From business and manufacturing industries to the new wave in home improvement, the growth in markets that are exploring interior decoration is at an all-time high. Interior design is a multi-faced sector that seeks to elevate an interior environment to the specifications of the clients. Trends in home decor are constantly changing and 2020 is no different. Whether it’s for residential or commercial use, the changes in design call for experts to be more innovative, personal and dynamic than ever before. Home decor is the most effective way of expressing the lifestyle that a consumer believes in. Europe plays a paramount role in the global design and decor industry which include various items such as furniture, home textiles, lighting fixtures,artifacts, floor coverings just to name a few. The furniture sector has undergone significant changes with more focus on quality and design. This has made the industry grow exponentially, evident not only in terms of production but also in the market and international trade values. The market is projected to continue growing due to increased expenditure for furniture goods among the millennials in 2020. Below are some opportunities that lie ahead of the furniture industry; ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS The European furniture market is without a doubt recognised worldwide for its high-quality products and spectacular designs. This has created an opportunity for this sector to further seize other market niches, in particular the luxurious high-end markets. An interior designer looking to instal a modern and functional kitchen can simply source for these merchandise from a variety of European furniture brands. FURTHER RESEARCH Technology has allowed the furniture industry to attract expertise from the younger generations who have helped rejuvenate this sector while keeping it highly competitive. Development in the real estate sector is expected to supplement the growth of the home decor market. Consumer preferences have fueled the demand for fancy products to decorate homes. Additionally, the consumer is more aware of the impact of his or her choice on the environment. Homes are inclined to adopt Biophilic designs to feel more connected with nature. Others opt for more eco-friendly products that are sustainably sourced and put less stress on the environment. INVESTMENT The Europe furniture industry continues to increase investment to enhance creativity, innovation and skills which result in the production of new products to suit the ever-changing population and lifestyles. The growth of the home decor industry has paved the way to premium products that provide superb experience to the users. Growing this preference for finer things after a certain time boosts the availability of different products. Technology has greatly revolutionized the furniture industry making it easier for any type of furniture to be available in all corners of the globe. Key furniture brands have come up with interesting trends to offer their products such as affordable DIY furniture that has greatly influenced sales. This sector, however, has been hit severally with challenges and crisis that are briefly highlighted below; CLIMATE CHANGES Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing modern society. Global warming due to the depletion of the ozone layer is a serious environmental concern. The consequences of this warming trend are dire. Furniture companies are increasingly focussing on the environmental impact of their operations and have adopted eco-friendly manufacturing and design principles to preserve the earth for future generations. INNOVATION The 21st century called for heavy reliance on technology that consequently caused an increase in global trade and digitalisation. The penetration of e-commerce and smart devices such as mobile phones and computers has provided for easy distribution and payment options of products. This has tremendously progressed the market growth with different home decor products. Manufacturers are integrating the latest technologies to assist consumers to choose the best home decor products for their homes. For example, consumers now have easy access to Apps that allow them to enter the dimensions of their rooms and have add ons to their space and have a feel of how it would be before purchase. The challenge when it comes to technology is the infringement of intellectual property rights exposed to companies. Moreover, boosting research requires finance that is often a huge challenge to medium and small furniture businesses. COMPETITION The home decor market is quite fragmented due to the presence of multiple manufacturers both regional and internationally. Globalization has opened up more markets for consumers which have made it easier for accessibility of a variety of products from different corners of the world. The Europe furniture sector has witnessed significant growth over the years and is expected to grow at a steady pace even after 2020 although it’s often in constant competition with other countries across the globe that offer low production costs. China, for instance, is rapidly growing and is reported to be now the largest exporter of furniture to the European region.

