Worst Home Designs

Normally, we like to celebrate great interior design, but today we're going to take a look at some of the most unpleasant home blunders around, from neon velour curtains to hideously chintzy sofas, and try to learn some valuable lessons from them.

Our first horrible home is this explosion of 70s excess, filled with over-the-top colours and horrendous clashes. Some of the furniture, such as the retro coffee table, may look good in a much less busy environment, but taken as a whole, this house is a migraine-inducing blizzard of optical confusion. Such bold and bright colours need to be contrasted with some plainer areas, to create a harmonious feel.

This home defines excess - how would you tone it down?



Could you get to sleep in this room?

Next up, the owners of this house have tried to stamp their personality all over their home, but only succeeded in creating a mess of poorly-thought through and hugely distracting features. First up is the conservatory, with its massive indoor rock garden and flimsy, unpleasant freestanding bar. Rather than go for such an ugly and inconveniently placed unit, the owners should have chosen a sideboard that could be moved to the side of the room if necessary. The indoor garden is bound to attract insects, and requires a great deal of maintenance, while the bar has not been designed with any kind of style in mind. The ugly pool table cover and zebra print rug don't do the room any favours either.

Would you like to spend time in here?

And now through to the bathroom - don't worry, that's paint on the walls. By attempting to create a homely, hand made look, the owners of this house have slipped up badly, and created a truly nauseous bathroom.

Don't worry, it's paint, but it's still unpleasant

Believe it or not, these kitchen cabinets aren't dirty - they've been rubbed with old teabags to give the impression of age, but the place looks smoke damaged. A distressed look can be stylish, but keep it subtle, and make sure it doesn't end up being just distressing.

This kitchen looks like a bomb has hit it

Our final home is in Mexico, and its owners obviously have a peculiar affinity for Louis Vuitton:

How would your neighbours react
if you did this to your home?

So what is the lesson here? All of these houses suffer from being too busy, and the owners have got carried away with implementing a style without considering how it actually looks. So, before you redecorate your home, consider your options carefully, and make sure that you come up with a careful plan that makes the best use of your space.

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How To Make The Most Of Your Hall

The hall is the first room that visitors will see when entering your house, so instead of seeing it as simply a corridor between rooms, why not take the time to create a welcoming and inviting entryway, perfect for receiving guests so that you can be confident about showing off your home.

What you can achieve with your hall all depends on how big it is. Some hallways, especially those open-plan type ones that also incorporate a staircase, can hold large items of furniture, and actually serve a useful purpose as well as setting the tone for your home. A comfy armchair, footstool and occasional table makes a great reading or telephone nook, and will show visitors that your home is comfortable yet filled with practical touches.

A console table makes a
great addition to a hallway

If your hall is smaller, it's still worthwhile using furniture to create a cosy and inviting feel. Look out for slimline console tables which make the perfect place to display family portraits or treasured ornaments.

It's worth spending a little time thinking about the choice of decor - you want to create a cosy, inviting feel, so it's important to find a warm colour scheme, and to match it with soft, pleasing lighting. If your home is traditionally styled, consider using simple warm colours such as cochineal for the walls, and a traditional carpet, accented with Turkish rugs.

A hallway can provide a handy
place to sit and take phone calls

If your home is more modern, then why not be bold and go for an unusual modern colour. Visit mydeco.com for some great colour scheme inspirations. housetohome.co.uk also has a fantastic gallery of the best hall designs, so why not check it out and get your imagination going.

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How To Give Your Home Office A Traditional Look

There's nothing like an old-fashioned study to make you feel at the same time relaxed, comfortable and businesslike. In today's age of flimsy flat-packed home offices, wouldn't you like to bring a little of the sense of solidity and timelessness of times gone by into your study?

To get the look start with the walls - wood panelling is the most desirable option, but can be prohibitively expensive. A cheaper option is wainscoting, but if you're on a budget, even this can be a bit much. A cheap option is to use a dado rail to split the wall in half, and then either paint or paper the lower section a darker colour, accentuating the open space above.

A traditional study is a great place to think

The most important item of furniture in any study is the desk, and in a traditional room, it is even more important to find the right desk. Think heavy, chunky furniture in solid dark-stained wood. If, however, your room is a little on the dark side, you may want to opt for lacquered oak or ash to bring a bit of light to proceedings. Keep the look goinf by using matching wooden shelving and filing cabinets.

If you find yourself writing letters by hand, there is no more comfortable and luxurious writing surface than leather, and a desk with a green leather writing surface is the definition of this look. However, leather inlay can be tricky to keep in good order, especially if you have children who might draw on it. Choose a solid wooden desk, in dark oak or stained beech, and invest in a separate leather writing surface. This allows you to leave space for a computer, which could permanently mark leather.

A rug is vital for the look, especially if it's a Turkish woven rug, which helps to give the room a professorial feel and provides a focal point around which to arrange the furniture.

Nothing evokes that timeless study
feel like a banker's lamp

The ultimate finishing touch for a traditional study is a green glass banker's lamp, which casts a warm glow over the room, and especially complements leather and dark wood tones. Search online for antique lamps, or if you're on a budget, look for a cheaper reproduction, and get the look at a fraction of the price.

