Specialists

This can prove an expensive buy but you can cut costs considerably by going for second-hand furniture instead. Charities like Emmaus and the British Heart Foundation have their own furniture premises so find out if there is one near you at emmaus.org.uk orbhf.org.uk.

Another cost-cutter is to go for tailor-made new covers for your existing sofa and chairswhich really brings them back to life! Buying new CURTAINS is another investment which can really change the look of a room. This, though, needn’t be a major project. There’s plenty of choice around or buy the material yourself from a mill or discount outlet and find a good seamstress or sewing firm to make them up.

Some fabric companies actually make them free if you buy the material from them so it’s worth investigating.