Interiors: Don’t stop shopping
Latest Interiors looks at the bargains to be had on the high street in the current climate
They might have started a little early this year but even so, for those of us with any pennies left, this winter’s January sales will be a bargain-hunter’s paradise. Retailers have had a rough ride for the past six months. Many are desperate to bring feet through the door and offload some of their Christmas overstock – and the PM wants us to go out and spend money.
But before you shop, stop – don’t squander your hard-earned readies on last season’s tat. Follow Latest Interiors’ smart sales guide instead. Unlike a rash or ill-fitting purchases, you won’t regret it.
Stop, look, listen – then shop
A bargain is only a bargain if it’s something you really need, want or will use (preferably all three). Impulse buys are, we’re afraid, generally a waste of money.
So before you even leave the house, make a list of what you need and how much you’re prepared to spend. If you don’t need anything (and/or don’t have any money left), it’s simple: don’t shop! Once out on the high street, refer to your list and try not to get waylaid by anything else.
Simply the best
This year’s ginormous discounts mean that there’s never been a better time for replacing worn classics or stocking up on quality homewares. If you’ve cash to splash, and the contents of your kitchen, bathroom or airing cupboards could do with an update, then snap up any of the following: plain linen tea towels and napkins; white or cream fluffy cotton bath sheets and hand towels; Egyptian cotton bed linen; classic crystal and glassware; a simple china dinner service; a really good set of kitchen knives. If you take advantage of the credit crunch and buy the best quality that you can, then these items should last a lifetime.
Honey, I changed the house…
Household electricals are a good sales buy – if you put off buying that LCD TV or PS3 before Christmas, you could have a very happy new year indeed. You can also save a lot of money on large furniture items: beds, sofas and dining tables are classic bargains, particularly if you’re flexible about style or colour. As before, if you go for quality you won’t go far wrong.
Right now, if you have the money, you could even bag yourself an entire fitted bathroom, bedroom or kitchen for a rock-bottom price – and you’ll be helping to keep our local businesses alive. We thought it would never happen, but it seems that everyone wants us to go shopping; a bit of adversity brings out all that fighting (and shopping) spirit. So come on people: hit the sales – your country needs you.
