TRADE SECRETS

Keep your kitchen looking sleek and understated with grey wall units. A simple, unicolour fitted kitchen will restyle your living space and keep the limelight on your statement items, such as the dining table and chairs.

Invest in a statement piece of furniture, like this reclaimed teak dining table, and give yourself an excuse to entertain guests more often. Adding a rustic table to an otherwise very clean space will add character.

Buy an inexpensive design classic to sit on. The Thonet chair is one of the most successful mass-produced chairs ever – an iconic design that looks great in any room.

Add pops of bright colour with multicoloured crockery. You can even bring it through in your cutlery too, with rainbow sets.

Make a statement with stickers instead of pictures on your walls for a striking, modern look. And they don’t need to be framed. Maps are especially funky in kitchens.

Salvage old kitchen scales from charity shops or eBay. They’re practical and double up as decoration since they look much better than electronic scales. And the battery never runs out. Sparkly new ones look nice too, though.

Use lidded boxes for extra storage. If you’re short on cupboard space they’re a great place to keep your ‘best’ glasses or crockery that only come out for special occasions.

Put store cupboard staples, such as rice and pasta, in glass jars. Round ones are pretty but square ones are ideal if you don’t have much room, as they stack together more efficiently.

Save quirky bottles and jars to use as inexpensive vases. Bombay Sapphire gin, San Pellegrino water, passata jars or retro milk bottles are great choices.