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How To Create A Traditional Dining Room

Sitting down to a delicious meal in a beautifully designed, refined traditional dining room is one of the real pleasures of life, and with this handy guide, you and your family will soon be eating amidst the rich tones and timeless charm of a traditional dining area.

Of course, no traditional dining room would be complete without a beautiful dining set as a centrepiece. There are many woods that are used to create dining tables, so it's worth thinking about what effect each timber might have. Pine, although mainly used in modern, Scandinavian inspired pieces, is also used for traditional pieces, and looks especially good when it has been stained and lacquered. Oak is the classic choice for an old-style dining table, as its natural colouring and grain are the epitomy of traditional style.

This room uses frame wainscoting to break up the walls

For the full traditional dining experience, you'll need a dining table, dining chairs, a sideboard, and maybe even a console table or display cabinet, depending on how much space you have.

Once you've chosen your furniture, consider the type of decor you would like to go for. Within the traditional style, there are many options, and many possibilities to create something special. For an opulent, time-honoured look, why not consider wainscoting the lower part of the walls? If you're designing your room around a wooden dining set, you can use wainscoting to complement the wood - if your table is oak, oak wainscoting will allow the timber's distinctive grain to be the defining presence in the room. By reducing wall space, the impact of wallpaper is reduced, so that you can choose a bold pattern without it overwhelming the room.

The look of this room is defined by its stylish
stained and lacquered oak furniture

If you're still looking for information, check out this great guide to creating a traditional dining room from hgtv.com

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How To Choose The Right Sideboard

Sideboards are highly versatile pieces of furniture that can really help you to win the war on cluuter, but with so many styles and looks available, it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. That's where this handy guide comes in - we'll take you through the different types of sideboard, and help you to find the one that is just right for you.

This contemporary wooden sideboard
combines modern style with traditional warmth

Before you can pick the right sideboard, you need to think about the style you want to achieve in your dining room, and how a well chosen sideboard can help you to succeed. If you want to take advantage of a traditional sideboard's air of refinement and sophistication, then you can either look for an antique, or find a reproduction, and use it to bring a traditional charm to the room.

Traditional rooms are fairly straightforward, as selecting the right sideboard is usually a matter of going for the piece that most appeals, but if you are looking for a sideboard for a modern room, it can prove to be more tricky. Finding the right sideboard for a contemporary setting is hard, because most modern interior design relies on unusual combinations of texture and style, and an item as large as a sideboard can easily dominate a room.

The best way to proceed is to consider the materials and styles that are already at work in your room, and then try to find a sideboard that will harmonise with them. For instance, if you've gone for the classic white minimalist look, with a glass dining table, sleek leather dining chairs, and wooden flooring, why not choose a wooden sideboard to accent the floor, instead of a more modern storage unit that might make the room cold. The subtle air of charm that surrounds a wooden sideboard can be a really useful way to introduce some warmth into a contemporary space.

So make sure when you're browsing sideboards that you consider not just the style of the design, but the effect that each piece would have on your room.

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Worst Kitchen Designs

We've all seen one - a kitchen that is lost somewhere underneath a hideous decor scheme, cupboards fronted with ugly doors, badly-planned spaces with no room for food preparation. Today, we're taking a look at some of the worst kitchens out there.

Our first catastrophic kitchen is going for the crispness and clarity of a monochrome design, but is lost in a wilderness of busy lines and shapes, cluttered worktops and a rather horrible border around the top of the wall (and used as an accent beneath the cooker's fan hood) that features some rather portly dancing chefs. The problem with trying to achieve a harmonious simplicity is that if you fail to keep things organisied, and don't make sure that there is a place for everything, you soon end up with a kitchen disaster rather than the cool, sleek space that you had in mind. The lesson here is to be realistic about storage and clutter, and to decorate with your family's habits in mind. Try using wooden sideboards or dressers to maximise your storage.

This kitchen needs to be simplified

Our second kitchen nightmare is this awfully bodged repair job spotted by an estate agent. The owners of this kitchen have tried to hide a hole caused by moisture damage using the lid of a storage box. What's more, they then put their home on the market, leaving this terrible job to try and tempt buyers. Needless to say, the estate agent was unable to sell the property until the hole was properly attended to.

Would you buy this house?

Our next kitchen demonstrates the need for consistency and thoroughness. While the pink cupboard doors may not be to everybody's taste, they do speak of a clear design vision. The whole room is let down by the hideous window covering, which resembles a piece cut from the world's largest and loudest Hawaiian shirt. Remember - even if every other aspect of a room is flawless, even one detail out of place can ruin a room.

Attend to the details if you want to avoid this

Our final kitchen is a mess of clashing floral designs and dull, drab '70s wooden cabinets, that is sure to bring on a migraine should you find yourself spending more than five minutes looking at it. Make sure you don't overload your kitchen with patterns, as they can make a room look extremely busy. Instead, keep things simple, as no room attracts clutter like a kitchen, and your decor needs to create a clean, inviting look.

Could you put up with this?

