Home Decorating Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I choose a good-quality sofa?

I want a sofa that I'll be able to keep for years. What should I look for?

Hardwood frames that are glued and screwed in place are the most hardwearing. Quality sofas have individual coil springs; mid-price versions use zigzag springs; and budget ones have webbing. Washable, loose covers are good for families, and close-woven covers are durable. But to check if it's well-made, simply sit on it!

• How do I make old floorboards look good?

Sand them with a specialist machine, starting with medium-grade abrasive paper, then going over it again with a fine-grade one. Give the floor three coats of varnish, sanding lightly by hand between coats.

• Which blinds are best in lofts?

I've just had my loft converted and need to get some blinds for the windows. Is there an alternative to plain roller blinds?

You'll need blinds in your loft as the light will be very strong and will wake you up early in the morning in the summer. If you're after something a bit different, pleated blinds have a soft, pretty effect and diffuse light, while traditional roller blinds will help prevent light reflecting on computer and TV screens. Blackout versions are worth considering - they fit into channels at the sides of the window to stop light getting in around the edges - they're perfect for light sleepers. Venetian blinds are another option, allowing you to tilt the blinds as well as open and close them for maximum flexibility.

• How do I try out paint colours without ruining my walls?

I can never decide which paint looks best in my room before I buy, and I don't really want to put patches of colour all over my walls for weeks. Is there a simpler way that will help me choose the right colour for my room?

Instead of painting tester pots directly onto the walls, use them to paint a large sheet cut from lining paper. The lining paper can then be easily moved around so you can try it on different walls, without spoiling the look of your room.

• Can I use bold wallpaper in a small room?

My bedroom is tiny but I want to use a bold-patterned wallpaper. Nice or nasty?

Nice! A big pattern will have an impact in a small room, but use it on just one wall. Choose the colour of the wallpaper carefully - brights will make a small room feel smaller, and soft colour contrasts in the paper create a sense of space. Balance the overall effect by picking plain colours, subtle textures or small motifs for other furnishings.

• How do I create a relaxing lighting scheme?

I'm fed up with only having an overhead light, as it doesn't make the room look very welcoming. How can I make it more relaxing?

Recessed ceiling-mounted spotlights or a pendant light will give you good overall light, but if that's your only source, the lighting can feel harsh. Soften the overall effect by adding a table lamp next to your sofa and a floor lamp or reading light near your armchair. You should be aiming for around two to three separate light sources for an average-sized room to create pools of light where you need them.

• What's the best layout for a formal living room?

The kids have left home so I want to create a more formal living room. What's the best way to lay out it out?

If you want a formal room, whatever your style, the one rule is symmetry! Arrange furniture symmetrically and you'll give your room the grown-up look you're after. If you have plenty of space, move your sofa so it's facing two identical armchairs or an identical sofa. You can also use tricks like adding a pair of side tables with matching lamps, or arranging a set of four prints in matching frames on the wall. If you don't have the space for all of these different elements, choose smaller pieces such as carver chairs instead of upholstered versions. Then just arrange them around a focal point - whether it's a fireplace, window or a coffee table.

• What good-value curtains work with sash windows?

I've got high ceilings and beautiful sash windows - but a tight budget. How should I dress them?

An elegant Roman blind will give a clean and simple finish to your room. Or, if you prefer curtains, don't think that having high ceilings means you can't get away with ready-mades. Sash windows look great with floor-length curtains, so choose the longest pair you can find. If they come up short, add a contrasting 'hem' to the bottom of the curtains for an elegant look. You don't even need to be a dab hand with a sewing machine as you can simply iron on some Vilene Extra Strong Wundaweb (£1.99 for 3m, www.amazon.co.uk) for a quick fix.

• How do I revamp my interior doors?

I want to revamp my interior doors. I've sanded them down and chosen the paint, but I've heard there's a special way to do the job - can you explain?

