katie.lacy@letsgetcoffee.co.uk, Author at Modish Living

Top tips to keep your home clean and dust free

We all want to live in a clean house, but don’t want to spend our lives dusting our reclaimed wood furniture or with a duster or vacuum in our hands, so here we look at easy ways to minimise the amount of dust that gets into your home and the best ways to actually get rid of it rather than just moving it around.

4 Easy ways to keep your home dust free

Keeping the house dust-free can feel like a never ending job, don’t you think? No matter how many times you run the vacuum cleaner around or dust a surface there always seems to be a missed bit or even new dust appearing from seemingly nowhere.

Household dust is made up of a variety of minuscule airborne particles that settle on floors and surfaces of your rustic furniture. It’s mostly made up of particles that are bought into the home from outside – dirt carried in on shoes, pollen, soot etc. The rest consists of human skin (gross, right?!), clothes fibres, carpet fluff and things such as pet hair. When you look at it like that, you really don’t want it hanging around your lovely home, especially if you have asthma or allergies.

1. Carpets and textiles

Carpets and rugs are the most guilty of floor coverings for holding on to dust, but dust is also held in many other fabrics, such as scatter cushions, throws on couches, bed throws on your chunky wooden bed frames and also lampshades. These items all need cleaning quite regularly, it is recommended that fitted carpet is steam cleaned every 12 months or so, as well as regular vacuuming, of course. Rugs can be taken out into the fresh air and beaten more regularly to remove dust and any other particles, whilst blankets and cushion covers can be removed and washed either by hand or the washing machine – remember to check washing instructions before doing anything. Another dust and dirt magnate is the doormat! Give it a good vacuum and clean at least once a week as this is where the most dirt will be trapped.

2. Hard flooring

This is definitely the easiest floor covering to keep dust-free. If you want to cut down on the amount of dusting time you spend, replace your carpets with a hard floor. Vacuuming can be very effective as there are no fibres to hold on to particles and any leftover dust will be picked up as and when you mop. It’s also easier to see than on carpeted floor and looks pretty stylish with any type of furniture from a rustic sideboard in the living room to an industrial dining table in your dining space.

3. General cleaning advice

It may sound obvious, but when you clean your room always work from top to bottom. Start with a brush for any cobwebs on the ceiling and the corners of the room, dust higher items like a wooden bookcase first and then work down to lower items of furniture such as a rustic coffee table and finish up by vacuuming the floor – this should ensure you vacuum away as much dust as possible. Every month or so dust rooms that are not used as often, such as the spare bedroom, to save you having to do a more time consuming big clean.

TIP: Furniture polish is not always the best product to use – reclaimed wood furniture and rustic furniture is best when wiped down with a slightly damp cloth, the damp will help to remove the dust rather than spreading it around.

4. Air Purifiers

Air purifiers are a great help when it comes to filtering dust out of the air. They are able to collect all those tiny particles that the eye can’t see and release clean filtered air back into the room. Adding one could be really useful to have in the home for people who suffer from allergies or if you prefer the thought of breathing in purified air. And if it means we don’t have to dust as often, it’s a win from us!

What dusting and cleaning top tips can you share? We’d love to hear what you do in the home to keep it fresh and sparkling. Add a comment below or join us at @modishliving.

Create a cosy reading nook for World Book Day

For many of us, there is nothing more relaxing than getting cosy and stuck into a good book. If that’s your thing then creating a space using your favourite rustic furniture where you can sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite read should be high on your home wish-list. This month we celebrate 25 years of World Book Day and so what better time to create an area that is as personal as your beloved book collection?

Ideas to create a cosy reading nook for World Book Day and beyond

The great thing about a reading nook is that it doesn’t have to be a big space – just somewhere that’s in a quiet part of the house with some good lighting. If you have a window with the sun streaming in then that may perfect for some, but not everyone likes to sit in a bright sunny spot so an alternative darker space will be better suited. If you are short on space you can make a window seat your reading spot, the landing might have a spare corner to make use of or put a comfy armchair in the corner of your guest bedroom or home office and combine the two – this would be perfect if you read a lot as part of your work.

Sitting comfortably

Comfortable seating is important for your new reading nook, however, you may be restricted by what space you have available. Decide what type of seating suits you best – if you like to sit and read with the kids then we love the idea of bean bags and cushions on the floor – wonderfully cosy to stretch out and lie down on. Or if reading is a moment of ‘me-time’, choose a seat that is comfy for you – maybe you want a Oswald Armchair and leather footstool combo to put your feet up on, a chaise long or a small armchair and a blanket to curl up.