American lifestyle presenter Rachael Ray held a contest to find America's worst kitchen. If you want to see the winning kitchen, and how it was fixed, check out this page, which recaps the whole contest, and see how you can turn a kitchen nightmare into a culinary dream.

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How To Turn Your Living Room Mexican

Today, January 25th, is reported to be the most depressing day of the British year, so what better time to bring a little sunshine and good cheer into your home? With this handy guide, you'll soon be able to transform your living room into a delightful, Mexican inspired space that is filled with warmth, character, colour and style.

The basis for Mexican style is found in a colour palette comprising of cactus-like greens, adobe red and desert-toned neutral hues, with accents provided by bursts of bright yellow, dusty orange and deep turqoise or teal.

Check out how the colour of the walls
brings out the warmth of the wood

One of the best ways to get that spicy Mexican feel is through the use of distressed wood. If you have any exposed wooden features, such as beams or panelling, in your living room, then strip them back and gently abrade the surfaces until they are rough, and then rub in some dark pigment wax to bring the unusual shapes of the wood into relief. Wipe off excess wax with a dry cloth. You can also use a little sandpaper to abrade the highest points to provide highlights.

The distressed theme should be continued to the furniture - you can buy beautiful hand distressed wooden furniture, or, for more ecological brownie points, furniture that has been made from reclaimed timber, to give your room that glorious lived-in feel.

Leather chairs and sofas, especially elegantly worn ones, really help to bring the relaxed, organic feel of a Mexican room to life. It looks especially good if it has an exposed wooden frame, which can match the rest of your furniture, bringing your sofa into close style proximity with your coffee table.

Mexican style rooms can take colour
combinations that would clash elsewhere

The Mexican look is all in the details - hang striped fabrics from the walls, and find Mexican or South American designed vases and ornaments. There are many little projects you can do to help with your Mexican theme - if you have a fireplace and a bit of spare time, why not check out hgtv.com's guide to creating a Mexican-style fireplace screen, perfect for bringing your new look together.

These antique Mexican vases
make great accent pieces

If you've been bitten by the Mexican style bug, why not check out Donna McMenamin's book on traditional Mexican design, available through Amazon.

So take a fresh look at your living room, and decide whether it might benefit from a bit of spicing up!

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Top Green Decorating Trends For 2010

2010 has arrived, and the styles of the last decade are in the process of being refreshed and challenged by a whole host of new eco-friendly decorating trends, so check out this handy guide and discover what will be hot in the year to come.

It's a new decade, and time for your home to go green, and we don't mean painting your walls - in 2010 there will be a huge number of environmentally conscious ideas for the home, that will allow you

This recycled bath makes a great sofa

Bamboo flooring is predicted to be a huge hit, both in terms of style and as a truly eco-friendly product. Bamboo grows at a phenomenal rate, and by using it to replace more slow-growing trees, forests can be protected. Look out for bamboo ornaments and accent pieces to harmonise your new bamboo floor.

Bamboo flooring is both stylish and eco friendly

Energy efficiency is a real concern in the modern world, and with the arrival of the new decade, designers have begun to produce new heating and lighting options for your home that combine an emphasis on sustainability and efficiency with a real eye for style. For information on eco friendly heating, check out the Green Consumer Guide's report on heating.

Recycling has really taken off over the last few years, with almost all of us doing our bit to re-use our plastics, glass and paper, but recycling as a style choice has arrived - check out Web Urbanist's guide to some cool retro pieces that are entirely made from materials as diverse and overlooked as pens, shopping trolleys and tin cans.

One of the hot new trends predicted to take off in 2010 is the use of room dividers to separate areas off, so you can have a sofa and coffee table in one part of the room, and a desk and shelving in another, without the place appearing cluttered. Tinydecorblog.com has a fantastic piece detailing how to find eco-friendly room division ideas, so why not get ahead on a hot new fashion and do your buit for the environment, all at the same time.

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How to use doors to enhance your furniture

When you're decorating a room to make the most of new furniture, it's easy to stop when you've seen to the most obvious jobs - the walls, floor and curtains - but why not take a look at our guide to some of the creative ways that you can make the most out of your doors, using them to enhance the look of your room and make your new furniture really look its best.

Whatever the style of your room, there are ways to make your doors do more than keep out draughts. First you just need to decide on the kind of look that you want to achieve.

By matching the colour of doors and walls,
you can achieve a striking effect

If you want to maximise your space, consider removing internal doors for an airy contemporary feel. Of course, if you don't have central heating, this can be an impractical option, so why not try painting doors to match walls, using emulsion paint to help the door blend in. If you're really feeling adventurous, you could even wallpaper a door to match the wall, with a funky transparent doorknob to complete the effect. This makes furniture really stand out, and allows you to emphasise the lines of modern sofas, coffee tables and shelving units.

These ultra-modern wooden doors are perfect
for bringing out the best in wooden furniture

If you have furnished your room with wooden furniture, you can achieve a harmonious, flowing and organic look by having a bespoke door made in the same wood as your furniture. Oak furniture has beautiful colouring, and by investing in an oak or oak veneer door, you can draw attention to the distinctive colouring and sttractive grain. If you can't afford a bespoke door, why not head to the auction house and see if you can snap up a cheap antique door, though make sure you measure up before you buy. If the door's a little big, don't worry, any carpenter will be able to cut it down for a reasonable fee.