There is nothing better than walking into a well-decorated room. That fresh and unique look that gets you right when you walk through the door is indescribable. It’s almost like walking into a newly-furnished house for the very first time.  If you are looking to decorate your interior on a budget but you do not want to skimp on style, then this article is for you. Before you splurge on brand new things, it is always best to check around your home to see if there is already something in your house that inspires you or could be restored into something that would work with your plans..  It could be the wallpaper that you stashed at the back of the drawer or an old ladder that can serve as a shelving unit; whatever you do, finding things around your home can save you money. Need more ideas? We are ready to give you the inspiration that you need! Here are the best ways to do your interior decorating on a budget: Paint, paint, paint! This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to change the overall look of your space. Going over your nude walls with a chic yellow or any other lively color will make a bold statement and instantly update your space.  Granted, re-painting your whole house can take a lot of time and dedication. Therefore, if you do not have the time then to re-paint over the entire house, then simply repaint a trim or two and it will make such a big difference in the space that you are decorating. Purchase local art Unique paintings from the most talented artists come at a hefty cost. But this does not mean that you cannot decorate your interior space with some affordable art pieces.  You can come across these pieces by contacting local art programs or colleges to inquire whether there are any upcoming student art shows.  This will not only help you save money but also enable you to own an affordable piece of art. You can even ask a local printer to reproduce a memorable picture of you or your adventures and then frame it. This will transform your interior space in an incredible way. Make the most of your existing pieces There are times when you do not have to do much to decorate a space. All you need to do is make the most of your existing pieces to elevate the space. By moving a few things around or relocating them to the next room, you will be surprised at how versatile everything can be. Buy from the flea market A majority of people do not believe that they can find decorative pieces in the flea market. But when you are on a budget, this is one of the few, affordable places that you can purchase decorative pieces.  There are a variety of unique deals on unique pieces that you will hardly find anywhere else. There are those that are still in good condition while others need a little updating.  Whether it is a lampshade or decorations that go on your door, you will always come across something that catches your eye here. Change out your accents If you are looking for an inexpensive makeover, replacing the doorknobs in your bathroom and kitchen as well as your handles is the way to do it.  In addition to this, you can also replace your lighting fixtures as well as your lampshades. Apart from this, adding throw pillows on your couches will also make a great style difference.  A little bit of this and that will never disappoint. Just make these changes from time to time and you will transform your space. Re-organize Interior decorating on a budget may be as easy as organizing. It is normal to have things staying in the same place for long periods of time.  But did you know that moving that couch from the wall to the center of the room or removing old paintings can do a lot for your room? You can equally choose to keep your surfaces clean or display some beautiful flowers. It’s the little things that count. Decorate Away There you go! Some of the best ways to decorate your interior on a budget. You do not have to do everything at once. You can simply choose to do one or two things that will transform your space.  Or if you have the time, you can do everything gradually. The biggest advantage that you will get is that you do not have to spend money hiring an interior designer.  You can do it all yourself. Also, you will end up with a fantastic space for a small budget. A little creativity will always go a long way. Want to learn more about interior decorating on a budget? Click here!

