.

Benches are a great way to get more seats, especially if accommodating children. Benches can be mixed with a variety of chairs - mix painted wood with upholstered chairs or solid wood.

Whether you have a traditional dining room, a living room diner or a kitchen diner, the dining table is a central feature, choosing the right dining table and chairs is key.

Placing a mirror in the correct place in a room allows you to optimise natural light - using reflection mirrors naturally bounce light from its source to another surface. Use this in an elongated space that is darker at one end -strategically placed mirrors bounce light into the darker areas. Top Tip: Be aware if a mirror is placed opposite a dark painted or papered wall then that is what it will show in its reflection.

Maximise the space...

Interior designers often use a wall of mirror in a small space such as a bathroom to create the feeling of space – check out the latest trend of using lots of smaller mirrors all clustered together to create a mirror display this creates the same effect maximising the space.

Big it up...

One time when out of scale is good is mirrors, don’t be afraid to go big - A large mirror in a small room creates the illusion of depth.  Try an oversized mirror in a bathroom to make the room look bigger. Top tip: To prevent fogging due to steam in a bathroom – Try a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water with a drop or two of dishwashing soap in an old spray bottle should help your mirror to stay steam-proof for a few days.

Frame your Style...

Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, with a variety of frames, some more ornate than others. Choose a simple Oak frame for a clean modern look or a more ornate, or Rococo style for a more traditional look. If using above a sideboard then why not buy the matching mirror - check out Hallowood range of real Oak mirrors starting from just £45.

Go with the Trend...

Mirrors can be the perfect way to embrace a popular design trend without having to fully commit to more permanent furniture pieces such as sofas. Mirrors can be a great way to define a style in a room. Top tip: On a tight budget then why not Up-cycle a charity shop find with a coat of fresh paint. 

So no matter where you put one in your home, mirrors are defiantly an interior design must!

Time to get Thinking...

It may be a little (Ok quite a lot) cold outside and we are spending more time indoors at this time of year so why not use this to your advantage and cosy up by the fire and make some plans… Statistics show that Spring is the traditionally said to be the best time to sell your house, and naturally follows that in Spring we do most of our house renovation and decorating projects.

The Christmas period can be a time when our homes are stretched to the seams and that can be what’s gets us thinking about what needs to change to make it better.

Move or improve?

So, the first question has to be do we move or improve? Moving home is widely considered to be one of the 3 most stressful things we can do in our lives along side getting married and having children. Moving also has hidden expense that is often not considered until after the fact – estate agents fees, surveys, moving cost such as van hire, boxes or luxury of luxury a company to move us… But on top of all that – will your existing furniture fit in your new home? Will you want to decorate your new home to make it home? Sometimes the costs of moving can greatly out weigh improving your existing property.

Better use of space

How could you make better use of space in your existing home? Could you re-purpose an un-used, un-loved spare room into a home office or play room? Could storage solutions help you to live better within your existing space? Could the right scale furniture look better and work better in your home?

When looking at new build homes for example, the show home always looks so spacious, but in reality, the building companies employ specialist dressers to find furniture that is on the smaller side so you can see a bed, wardrobe, bedside table etc, etc in the box room where as in reality our furniture may not fit. Check out the Hallowood Waverly Oak range - designed with smaller spaces in mind

Top Tip – always take a tape measure with you when viewing houses – a reality check is always handy.

Expand into unutilised space

Do you have a garage that is not used other than for storing junk? Do you have an attic space that could become an additional bedroom? Is the space under the stairs large enough to fit in a down stairs loo? Looking at your house with fresh eyes could give you oodles of space you never realised you had. In most cases builders etc will give a free quotation and most DIY stores have loads of brochures etc for you to get great ideas. Maybe even a cheeky look on the internet at homes for sale that are similar to yours and see what they have done. Often staying put and improving and or expanding what you have can be more cost effective.

Table for Two?

With Valentines fast approaching the dining room can become our focus. Wether its an intimate dinner for two or a family get together for 8 our dining space has to not only perform functionally but also look good.

Turn down the heat

What do you do with hot food when you bring it to the table? It is important what ever the surface to ensure that any hot dishes or plates wont mark your table surface. Placemats not only add style to your place settings and show the place for your guests to sit, but they are practical too, preventing your table from getting scratched, stained or damaged. There are a wide variety of options on the market with materials including melamine-coated MDF and cork, natural stone such as slate, raffia or basket weave and fabric ones made from linen or cotton to name a few. Most people opt for a cork-based mat to protect the surface of the table but always check the manufacturers recommendation when it comes to heat protection.

Add some drama

One way to add some drama to your table is to layer it up using a long table runner to unifying centrepieces with the rest of the table. Dependent on your style there are a variety on the market including embroidered, natural fibre and patterned runners that mix and match. A great idea I saw recently in a store display was to place multiple runners across the width of the table, creating a “placemat for two” for opposite guests to share.