Preparation is key. Wipe the door with a damp cloth to get rid of dust, then leave to dry. To paint, wedge the door open, remove the handle and fittings and slide a dustsheet underneath. If it's a panelled door, paint the mouldings around each of the recessed panels using an eggshell or gloss paint, then paint the panels, working from the top downwards. Paint the horizontal cross rails starting at the top and working down, then paint the vertical centre rail and two side rails. Finally, paint the door's side edges. A second coat is usually needed after the first has dried. When completely dry, pain the doorframe and surrounding architrave. If it's a plain door, imagine a vertical line down the centre, and horizontal lines running across, dividing it into eight or 10 squares. Paint the top left, then top right, working down. To paint a glazed door, stick masking tape around the edge of the panes to protect them. Then start by painting the mouldings as you would a regular panelled door.

• What's the easiest way to use pattern?

I'm really keen on using plain colours in my home, but I'd also love to introduce a block of pattern to update my style. What's the easiest way for a pattern novice to get started?

Start small, limiting yourself to a few accessories such as a cushion or a lamp shade with a bold design. The easiest design to work with is one that has a white or cream background and a simple motif. Pick any patterns you want to use in just one colour, so you can add to the scheme as your confidence grows and you'll know that everything will always work together.

• How can I divide up a long, narrow room?

I have a long, narrow living room - what's the best way to divide up the space, without doing any building work?

A long narrow room can feel quite daunting, so it's best to divide it up into two 'zones'. You might have a living zone and a dining zone, or a relaxation zone with the television, plus a quieter area for working. Use a sofa or open bookcase as a divider and you'll be left with two much more manageable room shapes. Use the structure of the room to decide what function would suit each area. For example, a focal point such as a fireplace is ideal for building a living area around, while the space by the window is great for a dining table or mini home office. Don't worry if there's no obvious focal point - if you use the area for entertaining, make your sofa the centre of attention.

• What sort of carpets are suitable for hallways?

I've been told I need a heavy-duty carpet for my hall and landing, but i don't know exactly what I should be looking for. Can you help?

A carpet that's labelled 'Heavy Domestic' or 'Extra Heavy Domestic' should be able to cope with the high traffic of busy areas such as a hall and landing. To be certain the carpet has been rigorously tested, look for the Carpet Foundation Quality Mark. A carpet containing around 80% wool and 20% nylon is more resilient and less prone to flattening than other types, as nylon fibres are extremely hard wearing. Don't stint on underlay, as a good-quality version will prolong the life of the carpet even more.

• What curtains work best against radiators?

My radiator is under my window, but I don't like short curtains. What are my options?

Teaming narrow dress curtains with a blind is a good solution. Dress curtains are narrower than standard curtains and aren't designed to draw across the window, so they won't prevent you enjoying the heat from the radiator, but they'll still give you the look you want.

• Is there a knack to matching up patterned wallpaper?

I'm having a go at putting up wallpaper for the first time. Is there a knack to matching up patterns?

If the room has a focal point such as a fireplace, start papering here; otherwise, start from a window. When measuring the first wallpaper length, make sure a whole motif will be at the top of the wall, then allow an extra 5cm on the top and bottom, which you'll trim off later. If the wallpaper has a straight pattern repeat, the motifs will line up horizontally across the wall, and you need to cut each length starting at the same point in the design. If the design is offset, the motifs line up diagonally, so each length needs to be moved up or down to allow for this. Once you've hung the first length against a plumb line on the wall, you can slide the second length into position for a perfect match, or pull it away and reposition it.

• Does blue paint have to look cold?

I want to paint my bedroom blue, but it's north-facing. Will it look too cold?

Blue needn't be a cold colour if you pick the right shade and balance it with some warmer tones. A sky blue will look cheerful, and can be warmed up with cream paintwork and peachy-toned highlights. Alternatively, pick out a blue paint that's close to violet and has a pinky tone. You can then accessorise with a pink, floral bedspread or curtains for a warmer look. In a north facing room, the blue shades to avoid are those that seem dull or have a grey tinge.

• Can you help us locate a stunning feature radiator?

We are having an awful lot of difficulty finding a feature radiator for the living room. To be honest, we haven't been impressed by any of the the 'Art' radiators we've seen so far so thought we'd ask for expert advice instead. The wall dimensions are 4ft x 13ft.

