Features

Too much stuff but can't let it go

Clutter can lead to chaos, which in turn creates stress. Many people say they're overwhelmed by the extent of clutter in their homes but are at a loss as to what to do with it. There are, though, many creative ways to make sure your pre-loved items go to a good home, so the first step is to take the positive decision to de-clutter and to do it in an ordered way - just saying you're going to throw everything out won't help because you'll have a moutain to move!  

Eco worktops and environmentally friendly worktop materials include Eco by Cosentino, Resilica recycled glass, and Richlite. All are hard wearing and intended to last for at least 30 years. Environmentally friendly choices. good for kitchens and bathrooms. Swiss CDF by Kronospan is another good eco option being made from FSC-certified wood fibre.

Making our housing eco friendly doesn't have to cost the earth. While many of us can't afford heat pumps, solar panels or new electric boilers, there are things we can all do to help ourselves and the environment through minimising our energy consumption. Remember, around 30 per cent of the UK's CO2 emissions come from our housing stock.

Look for A, AA and AAA rated appliances

Is there eco friendly leather? Is leather good or bad from an environmental perspective? Many of us think because leather is a natural product, it must be good. But tanning leather has always been a dirty business and in many parts of the world it remains so.

Moving house is formidably expensive and building an extension is time-consuming and disruptive. Hence the march of the ready-made garden building to fill the gap, which is a far cry from the humble shed of yesteryear.