As every year this month Pantone have announced their colour of the year. For 2019 the pantone of the year is Pantone 16-1546, an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.

Described as “Vibrant, yet mellow PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment.” this beautiful shade of coral can already be seen in fashion retail and interior design outlets.

How can I use it in my home?

Adding colour to our homes can sometimes be tricky, how much we use and where its put can change the look and feel of an interior. Coral is actually a lovely warm colour and can be teamed with natural tones or offset with other vibrant colours. For a more vintage feel team with natural hues and tones of green. There are plenty of nature-based fabric prints and accessories on the market at the moment.

For a more modern feel accent with teal and copper/rose gold for a very up to date look. Chic art deco influenced furniture teamed with elegant artisanal items in shades of deep blacks, nude/linen tones and gold/brass accents. Add in some Palms – ideally real but if not in print or a silk plant to give your interior design scheme added life.

Bold as brass

Over the past 12 months accenting touches of brass, gold and copper have been more prevalent in interior. The resurgence of metal away from polished chromes and pewter has steadily increased with high street retailers showcasing whole ranges of metal effect items in every department - interiors and fashion.

So the festive season is over and all the decorations are now down… I don’t know about you, but I always feel the house looks so bare and usually take the opportunity to have a good clean round and reorganise the furniture.

Making more space

The festive period can often stretch our homes to almost breaking point with the number of visitors and guests. Whilst we make the most of what we have at the time, the January sales can often temp us to splash out on a new dining suite or living room furniture, so we don’t have to go through that again next year.

Top Tip – If buying in the sales know your stuff. Shop around online before making the journey to the store and if nothing else measure your space and take a tape measure with you to measure that January sale bargain before you buy. There is nothing worse than getting your bargain home only to find it wont fit and you actually have less space than you started with.

Plan of attack

As with any project its best to start with a plan. So, you have had unexpected guests to stay over Christmas and were horrified by the state of your spare room so are now planning a revamp… Plan out what is really needed. Often overnight guests don’t need a full triple wardrobe a dressing table to make them feel comfortable. Plan out your room and decide what furniture would work best for you 365 days of the year not just on the odd occasion you have a guest. Would your spare room be better as a multi-functional room? Study / Guest room or Playroom / Guest room or even Craft Room / Guest room? What ever your chosen combination, make the most of the furniture needed.

Most of us make new years resolutions on new years eve, starting the new year with good intent. Fitness is usually top on the list, shortly followed by diet and healthy lifestyle, but a new you can also mean a new look for us and our homes. Spring is the most popular time for home décor changes and that usually takes some planning.

Start with a good clear out…

The key to starting a new look is to clear out the old – what do you really need to keep in your life? Clearing the clutter is cathartic and helps us to see what we really have. Do you need some storage furniture to help you store the things that you do need and clear the surfaces of life’s clutter? Afterall we all need the TV remotes and kids toys but no one really needs to see them all around us.

Top Tip – look for multifunctional furniture. A coffee table with drawers or hidden storage to hide away the TV remotes, magazines etc.

Make the most of the space you have…

Furniture takes up the space within our rooms and ill-fitting furniture can make a room feel cluttered. An over sized sofa or dining table can take up precious space – make sure the furniture you choose is to the scale of your room.

Top Tip – avoid sofas with over sized arms, choose simpler lines ideally with clear space underneath as this will make your room feel larger and more spacious. Choose a dining table with extending panels – if you are a four-person family then most of the time you only need to seat 4 people. An extending dining table can allow you to extend your table to accommodate guests only when needed meaning you have the extra space most of the time.

Is your home fit to bursting?

At this time of year families get together to celebrate the season and exchange gifts. As the song says they are driving home for Christmas.

Additional bodies in your home may present you with a few challenges. Are you prepared?

Bums on seats

Additional guests always means you need more seats – this can effect both your dining and living room. The arrival of relatives for a family get together will often involve a meal and whilst we most likely have enough plates to cater for additional guests, do we have enough chairs? Is it time to think outside the box? Are there other pieces of furniture that can be used as dining seating? In our house the kids always sit around the coffee table to eat at family meals – they feel like they are having their own little dinner party and the adults get a but more space at the dining table.  

Top Tip – benches can usually seat more bottoms in a space than individual chairs especially where children are concerned.

Overnight guests

Overnight guests not only effect your living and dining areas but also your bedrooms and bathrooms. If you are lucky enough to have a spare room then a quick spruce up with fresh linen and towels may be all that you need, but have your overnight guests got somewhere to hang their clothes, apply make up/do their hair?

