Steel yourself from £449

Add a contemporary centrepiece to your home with Tom Faulkner’s handmade metal and glass furniture. The organic curves of the Opera table (£1,499), in powder-coated steel, are a perfect match for the Tiffany chairs (£449 each). An investment buy if you fancy spoiling yourself. 020 7713 5767, www. tomfaulkner.co.uk

Lighten up £99

This aqua-glazed ceramic lamp with linen shade will add a little beachcomber chic to your interior. Seafoam lamp, from The Cotswold Company; 0844 984 0984, www.cotswoldco.com

Chop, chop £399

Keen on recycling food waste, but not on endless trudging to the compost heap? The BlancoBox sink system could be the answer. You prepare fruit and veg on the chopping board, then scoop scrapings into the BioBox bin, fitted in the cupboard below. The BlancoClassic-Box à la Carte pack includes the sink, tap and bin; the board and crockery basket cost £109. 020 8450 9100, www.blanco.co.uk

A new leaf £5.60 per metre

Making bold design decisions can be an expensive business. If you’re determined to make a statement, but can’t pluck up the courage to splurge on designer wallpaper and fabric, check out Ikea’s Stockholm Blad fabric, in a fashionable botanical design. Whether you use it to make curtains or a hanging panel for a feature wall, it’s a cheap way to play with pattern and colour. 08453551141, www.ikea.co.uk

Pot luck £22

The acrylic Pivo storage tray is ideal for easily mislaid items such as jewellery and beauty products. The white gloss finish makes it perfect for use in the bathroom, too. From Umbra; www.umbra.com

Times recommends

• Second homes: credit crunch casualty or money-spinner?
• How I built my own sliding house
• Top 10 incentives for house buyers