Personally, I love my tiny pad and wouldn’t want it any other way at this stage of my life. But my interior space is vital to my well-being. It’s my small haven from the craziness outside the window!

But when it comes to remodelling, redesigning or buying new furniture, it takes all my creativity to make it all fit.

Personally, I like to start with a blue-print. I start out by with a detailed and accurate floor plan of my apartment which is akin to a scale model.

I’ve even been known to make small cut-out scale “models” (for which read – bits of rectangular card!) to decide where to try and position a small display cabinet for example.

Once I have a pretty good idea of where I’m going to put everything, I decide what professional help I’m going to need. I like dealing with most tradesmen as much as I like going to the dentists for major work. So I ask around and find the kind of man (most usually a carpenter) I’m happy to deal with and who I’d be happy to recommend to a female friend. There are an increasing number of women working in such trades, but I don’t have a real preference here – as long as I can avoid the cliché cowboy builder types!

Next, it’s all about colour. I try our colour swatches and ideas torn from magazines, decorating shops’ colour scales and furniture stores’ catalogues – gradually building up a picture of what will go where, exactly, and how the couloirs will meld together nicely.

Then it’s the hard part – actually doing the work!

Photo: favaro JR.

Whether your family eat their dinner while sitting on the fabric sofas and watching TV, or they enjoy playing board games around the table, it’s bound to be the centre of numerous activities within your home.

If the décor you have at the moment is a bit outdated, it’s a great room to give an overhaul, to make sure your family love the homely feel it has.

Making the room cheerful and bright is a great way of ensuring it’s more liveable.

If you decide to go for sunshine yellow in the space, you’ll find it is instantly nicer to spend time in, as it’ll feel brighter and more airy.

Don’t go overboard with colour though. If you’re using yellow on the walls around the space, you’ll need to find furniture for the room which is in neutral colours or a material like wood. This will avoid there being any clashing hues used around the space.

You will still be able to add some personal touches to the space when you’re redecorating, as you don’t want your overhaul to look too clinical, lacking personality.

Make sure surfaces are covered with personal items, such as family photos and drawings, as well as souvenirs and collectables you’ve hoarded over the years. This will ensure it’s clear how family-oriented the room is and will make it more homely.

As well as bright colours on the walls, you want to make sure plenty of light is let into the space. Choose curtains which can be pinned back so they don’t impede upon windows in the space, then you’ll be sure natural light will be a key feature of the room.

Photo: nolaclutterbusters

A pink bedroom is the ultimate indulgence, and before you wonder why a thirty-something would want to inhabit a fairy princess palace, it really doesn’t have to be like that. Pink can be very grown up and stylish if you treat your bedroom furniture in the right way. A delicate pale pink can look exquisite alongside silver and white, and a deep fuchsia will enhance dark wood to create an inviting cosy look.

There is no room for bunk beds, toy boxes and dressing up clothes – well maybe the latter but the less said about that in polite company the better… Double beds are the way forward with heaps of feminine touches: throws, pillows and even a few cuddly toys if the mood takes you – why ever not?! After all, you only have yourself to please so make the most of it. The dressing table is the perfect focus for this kind of bedroom too – make it big and enviable, with gorgeous mirrors and lots of drawers for all your powders and potions. Picture yourself perched on the perfect stool and treat yourself to the grown up princess experience – you will immediately be the envy of all your married friends.

Just one last word – steer clear of Disney if you go down this route – not that I don’t love Disney, I absolutely do, but everything in it’s place and grown up princesses should draw the line at cartoons in the boudoir, its just not on.

You can do some little things around the room, or you can undertake a massive project, but either way you’re sure to be pleased of the results.

If you love entertaining, your dining table and chairs are likely to be an extremely important feature in the space. The table needs to be sturdy and grand, making a lasting impression on guests you have around for dinner at your home.

Hunt for a table and chairs which are preferably in the same wood as the cabinets and cupboards you have around the room, so the whole décor is complementary.