Top Tip – a nice mirror over a shelf can provide a make shift dressing table area, don’t forget they will probably need a plug or two to be able to use a hair dryer. If you don’t have the wardrobe space then look at adding some over the door hooks as a temporary hanging area for your guests – add a couple of nice wooden hangers to make the space feel nicer.

The big man in the red coat and white beard is coming in just a matter of weeks and yet I still haven’t started my Christmas shopping. Its not for want of trying, for me its all about storage – where am I going to put them?

Hidden space

At Christmas the presents just take up loads of storage space if you have a child in the house and are trying to hide the gifts before the big day. Make use of all the hidden storage in your house such as the loft or garage if they are dry. That failing I always plump for the bottom of the wardrobe. Wardrobes with open space at the bottom are great as a hiding space. Add a shoe rack to make the most of the space you have available all year round.

Top Tip – write a list of everything you have bought and where you have hidden them, or you could end up in a muddle and find presents after the event that you had forgotten all about.

Planning Ahead

Have you got guests coming over the Christmas period?  Does your spare room need a spruce up? Maybe its time to look at the space and imagine what it would be like to stay in that room yourself – is there adequate hanging space, lighting etc. Would the room benefit from a rethink? As a spare room people are often reluctant to spend money on an room that’s not used all the time – so maybe its time to treat yourself to some new bedroom furniture and move your furniture into the spare room.

Halloween may be done, but Bonfire night is just around the corner - are you planning a party?

This year Bonfire night falls on in the week, so the party atmosphere will probably bridge both weekends – plenty of time to throw a party for family and friends.  

Bonfire night parties are great as long as you have some adequate outside space for the bonfire and firework display.

People in and out

As a mum high on the list on bonfire night is wrapping up warm – wellies and gloves are an essential. As the host however, this can be problematic if you have loads of people trampling through your house in muddy wellies and taking off loads of coats.  Do you have mats at the front and back door? Even if you do its recommended that you get an extra one or a runner to protect any carpet as when people are all trying to come in the door and take off wellies you need loads of space. Hallway hanging space for guests coats is essential.

Top Tip – if your space is limited and this hanging space is for occasional use only then why not look out for hanging hooks that fold away when not in use.

Make things simple

You could make everything yourself but do you have time? The supermarkets have some great timesaving alternatives in the fresh and freezer departments but what ever you do remember to keep it simple for both your sanity and your wallet. When setting your party table don’t forget to put heat resistant mats on your table top to save any marking.

Top Tip – when throwing a party disposable plates and napkins can save you loads of time washing up, but if you can pick a sustainable option such as bamboo disposable plates and cutlery.

Don't forget sparklers for the little ones; these still give a really "Ooh!" moment, but safety first remember they are hot and can burn without the proper precautions.

If like me your dining room is a truly multi-functional space – then it’s where you eat family meals, entertain friends and family and sometimes even attempt to work. So, when designing your dining room, it is essential you think carefully about how you use the space and what you really want out of it.

Whatever your style, room size or budget, planning is crucial.

Bums on seats

How many people do you need to seat regular basis? Having a table that extends is a great feature, but you will still need enough seats to seat people. Benches are a great way to get more seats, especially if accommodating children. Benches can be mixed with a variety of chairs  - mix painted wood with upholstered chairs or solid wood.

Doubling up

Does your dining room need to double us as a home office, spare room or play room? With space at a premium our homes often need to be multi-functional. Storage furniture can be the key – a blanket box used to store toys or office files out of sight when we have people over for dinner.

Lighting is key

Different types of lighting can be used for different moods or functions. Working at the dining table or playing a family board game may require more light than dining for example. A mixture of overhead lighting and softer lamps and directional lighting will be the key to creating the variances needed. Why not add a dimmer if you would like softer light.

So many shoes, so little space.

We all can relate to this struggle so whether it be the hallway, by the back door or in bedroom, you need to maximize your small space without any clutter.

Shoes come in all shapes and sizes and if you’re a true shoe lover, you probably believe that there’s no such thing as too many shoes. That is until you literally have no space to fit any more… so where are you supposed to put that brand-new pair of heels or trainers you have had your eye on?

Think Vertically…

Floor space is usually at a premium so the logical thing to do is to think vertically. Stackable shoe racks are ideal when thinking vertically – making the most of the available space. Open storage like this can be great by the back door, in a laundry room or a hallway cupboard, but not necessarily in the front hall.

Behind closed doors…

A free-standing shoe cupboard can be an ideal choice by the front door as any mess can be hidden behind closed doors. Check out the new Waverly Oak Shoe Storage Cabinet which includes a flat shelf, which is useful to store gloves, scarfs and hats etc... Perfect for use in the Hallway or open Living room for shoes.

Double up…

If you are short of space in the hallway then maybe looking for a piece of furniture that ticks two boxes like a shoe bench – as the name suggests a bench that also has shoe storage space. This can be a great option if you need a seat to put on your shoes.