You can also use antique door furniture, such as doorknobs and bolts, to give your room a traditional feel and to accentuate any fittings on your furniture. Auctions are great places to snap up doorknobs for cheap. If you need guidance on how to fit an antique doorknob, check out this video which provides detailed instructions.

So take a fresh look at your doors, and see if you can use them to really bring out the best in your furniture.

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How To Protect Your Dining Set Against Damage

The dining table must serve many purposes- it is at the centre of family life, from the Sunday roast to birthday teas, and it is also the setting for more formal entertainments, from relaxed dinner parties to important occasions. These different uses all take their toll on a table, and it's vital to make sure that it stays protected.

If you are worried that your new dining table might get scratched and marked, why not consider a glass or perspex cover? A transparent protective surface allows you to enjoy the warnth and character of the wood, while also ensuring that the table is never scratched or stained. A tempered glass top also allows you to place hot dishes directly onto the table or tablecloth without worrying about marking the wood.

Protect your wood to keep it looking its best

Most solid wooden furniture will be finished with either a wax or a lacquer, which will protect the wood against moisture damage and other environmental dangers, but when serving hot food, care must be taken, as lacquer can crack and wax can melt, and your table can become discoloured and prone to warping. The traditional solution to this problem is the trivet, and trivets of all styles can be found on the high street. Make sure you get trivets that fit in with the style of your room, as they will come in very handy at dinner parties, where you will really want to impress. For convenience, you could even invest in a Lazy Susan.

Of course, if your table's finish does become damaged, it is possible to restore it yourself. First, lightly sand the wood to an even finish, then wash with a 1:5 mixture of white vinegar and water, and leave overnight to dry. White vinegar has disinfectant properties, and will ensure that there is nothing lingering in the wood. Once the wood is dry, apply a quality furniture wax, or a layer of Danish Oil. If you fancy a change, you can always use a woodstain to give your table a new accent. Continue the new look by doing the same with your sideboard.

The best way to esnure that your dining table lasts as long as it can is to keep it clean. For some expert tips on how best to clean a wooden table, check out this video of expert cleaner Ann Myrick demonstrating her tried-and-tested techniques.

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Leather vs. Fabric Sofas

Investing in a new sofa is an exciting selection process, but the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. It really depends on your home, style and needs. When choosing furniture, people have difficulty choosing between leather and fabric. The answer depends on you. Here are a few factors to consider.

Style

Fabric sofas can be purchased in a wider variety of colors and patterns, so there is greater style potential with a wider variety available. Leather couches, however, come in a range of solid shades, though they can be artfully distressed to change the style of the furniture for a little variation. Fabric gives you more of a range, although you can get imaginative to a certain extent with leather. Both leather and fabric furniture can be accessorised with lamp tables and other wooden furniture for a refined and sophisticated look.

Comfort

The comfort level of fabric depends on the type of fabric you choose. You can purchase fabric furniture ranging from thick, casual denims to fine, formal fabrics. Many people find fabric couches to be more comfortable as leather tends to be hot and stickier on the skin. Leather warms to your body when you sit, creating a heated effect. Fabric feels more like a soft jacket or clothes.

Fabric sofas can create a cool contemporary look

Easy Cleaning

Leather features a protective, nonabsorbent surface, so it is easier to clean. Dust and hair sits on the surface of the leather, so it's easier on people who have allergies or pets. Fabric furniture absorbs spills and stains, making it harder to clean. Pet hair tends to stick to fabric furniture, which may pose a problem to allergies. Leather tends to last longer for this reason.

Durability

Much stronger than man-made fabrics, leather will last. Not only will it last longer than fabric, its appearance generally improves with age. You don't need to retire a leather couch if you keep it in good condition. Fabric doesn't last as long, but you'll get more use out of it if you choose a thick, dark fabric that’s easy to clean.

Leather makes for a smooth, sophisticated look

Cost

Leather usually costs much more than fabric furniture, so some may avoid buying leather for this reason. On the other hand, many are attracted to the look and durability, knowing they'll get much longer use out of leather furniture than they would with a fabric option. Fabric generally costs less, although this is not always the case, depending on the quality and thickness of the fabric. By opting for a cheaper fabric sofa, you may save enough for a new coffee table or sideboard.

Factors to Consider

How long of a use do you want out of the furniture? If this is a temporary decoration fix and you don't want to invest a lot of money, you can get a quality piece of furniture without too much investment. If you plan to hand the furniture down the generations, however, leather is probably the way to go. Instead of looking ragged with age, it actually improves with age.

Also consider the climate of your home. If you live in air conditioning during most of the summer, leather is not a bad option. If you enjoy open windows to let in the summer air, fabric furniture may be more conducive to naps. It all depends on your purpose and taste considerations.

