Making Room For Fun

Aug 3 2008 With Justin And Colin

Get The Look

All glass, all class - each of these deliciously minimalist tables would be a clear winner in your lounge but which one wins on price?

SCRIMP

Geneva coffee table £175 from Tesco Direct, www.tesco.com This table has a stylish contemporary look in clear curved glass and is testament to the fact that great design doesn't have to cost the earth.

Length: 110cm Diameter: 60cm Height: 45cm

SPEND

Star Premier Collection Zaza glass coffee table £210 from Furniture Star, www.furniturestar.co.uk

A little bit longer and deeper but, apart from that, you'll be hard-pressed to separate this from the Tesco option. Sleek, modern and clearly gorgeous.

Length: 120cm Diameter: 65cm Height: 40cm

SPLURGE

Easy rectangular glass coffee table £364.25 from Greenapple, www.greenapple.co.uk Shopping around is worth it - this table is slightly smaller than the other two but is dearer. Do the maths - two Tesco tables for less than one of these.

Length: 100cm Diameter: 60cm Height: 38.5cm

TRUE COLOURS

Good design doesn't have to be pricey - we created the main feature by masking off rectangles and adding our colours. Two litres of paint later and we were done. Try to get a balance between being too invigorating and too boring. Colours are Lime Zest 1 and Auburn Falls 4 from Dulux, www.dulux.co.uk

PLACE YOUR BEDS

Don't think a bed slung into a corner will automatically make a room feel larger. Nine times out of 10, the best place for a bed (and bed feature wall) is diagonally opposite the doorway on the largest unbroken wall.

FLOORED AGAIN

Why not use two colours instead of one on your new floor to create your own striped pattern? No extra cost or time but dramatically original results. Or you could try to decorate your existing floorboards with paint. Use quick-drying floor paint from International Paints - www.international-paints.co.uk

TIME TO GROW UP

Treat kids' rooms like adults' rooms and provide bedside tables, controllable lighting and accessories - they will love it. Taking an 'adult' approach shows respect for your child and will, hopefully, ensure they respect their surroundings - not only in their room but throughout the rest of your home, too.

EARLY LEARNING

Show your kids how to use storage from an early age. Make sure you've plenty of drawers, wardrobe space and shelving. For clever storage ideas visit Zara Home (www.zarahome.com). Also, Lakeland's Purple Wheely Happy Boxes make storage a joy at just £7.99 each - visit www.lakeland.co.uk

BE A BIG SOFTY

Soften things up with fluffy floor rugs, bed throws and squashy toys. We all love our rooms being tactile and beautiful but kids appreciate the extra stimulation. We never lose the need to bounce on the mattress - or is that just us? - so make sure your choice of bed is up to the challenge.

How bland can a five-year-old child's bedroom get? The parents hung a few things on the walls but where are the bright colours and fun elements to inspire play? Time for a C and J makeover.