Bring on the Widescreen

Buying a new widescreen TV will give you a few things to think about, afterall there are many important considerations beyond mere style and colour. As you start to shop for your new TV’s unit, make sure to consider how much space you need for all your equipment, will the cables be visible, adequate size of the unit, and more.

Cut the clutter

Think about all the equipment your stand will need to accommodate, Do you have a DVD, Blue Ray, Satellite TV box, Sound bar, games console etc to consider?

One aspect that is so often forgotten is cable clutter. With so many different pieces of equipment to be stored and used in and around your TV cables can often become a tangled mess and create a cluttered look.

TV stands with closed backs keep cable clutter out of sight, but you’re going to need enough holes/ a large enough hole to take all the wires you have to accommodate - wire management is key.

Size does matter

Think about the size of your TV and how big of a TV stand you will need. Make sure the top of the TV stand is deep and wide enough to hold your TV. TVs are getting bigger, and you may upgrade down the road, so keep in mind that you may need more room later.

Equipment can overheat if there isn’t enough room for it to breathe, so be certain there is ample room for all the devices to fit while also allowing for airflow.

Check out the great offer on the Spring Oak Widescreen Tv Unit (Walnut Finish 1.5m) - Normal Price: £469 Introductory Offer NOW ONLY £269

Do You have a Coffee table?

Depending on the space you have available a coffee table can act as a central feature in your living room.However have you gone for extra space in the centre of the room and more side tables or for the traditional coffee table?

Coffee tables in the past have been a statement piece in the cetre of the room - used to display coffee table bookd and magazines that tell the story to others of your lifestyle - or at least of what you want them to think your lifestyle is... But with a decline in newspaper and magazine redaship due to a move toward digital readership has the traditional coffee table lost its place in our living rooms?

What is the perfect spacing?

Space can be deciding factor for most. According to The Ultimate Decorators Guide "Distance Between a Coffee Table and Sofa. The general rule of thumb is to place the coffee table within about 14 inches to 18 inches from the sofa. That's close enough to reach for a magazine, but still offers plenty of leg room"

Centre of the room?

Yes, the obvious thing to do with a coffee table is place your coffee cup on it whilst relaxing in the salon, but our coffee table gets used for lots of things...

A family board game - we all sit around the coffee table to play a game on a rainy Sunday afternoon

Tea in front of the TV - yes, I know it’s bad but on the odd occasion my child gets a treat and is allowed to eat his sandwiches on a little chair at the coffee table in the living room whilst watching his favourite TV programme... these days won’t last long, and it looks very cute!

Storage of the TV paraphernalia, magazines, and the like - If you are lucky enough to have drawers or a storage compartment this is a valuable space. What do you keep in yours?

The Christmas Tree – Every year in our house at Christmas time the coffee table is moved from the centre of the room to one side and the Christmas tree is placed on it. We have particularly high ceilings and it creates more impact, but this was originally done to keep little hands from meddling and it has kind of stuck.

What ever you do keep on it or in it, ensure sure your coffe table isnt just a cluttered chaotic mess and more a chic statement!

Size can make a difference

According to one online retailer “The proper height for a coffee table is the same  height as the cushions on your sofa or 1-2 inches lower. A coffee table should be approximately two-thirds the length of your sofa. There should be between 12-18 inches of space between a coffee table and the seating surrounding it.”

Do you know your occasional furniture?

There are many types all originally with particular intentions but now being used for other uses around the home

Console Table – The console table is fast becoming a must have piece of furniture. Not only does an oak console table look elegant with a vase of flowers or your favourite photo frames placed on it in a hallway or dining room, but it's extremely versatile too. Position it in your hall, dining room, lounge, kitchen, landing or even on your bathroom. It's portable, practical and easy on the eye. It can be used as a dressing table, desk or side table, its narrower depth can often have great advantages.

Nest of Tables - This practical addition to the living room was originally the height of fashion in the drawing rooms of the 18th century and has featured ever since in one guise or another. The real beauty of a nest of tables is that the largest table can be used as a lamp or side table, and the smaller nesting tables fit underneath; only to come out if, and when needed. Ideal for smaller rooms where space is at a premium.

Side Tables - Side tables are highly adaptable pieces. Used conventionally, they offer the opportunity to add ambient low lighting to any space, but with the addition of lower shelves or drawers, the options for use increase. In fact, many side tables from our collections could easily double-up as occasional side tables. Indeed, they can be taken out of the living room altogether and placed elsewhere around the home, in the hallway, example – or used in the bedroom as a stylish bedside table. Check out the Waverly Magazine side table - with specific spaces for magazine storage.

Telephone Tables – Whilst a telephone table is no longer that applicable for that use, its small but tall dimensions still make it a valuable occasional piece. Perfect for small areas around the home, such as a narrow spare room as a bedside table, in the hallway for a key bowl or in the dining room to highlight an object or plant.