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Must Have Items For Your Bedroom

If the new decade has inspired you to jump feet first into modern life, then check out our run down of the bedroom essentials that will help you rest, relax and be entertained and inspired, and transform your bedroom into an up-to-the-minute sleeping space, perfectly in tune with the needs of modern life.

In a modern bedroom like this, practicality meets style

Alarm clock

Sadly, every good night's sleep must come to an end, but modern technology offers a host of ways to say hello to the new day. Digital radio alarms let you wake to the sound of any one of hundreds of stations, while more unusual options, such as the Flying Alarm Clock from firebox.com which flies around the room until you get up and catch it, let you take control of your sleep patterns in more creative ways. Check out The Independent's guide to the top ten alarm clocks, and prepare to be surpirised by some of the quirky selections.

The flying alarm clock makes
oversleeping all but impossible

Bedside Lamp

There's nothing more relaxing than settling down in your bed with a hot drink and a good book, so it's important to get the lighting right - not too bright, but not too dim. You'll also really want to have something stylish for your bedside table. You might think that bedside lamps couldn't change much, but there are a surprising range of far-out lighting options, including the Mathmos Airswitch, available from gadgethub.co.uk, that can be dimmed and brightened by the movement of a hand, letting you set the mood with the minimum of effort. For more ideas, you could also check out Living Etc's gallery of the best bedside lamps on the market.

iPod Dock

Whether it's to set a romantic atmosphere, to get you in the mood for a night out, or just to unwind after a long day, the bedroom is the perfect place for music, but you don't want to have a bulky stereo ruining the calming, relaxing atmosphere. That's why an iPod dock can help - choose a slimline designer dock that will continue the look of contemporary elegance, and you'll have your whole music collection at your fingertips. Make sure you pick an option with a remote so you can listen in bed without getting up. Some docks also function as alarm clocks, allowing you to combine two devices in one, but be careful - alarm clock iPod docks rarely have the same standard of sound quality as a dedicated dock, so you may want to stick with separate units for now. Check out The Times' list of the top ten iPod docks, and see which will fit into your room's style.

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How To Turn Your Home Office French

Home offices and studies can be neglected when it comes to style, leaving them drab and uninviting, and preventing you from using them to their full potential. The answer is to treat a home office or study exactly the same as you'd treat a living room, and to give it as much attention to design. This handy guide is intended to help you to use the classic elegance of French-influenced design and craftsmanship to create a welcoming and inspiring home office.

The best way to get the look of a chic Parisian apartment in your study or office is to start with a classic French colour for the walls and woodwork, and then pick a few carefully chosen pieces of furniture that will meet all your more practical needs while still allowing you to focus on a luxurious feeling of space and elegance.

This room has all the simplicity and
classic elegance of French design

The classic French look calls for a chalky white paint for both the walls and woodwork, although if this feels a little cold to you, you could try going for a celadon blue for the walls, matched to a deeper blue for window frames and skirting boards.

When it comes to picking furniture, think classic wooden pieces with elegant curves and expansive surfaces. White painted wooden furniture is especially effective, and can be complemented by dark-stained lacquered wood pieces. Try pairing a painted desk with a dark lacquered chair for a refreshing, eclectic look.

This miniature home office favours
Parisian simplicity over any hints of opulence

Accessorising a French-style office is a breeze - invest in some simple narrow black picture frames and frame either French film posters or black and white photographs. Choose a black and white patterned fabric for cushions, and, if you can afford to, replace your curtains with wooden shutters, and you'll really feel like an intellectual on the left bank of the Seine.

Ideal Home Magazine have a brilliant feature on French-style home offices, while styleroom.co.uk have a report on a simple, affordable approach to turning your whole house French, so if you love the idea, but are a bit short on inspiration, why not head over and check out their stunning images?

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Things To look Out For When Choosing A Chest Of Drawers

There is such a huge variety of chests of drawers available today that it can be
hard to decide what style is best for you. A well-chosen chest can really make an impact, helping to dictate the feel of a room as well as providing some useful storage. By selecting the right style of chest, you can really make a difference in any room.

The shape of the chest of drawers hasn't changed too drastically over the years. The chest began life in medieval Europe, in the homes of the nobility. Known at the time as a coffer, the chest was, at this time, little more than a wooden box with a hinged lid, often mounted on feet. Next, a drawer was added beneath the main compartment, then two, and finally the hinged top was phased out so that objects could be stored on top. If you'd like some more information on the story of wooden furniture, check out finewoodworking.com's brief history of the chest of drawers.

This chest is a twentieth century
reproduction of a sixteenth century piece

In the last few hundred years, there have been many distinct furnishing styles,
and most have featured interpretations of the classic chest of drawers. If you're going for an opulent traditional look with flowing textiles and dark, rich wood, then look for an antique-styled chest that has been stained and lacquered to give it the old-fashioned grandeur it needs. To maximise the sumptuous elegance of this style, look for chests with long, tapered legs and ornate drawer handles. You can also pair the chest with a matching dressing table, mirror and stool for that truly opulent feel.