First of all, though, you need to get started on deciding the colour scheme for your room; otherwise it won’t be done when your furniture arrives.

You’ve got numerous different options here, but the most popular ones appear to be either bright-coloured dining rooms or ones which are more atmospheric.

If the main purpose of your room is to host dinner parties, it probably makes most sense to go for one which creates a good ambience.

Photo: tofutti break

Try painting or wallpapering the walls in a dark, sumptuous shade, with spatterings of gold – you might want to add some stencilled designs to the walls. If you can find a chandelier for the space, that would be perfect, but if not, you’ll need to find a lampshade which oozes class and grandeur. Fit a dimmer switch if possible, as that will really help you control the mood in the space.

Once you’ve repainted or wallpapered the room, you’ll be ready to move all the furniture in. And when that’s all in place, you can let the dinner parties commence yet again!

In this case you may want to repaint nearby furniture to fit your new kitchen colours and by repainting your side tables, coffee tables and chairs, you can extend your new colour scheme beyond the kitchen. By repainting your existing cabinets you’ll give your old kitchen a new look and save money.

If you are thinking of selling your home it’s advisable to avoid bright colours as would-be buyers will need a blank canvas to imagine their own tastes in their new home. A white kitchen is timeless, clean and classic and can be livened up by all manner of coloured kitchen accessories. Think white cabinets, tiles, sink and walls.

By painting the cabinets white you will be able to be a bit more daring with the walls if you want. Light green cabinets have also become popular in recent years. Since the cabinets take up most of the kitchen design any colour scheme should start here and you should base the colour for your walls around what colour you choose for your cabinets.

Your colour scheme will of course extend further than the cabinets and walls. There is also the flooring to consider and a multitude of materials to choose from such as hardwood, laminate, stone and tiles. Similarly, the worktops are a huge aspect of any kitchen design and there are a large choice of colours and finishes.

Photo: jinkazamah

If you’re decorating in order to sell your home it’s probably best to opt for neutral colours. This gives new buyers a blank canvas to work with as neutral will look good against most furniture. Otherwise there is no need to have to be conservative if you want to splash a bit of colour around the room.

Of course it’s easier to introduce colour through what you already have and via accessories – the upholstery of your sofas, through cushions and throws and vases and bowls placed on coffee tables, mantelpieces and window sills. Once you’ve painted the whole room a different colour it can be a real effort to change.

Light colours aren’t boring or clinical. Instead they can make rooms appear larger and there is nothing quite like a light, airy space. Neutral colour, especially white can be teamed with all other colours. Your furniture is guaranteed to go with it. The effect can be minimal and sophisticated. For a really contemporary look consider painting one wall a bright colour to really make the colour stand out. Otherwise another decoration idea would be to alternate the colours of the walls with two contrasting colours.

To add warmth to a room, dark, deep colours work well. It will make the room appear smaller but in a large room this will not be a problem. It will add a cosy effect and can appear rich and luxurious.

Photo: coco+kelley

Then of course you could use wallpaper instead of paint. Wallpapering a whole room can be expensive so if you’re looking to save money consider just papering one wall. There are many stylish designs available and it will create a truly unique look that you can tailor to your own personality.

Photo: Loving Earth

For most people, the focal point will be the television. While not the most sociable of devices, it is a good focal point if you want to spend time with the girls. While considering this, you will need to position the furniture in a way that does not make viewing awkward or painful, so you can just sit down and relax. The angles should ideally be as straight-on as possible so as not to cause neck pain or eye straining. Glare from outside light sources should also be considered; positioning it too close to windows make disrupt viewing.

Another way to go is to make coffee tables a prominent feature of the living room. This is much more allowing of conversation and is great for holding drinks and snacks for catch ups. When choosing the table, it is important to identify which styles will go best with your living room’s décor. Most are quite flexible for fitting in but it is always worth imagining. The materials you will want to work with are also cause for consideration of the household you live in. For instance, glass might not be best for a house with small children whereas wood and metal should be sturdy enough to cope. To really be prepared, the size should be large enough to accommodate more than are in your household, just so you don’t get caught out.

