Lee Longlands is about more than just fine furniture and great value. We want to help you make the best of you home. This is why we offer an interior design service with our experienced designers.

a confusing and daunting task even for the most enthusiastic of us. Over the years, Lee Longlands’ customers raise the same questions. Here are some of them - we hope the answers will help you when deciding on the best buy to make.

Q How do I begin to plan a room scheme?

A Decide on a mood that you wish to create in the room and then gather together pictures from magazines and colour swatches that appeal to you.

You may have lots of different ideas for a colour scheme, but open all the doors to the rooms and think about linking the colours together to create a harmonious feel. If you don’t want to redecorate every couple of years, then choose the most expensive items, i.e. sofas, in neutral colours so that you can live with them longer, and update the look with less expensive items, such as cushions or a new lamp.

Q What should I be looking for when choosing a new sofa?

A No doubt the look of the sofa is the highest priority but comfort should also be top of the list.

The quality of the fabric is important for durability and wear, the toughest fabric being dralon, not necessarily the most popular choice. Leather can be hard wearing, or look at loose cotton or linen covers.

Seat interiors are an important factor, and feather is undoubtedly the most luxurious, if you are prepared to plump them frequently to keep their shape! Fibre fillings have a softer feel too - ideal if someone has an allergy to feathers. Foam is obviously going to keep its shape without much attention, or look for a mix, say, a foam centre with feather/fibre surround, which gives the best of both worlds.

Start by looking at some of the quality names available at Lee Longlands, together with their own brand name upholstery.

Q How can I source Victorian wallpaper?

A Designers such as William Morris and Zoffany wall coverings are available from the Soft Furnishings department of Lee Longlands with complementary paint colours to complete the look.

Q How can I guarantee a bed that will give me a comfortable night’s sleep?

A Make sure your bed is large and comfortable enough, and test different types of mattresses, don’t rush this major purchase.

We all move around during a night’s sleep, so spend time choosing your new bed and lie on the mattress in different positions- it’s amazing how different a mattress can feel!

For real weightless relaxation, experience the sensation in a Tempur Space Cabin – a journey to a new sleep system. Departs every 15 minutes at Lee Longlands Bedding Department on the lower ground floor!