Solid wooden chests combine
practicality and appealing looks

If you're after a more modern look, then try seeking out chunky, contemporary-styled chests. These often feature recessed handles instead of metal, and prioritise sleek, unbroken lines and expansive surfaces. This kind of chest looks best when given a matt wax finish.

This chest dates from the 1700s,
yet would fit in with a contemprary
minimalist look

Of course, there are many styles between the classic and the modern, and there is a nearly infinite variety of looks available, from chests that have been distressed to bring warmth to a shabby-chic modern home to quirky painted chests for kids' rooms. This is why it's important to have a good look around before you decide which chest to buy.

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How To Find The Right Bookcase

When choosing shelving for your home, it's important to consider what it will be called upon to hold. This may sound obvious, but over its lifetime, shelves often have to serve several uses, so it's worth making sure that you find a piece that is versatile enough to meet your needs. Take into account not just the size of your DVD, CD or book collection, but also how much it is likely to grow.

If you buy enough shelving to contain your collection at its current size, you may find that in a few years it is no longer enough, so it's worthwhile giving your collection room to grow rather than cramming it into a storage solution that is only just big enough.

This room really makes the
most of its bookshelves

To help your bookcase look its best, why not choose a matching sideboard or coffee table to compliment it?

The key feature for a versatile shelf is adjustability. Most shelves come with a rigid frame and are supplied with a simple method of adjusting the shelves yourself. This allows you to accommodate large format books or tall ornaments. Before you order a shelf, remember to make sure that it has at least one adjustable shelf.

If you are a real bookworm, and want to use your hobby as a great way to decorate your home, why not invest in enough wooden bookshelves to cover all the walls of a room? You can mount them directly onto the walls to create a relaxing, supremeley inspiring room.

If you are taken with the idea of using bookshelves as more than just storage, why not check out this great article from about.com's interior decorating guide? They have interviewed several designers for their ideas on how to make the most out of your bookshelves.

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Top Tips For A Modern Dining Room

A modern family dining room serves many purposes, from cosy family meals to kids doing their homework to dinner parties and more formal entertainments, so the design of the room is more important than ever. We take a look at some simple ideas to help you to create a room that is both efficient and stylish, and which meets all the needs of a modern family.

The key to the contemporary look lies in making sure that the room is clutter-free, so it's important to select some stylish storage so that all your family's belongings can be kept neatly packed away. If your room is small, try a slim sideboard, while if you have the luxury of space, you can bring a bit of personality to the room by arranging ornaments and accessories on bookshelves and display cabinets.

This room has been carefully designed
for practicality and style

One of the most important aspects of a modern dining room is its multifunctionality, so it's a good idea to consider the different uses to which your dining room may be put. Think extra storage for kids' homework stuff, or a 'family' tablecloth that you don't mind them drawing on.

If your dining room links two other rooms, and sees a lot of foot traffic, you could consider an extendable dining table, which can be placed against the wall for normal use and pulled out, extended and dressed for dinner parties sunday roasts. This look also maximises space, helping to keep contemporary furniture looking its best.

If you have a large home, with plenty of space in the garage, why not purchase some extra matching seating, and even an extra dining table so that you can cater for very large gatherings in style.

Remember, it can be easy for clutter to build up as various members of the family deposit their belongings on surfaces. In order to prevent this, consider investing in some extra storage for your hall, so that everybody has a drawer and nothing ends up being left in the dining room.

Once you've taken into account the practical aspects of your dining room, it's time to get down to the business of decorating. The classic contemporary look calls for white walls and window frames, although you can experiment with bold modern colours like olive green, cimarron red, or slate blue. One of the advantages of opting for a plain white look is the opportunity to choose several sets of ornaments and accessories, including curtains, tablecloths, napkins and vases to show off different looks.

Any lighting scheme in a dining room must help to set the scene. Try installing recessed halogen spotlights in the ceiling, angling several onto the table for a pool of light.

Recessed halogen spotlights can
really make a difference

If you're looking for further inspiration, why not check out Channel4.com's guide to contemporary dining rooms, which has some beautiful designs to get your imagination going.

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How To Create A Contemporary Bathroom

There's nothing like the serene, relaxed feeling of slipping into a deep bath in a beautifully designed bathroom. We've prepared this handy guide to help you to create a contemporary style bathroom that is alive with elegance and style.

It's a good idea to take the time to consider different arrangements in your new bathroom, so why not use a piece of chalk to mark out potential positions for your bathroom suite, and let your whole family contribute suggestions? By taking the time to consider your options, you can be more certain that you will pick the right one, and avoid having to redecorate in a few years' time.

This bathroom uses wooden panelling
to give its sleek lines a touch of warmth

Contemporary bathrooms have an emphasis on space and sleekness, so it's worth while spending some time working out exactly what you do and don't need. Many modern bathrooms do away with traditional cabinets, and if you decide to go this way, but later find that you need more storage, you can choose a wooden bedside cabinet or small chest of drawers for the room without compromising on style.

The key to a contemporary bathroom is the bath itself - modern manufacturing techniques allow far more interesting shapes to be created than the traditional bath design, and if you want to get inspired, simply check out the range of bathroom suites that are available online.