The best seating for modern rustic living rooms

Add a bookcase

Book storage is also important for us bookworms! If you like your books on show then consider an open rustic bookcase. As well as being the perfect display place for your favourite tomes, a wooden bookcase is also a great room divider, helping your zone an open-plan space and create the ideal reading nook.

If you prefer for your books to be safely stored away and not on show then a wooden sideboard with doors is worth considering. You can use this reclaimed wood furniture to make your reading space personal by adding some wall prints, a house plant and some of your favourite photos of family and friends on the surface.

Keep a side table at your side

Aside from having somewhere to sit, the next most important consideration for a reading nook is a spot to place a lamp and cup of tea or coffee (or wine!) whilst you escape into your story. An industrial side table like the Mitcham Industrial Oak Side Table is a great choice – it doesn’t take up much space and can be easily moved around to your desired reading area and tucked away when not in use.

Mango Wood – How suitable is it for furniture?

Where do you like to sit when you read? We’d love to hear how you make your reading nook special. Leave a comment in the box below or join the conversation @modishliving.

Top 5 tips to design your home office

wooden desk and wooden office chairs for top 5 tips to style your home office blog

A new hybrid way of working has emerged post-pandemic with many people preferring to split the working week between home and the office. This new flexible working means the home office is a permanent fixture in many of our homes, so creating a space that is well functioning and helps you maximise productivity is essential. Whether you have a dedicated room or a small corner, see our top 5 surefire tips to create a space that is guaranteed to create a productive workspace at home.

Create the perfect space to work from home

1. Define your workspace

The starting point of your home office should always be your desk – this is where you will sit for the majority of the day after all. We suggest you go as large as you can with the space you have. A rustic desk full of character will not only provide space to work, but will bring some warmth and style to a room. That said, if space is limited then work out the essentials you need to fit on your desk to work efficiently. Do you work on a laptop or a large screen? Invest in the best desk you can fit or afford and you have the making of a successful home office space.

2. Choose seating that’s comfortable and stylish

You will spend a lot of time in the office chair so it should be comfortable, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. High-quality material, functionality and comfort are the key areas to look for, together with a design and style that fits in with your home office scheme. A soft faux leather or leather desk chair with arms provide comfort, whilst an adjustable seat or a leather office chair that swivels and is on wheels is a practical choice. As with your choice of desk, the best desk chair is worth the investment – your posture will thank you for it.

3. Get the lighting right

The next most important element is lighting. Having plenty of natural daylight is best, but you will still need other forms of artificial light throughout the day, or night if you’re burning the midnight oil! We recommend adding layers of lights that can be adjusted depending on the light outside. Ceiling lights are ideal for providing a good level of overall light, but supplement this with additional options. Desk lamps add a classic office look as well as offering practical focused lighting, especially good if your job entails lots of reading. If you are limited to desktop space then a floor standing lamp is a good idea or choose a wall-mounted or clip on desk light.

4. Maximise space with clever office storage

Storage is always a good investment in any part of your home and it is even more important when it comes to the home office. Staying organised with everything in its place helps with productivity, but storage is also essential to store expensive tech items when not in use and to file confidential documents out of sight. Filing cabinets tend to be large and unsightly, but a home filing cabinet crafted in reclaimed wood will sit nicely in stylish office space. Alternatively, a small wooden sideboard or highboard are perfect options for home office storage, whilst an open industrial shelving unit looks great in an office space and is perfect for adding your own personality, as well having the items you need quick access to close at hand.

5. Decorate and personalise your space

One of the best parts of being able to work from home is that you can make it completely your own and you don’t have to adhere to any office guidelines. Surround yourself with things that make you happy and feel good, whether that’s photos of family and friends or artwork and inspiring quotes that make you smile. Or how about painting or wallpapering a wall in your favourite colour and print? Biophilia and bringing the outdoors in is thought to help balance stress levels, so place a plant on your desk or shelving unit, or if space is limited hang a plant from the ceiling to bring a touch of nature to your space.

Modern rustic: discover our NEW rustic furniture collection

Looking for some smart sustainable rustic furniture for your home? Check out our new Eastwood rustic collection full of stylish pieces expertly crafted from sustainably sourced oak.