A well-designed workspace can help to optimise productivity, boost employee satisfaction, and even improve the health of the people working there. There are many different types of effective office layout; the one that is right for your business will depend on the type of business, the available space, the working style of the employees, and the budget. Furniture At Work stocks a wide range of office furniture, including adjustable desks to fit any space and ergonomic chairs to suit any physical requirements. Private Offices and Meeting Rooms Private offices and meeting rooms are designed for one person or one group of people to use at a time. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on in the UK, private office space is more valuable than ever before for anyone who is unable to work from home. Furnishing a private office requires additional floor space and separate lighting and heating, but there are many advantages, especially in the current climate. Having a private space to work can also help boost productivity for many people. Open Office Layout Open office layouts encourage employee interaction, which can be ideal in businesses where regular communication between teams is key. This type of layout is particularly popular with creative companies and tech firms, where people need to be able to bounce ideas off each other throughout the working day. When designing an open office layout, it is essential to ensure that each employee has sufficient desk space to call their own. National guidelines suggest that each employee should have a minimum of 11 cubic metres to work in, assuming the ceiling is no more than three metres high. If the ceilings are higher, calculations should still be made assuming a height of three metres. To calculate space per employee, simply divide the volume of the room by the maximum number of employees. Including a mixture of sitting and standing desks can help to improve employee health, particularly in hot desk offices where people can choose to move around more. Cubicle Layout A cubicle layout provides a form of compromise between having private office space for each employee and an open office layout. With cubicles, each employee has a semi-private space for their own work but is still able to communicate easily with other members of the team when required. Cubicles or screens between desks help to ensure social distancing in the workplace as well, making them a better solution in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic than a completely open workspace. Cubicles also give employees more autonomy over their own space, as they provide opportunities to add personal touches such as photographs and mementos from home. As each employee has the same amount of space, cubicle layouts can also provide staff with a feeling of equality and prevent any unintentional favouritism or appearance of favouritism. Team-Cluster Layout As the name implies, a team-cluster office layout is designed for companies where people are regularly expected to work as a team. These types of layouts are more like informal meeting rooms than individual offices, with a large communal desk where everyone can see and speak to each other while working. This type of layout works best for companies where discussion, brainstorming, meetings and employee interactions are part of the strategic process. Hybrid Layout A hybrid layout takes advantage of all available space and provides employees with a mixture of private workspaces and team workspaces. These types of layout are highly customisable and deliver all the advantages of each type of layout in one area. A hybrid layout might include several cubicles for individual working, team meeting spaces, comfortable relaxation zones designed to encourage creativity, and perhaps one or two private offices. Hybrid layouts work well for dynamic companies where employee interaction is valued, but people may sometimes need peace and quiet to tackle a project. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for designing the perfect office space, as different types of business will derive benefits from each style of layout. Whichever style is chosen, Furniture At Work has a comprehensive range of office furniture to equip any space with quality items at affordable prices.

Perega continues to demonstrate its structural engineering expertise in the retail sector, providing expert consultancy to Adidas for their latest UK outlet: an ultra-immersive store on London’s bustling Oxford Street. When it came to the design and build of its new West End outlet, which received a coveted accolade at the World Retail Awards, global fashion brand Adidas knew it needed to deliver a shopping experience with a difference. Known for its instantly recognisable logo and Three Stripe trademark, they wanted the store to be as bold as the brand identity; visually striking, and enticing, a space that would stand out from the fierce competition in the surrounding area. In the beginning… In development for over three years, Perega was involved in the ambitious five-storey project from the very beginning, before the landlord began converting the building’s shell structure from office to retail. This long involvement allowed the appointed team of engineers to influence the shell works, adding value to the client through ensuring the floor plate, and three-storey entrance atrium was to Adidas’s requirements. Another important task during the early stages was the design and planning of the store’s scenic lift and the main staircase, which would cantilever from and wrap seamlessly around the central lift shaft. This work tested Perega’s engineers to their limits. It was made more challenging as it had to be completed during the landlord’s shell works before any other design elements were fully developed. Delivering the Displays Adidas wanted to create the most digital retail