When the room you are designing is spatially challenged it is important to make the right design choices in order to create an illusion of space.

Furniture can play a key role in maximising space. Innovative space saving storage systems are a good choice as they allows all clutter to be out of sight. Less is more, so keep furniture to a minimum and incorporate pieces such as fold up beds, extending tables and streamlined chairs.

When decorating a small space, select a colour which will reflect as much light as possible. Mirrors also play a key role in achieving this. Whether you choose readymade or made to measure curtains it are important to balance the textures of the furnishings. So pick colours of the same tone as opposed to having contrasting colours and patterns.

Small spaces, when given the correct treatment, can become a useable and comfortable area without feeling claustrophobic. Even the smallest room can be supersized.

The time is nearing for the eagerly awaited Grand Designs Live which takes place from 1-9th May. This ever popular television show has transformed and encouraged many individuals to take the next step in making their dream home a reality.

This live event, which is held at London's Excel Centre, is host to many companies unveiling new innovative products and cutting edge designs. The show also aims to provide inspiration to the consumer. Whether you are planning a new build or you need advice on interior design you can get guidance from the professionals.

Consult with specialist in all areas of expertise. From planning applications to garden designs, made to measure curtains to soft furnishing ideas, no problem is too small or too big. For the most comprehensive ideas and answers to all your design problems look no further than Grand Design Live 2010.

We all aspire to have a large house with luxurious furnishings, but in reality we have to live within our means. Your house is your home, it reflects your personality. Living well and being comfortable doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune; luxury is affordable on a budget.

How you pull the furnishings and decorations together in a room is far more important than how much you paid for them. Your lifestyle should dictate your choices. Buying within your budget doesn't mean you have to buy cheap quality, just plan and spend wisely.

A family with children, for example, should obviously pick appropriate furnishing to stand the rigours of family life. Emphasising comfort and practicality does not have to mean unattractive and functional can still also be stylish. Accept that with family life scratches and breakages come hand in hand so you need to decorate accordingly. There is no reason why little indulgent touches can't be added here and there.

Budget interior designing doesn't mean you have to be ordinary. Whether you are choosing furniture or made to measure curtains, wallpaper or soft furnishings, whatever budget you are restricted by, enhance your home with a sense of individuality, with added attitude, and the house of your dreams is an affordable reality.

This month saw celebrity designer Kelly Hoppen revealing what she sees as the key trends in interior design for 2010.

Hoppen claims that "neutrals still rock". Whether you’re choosing fabric, made to measure curtains or just deciding on which accessories you need to revamp a look, neutral colours still remain the fashion.

Kelly adds that despite the recession "people still want luxury". The way forward, Kelly foresees this year, in terms of interior design, is "linear shabby chic". She adds that people want their homes to look "lived in and a bit creased but with a defined edginess to it".

This week saw the introduction of a new application for the Apple iPhone, which allows anyone to dabble in the world of interior design.

Mydeco allows the user to view a layout of their room and download a selection of furniture to see how it would look. A colour scheme can also be accessed to enable you to make the right decision. Images can then be emailed to friends or posted on Facebook for feedback.

Using the iPhone it is also possible to access the internet, thus allowing you to make further choices for the layout of your room from carpets through to made to measure curtains. Whether this app turns out to be successful remains to be seen, but it certainly allows anyone to develop a flair for interior design.

Following the success of the recent International Spring Trade Fair in February, interior designers and retailers can now look forward to the Autumn Fair being held at the NEC in Birmingham, from the 5-8 September.

The Autumn Trade fair is the ideal venue to view current and contemporary interior design products. Retailers can then bring to the public the most up to date and stylish design items on the market. From soft furnishings to home accessories, made measure curtains to to furniture, the leading names in the industry are all brought together under one roof.

The Spring and Autumn Fairs have been a regular feature in the interior design calendar for many years. They have built up an outstanding reputation which is why it attracts the leading and most influential brands, enabling us, the customer, to have a choice of the most fresh, up to the minute designs that are available.

It might be the smallest room in the house but many regard the cloakroom as reflection of their personalities. It is somewhere to show off important mementoes or achievements and hang family photos. Hollywood actors famously boast how they display their prized Oscar's in the bathroom for all to see.

An illusion of space is very important as most cloakrooms are small in size. Cleverly placed mirrors can make areas appear larger than they actually are. It is vital to pick suitable wallpaper. Busy wallpaper can make a room feel claustrophobic but a simple, plain paper can reflect light and enhance such a tiny room.

Windows in a cloakroom are often quite small and not a regular size allowing made to measure curtains to be the ideal solution. Designed to fit any shape or sized window and they are available in an array of colours and designs.

However, it is the finishing touches that help to complete the illusion you are trying to create. A soft towel, scented soap and good quality loo paper could just make all the difference!