Explore our new oak furniture collection

Every piece in this stand-out collection is crafted from sustainably sourced solid oak and has been given in a wonderful mid-tone finish that will fit into any colour and interior scheme. All of the tables, from the rustic coffee table to the wooden dining table, feature a striking star-shaped and angular legs, whilst the units enjoy sleek metal legs and contemporary slim door handles. Of course, the rich mid-tone wood is the champion of these pieces especially when it comes to the oak veneer parquet effect on the cabinet doors, which further highlights the variances in the wood colour.

The Eastwood Rustic Oak collection really is a modern rustic furniture collection that will suit many different interior themes and can be styled with many different types, styles and colours of furniture. Let’s explore more…..

For the dining room

The Eastwood solid oak table is available in two sizes – a 2m length and also in 2.4m. Both are perfect for entertaining due to the eye-catching central star-shape leg, ideal for squeezing more around the dining table, and with the larger of the two tables comfortably seating eight people, it’s also a great choice as a dining room centrepiece. For dining room storage there is the option of three different types of sideboard – a large wooden sideboard with four spacious cupboards, a medium sized rustic sideboard with three deep cupboards and also a stylish highboard, which is perfect if you want more storage without taking up too much floor space. An oak console table is also available if you want a surface in your dining room to add a lamp and other decorative accessories to make it your own.

For the living room

The Eastwood has plenty of options for the living room also. The rustic TV stand is a real eye-catcher with two feature parquet design doors for hidden storage and two open shelves for games consoles and TV boxes – at 125cm long it is perfect for a large TV in the living room. The coffee table is another piece that will add instant style, combine it with the matching oak side table and you will have stunning coordinated look for living room.

See the full Eastwood Rustic Oak collection.

If want some more rustic inspiration, check out some of our blogs for great tips and ideas….

Make your home beautiful with flowers

If you love rustic furniture and cottagecore interiors you may already be familiar with the gorgeous Instagram account @grove_cottage_. With a passion for flowers, Naomi has transformed the 200-year-old cottage set in a conservation area in a Buckinghamshire village into a wonderful English country rustic haven bursting with beautiful blooms and plants both inside and out. We caught up with Naomi to talk about her love of flowers and how to use them to create a stunning and welcoming home.

How to decorate your home with flowers by Naomi @grove_cottage_

I love the way fresh flowers and plants in my home make me feel, especially in the winter when the garden is dormant. They have a positive psychological effect on my mood and mental wellbeing which can immediately be felt once they are placed around the house. We know how good it makes us feel when we are walking in the countryside or enjoying green spaces in the city, and the same such emotions can be achieved from having real plants and flowers in your home.

Creating a beautiful display

I am no floral expect but my passion and inspiration come from nature, and how plants and flowers naturally grow in the wild. Relaxed, informal displays that reflect the countryside around us, perfect if you want to create a cosy cottagecore aesthetic. Keep it simple by using three core elements: balance, proportion and scale, with long stems in the centre, greenery around the edges to soften the look and shorter blooms to fill the gaps. It is always advisable to regularly step back from your display to visually review from a distance, the same way you would a painting.

“Keep it simple by using three core elements: balance, proportion and scale”

Keep it seasonal

I always have real plants in the house, but fresh floral arrangements are dependent on the seasons. In the summer, I will regularly pick flowers from my cottage garden to create simple, laid-back displays. Whilst in the winter, I will forage in the hedgerows and fields for dried, wildflowers and mix them with bought blooms from local farm shops or market florists.

Whatever the season, it is all about bringing the outside in. During the summer months, it is so rewarding to create natural floral displays from flowers and plants I have grown in the garden. In the colder months, there is nothing better than going for a long walk in the countryside to forage for dried plants. Mixing these with seasonal flowers bought from a farm shop or market florist helps to support the local community.

Best rooms to display flowers

You can create displays in any room, corner, nook or cranny. Large plants always sit proudly in both the dining room and my living room, enjoying the corners of these two rooms, whilst fresh flowers thrive well in our kitchen on our rustic dining table where natural light streams in through the vaulted glass ceiling. The kitchen windowsill is home to potted plants and herbs and my senses are awakened in the morning by fresh flowers on my chest of drawers in the bedroom. I also make use of the tops of our rustic sideboard with a large display or a collection of smaller vases on a wooden tray.