There's been a huge push recently to turn radiators into sculptural pieces that can hang on the wall rather than being utility elements designed to blend into the home. Some are good, some are tragic , but they all cost a small fortune. Several of the most impressive are made by Caleido, who have produced a number of highly textural variations, such as their great Honey, Skin and Air models.

• Where can I find curtain poles with the 'Wow' factor?

I've inherited a beautiful swagged curtain in a fantastic gold and black silk fabric. I'm planning on having it in the bedroom, but wanted to source some curtain poles and fittings that will keep the wow factor. We don't have much on offer in my area and the DIY stores' offerings are a little twee. Do you have any suggestions?

Fabricant designs and produces just the sort of fittings you're after, well detailed and individual. What's more it has a superb range of finishes to choose from (gunmetal is a favourite). The traditional finials and tiebacks are all there, but the contemporary selection has some real gems, like the Portcullis and Reeded designs. A popular pole size to use is the 50mm, and I'd budget about £800 for the full ensemble.

We want to match our original brickwork to that of our extension.

We're planning an extension and want to match the brickwork of the main house, but can't find anything that looks close. The building dates back to about 1820. Do you have any contacts?

There are about 2,000 types of bricks on the market, so there's usually something similar. As well as the huge range of new bricks, there's a massive market for reclaimed brick, so check your local architectural yard. Builders merchants are also usually good sources, but your best bet is to call in the specialists like Brick Find.

• Is coloured lighting in a bathroom floor possible and, if so, is it safe?

I've seen a picture of a bathroom with coloured lighting in the floor, which I'm interested in recreating at home. Do you know of a supplier, and is this lighting really safe for the bathroom, as I have a very inquisitive two year old?

I imagine you saw fibre optic lights rather than halogen, which, although they run on a safer low voltage, get very hot. Fibre optics are perfectly safe for wet areas like bathrooms and also outdoors, because the actual light source can be housed out of harm's reach, many metres away. All that's required is to route the fibre-optic ropes (which are just like a tube that the light is piped down) to where you need the lighting, and then cap with the finishing lens fitting.

Be warned: colour changing lighting can be more disco than spa if not done professionally, so sticking with static colours is recommended. The positioning and the installation still need to be well considered and competently carried out, so don't rush into fitting this type of lighting just on a whim.

Good-quality fibre optic kits can be bought online for around £400 through Unlimited Light.

• Can coloured lighting be installed in a bathroom floor, and is it safe to do so?

I've seen a picture of a bathroom with coloured lighting in the floor, which I'm interested in recreating at home. Do you know of a supplier, and is this lighting really safe for the bathroom, as I have a very inquisitive two year old?

I imagine you saw fibre optic lights rather than halogen, which, although they run on a safer low voltage, get very hot. Fibre optics are perfectly safe for wet areas like bathrooms and also outdoors, because the actual light source can be housed out of harm's reach, many metres away. All that's required is to route the fibre-optic ropes (which are just like a tube that the light is piped down) to where you need the lighting, and then cap with the finishing lens fitting.

Be warned: colour changing lighting can be more disco than spa if not done professionally, so sticking with static colours is recommended. The positioning and the installation still need to be well considered and competently carried out, so don't rush into fitting this type of lighting just on a whim.

Good-quality fibre optic kits can be bought online for around £400 through Unlimited Light.

• How can we display our photos and children's pictures?

We've got lots of our sons' school and nursery pictures and we've been searching for a way to display them. We did see a solution in a magazine, which was almost like a washing line - a suspended wire you could peg pictures to. Do you have any ideas?

Yes, the 'washing line' idea is probably the most simple way to clip up pictures. Just hang a wire or string between wall hooks and attach the pictures with wooden clothes pegs which can be painted any colour you like. Another idea is to designate a 'graffiti wall' space to display art, painting picture areas and frames, which can then be filled up. You could also paper a wall in the now classic wallpaper 'Frames' by Chris Taylor and Craig Wood for Graham & Brown (0800 328 8452).

• Is there a company that stocks Japanese soak-in baths in the UK?