More than just a side table?

Side tables or to give them their correct term Occasional Tables are the most useful piece of furniture as they can be used all over the house…

Living room is the most obvious place – next to Sofas and armchairs make the ideal place to place a cup of tea whilst watching the telly.

There are a variety of sizes of occasional tables – some of the smaller ones are originally intended as stools but just worked so well as a table – so maybe an occasional table can be used as a seat if needed (obviously that is weight and strength dependent but could be useful even if only for a child to sit, freeing up other chairs for an adult).

In the Playroom occasional tables are very useful. My son used our occasional table as a mini dining table when he was younger – it was the perfect size for him to sit at to eat his dinner, do colouring or play a game. He then graduated onto the coffee table that was larger and a little higher and now he is at the dining table.

Talking of dining, occasional tables can be great in a Dining room as an additional table space when you have guests over and have lots of dishes, glasses etc.

In the Bedroom occasional tables make great bedside tables. If you have plenty of other storage and don’t need drawers, then they can also be a much cheaper option.

In the Hallway an occasional table can be used by the front door to put your post on, or a plant. Often the smaller dimensions are perfect for smaller places.

Check out the extensive range of occasional pieces from Hallowood – especially the NEW Clifton Painted range.

Wide Open...

Everyone wants more space… sometimes its not always possible so why not create the illusion of space.

A large mirror in a small room creates the illusion of depth, this is the one time when out of scale is good, so don’t be afraid to go big.

Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, with a variety of frames, some more ornate than others. Choose a simple Oak frame for a clean modern look or a more ornate Rococo style for a more traditional look.

Add some depth…

The hallway for me is always a mirror must as its always advisable to check out your appearance before leaving the house – Its good to check that you did in fact brush your barnet and that you have put some make up on.  If using above a sideboard then why not buy the matching mirror - check out Hallowood range of real Oak mirrors starting from just £46.80.

Create more light…

By shear reflection mirrors naturally bounce light from its source to another surface -This can be really useful if you have a space that has few natural sources of light. Use strategically placed mirrors to bounce light into the darker areas that are further away from natural light sources. Don’t forget thought that a mirror will reflect what it sees so heavily patterned wall paper or curtains or a dark wall will reflect too.  

Go with the Trend...

Mirrors can be the perfect way to embrace a popular design trend without having to fully commit to more permanent furniture pieces such as sofas. Why not try a Moroccan inspired mirror to bring home a touch of eastern promise. On a tight budget then why not Up-cycle a charity shop find with a coat of fresh paint.  

So no matter where you put one in your home, mirrors are defiantly an interior design must!

The Heat is on…

This Heat wave is showing no signs of abating. What does that mean for our furniture? All outdoor wooden furniture is protected from the damage the sun can do and we are advised to maintain our outdoor wood with an oil or a specific treatment. 

Obviously, when it is hot like it has been, we open all the doors and windows to let in the breeze to our houses, but how can we protect our indoor wooden furniture from the suns damage?

What damage can be caused?

Exposure to too much Sunlight - Sunlight may over a period of time alter the colour of real wood; this is just part of the aging process and enhances the beauty of the natural material.

Variations of Temperature - Extreme temperatures may lead to the wood drying out too much – heat sources such as direct sunlight or radiators could damage real wood.

What can we do to protect our wood in harsh sunlight?

Real wood is beautiful and the variations in grain, pattern and colour are what give real wood its natural beauty and timeless appeal. The issue can be that if a table for example has a loose extension leaf that is not in place when the table is exposed to sunlight then the wood will fade/bleach at a different rate and hence the panel will be a different colour. It is recommended to:

• Avoid direct sunlight – don’t place in a conservatory for example
• If exposed to sunlight, then cover if possible
• Treat with Oil if applicable.

Don’t forget there are also the following things to think about with real wood:

• Moisture - Added moisture may cause furniture to move slightly, so it is recommended to ensure adequate ventilation to minimise this.
• Spills - Spillages if not cleaned off can leave water marks – this is unsightly so should be avoided where possible – don’t forget if you spill a drink lift up the coaster and clean the underside.
• Heat - Heat will leave scorch marks on the surface of the wood - these marks can be unsightly so its recommended to use heat protective mats such as coasters and table mats.

Are you feeling the summer?

Light summer evenings and the better weather days now upon us many of us are entertaining...Time to invite friends and family over for a Bite to eat? Maybe even a BBQ if the weather holds out.

Entertaining, even alfresco, means people coming over; extra bodies in the house, bums on seats etc. So once you have sorted the food, get your house in order….

Throw open the windows in your home... Even if it’s just for a few minutes, let that fresh, summer breeze fill your home with new life and banish any musty airless vibes.

