While modular furniture has been popular for years now, there’s so much of it about that it can be a case of seen one newly furnished apartment, seen them all.

There are only so many leather corner sofas (low-backed, chrome legs, usually white), lacquered wall units (white or black) and glass or wenge coffee tables that one can take.

That’s not to say, of course, that there’s anything wrong with this type of furniture. Italian style design is attractive – and unfussy and hard to get wrong – yet with so many of us buying the same items, there seems to be a dearth of originality in the interior design of our homes.

And we should want originality. Copying a brochure, purchasing every piece in it, is not the way to go. Our homes are supposed to not only reflect our personal tastes but to be comfortable and practical, meeting our own very particular needs.

A glass coffee table, complete with sharp corners, is not a great buy when your children need to lean on it when they do their homework. A low-lying bed is not ideal for anyone who has back problems.

Furniture lacquered within an inch of its life looks lovely until it’s covered in fingerprints. The key is to shop around and find the modular pieces that really appeal and work for you and then to take these items and mix them up with different kinds of furniture.

It’s not easy of course to make a personal design statement. Most local stores stock Italian design pieces and it can seem as though that’s all that’s available. However, there are other options on the market offering everyone the chance to create something that little bit different.

A first option can be to check the shops more thoroughly. There are shops, one-offs and small chains, which source from England and France instead of Italy, or source unusual items from Italy.

Walk down side streets and find that little shop that sells unusual mirrors or the one that imports painted desks from Morocco.

There are people who import regularly from Sweden. You can have furniture easily shipped here from almost anywhere. Ask for brochures and see what’s on offer.

You can also go bespoke. This means finding someone, a carpenter or other craftsperson, who can create something unique. Fortunately, Malta has innumerable skilled carpenters. Find one who comes with a good recommendation and tell them or show them exactly what it is you’re looking for.

Don’t be put off by having to wait a few months; shop-bought furniture is seldom immediately available. Once you’ve found a good carpenter, you can really play with design.

If you want a high bed, with concealed storage, or a quirky looking coffee table with curved legs and an unusual finish, a carpenter can deliver. I had a carpenter make two beds, each with a pull out. I wanted one sprayed white and slightly decorative and one in maple and somewhat plainer and that was exactly what I got.

And I had them made that little bit longer than normal too. With beds, don’t be afraid to go for the exact size you want. There are plenty of places in Malta that can make a mattress to your exact requirements.

Ebay is another great way of finding unusual items. While many sellers won’t have listed the cost of shipping to Malta, contact them and ask how much it would cost.

You can also try local site Maltapark, and look out for house clearances that are advertised in the papers. You can do a lot with older style furniture simply by painting or spraying it. White paint on old, decorative shelves, chests or wardrobes looks fantastic. Buy unusual door handles to finish off the look.

You can also use your imagination to rework furniture that you already own. Sanding and painting surfaces in unusual colours provides unique items. Swap things with friends. Make use of what they no longer need and rework them. And look out for unusual accessories.

The current design trend is a move away from minimalism and a move towards ‘busy design’, which means lots of brightly coloured and mismatched cushions, throws and rugs. Add decals (large adhesive transfers) to walls – easily available online and simple to put on walls. (There are so many different designs to choose from, no one is likely to have the same as you).

Go for oversized clocks on walls and quirky lights on ceilings. And have a go at reupholstering (comfortable) sofas in bright fabrics. You can have them done professionally or sew loose covers that can be thrown over your sofa, as is.

Group different-sized photo frames together and hang pictures that mean something to you rather than mass produced paintings that match the sofa. Frame your children’s artwork and stories; create art from coloured scarves and a hat stand.

Do what works for you to make your property less of a brochure advert and more of a home.

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