We are about to start designing our first flat. The bathroom is very small and we would love to have a Japanese soak-in bath to enable us to have a shower as well. We have looked through lots of UK websites, but nobody seems to have what we're after. Any ideas?

What you're looking for is sometimes referred to as a Roman bath and many people in the UK are interested in sourcing these. Unfortunately, although they are common elsewhere in the world, we've not yet found anyone who imports them to the UK. Your best option may be to have one specially made up. Eros2 can produce bespoke granite and marble/resin shower trays in a range of colours, so you'll be able to have something unique tailored to fit your requirements exactly.

• Can we use stainless steel as a splashback on a curved wall?

We are planning to refit our kitchen soon and would like to use stainless steel as a splashback. The problem is that the walls are very curvy and the oven sits in an alcove that's quite rounded. Where can we get sheet metal made to fit this complicated wall?

It sounds as if you're setting yourself a rather difficult task with a surface that's as complex as this. Sheet stainless steel is easily fabricated for flat surfaces and simple rolled curves, but anything more demanding than this and you could end up with messy welds, folds and seams that would ruin the whole look. Your best solution when working with curved surfaces is to go for mosaic tiles, and there's a stunning range of metallic tiles called Metallismo produced by SICIS. The tiles are rust- and scratch-resistant, are available in both gold and silver, and there's even a unique mixed range in various mosaic shapes. So, rather than have a fairly uninspiring run of plain stainless steel splashback, you could create something really breathtaking.

• Can you suggest a light fitting to complement our dark, richly decorated living room?

We'd love some advice on a suitable hanging shade for our living room. The area is panelled and has dark-wood flooring, plus we have deep reds, greys and brass fittings within the colour scheme. We want the space to keep its dark, smoking-room look, and need a light fitting that would complement this.

If you want to preserve the 'gentleman's club' feel of the room, then I'd suggest not choosing a bright shade, but one that conceals light. It needs to have a definite air of grandeur and solidity, so no wispy lighting features here. CTO's Apollonaire range would be perfect. It has an elegant embassy-look black cotton shade with a fabulous hidden gold interior.

• Can you help me find a product that provides natural light in a dark room?

I'm searching for a product I know is available, but whenever I ask at local builders' merchants, they look at me as if I'm talking a different language. The product is a cylindrical tube that has a mirrored internal surface and a clear tile cover to the top and the base. It's used to provide natural light in a dark internal space. would also assume it can be extended to allow for variations in depths between roof and ceiling covers.

The product you're looking for is called a sun pipe. It's basically a very highly polished/mirrored tube with a lens on top that collects light and funnels it down the tube.

• Is it safe to adapt Ikea shelving units?

We have an Ikea shelving system in our study that my husband wants to 'adapt' to fit a disparate collection of hi-fi equipment. Is it OK to cut and add to shelving like this, or will we end up with something unsafe and unusable?

Adapting Ikea products is not for the faint-hearted. Because of the materials Ikea uses, you may end up with messy edges and you could lose some of the structure's rigidity. It may be worth getting a joiner to make it up 18mm MDF instead, or check out the range of adapted Billy shelves at Ding3000.

• Is it possible to dye or stain laminate flooring to match existing flooring?

My son's south London flat was mainly laid with a laminate floor when he bought it. The long hallways was carpeted, however, so he replaced it wit ha laminate. Unfortunately, it's a much lighter shade than the existing flooring. Is it possible to dye or stain laminate flooring to match and, if so, where could I source such a product?

Not a chance! Laminate is actually a paper photoprint coated with resin and, because of its resistant properties, you'll have no luck tinting it. If you want to change the colour, your only option is to go for a new floor. It's possible to lay a new one on top of the existing floor, but you may then have to re-set the skirting boards and cut the bottom of the doors to the higher floor level. However, as laminate is a poor imitation of wood and you can now get the real thing for a good price, why not replace it entirely? Engineered wood boards are slices of real wood sandwiched with insulation that absorbs noise. They can also be sanded in the future. Kahrs does engineered boards from £16 per sq m. Or visit Wickes, which sell solid pine flooring for less than £15 per sq m.

