I have to constantly marvel at how you can get some good looking products from big stores such as Matalan. Take these stylish baskets for paper, toys or whatever you fancy. Well they cost a very respectable £5 - so now what's your excuse for all that mess everywhere?

Posted by Carole

Well I'm afraid it's no surprise that Ilva are shutting up shop. A shame though as they promised so much style and competition to Ikea and Habitat. But that does mean you can buy some well priced pieces like this melamine storage for £348, this price should now be reduced. However I'd still want to see the goods in the flesh, as a friend had a lovely Ilva sofa experience and a wardrobe disaster.

Posted by Carole

Being a huge fan of boxes, I felt duty bound to remind you of the virtues of the Holding Company - the container Kings. What amused me though was the realisation that I'd never thought of a box for my remote control , which I can't find at the best of times - in or out of a box. These people are a storers delight - worth a chuckle just to see what you could be hiding..shoes..bras..belts...don't get me started.

Posted by Carole

No room for a coat stand? Towels piling up on the bathroom floor? I love this multi-pronged revolving Saturnus Hook for which I can see a use in every room of my house. Available in white or multi-colour, it's retro style doesn't preclude present-day practicality. Very reasonably priced at £23 by STORE, a veritable trove of storage solutions.

Posted by Ros

My favourite store Woolies is having it's annual clearance sale. Lots of rubbish but worth persuing for it's bargain vases, cushions and laundry storage. This stainless steel bin could be used in the kitchen or as a laundry basket and is reduced from £40 to £20. As I seem incapable of throwing out things, I will hide all my clutter instead.

Posted by Carole

Now these 3 oak veneer storage shelves could either look sylish or the cheap £20 they cost from one of my favourite mooch stores - Woolworths. I'd put them in a childs room for cd's, trinkets or special books. Worth a look and while you're at it, you could always recycle your old mobile and pick up some Halloween goodies.

Posted by Carole

Not recommended for those trying to quit the habit of eating naughty treats, but that just makes these lacquered cupcake pots all the more tantalising...£39 each from www.couverture.co.uk, they are definitely a must for any kitsch- loving domestic homemaker. The lightwood lacquered containers in pink and green are ideal for storing sweet treats, and making the kitchen look pretty is just the icing on the cake.

posted by Kieran

If you've outgrown Ikea then it's time to head for some well crafed Danish design at Ilva. Not everything has a wow factor but it does exceptionally well in the sofa and wardrobe department. These Concept melamine sliding wardrobes can be combined in a variety of front finishes and start from £350. Or you could go for glass, pure white melamine or maple for slightly more. Definately worth a trip to their stores in Manchester, Thurrock or Gateshead, as a great day out with some choice Danish food thrown in.

Posted by Carole

Traidcraft have got a lot of ethical but quite ugly products on their site. But you can also trip across beautifully crafted and well priced baskets. This £45 set consists of a large lidded laundry basket with a cotton fabric lining and drawstring, one large handled open basket and two smaller ones. They're made in Thailand by ThaiCraft, a non-profit organisation which works with artisan groups to help them gain self-reliance and preserve Thailand's indigenous crafts. Now there's a thought to dwell on when you pull out your dirty laundry.

Posted by Carole

For all you home birds out there looking to feather your Nest - indulge yourself here. Lots of fantastic designer - led home products for every possible whim and want in your home. Fantastic and at times unreal prices too. You'll need to quote promo100 to get yourself the necessary 10% discount when you shop here. Alternatively opt for these affordable and vibrant Magis Globo wall coat hangers. They cost £18 per hook and I still haven't quite worked out where to put my coat?

Posted by Carole

Unto This Last is the closest I'll get to being involved in the production of a piece of furniture. The secret lies in their Brick lane shop where they manufacture everything on site. From behind a glass wall you can watch computer-controlled machines make your possession based on a simple wooden locking mechanism that doesn't use tools. This allows them to offer most of their products in a wide range of sizes and finishes. Great philosophy, check out the website and then treat yourself to this elegant coat stand for £55 or £62 in oak. Simplicity and beauty - how refreshing.