Favourite flower combinations

In the summer, it is all about seasonal flowers picked from the garden mixed with fresh foliage. A combination of climbing and wild roses of soft pink and cream hues creates the perfect natural display for any spot in the house. I might go as far as saying I am slightly obsessed with roses, as my cottage garden in the summer is abundant with their prettiness.

Autumn and winter are all about foraging for wild plants during the changing colours of nature. Hawthorn, rose hips and grasses add beautiful textures, whilst hydrangeas picked from the garden and dried provide a pleasing array of beautiful blooms. Around the festive period ivy and holly with berries, mixed with dried thistles and eucalyptus, again adds texture and depth to floral displays.

Size matters: the perfect vase

The most important thing to remember when choosing the perfect vase is size does matter! The general rule of thumb is stems should be no more than one and a half to two times the height of the vase. The beauty of long-stemmed flowers complements a tall, slender vase to give the display height, whilst curvaceous vases, with a wider bottom and narrower neck, suit shorter plants with rounder and bigger heads. Bud vases or jam jars are the perfect choice for displaying a single stem or smaller blooms.

To discover Naomi’s gorgeous style and home follow her @grove_cottage_. All images courtesy of @grove_cottage_.

Check out more from the Our Friends blog series for rustic inspiration and home interior ideas….

Quick and easy ways to refresh your rustic dining table

wooden dining table and wooden dining bench

The beauty of a rustic and reclaimed wood dining table is that it is a timeless piece that never dates, and will last a lifetime! We look at how you can refresh your space and move with the times, whilst keeping the same favourite rustic dining table.

Easy ways to update your dining table

Upgrade the seating

If you already have a gorgeous reclaimed wood dining table then you won’t need or want to, change this, Crafted from solid wood with history and character of its own, a reclaimed dining table will stand the test of time. However, dining chairs can date and those that have been well sat on and banged into over the years can look especially tired, so for a quick refresh, updating your dining chairs is an easy fix.

What chairs to choose for a rustic dining table

Bold colours are a big trend in the dining room so consider adding striking rich blue velvet dining chairs or sleek modern faux leather dining chairs as a contrast to the rough texture of a rustic dining table. Or try mixing it up with chairs and a wooden dining bench combination. You can accessorise with cushions or a faux fur throw that can be easily updated when you fancy another quick refresh.

Bring in a new accent colour

This is a great way to make your gorgeous reclaimed wood furniture really pop! Paint one of the walls in your dining room a different colour – you may want to change the colour scheme in your room completely or bring in a completely new single accent colour. To reinforce this get a new dining table centrepiece ornament that will match your new colour scheme. Use a tray if you want to arrange smaller items on your table it will make your display more complete – also, use interior designers’ top tip of displaying your ornaments in sets of threes.

Waxing or oiling

This is the perfect way to bring back the lustre on your dining table, plus to smooth out any knocks or chips acquired along the way. Actually, we recommend you give your reclaimed wood dining table a quick wax or oil (depending on the original finish) every month or so. This serves to nourish the wood and will give your dining table a new lease of life. Ensure you use a good quality wax, clear is fine, and rub it on along the grain of the wood. Simply leave it for 30 minutes then gently rub it off with a clean rag and hey presto, your table will look as good as new.

How to treat marks on reclaimed wood furniture

Update the lighting

Pendant lights are perfect for a dining space, highlighting the main piece of furniture in your dining room – your dining table. Again, here you can choose a light fitting that matches your decor or you can bring in a contrasting colour. A table lamp on a wooden sideboard, rustic console table or even a floor standing one can be positioned to create layers of lighting depending on the mood you want to set.

Bring in storage furniture

You don’t need lots of storage in your actual dining space, but it is good to have somewhere to keep essentials close to hand. A wooden sideboard or console table can make a huge difference to the storage you have available, as well as making serving big dinner parties easier – leaving your table free for a stunning centrepiece, plates and glasses. It also offers an additional surface to display favourite decorative items that can be regularly updated and refreshed depending on new trends, keeping your dining space scheme current.

More blogs you may like…

Quick ways to transform a room over the weekend

It’s that time of year when we tend to get many jobs around the house ticked off the list and a perfect opportunity to get stuck into a few quick indoor weekend DIY projects before spring is upon us. From dusting down your wooden shelves or reclaimed wood furniture to updating cushions and decorative accessories, see our tips on how to give your home a refresh in no time at all.