• Where can I get a modern turned wood table without a designer price tag?

I've seen a gorgeous red table that's made by Zanotta with a turned wood stem. It's out of my price range, but I'd love something similar. Any ideas where to look?

The Zanotta table you mean is the Doris by Dominique Mathieu. This season there's turned detail on lots of pieces of designer furniture, so you shouldn't have to look too far to get something close to what you have in mind. For starters, Habitat does the Spin table by Alex Dreyer, £499, which is nice and sleek, but not red unfortunately. If you really want that colour, then another option is to buy an antique piece and paint it in RAL3003, which you can get mixed up in Dulux paint. Now is a very good time to buy, as prices have tumbled. And don't be put off by things that aren't exactly what you are looking for; a lot of antique furniture can easily be updated wit ha splash of colour or new upholstery, so get down to your local auction room.

I need inspiration to help create a Fifties-style diner kitchen.

I'm looking to get some inspiration and help to design a Fifties-style kitchen-diner. I don't have a lot of space, but I'm happy to take on board any ideas.

In the Fifties, Italian cafés in London featured great materials, like strongly patterned Formicas, chrome trims, sharp angles,expressive typefaces and coherent interiors that were expertly detailed..

• The glass in my Forties dining-room-divied needs replacing. Where can I get similar glass?

I'm trying to find a special patterned glass for a Forties dining-room divider. The divider is made from teak and has long, vertical panels of glass with bumped stripes , which look like a lens. Unfortunately, one of the three panels is badly damaged and our local glazier has told us we are unlikely to find anything like it. Can you help?

I think you're describing 'reeded' glass. It's not common and you may find that modern versions have thinner reeds than older glass, which tends to be more pronounced. Pearsons Glass has a few designs with reeding up to 8mm wide which costs around £45 per sq m.

• Where can I get set of large curtains dyed?

I've inherited a set of large (8ft drop) cotton curtains with swags and cords. The overall size and shape is perfect for where I'm going to use them, but the colour is all wrong. I've searched for someone to dye them to a more usable colour, but no one can do this size of curtain, and I wonder if you know anyone that could help me.

Unfortunately, there are very few options in London (surely a gap in the market here! ), but Chalfont Ltd (020 7935 7316) in Baker Street can help you. Expect a turnaround of about five weeks and be aware that Chalfont only dyes natural fabrics, not synthetics.

• I want to change my light switches, but the recesses are too shallow. What should I do?

I live in a Thirties mansion block and recently wanted to replace all the light switches with dimmers. When I removed one of the switches, the recess behind it was too shallow to contain the modern dimmer. Are there shallower switches or will I have to get all the recesses made deeper?

Most standard fittings are relatively thick unless you go for more complex electronic sensor switches, which we wouldn't recommend in your case. Any electrical work needs to be undertaken and certified by a qualified person (this is all to do with the Part P building regulations - find an electrician at niceic.org.uk). And also get the electrician to sort the recesses, too, to be on the safe side.

• What's the best method of painting over strong colours?

What's the best method of painting over strong colours? I'm currently redecorating a buy-to-let flat that has garish green and red walls, which are a still showing through after three coats of paint. First paint over the colour with a grey undercoat. This deadens the colour and stops it coming through when you paint your final colour choice. Another factor to consider is that most DIY paints can be a little thin in their consistency, and therefore coverage, so it's worth spending a bit extra to buy professional paint. One of the best white emulsions around is made by JW Bollom.

• How can I keep flies out of my house in the summer?

Now summer's finally here and I can open all the windows, I'm getting more and more annoyed by all the flies that get in the house. I don't want to put up nets or to keep windows shut all the time. Any ideas?

As we head for hotter summers, this problem is growing. After suffering the same problem myself, I discovered a brilliant (and cheap, at £1 per m) material - black 'dress net,' the stuff used for tutus and veils. Fixed across windows, it becomes almost invisible, but still allows a breeze through, so your home can look modern and have the windows open all night. Available in fabric stores and at Fabricland.

Penny_Day