Bring the Outside in...Add a splash of summer colour to your décor. For a quick fix add a jug of summer flowers to your hall table and some summer inspired throw cushions to your settee – this doesn’thave to mean Club Tropicana bright, bright, bright, it could mean nautical themed or even just a bit floral. Overall don’t beafraid to have some fun – Nothing says summer more than a pineapple – dot them randomly about the house and their scent will get you in the summer mood.     

Get the Seating Sorted... With the up cycling, shabby chic, vintage look very much in fashion, throwing a miss matched table cloth over the usual dining table that’s been relocated on the lawn is more than acceptable. Just remember if it’s a beautiful real wood table, add a protector mat under your tablecloth to save the tabletop from spillages.

Don’t forget the spare room...You never know when you will have overnight guests! Make sure your spare room is up for the job, this is the perfect time to show the room off to its best, if you don’t have time to go all out and decorate, maybe invest in a new bedside table and or bedding to give the room a much needed lift.

Coffee tables are surely for more than coffee, right?

Depending on the space you have available a coffee table can act as a central feature in your living room.

What is the perfect spacing?

According to The Ultimate Decorators Guide "Distance Between a Coffee Table and Sofa. The general rule of thumb is to place the coffee table within about 14 inches to 18 inches from the sofa. That's close enough to reach for a magazine, but still offers plenty of leg room"

For more than coffee?

Yes, the obvious thing to do with a coffee table is place your coffee cup on it whilst relaxing in the salon, but our coffee table gets used for lots of things...

A family board game - we all sit around the coffee table to play a game on a rainy Sunday afternoon

Tea in front of the TV - yes, I know it’s bad but on the odd occasion my child gets a treat and is allowed to eat his sandwiches on a little chair at the coffee table in the living room whilst watching his favourite TV programme... these days won’t last long, and it looks very cute!

Storage of the TV paraphernalia, magazines, and the like - If you are lucky enough to have drawers or a storage compartment this is a valuable space. What do you keep in yours?

The Christmas Tree – Every year in our house at Christmas time the coffee table is moved from the centre of the room to one side and the Christmas tree is placed on it. We have particularly high ceilings and it creates more impact, but this was originally done to keep little hands from meddling and it has kind of stuck.

What ever you do keep on it or in it, ensure sure your coffe table isnt just a cluttered chaotic mess and more a chic statement!

So what’s the right size?

According to one online retailer “The proper height for a coffee table is the same  height as the cushions on your sofa or 1-2 inches lower. A coffee table should be approximately two-thirds the length of your sofa. There should be between 12-18 inches of space between a coffee table and the seating surrounding it.”

Do you have a sideboard?

However, you live, storage space is at a premium with every possible nook and cranny needing to be utilised (often to capacity). Out of all the storage items of furniture the humble sideboard is often overlooked, but why when it is so versatile?

As we all know in the dining room

Usually found in the dining room the commonal garden sideboard is usually used to store wine glasses, serving dishes and the best china, it is also a great place to store vases, napkins, and the like. 

And sometimes in the living room

Now this can often be due to open plan living, but with the variety of drawers and cupboard space the sideboard makes a great TV unit; allowing storage for all the TV paraphernalia as well as games and DVDs. With more choices of width there can often be a perfect sideboard solution to fit your space perfectly. And to boot the taller viewing level can be good.

Why not use it in the bedroom

Used against a wall or at the end of a double bed a sideboard can make the perfect storage piece for a bedroom. The drawer/cupboard combination can be ideal for storing all manner of clothes, belts, and accessories. Make the most of the top space – the ideal height for a TV or use as a dressing table surface.

Need more than a console?

If you have a more traditional property with a spacious hall way then a sideboard can make a great focal piece, dressed with a statement mirror or picture and a vase of your favourite flowers. Hallways tend to be long narrower spaces so choosing a wider, shallower piece of furniture such as a sideboard can be a better use of the space. Use the larger storage spaces for shoes, school bags and the smaller areas for mail, keys etc.

How to style a bookcase

A well-styled bookcase can be achieved using random accessories from around your home. Bookcases come in all shapes, sizes and colours and can be used all around the house. Whether built-in or freestanding, no matter your budget, bookcases are for more than books.

Bringing your accessories together to create a picture-perfect result you need to think about:

Creating shapes

You can create an overall balanced appearance by looking at the shapes you are making. If you are mixing books with home accessories, then try a mix of vertical and horizontal arrangements. By doing this both within the same shelf and then on the shelves below or above you are creating a type of symmetry – try not to duplicate the arrangement on multiple shelves as this will look sterile and not very natural.

Balance it out

Remember a bookcase doesn’t have to be a fixed display; as it has no doors it is easily accessed, so make use of it for storing items you use all the time, especially if you are creating a display in the hallway or kitchen. Finding the balance is the key – Aim to not add too much so it looks cluttered and not add too little, so it appears bare. 