outlet in the UK, with smart mirrors, iPad consoles, and immersive audio-visual installations. As part of the project, Perega also helped deliver unobtrusive, yet robust, supports for these numerous digital display features. The larger of these items were hung and the solutions we developed had to be aesthetically pleasing or hidden. This included the support for the store’s impressive ‘digital chandelier’ and transparent display screens hung in the façade’s double-height ground floor windows. Challenges were faced early on in the fit-out design, especially regarding the load-bearing capabilities of the structure, which was inadequate to lay screed on. Working closely with the main contractor, Powells, an alternate lightweight solution was proposed to allow work to go ahead with minimal delay. No stone left unturned The client wanted exposed concrete blockwork walls within the store, to achieve a gritty, urban style. However, the same issue faced with the screed occurred once more; fundamentally, the structure was inadequate to support this weight. Instead, block slips were glued to stud walls, reducing the weight but maintaining the same desired aesthetic. The overall result speaks for itself, and through Perega’s unrivalled problem-solving abilities, the team was able to deliver robust structures and systems according to Adidas’s overall brief, without any compromise on aesthetics. Commenting on the project, Perega’s Senior engineer, Sam Coleman, said, “Our work on Adidas’s new Oxford Street store is a great example of collaboration throughout the construction journey. The client’s design team had ambitious ideas for the space, and we helped them to realise their vision within the boundaries of what’s possible. I particularly enjoyed the open dialogue we maintained on the project. A healthy and structured process of analysis, reflection, and mutual compromise meant we were able to overcome challenges and create a unique, structurally safe interior, which will appeal to customers and influence purchasing decisions.” He continues, “I have a deep respect and admiration for Adidas’s design team whose creativity is unmatched. The scope and the scale of the project is breathtaking, and this has been borne out with the recent win of a highly coveted World Retail Award for Outstanding Store Design. We look forward to working with the brand again in the near future.” Throughout the Adidas Oxford Street project, Perega worked closely with other members of the design team, including Mace, Powells, DB3 Architecture, Brinkworth Design, and Quadrant Design. Opened earlier this year Adidas Oxford Street recently received a highly-coveted accolade at the World Retail Awards for ‘Outstanding Store Design (> 1200sqm). To find out more about Perega’s work in the retail sector, click here.

Consumerism has given rise to a massive problem of waste. Single use plastic, food wrappers, packaging, paper wipes, empty bottles and everything else we throw away ends up in landfills and keep piling up. At the rate humans are producing waste, it is not long before the planet runs out of space and thus, reducing waste production is the only way to go. If you are someone who goes around picking up thrown away furniture, wooden custom boxes, bottles etc, here are some fun upcycling ideas to transform trash to treasure. Bags Out Of Plastic However much you take the conscious decision of reducing packaging, there will be times when you simply can’t avoid a plastic packet. But instead of throwing them away, you can easily upcycle them and put them to good use. Collect and clean all your polythene bags, wrappers and other forms of plastic, even torn ones work. Lay them out flat and using a hot iron melt and mould them into a sheet of plastic. If needed layer up sheets for better reinforcement. This can be shaped into a sturdy shopping bag, waterproofing linings, packing etc. Crates For Storage, Display And Seating Discarded wooden crates are practically treasures as they can be put to many different kinds of uses. You can make the best of odd spaces such as under the bed and random nook by simply sticking a crate and storing things in it. It can keep your things sorted and thus, make it easier to find when needed. With a little basic carpentering skills you can convert multiple crates into a nice wardrobe for storage, a display unit for plants and such or even an affordable couch. If you do not want to put in the work, simply throw a cushion over it and use as a single-seater. Simply by adding some old fabric, these can be converted into pet beds for stray animals to take refuge in. Bottles As Décor While used bottles can be used to store drinking water, not all discarded bottles might be the safest for storing consumables. However you can put them to use in several ways. You can easily cut plastic bottles up, poke little holes and use them as planters or propagating pots for your garden. Smaller bottles, be it plastic or glass can be used to decorate. Throw in some pretty string lights o a candle and you have a beautiful light. These can also be painted, cut or decorated and made into pretty pieces to make your place look nicer and they also serve as great handmade gifts. Scraps for art Scraps of clothes, metals, single use cutlery and even electronic wastes such as chips and circuits, cables, wires etc can be repurposed into Halloween or Christmas decorations, stunning art pieces around your home, quirky gifts or even as art installations left outside for passers by to admire. You can use your old clothes to create fascinating patchwork rugs, bags, scarves and other pieces of clothing or décor. With a little imagination and work you can put every bit of non-biodegradable item into use and thus, effectively reduce the amount of waste that we leave out. Every little bit of effort goes a long way in better waste management and a cleaner planet