Posted by Carole

I spend way too much time pondering on how to make the kids stuff more organised. So this £325 playroom unit from The White Company could be the answer. It comes in 3 widths, so has flexibility in the shelving arrangement. It also has an anti -tipping device and a metal bracket to help align it. If this takes your fancy then complete the look with their kids matching table and chairs. Now all you've got to do is check that paint/chalk/goo can be easily removed from it and make the kids swear that they'll spend time admiring and enjoying their top - notch shelving.

Posted by Carole

Made out of a lightweight eco-friendly plastic material used for packaging, movisi products are ingenious, stylish, simple-to-assemble and affordable. MakeShift shelves will fit into any alcove and support themselves (48 Euros + VAT for two) or can be freestanding with the clips provided.

Or there are the sixties-look Play shelves that can stand freely in any formation you can imagine. Kits start at 94.80 Euros (four squares). Where have these been all my life? They do a modular sofa too.

Posted by Ros

Habitat never fails when it comes to stylish and pretty furniture pieces. Amongst my favourites right now is this Palonia bedside chest. It's made from solid Palonia wood and has a simple yet eye catching floral design carved out of its top and sides. Perfect for storing bedding and towels - or anything else you fancy. (£69)

Posted by Chanika

This Alessi design is so effortlessly pleasing. Girotondo is a five-hook rack crafted from polished steel and is priced at £23. The fact that the year of production for these was 1997 just shows how simplicity can pay in design. It's sleek and stylish, well made and well designed, without taking itself too seriously.

I like to think of an Alessi piece here or there as a little affirmation; a reminder to have fun, enjoy myself and look good, like all the best Alessi does.

Posted by Kerry

For a mere £24, this pretty and autumnal metal bowl can be yours. It's simple and elegant and looks great with or without fruit. Bo concept is a very desirable brand in my household.

Posted by Siddikha

This bamboo and rubberwood Trunk is very eco friendly and costs a modest £90 from John Lewis. It's a simple but stylish way to store your duver covers or unwanted junk. The question is how many do you need?

Posted by Siddikha

It's a while since a piece of design made me smile and this Self Shelf does it for me. The shelf is designed as a book, so when you place more on it, they give the appearance of being suspended in mid -air. It costs £19.95, can take up to 4kg and is available from twentytwentyone .You will also find heaps of gorgeous sofas, lights, office stuff... well their site just oozes style -but this made me giggle.

Posted by Carole

If you're after something really special, then log on or head for Two Columbia Road in Shoreditch. I often pop in to drool over the twentieth century contemporary art works, modern design, retrospective furniture and just great objects. This 1950's glass cabinet was designed by Gibbs and sits beside a whole host of pieces by designers such as Charles Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, Verner Panton.... you get the picture. Unlike many of the pieces the Gibbs price is only available on application. Don't let this put you off as there are lots of delicious and affordable pieces to bring home with you.

Posted by Carole

In the UK even people with dishwashers still insist on putting the kitchen sink in front of the window. This is probably why it's all but impossible to find those continental cupboards that contain a draining rack to position over the sink. If anyone knows where to get them please let me know. This Poli metal drainage unit (£110) from the French fashion catalogue La Redoute's AM.PM interiors range comes close although it doesn't hold much crockery. It comes in a version with plain shelving too.

Posted by Ros

This funky magazine rack (£35) is made from recycled naff fitted carpet by Carpet-Burns (see Iron lady). While you're storing your mags in it it won't be harming our environment. Long may you store.

Posted by Ros

I never knew that these storage unit are called Componibili's and have been in production for over 30 years. I last spied it in Habitat but if you look at Pure Design classics you will see a greater range of sizes and a silver option too. Designed by Anna Castelli Ferrier for Kartell and priced from £48 - £74, means they are not only classy but affordable too.

Posted by Carole

Dutchman in London Thorsten van Elten
has an eagle eye for design oddities. Amongst them are these ironic post colonial wire Antlers for hanging coats on by Alexander Taylor. Guaranteed to raise a smile at £49.

The perfect thing to complement this item would be young designer Jon Male's English Hide rug, which was originally his parents' old carpet cut into an animal skin shape. It is now hand-knotted in Nepal for Rimo Designs, although they don't seem to show it on their site. £950.

Posted by Ros