It is worth pausing for a moment to consider what a huge impact the window covers could have on almost any room in the house, from the bedroom to a showpiece dining area.

None of our products divide opinion to the extent of vertical blinds; they are the archetypal marmite option, with many people loving them while others will not even consider them as a potential home improvement.

But here at Hillarys we are convinced they have just what it takes to add a certain sparkle to your abode at this time of year.

Above all else, it is the blinds' ability to combine both style and practicality that make them so special in our eyes.

For a start, vertical blinds are extremely versatile so you will never be stuck for possibilities when it comes to changing their look, set-up or position within the home.

One of the major benefits of blinds such as these is that they can be set to face in a certain direction, from fully open to entirely closed.

You may find this is especially useful in extreme outdoor conditions, such as bright sunlight or darkness. Moving your blinds to filter out just the right amount of light will lead to a perfect home setting.

Our vertical blinds come in many different colours and it is here that you can really show your personality.

The bright and bold among you could opt for a daring red or blue, while our more refined customers might feel more comfortable with beige, white or cream.

There is also the possibility to have controls installed on one or both sides of the vertical blinds, so controlling their height and position will be simple.

For a simple product that will instigate a remarkable change in the way your home looks, choose vertical blinds today.

For example, one day a space could be used to house an art display, where good quality light is required, while the next it might well be needed to hold a presentation in, demanding no light whatsoever so delegates can see what is being shown up on a screen with ease.

As such, the blinds we have here at Hillarys could be perfect, suiting all needs with ease. Our Venetian and vertical blinds, for example, can be angled in varying ways so sun glare is reduced yet light exposure maintained, or light let in while keeping levels of privacy.

Alternatively, we also stock roller blinds, which can be used in a number of different ways, while our special blackout materials can be placed over windows to keep the sun out completely – perfect for anyone giving an important presentation using an overhead projector.

What's more, if the building in question is a somewhat awkward shape and its managers are concerned they will be unable to find blinds that fit, Hillarys is here to help in this regard as well. All our fabrics have been tested to the highest standards and, if required, can be made to measure, so any window can benefit from one of our blinds.

And those keen to foster a welcoming atmosphere in their centres might also find our pleated, woodweave, Roman or velux blinds of interest. The Roman products, for example, have been proven to keep the heat in, while velux and pleated window treatments are ideal for those awkward-shaped spaces.

Pleated blinds, meanwhile, can also be tailored to fit any shape and the fabric we use reduces heat in the summer months and keeps it inside during the winter.

Back then, the fashion was being driven by a new generation of consumer and designer, eager to move on from the decadence of the swinging 60s and look at pastures new, which led to the creation of a new style described by eHow.com as country. Homes up and down the UK were soon to feel the influences of this, with all sorts of rustic fabrics and handwoven textiles coming to the fore, such as calico and gingham.

Furniture, meanwhile, took on a life of its own – in the 1960s, one trend was to create antique-esque articles with a Colonial feel. However, this soon moved on to dark-stained wood pieces, with contrasting colours. Wicker was also big news in the 70s and was often paired with upholstered items in vibrant shades, while the colour palette itself was all about bold contrasts and mango pink, orange and deep yellows could all be found in houses around the UK.

Then came the 1980s, making way for an arts and crafts revival. A distressed-wood desk with metal accent pieces and detailing or an angular armchair with pointed tips wouldn't have looked out of place in living rooms at this time, while bright colours started to make their presence felt as well. Neon greens, blues and oranges were the sign of the times, combined with neutral shades to add a touch of sophistication in a home.

And who could forget the 90s? Shabby chic – a term coined by Rachel Ashwell towards the end of the previous decade – was popular at this time among homeowners and people went all over the place, looking for thrifty items at antique markets and car boot sales with which to put a stamp on their house, bringing together old and new.

And here we are – the tens. The plethora of interior design TV shows has helped people do their homes up to the nth degree and technology itself has been brought much more to the fore, seen in at-home gyms, home theatres and ultra-modern kitchens with disguised dishwashers, hidden drawers and smart fridges. Motifs that can be seen in homes now feature quotes on walls – such as 'Eat' in big letters sprawled on kitchen walls, or 'Flash happy' on walls surrounded by photographs.

However, as always seems to be the way, design trends have come full circle and 1970s influences are now experiencing something of a revival, with people heeding the call of a simpler time and keen to become more eco-friendly in their homes once again.

Those experiencing problems with clutter will undoubtedly be aware of the negative effect this can have on interior design schemes.