The innovative shape of this bath is
contrasted with the natural wood shelves

In order to make your room relaxing, and prevent it from looking too cold, it's worth contrasting the sleek white textures of your bath and sink units with natural wood, which both brings a touch of traditional character to the room and also allows you to be creative in your storage choices. Why not use a wooden blanket box to provide storage for towels and guest toiletries?

Channel4.com have a great page filled with ideas for a contemporary bathroom, so if you're still on the lookout for inspiration, why not check it out?

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How to Use Ceilings to Enhance Your Furniture

Despite being the single largest surface in almost any room, we seldom think of our ceilings, and often miss out on exciting ways to bring a new style to our homes. This handy guide offers hints and tips on making the most of your ceiling, with decorating tips and examples for you to draw on.

If your ceiling has sloping sections, these can be painted to match the walls, breaking up the line between wall and ceiling and giving your room a unique look. Alternatively, sloping sections can be painted in a contrasting tone for a bold expression of your style. For example, in a room with a royal blue wall and white ceiling a sloping section can be painted red, or if this is too much, slate grey. This is perfect for creating an environment to show off contemporary furniture, as the emphasis on lines and shapes will fit the clean aesthetic of modern furniture. Try installing recessed halogen spotlights to really nail that up-to-the-minute look.

The Sistine Chapel ceiling,
painted by Michaelangelo

If you're going for a traditional look, then why not consider a ceiling rose? Plaster roses (sometimes called ceiling medallions) can be bought from DIY superstores, although it's recommended that you have a professional do the installation. Once installed, you have a choice of paint options. The traditional choice is white, the same as the rest of the ceiling, but you can get a refined, relaxed-yet sophisticated look by painting it in a patina of bronze, copper or even gold. Ceiling roses really set off a traditional room, and you can create a great effect by accessorising traditional wooden sideboards, console tables and bookshelves with matching bronze, copper or gold ornaments.

The exposed beams in this room really
contribute to its relaxed style

If you are lucky enough to have exposed wooden beams in your ceiling, it's worth taking the time to make sure they look their best. You can go for the old-fashioned, Tudor-style option of painting them black or deep umbre, and pairing this with a white or cream ceiling. If you want a more modern look, strip your beams back and give them a coat of Danish oil for a light and airy feel. This look is perfect for setting off chunky oak furniture, and can really bring out the grain in pieces with large surfaces, such as coffee tables.

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How To Protect Your Pine Furniture

Pine is a soft wood which continuously 'respires' when there are changes in the temperature and the environment. Pine will always feature some small irregularities, such as slight shrinkage and minor defects like small cracks in the wood's surface and knots, although many of these apparent imperfections actually enhance the look of the wood, making furniture unique.

The first thing to remember when caring for your pine furniture is that sunlight can have a dramatic effect on both the colour and surface of the timber. It's a good idea to keep untreated pine out of direct sunlight, although lacquered or waxed pine has much better resistance to cracking and discolouration.

In order to prevent the wood from bowing or cracking, it's a good idea to make sure that it is in an area with a constant temperature, as rapid changes can cause the wood to dry out, expand, and crack. It's also advisable to avoid placing hot or cold items directly onto the wood.

Rubber protectors can prevent moisture
damage, as well as damage to floors

As well as temperature, pine is susceptible to damage from moisture. If you are planning to place your furniture in a room with a tiled or laminate floor, make sure you use rubber protectors placed under the feet to stop the wood from soaking up any accidental spills or condensation, as moisture can cause splitting and discolouration.

Always be gentle when cleaning your pine furniture

When cleaning your pine furniture, it's important not to use soap or detergent, or any polish that contains silicone, as this can affect the appearance of the grain, and may in some cases cause staining. For general cleaning, use a damp duster and gently buff the wood to a shine. If you need to give your furniture a deeper clean, then try looking in your local hardware shop for lemon oil or another soft polishing oil treatment.

If you are using an oil based polish, it's worth testing it out on an out of sight area in order to make sure that it doesn't alter the natural colouring of the wood. If you need a bit more in depth advice on finding the right products for your furniture, check out Ronseal's website, which features some really handy how-to-guides that will help you get the most out of your pine furniture.

Properly cared for, pine can be a beautiful presence

One of the most effective ways to keep your pine furniture looking its best is to use a furniture wax. Much pine furniture will come ready-waxed, although it's worth reapplying the finish every year or two to ensure that the wood remains fully protected, especially if it is a feature piece such as a coffee table or dresser.

Of course, with all the preparation in the world, it's impossible to avoid accidents, so here's a handy tip to deal with minor dents, especially useful for dining tables - boil a kettle, and pour a very small amount of hot water onto the affected area then mop up excess water with a cloth. The moisture should cause the dent to plump out. If the wood swells too much, place a heavy, flat object on top of the bump, and give it a day to dry out.

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How To Create A Rustic Bedroom

There is nothing more welcoming and relaxing than a delightful, rustic bedroom, filled with the colours of autumn and spring. With a little planning, you can create a stunning rustic look that will totally transform your bedroom, so check out this handy guide to decor, furnishing and accessories, and bring a little countryside charm to your sleeping space.