We are a proud nation of DIY’ers and spend millions every year on projects to personalise and improve our homes. This became even more of a thing during the lockdown months when home improvements were about the only thing we could do! There’s always something needing refreshing, from the hallway to the bedroom, so if you have some weekends free over the next month take a look at our handy ways to transform a space.

How to give your home a weekend makeover

1. A splash of paint

A lick of paint brightens a room in an instance and it can completely change the atmosphere of the room whether in the living room, dining room, bedroom or kitchen, and it doesn’t have to take weeks. When you choose your colour you can pick a different shade of what you already have in the room or go for a bold contrasting colour if you’re really wanting to switch it up.

Little final touches make all the difference here – hang some new pictures or family photographs on the wall, place a new plant pot on an industrial coffee table with a houseplant and get some new scatter cushions for the sofa and your living room will feel fresh and new.

2. Move your furniture around

Moving the furniture around is a good excuse to have a declutter and deep clean. In the bedroom make some space for a new solid wood chest of drawers or wooden dressing table for some extra storage – maybe even a blanket box at the foot of your bed? You can bring in a reading chair near the window to make yourself little space for some quiet relaxation – maybe add a new throw and scatter cushions on the bed and a new rug – your bedroom will feel as good as new. The same applies in the living room. Move a velvet armchair and wooden side table into a bay to create a new zone that can be used anytime of the day.

3. De-clutter and rearrange the cupboards

This is mostly for a kitchen makeover. The kitchen is always one of those places where clutter seems to accumulate. Have a sort out and sell or give away kitchen items you no longer need or use. Move everything off any open shelves to give them a good wipe down and clean any items you’re putting back up there. For a change of scene, buy a couple of new decorative pots, jars or storage containers to go on your shelves and don’t forget to add a houseplant – this always makes a room look brighter. If you need extra storage and don’t have room for a kitchen dresser add some open shelving or a small sideboard to create more space.

4. Hallway makeover

Here is one area of the home that is easy to refresh and one that will have a big impact to everyone stepping into the home. Give the right first impression by clearing away and tidying up any shoes that don’t need to be in the hallway. Give any shoe-scuffed walls a wipe down and clean or even a quick lick of paint and look at refreshing the styling on the tops of your hallway storage furniture, such as an industrial console table. Add a houseplant, table lamp or fresh bouquet of flowers or dried flowers to add a new colour. For an instant transformation, hang a mirror on the wall to not only change the look, but bounce light around your hallway.

Reclaimed wood furniture is great for heavy traffic areas in the home – salvaged wood already has marks and undulations so it really won’t notice if someone bags a heavy school bag into it as they’re rushing out the door. Finally, add a new doormat to for a fresh new feel every time you walk through the door.

Get more makeover ideas here

Tips and tricks to create a pet friendly living room

Did you know Sunday the 20th of February is National Love Your Pet Day? It will come as no surprise that we are truly a nation of animal lovers with around 59% of UK households estimated to have pets in 2021. That’s quite a jump from 45% back in 2011. Our lovely pets are part of the family and share our homes, but what with them having four legs, a lot more hair (and fur!) than most of us and a tendency for muddy paws, sharing our living spaces needs a bit more consideration. In this blog, we look at a few ideas to create a harmonious living space that works for both you and your pampered pooch…

Help make your living room people and pet-friendly

1. Choose fabrics carefully

Ideally you need fabrics that are tough and durable – leather, faux leather, smooth synthetics and microfibers as well as outdoor fabrics like canvas are ideal and can look stylish when styled well. A tan leather sofa or a faux leather couch is a good choice as it can be easily wiped clean of mucky paws, plus they’re strong enough to withstand small scratches – a weathered 2 seater sofa vintage brown leather may even look more at home with a few lived-in marks and scratches. Another great option is to have removable covers on your sofa that can be machine washed along with cosy blankets and cushions – just make sure to steer clear of cushions made from delicate fabric, such as silk.

Now, you may think velvet as a fabric is a definite no-no when it comes to pets, but don’t be too quick to discard it. Some velvet is not as delicate as you might first assume! It can actually be very resistant to wear and tear and animal fur can easily be brushed off – so a velvet armchair is a good choice for both you and your pet to curl up on!

If you really don’t want your pets on the sofa, but want them close to you, how about placing their bed on the sofa? Or maybe a large footstool with a blanket or throw that be washed? This way they can be part of the family movie night without any risk of making a mess in the living room. Cats and dogs love to curl up in front of a fire, so this is an obvious place to add a pet bed to your living room – they will get used to lying on it pretty quickly!

