Decor & Storage

Few objects in a home work as hard as a decorative cushion. It softens a hard-edged sofa, supplies the one colour a neutral room is missing, props up your back during a long film, and can be swapped out in seconds when you fancy a change. And yet cushions are also one of the most … Read more

In short : A well-made solid wood coffee table should last you 20 to 50 years, and good hardwood pieces often go well beyond that. What decides it: the wood species, the joinery, the finish, and how you treat it day to day. Hardwoods like oak, walnut, or maple hold up far better than soft … Read more

In short : A lift top coffee table does the job of two or three pieces, so it’s a real win in a studio or one-bedroom flat. It works best when it replaces a dining table, a desk, or both — not when you just like the idea. Check the weight and stability of the … Read more

In short : Most scratches on a leather table are just surface damage, not ruined hide. Run your fingertip over the mark first, since your nail tells you if it’s a scuff, a shallow cut, or a deep gouge. Light scuffs usually fade with a clean, a warm rub, and some conditioner. Shallow cuts need … Read more

In short : First, check the mark with your fingernail. If it feels rough, it’s a deposit and it will come off. If it feels perfectly smooth, it’s etching and no cleaner will fix it. For everyday rings, start with equal parts white vinegar and water, let it sit, then wipe dry with a microfiber … Read more

In short : First, figure out what finish is on your table, because that decides everything else. If it feels like a smooth film, it’s varnish and water beads up on it. If it feels soft and waxy, it’s oil, so you’ll need to re-oil it when water soaks in. Clean with a dry dust … Read more

A coffee table is one of the hardest-working surfaces in a home. It holds your mug on a Sunday morning, your laptop during a work call, and a bowl of popcorn on movie night. Then guests arrive, and suddenly it’s supposed to look like a page from a design magazine. The good news? Books and … Read more

In short : Metal wins in small, cool-toned rooms that need light and clean lines. Wood wins in bigger, warmer rooms where family life and comfort matter most. Metal is easier to wipe down, but wood hides everyday wear better. If you can’t decide, a wood top on a metal base gives you both. Pick … Read more

In short : Marble and travertine are both fine choices, but they fail in different ways. Marble resists stains and scratches well, yet acid like wine or lemon can etch its polish. Travertine shrugs off acid spills, but its pores soak up oil and coffee, so blot fast. With kids and messy spills, travertine is … Read more

In short : Measure your room first and leave 40 to 45 cm of walking space around the table. In a typical 3.5-metre living room, that usually means a table no wider than about 120 cm. Pick a material that survives your real household, not your ideal one. Skip storage on your first buy unless … Read more