To get that great rustic look, start by considering your decor. You'll want to get a classic farmhouse style, but be warned, it's easy to go too far and end up with a room that is a caricature of the rustic style. Check out the picture below for an example of a room that is certainly rustic, but not exactly pleasant.

This room takes the rustic theme too far

When it comes to selecting your furniture, pick a bed and matching wardrobe, blanket box and bedside cabinets made from an appealing natural timber. Oak is the best choice for the traditional farmhouse look, with its deep grain and distinctively rustic colouring. Ash and elm can also be used to bring a rural tranquility to your bedroom.

If you're in need of a bit more inspiration, then why not check out countryliving.com's brilliant guide to farmhouse style interiors, and plan your room's new look.

This rustic bedroom combines great
design with beautiful furniture

And if you're on a budget, remember that a rustic style can be accessorised with free, natural found objects, so why not venture out to the countryside and see if you can find some interestingly shaped branches and wildflowers to place in large vases. You can use bowls of pine cones to decorate the top of a chest of drawers, and decorate the walls with framed photos of your favourite countryside spots.

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Must Have Items For Your Hall

Rather than overlook your halls and landings in favour of the rest of your house, it's worth remembering that the hall is the first and last part of your home that you and your visitors will see. To make the most of your hallways and landings, treat them like every other room in the house, and carefully select furniture and accessories to maximise style and practicality.

The owners of this hall have gone for a clean,
minimal approach but still found
space for a handy console table

The furniture you pick depends on the size of your hall - if you are short on space, you may have to stick to slimline furniture such as console tables and bookshelves, although if you take the time to choose these can be stylish and useful and really contribute to a welcoming hall. You can also use mirrors to create the illusion of space. If you have more room, you could maximise the usefulness of your space and bring in a comfy chair to create a comfy nook for phone conversations or quiet reading. If space is available, you can also put in a row of display cabinets so that you can open the door and be welcomed by your most treasured possessions.

Digital photo frames are a great way to display many of your most treasured family photos in one compact and stylish package. Many are available, and it can be hard to find the right one for you, so why not check out which.co.uk's definitive feature on selecting a digital photo frame.

This hall combines spacious style with practical utility

Hall storage is really useful - For the DIY enthusiast, hgtv.com has a great guide to making your own hall tree, giving you handy storage for coats, scarves and shoes.

If you're stuck for ideas on how to decorate your hall, why not take a look at the BBC's design inspiration page.

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How To Create A Contemporary Office

With the ongoing recession causing salaries to be frozen, and with record numbers of applicants for vacant jobs, more and more of us are discovering our entrepreneurial spirit and starting businesses from home. If you have just embarked on a new commercial venture, you'll need surroundings that reflect your new business ideas, so we've come up with some great ideas on how to get maximum inspiration from your home office.

There's no doubting Sir Alan's business skills,
but what about his choice of decor?

If you've ever watched the BBC's show The Apprentice, you'll be familiar with the ultra modern glass-and-steel look of Sir Alan Sugar's boardroom. It makes a useful example of a contemporary work space, as your reaction to its super-sleek interiors will dictate the direction that you want to take with your own office. Some may find the reflective surfaces and unbroken lines of Sir Alan's office to be an inspiration, while others may still yearn for a modern look, but will want more warmth.

If the shiny, clean lines of Sir Alan's board room appeal to you, then you'll want to carefully plan your ultra-modern home office, otherwise it could end up looking like a cheap imitation, and your dreams of running your empire from a sleek, professional workspace may become a nightmare of peeling foil wallpaper and mismatched textures. The key to this style is to keep it simple - avoid flashy wall coverings and stick to a muted slate grey paint for the walls, and pick out a desk in glass or perspex. The only problem with a glass desk is that it works as a kind of display cabinet for clutter - invest in some stylish designer filing cabinets to make sure you have enough storage to keep surfaces clear. One of the keys to getting this look right is lighting - you won't be able to achieve that ultra modern look if you have a traditional lightbulb in the centre of the ceiling. Go for recessed halogen spotlights, with a separate switch for lightng over the desk.

This workspace mixes contemporary design and
lighting with traditional materials for an inviting feel.

If you want a modern workspace that is stylish while still being warm and inviting, why not mix traditional materials with modern style - look for a desk in oak or pine that has been made to a contemporary design, and you'll be able to achieve a harmony between sleek professionalism and homely comfort. Pick matching wooden filing cabinets and shelves to continue the harmonious feel. You can use your wooden furniture to select your wall colour by holding up a paint catalogue to the wood and finding a sympathetic tone. For example, oak contains hints of many different shades, and you can pick out burgundy, umbre, or even flecks of royal blue. This will create a unified and inviting room, where it is easy to concentrate and let yourself be inspired.

This home office manages to combine sleek
modernity with a hint of warmth

If you're having difficulty visualising your new workspace, head over to hgtv.com, where their designers have put together some truly inspirational home offices, including the two above. If you're working to a tight budget, then why not check out the BBC design inspiration site's range of affordable ideas for studies and home offices, and give an early boost to your profit margins.

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