Colour

Colour blocking/grouping items together can create impact. For a subtle effect keep everything within the same colour family, i.e. choose different hues of the same colour. When decorating your home, you may not want to add vibrant colour to your walls so a subtler way to introduce vibrant colours into your home décor without much risk is to add them in in your accessories. The key is to arrange the items in such a way that they contrast yet complement one another.

Mix it up

Mixing styles and items can create an eclectic look (Very effective if you are looking for a shabby chic look or for a sleeker and more minimal look choose simple shapes with a modern look.

There is truly nothing like a well styled bookcase to add warmth, intrigue, and uniqueness to a space. Depending on the overall effect you want to achieve you can style your accessories accordingly. 

As the bank holiday approaches some of us will be planning to make the most of the sales in search of a Bank Holiday Bargain!! According to the Money Saving Expert “Enjoying yourself on a bank holiday weekend needn't cost the earth. Whether you are looking for cheap food and drink, going to do a bit of DIY, or heading out for the day, the long weekend shouldn't leave you with empty pockets.” https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/bank-holiday-deals

In the DIY industry the build up to Easter is known as the Decorating season where most DIYers are planning to use the bank holiday weekend to start their first decorating project of the year which is why in the build up to the bank holiday there are always paint and wallpaper bargains to be had. So that leaves the bank holiday weekend for the Furniture bargains to be had – you will always see the Sofa industry for example having a Bank holiday deal. So what are the things to look out for?

The idea behind a bargain is usually to clear stocks - As is the nature of a clearance, stock is limited, so you'll have to move quickly if you see something you want. Most sales have a time limit so its worth asking the sales staff in store for an indication of when the offer will end.

That said don’t feel pressured into making a purchase that you will regret, especially on the larger furniture type as these need to be a more considered purchase unless you have pots of cash to spare.

Come prepared – You need to know the size of the space you are shopping for, any height restrictions, awkward corners or pipes to consider and most of all the access restrictions… I once bought a bed that didn’t fit up the stairs… an embarrassing and costly mistake – plus I ended up sleeping on the floor in my room whilst a having a bed base filling my tiny living room whilst it was waiting to be collected – very frustrating.  

Are you feeling Egg-cited?

Chocolate eggs have been in the shops since boxing day and the count down is definitely now on till Easter… Everything has gone chick, bunny and egg mad!!

Now hot cross buns seem to have gone a little wayward with new exotic favours being on trend – chocolate, chocolate orange, chocolate and salted caramel just to name a few. Whilst they all taste nice (Not that I would try them all lol), there is nothing like a traditional hot cross bun for me.

Easter isn’t all about the eggs and hot cross buns though, it’s a time for family gatherings and that can sometimes be stressful due to lack of space. So what can you do to make things go more smoothly?

Make the most of the space that you have.

By clearing away the clutter and getting rid of all the things that you don’t actually need you can see what space you do have. When tidying up what you do need, look out for clever storage ideas to help you declutter your home.

Be prepared for overnight guests

The Spare room is often that room that is neglected. If you don’t have the time or inclination for a full re-decorating job, then why not treat it to a deep clean, some fresh new bedding and something that will give it a lovely smell such as fresh flowers or wax melts. Don’t forget your guests may need hanging space so even if you don’t have space for a wardrobe, put a hanging hook on the back of the door and find out some extra coat hangers so they can hang on the back of the door. If you are not lucky enough to have a dedicated spare room why not use a blanket box to store an airbed, bed linen, pillows and duvet when not in use. Pay special attention to the bathroom – clean and fresh makes it more inviting for guests but think practical and add in a couple of extra loo rolls.

Plan meals and activities in advance

The preparation will pay off so you have more time to relax with guests. Remember a selection of hot cross buns and easter cakes can be handy for those unexpected pop in guests. 

Top tip: when setting your Easter lunch table why not go the whole hog and add some season decorations – check out this blog from Good Housekeeping.com – some lovely ideas https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/easter-ideas/g2217/easter-decorations/

World book day…

As world book day approaches my thoughts are drawn to the wardrobe… No less about the outfits within more about the lack of space… as I have said before there is no room for a Lion or a Witch in my wardrobe!

What goes inside …

Well if you are anything like me then it’s not just a few clothes, shoes and the odd handbag. To be honest my wardrobe is where everything thing gets stored – My clothes…Winter and Summer wardrobe; every boot, shoe, flipflop and flipper I own; Handbags for every occasion (I can never throw away a handbag… they are all too precious); Shawls, sarongs, scarves and the like; Jewellery and Hats. The list sounds quite long but I would consider myself fairly compact in comparison to some of my girlfriends – yes you know who you are ladies… those of you with a shoe collection to rival a shoe shop!