Photo: Prowpatareeya

Women are safer drivers. Fact. And for a long time this has been reflected in car insurance policies as companies offer women drivers lower premiums as they are less likely to make a claim on their policy. But how about women being safer householders? Sounds bizarre I know but a growing number of insurance companies are offering policies specifically for women home owners at preferential rates. Great idea and well worth investigating the next time you shop around for new buildings and contents insurance cover.

Getting the level of insurance cover you have absolutely right is essential for any home owner – female or otherwise. If the worst should happen you need to know that you will be able to rebuild, repair or replace anything which is affected, insurance advice is essential before you take out cover. Security is also a key consideration, particularly if you live alone. Feeling confident that you are safe in your home is essential – not only for you personally but for your precious belongings as well. Some things have an irreplaceable sentimental value and therefore need to be protected securely as well as insured to avoid loss as far as possible.

Looking after yourself at home should be a top priority – right up there with handbag shopping and getting your nails done – so be safe and get insured, it’s the sensible thing to do.

Photo: tankgirlr

• Behaviour. There are two distinct areas that are of more danger than anywhere else in your apartment. They are the stairwell and the car park. You must always be aware of your surroundings when you are in these two locations.

• Doors and Windows. No matter how high your apartment is, some determined thieves will still make an attempt. Having security screens on your windows is essential. Security doors on your entrance will mean you can open your door inner door and still remain safe. You should have deadbolts on both of these doors. Balcony doors need secure dooring too.
• External Surveillance. Peep holes are a common option, but there are other options available. There are a range of cameras available that you can wirelessly connect to your computer. The problem with peep holes and cameras is, those wishing not to be identified, may stand to make it hard for you to see. Number discrete devices that even look like a power outlet are available on the market. Place these on the wall opposite to your door. No intruder would think that a power outlet is actually a camera. Cameras with night vision capabilities are an excellent choice. The batteries will last for months, and you can view your entrance via your internet connection on your laptop safely in your apartment.
• Internal Surveillance. Sometimes our worst enemies are those we trusted the most. Having discreet cameras in your home is always an excellent option. These devices come in a range of complexities. Some which will even record onto a disk online. Many of them have instant online access features. You can use your Smartphone to see what is going on when you are out. Some people like a buddy system but it still pays to check.
• Timing Devices. Are an excellent option if you are away for a few days. Set up your lights, TV and other devices to go on and off. Empty apartments will always be targeted more than those that are occupied.

Don’t rely on the police or security services to protect you. Response time and monitoring are probably not what you are led to believe. Take these proactive and concrete measures to physically protect yourself.

Photo: splityarn

They are particularly furry little monsters, and having tried various vacuum cleaners I am still yet to be convinced that any of them are actually fully equipped to pick up all the hair. My latest attempt at maintaining a furry-free environment has been to ditch the carpet and go for wood laminate in the parts of the house they are in most of the time. This is actually working pretty well as a quick swish round with a damp mop is more than enough to pick up any stray hairs, but thank god for washing machines as I still have a constant need to wash the sofa covers.

The bedrooms are another matter entirely: ‘don’t let them in there!’ I hear you cry, but unfortunately I am rather partial to reading in bed with a nice live hot water bottled curled up on my knee purring. Vacuum cleaners which are effective on beds have yet to be invented, as far as I am aware, and I am therefore left with changing the duvet cover for more often than any normal person would contemplate. Worse, my children have adopted my disgusting habits and so the cats are very pleased with themselves most days as they make the rounds from one warm bed to the next. The phrase ‘making a rod for my own back’ springs to mind… oh well, at least me and the washing machine are good friends even if I have fallen out with my latest upright!