Preston Footstool- Mineral

2. Think about flooring

The type of flooring you have in your living room is important if you have pets in the home. If you have a small dog and usually walk them on pavements then you will most likely get away with a carpeted floor possibly with a rug or two where they walk across to their bed. However, as a rule, carpet is best avoided when cats and dogs are part of the family.

Tiled floors are best when it comes to being washable but can feel a bit cold for pets and humans alike, especially in a living room in the UK. A hardwood floor or engineered wood are best options – with some washable rugs for added warmth. Another flooring worth considering is vinyl. Durable, waterproof and cost effective, vinyl has come a long way since the orange incarnations of the ’70s and can be purchased in planks to replicate a wood or tile floor, as well as a range or different styles and patterns. You can even get antimicrobial vinyl flooring that hinders the growth of bacteria.

3. Pick furniture best for two and four legs

Furniture style is also an important consideration and not just when you factor in scratching and chewing. If you have a larger dog with a waggy tail think about the height of your furniture. Your gorgeous rustic coffee table with books, ornaments and a small vase expertly styled on top may look perfect in the centre of your living room, but one swipe from an excited tail and it’s ruined. Wooden side tables are generally a bit higher than coffee tables, so a couple of these at the ends of your sofa may be a better solution. Or you can position a wooden sideboard or rustic console table against a wall in your living room to use as a spot to add your stylish ornaments and drinks on – the higher surface is a safer bet to prevent any four-legged accidents.

4. Industrial furniture – a pet-friendly solution

Reclaimed wood furniture is a favourite in the living room, but its tactile quality is also admired by claws and fangs! If you don’t want to worry about your pets scratching or ruining your rustic furniture, solid industrial style furniture is a sturdy and perfect compromise as it mostly features wonderful powder-coated steel legs and feet that are less interesting to pets. They are very unlikely to get much satisfaction from scratching (or chewing) metal legs and less likely to knock it over in moments of excitement!

Cosy up your living room for a romantic Valentine’s day

A romantic living room is all about upping the cosy-stakes and Valentine’s day, today is the perfect day to give it a go! Making a room extra cosy helps it feel so much warmer too, so with the last month or so of winter (hopefully) upon us we can see out the last of the season in our super snug living space. If you are lucky enough to have reclaimed wood furniture in your space then you already have a great foundation to build on – natural rustic wood always look warm and homely without even having to try.

Layering textiles

Soft tactile cushions and throws are so lovely and comforting to sink into, but mix in other warm textures, such as velvet, corduroy or wool and the cosiness is taken up to another level. Blankets are also wonderful to snuggle under when you’re cuddled up on the sofa…..there’s no such thing as too much cuddling on Valentine’s day! Even if you already have carpet, you can still add a rug to help make your floor feel even softer and extra warm, it’s also a great way to bring in some additional colour into your living space. Place under a rustic coffee table and make it a centrepiece.

Ditch bright lights

Bright lights are a definite no-no for Valentine’s day – it’s dim lighting only! Whether that comes from table lamps on a wooden side table or rustic console table to a floor-standing light in the corner of the room. Obviously, candles should feature in your room – stand some on a wooden sideboard and also on the coffee table, you can even scatter them on the floor if you’re careful! Candles provide warm, romantic and flattering light and help to set the right atmosphere in the room. A win, win for the day of love.

Romantic aroma

We think about lighting when we want to set an atmosphere in a room, but scent is just as important. Fresh flowers on the mantlepiece or a wooden sideboard are the natural choice for this but you should also consider scented candles and diffusers to help set the mood. For a romantic scent, choose vanilla, rose & jasmine all of which are said to have aphrodisiac properties.

Cosy colours

Bring in colours that will make your living room feel romantic. Natural hues with warming colours such as reds, oranges and golds will really warm up your room and give it a touch of romance. You don’t have to do a whole room makeover – that would be a romantic gesture too far, but by bringing in some warm coloured accessories you can set the mood. If you have dark furniture or warm honey-coloured mango wood furniture like the Farnham collection, a very romantic range featuring glittering brass accents within the furniture, the candlelight will reflect and bounce beautifully around your living room.

Not feeling the love? Discover more inspiration here and let cupid’s arrow bring some romance into your home…