A good wardrobe for me needs a variety of space, some shelving, some full hanging and some drawer space, to be able to fit in all the things I need to store.

Since moving in with my husband I have realised that women in general need more wardrobe space than men. This is not a sexist comment, It’s not necessarily the volume, its more the variety of clothes that women wear. Long dresses require full length space, as do coats and some skirts, where as men in general unless they own a full length coat can always use a single height rail and hence they can make use of 2 rails one on top of the other in the same space  - the top rail hanging rows of crisply ironed white shirts and the bottom rail hanging trousers and shorts.

For me its imperative to make efficient use of all available space, so tips for when purchasing a wardrobe

Measure your space and all the access points – wardrobes can often be supplied part assembled and hence any narrow access or twists in stairs can be an issue.

Add in every available accessory – hooks on the back of doors, shoe racks to the bottom of your wardrobe to make the most of every available bit of space – check out Hallowood Oak shoe racks – starting from just £37.

Do you like it real?

Like so many things today there is a “Fake” for wood. Whilst real wood is beautiful - No two pieces are ever the same. The variations in grain, pattern and colour are what give real wood its natural beauty and timeless appeal. The “Fake” versions often have less of the variations in grain, pattern, and colour making it more uniform.

So if real wood is for you it doesn’t have to be hard to look, there are just a few dos and don’ts to follow:

Its all about getting the balance right

Moisture - Added moisture may cause furniture to move slightly, so it is recommended to ensure adequate ventilation to minimise this.

Temperature - Extreme temperatures may lead to the wood drying out too much – heat sources such as radiators could damage real wood.

Sunlight - Sunlight may over a period of time alter the colour of real wood; this is just part of the aging process and enhances the beauty of the natural material.

Protection and care

Spills - Spillages if not cleaned off can leave water marks – this is unsightly so should be avoided where possible – don’t forget if you spill a drink lift up the coaster and clean the underside.

Heat - Heat will leave scorch marks on the surface of the wood - these marks can be unsightly so its recommended to use heat protective mats such as coasters and table mats.

Cleaning - Never use chemicals such as bleach or abrasive materials such as dish scrubbers on any natural wood product as it will damage the wood.

Does all your furniture match or do you have an eclectic taste?

Unless you are starting a fresh these days it tends to be very rare that one can buy a full suite of furniture for a room. If you are like me then your house it a bit of a hotch potch of different furniture pieces that have come from a variety of places – some inherited, some chosen and some donated... but does it matter?

Getting the look that you want is most important and to be honest there are a few ways to tackle it:

1) Go out and buy a fresh

This of course, money aside, would probably be the most favoured option. You could of course sell all your existing furniture to giv yourself a money pot to buy new. However, if that is not an option then you can get the look of a complete new suite of furniture by replacing the main important pieces and then replacing the smaller items one by one as budget allows. Top tip – When taking this approach make sure you speak to the manufacturer and check they are not just about to discontinue this range or make major style changes like the handles or leg shape.

2) Go with the flow

Look at what you have and go with it – enhance you room by pulling together similar pieces. You could go the whole hog and replace handles so that all pieces have the same style.

3) Upcycle / Repurpose

This can be much easier than it sounds today with a variety of online auction sites and Social groups such as, Ebay, Gumtree,  Facebook market place and Shpock. If you have a chosen style already then you can search by product brand name to find matching pieces online. Bring together your look with a definite colour pallet and it can look fab.

The cracker jokes are still ringing in our ears and the taste of Christmas pudding is still on our lips yet the January sales are already in full flow. Have you got something you have your eye on? Do you plan to get a sale bargain?

Beat the rush - Shop online

Dont miss out, the early bird gets the worm as they say but why trudge through the streets and put up with the crowds when most retailers have websites … shop from the comfort of your own living room.

Size up the competition

Check out that, that deal of the century is really the best deal. Often a very tempting sale price can be not so tempting once you add on the delivery charge. Top tip: Look out for retailers that offer a Price Match Guarantee and Free Delivery.

Measure up

The most important tool to carry with you when buying larfer items such as furniture is a tape measure…

Fitting pieces into the room of your choice is one thing that most of us think about, but more importantly can you get them in to the house? We have all stood there in the shop and thought “Will it fit?”.

Before you commit to buy it’s important to ensure :

Access – Do you have an awkward driveway or a postcode that is hard to find? If so at the point of order let the deliverer know so as to make your delivery as smooth as possible. Note some sneaky retailers charge extra for awkward delivery addresses.

Front door - Make sure the furniture will fit through the front door and internal doorways when it’s delivered.

Immovable objects  - Objects that are going to get in the way of your furniture's journey to your room of choice, such as fitted cupboards, low ceilings, turns in the stair, bannisters and radiators need to be measured and accounted for. Make sure you note if the furniture comes fully assembled.