This fact was recently noted by iVillage, which set its top picks among products that can be used to tidy a home.

It promoted the spinning Lazy Susan, which can effortlessly store stationary, as well as other odds and ends.

Similarly, you might want to check out the Wonder Wheel, which the publication hailed as a "clever" way to store up to thirty pairs of shoes in a compact fashion.

If your love of gadgetry means you have devices charging all around the house, the Wire Hider could be the perfect solution – as it provides a single station for four items and will keep cords out of sight.

Those tempted to buy such products may want to try out My Deco's Sale Alerts service, which will let you earmark products for a wish list and then receive notification once their price drops.
 

Interior design website My Deco is offering its readers the chance to bag an exclusive item from well-known textile designer Megan Quinton.

The portal's blog lauded her works, chief among which are a range of wool felt cushions, which it described as "incredibly comfortable".

Ms Quinton has donated one of her "fabulous" Peace cushions to the website and fans can log on to Facebook and "like" the My Deco page for a chance to win.

"I love this cushion – the Peace symbol is so iconic and Megan has appropriated this into her collection creating a variety of similar products including the Love cushion," the anonymous author explained.

Colourful cushions were recently promoted as a great interior design addition in a decor guide from At Home magazine.
 

Richard Moss, head of communications at Mark Wilkinson Furniture, recently outlined a growing trend towards sustainable design in the UK.

He explained that his company is increasingly opting to undertake environmentally sound practices and set out some of its recent measures.

"With the wood we're using, we will know within a few metres where the tree that that wood came from grew and [that] it's from the indigenous people of the area," Mr Moss said.

He went on to highlight the benefits of salmon leather, which is created from processed fish skins that would otherwise go unused by the canning industry.

Philips consumer lighting marketing manager Ashley Smith recently claimed LED lighting could be a boon to homeowners trying to save money, as well as the planet – as they use much less energy than conventional bulbs.
 

Budding renovators seeking an innovative twist on the traditional lampshade may want to check out this eco offering.

The creators of the fixture claim its unique design makes it eco-friendly, as it is made entirely from paper and card – and they also offer a table light version.

Carole King, independent designer and author of the Dear Designer blog, recently hailed the product for being "simple yet effective".

She recounted being drawn to the product at the recent Grand Designs Live show and hailed other items in the brand's range.

"Liquid Design is a brand reputed for innovative, stylish furniture and lighting which is made with care and a respect for the environment," she said.

The company has recently updated the range, which now features the Bagalight Swing, Candelabra and the Bagalight 2 Oil Lamp.
 

While some property owners see this space as the hub of their home, others may have neglected its decor.

In either case, there are a number of simple steps that can be taken to enhance the room and make it an exciting talking point for guests.

House To Home recently encouraged householders to tackle this area and urged them to "go to town" with a "dramatic" colour scheme, making particular mention of neutral tones.

"Don't shy away from the glamorous qualities of black. Far from being drab and depressing, it can bring a whole new depth to a room," said the publication.

Richard Moss, head of communications for Mark Wilkinson Furniture, recently identified open-plan dining rooms as an increasingly popular interior design trend.
 

A guide to flooring maintenance by Ideal Home magazine recently set out a number of hints on the topic and made particular note of replacing broken tiling.

If you've noticed cracking or breakage in your tiled flooring, then the publication recommends tackling the issue with a grouting cutter or rotary tool.

Once the surrounding grout has been tackled, the guide advised placing an old cloth over the area and hitting the problem tile with a hammer, but warned not to hit too hard – as this can damage surrounding fixtures.

"Use a chisel or a blunt putty knife to gently prise out the pieces of tile. Wrap them in a newspaper before disposing of them," it added.

The guide went on to suggest chiselling or scraping out any remaining grout before fitting a new tile in place with adhesive.

Earlier in the month, Homes and Gardens explained that heavy-duty carpets should be able to cope in high traffic areas of a home.
 

Cheryl Gurner, creative director of Bathrooms International, suggested that homeowners could follow the new trend for using black in the bathroom, which offers a bold and elegant feel.

She recommended that white or scarlet towels can add a softening effect to any black materials in the washroom.

And it is not just blinds that could be painted black.

"The all-black bathroom remains a designer dream canvas – black marbles, black glass, mirror, black sanitaryware, baths and basins with magnificent lighting incorporating feature effects on floors, walls and ceilings," Ms Gurner added.

Jim Hustwit, UK country manager at the MyHammer, recently said that homeowners looking to put their properties on the market should also look to renovate their gardens in order to boost the asking price.