FIF Blog
FIF Blog
mobile logo Slim Metal Legs: The TV Unit Detail That Makes All the Difference

Interior Design Tag

Slim Metal Legs: The TV Unit Detail That Makes All the Difference
September 27, 2026

Slim Metal Legs: The TV Unit Detail That Makes All the Difference

Slim metal legs change the way a TV unit sits in a room. By lifting the body off the floor, they let light and floor space run underneath, so the unit looks lighter and the room feels larger. In compact British homes, that visible floor makes a genuine difference to how spacious a living room feels. This article explains why metal allows legs to be so thin while still carrying a heavy television, and the practical benefits that follow: easier cleaning, better air circulation around equipment, room for deep skirting and pipework, and simpler floor protection. We compare hairpin, tapered, sled and pin legs, and show how black, brass and chrome finishes can link a TV unit to coffee tables, sideboards and light fittings. You will also find guidance on getting the height right for comfortable viewing, checking stability on uneven floors and pairing legs with wood, painted and gloss finishes....

Continue Reading
How to Get Designer Black TV Unit Style for Less
September 27, 2026

How to Get Designer Black TV Unit Style for Less

A black TV unit can look every bit as refined as designer furniture when you focus on the decisions that matter rather than the label. In this guide we explain why black works so well around a television, absorbing the dark rectangle of the screen so the whole wall feels composed. We compare matt black, black high gloss, smoked glass and ebonised wood effect finishes, and explain how each one handles light, fingerprints and everyday life. You will learn why a long, low silhouette with handleless doors looks more upmarket, how a single quality detail such as brass trim or fluting can elevate a piece, and why black needs warm textures nearby to avoid looking stark. We also cover flattering wall colours for north and south facing rooms, layered lighting, restrained styling on top and simple care for dark finishes. Follow these steps and a thoughtfully chosen unit will bring a tailored, sophisticated look to your living room....

Continue Reading
What Goes With a Floating TV Unit? A Coordinating Guide
September 27, 2026

What Goes With a Floating TV Unit? A Coordinating Guide

A floating TV unit pairs best with furniture that protects its main quality: the open floor beneath it. In this coordinating guide we work through the living room piece by piece to show how to build a calm, coherent scheme around a wall hung design. We look at the wall behind the unit, from soft paint colours to simple panelling, and how to mount the screen above at a comfortable height. We explain why sofas raised on visible legs suit floating units, how round and oval coffee tables soften the long horizontal line, and why a rug should usually stop short of the wall. You will also find advice on lighting that makes the unit appear to hover, storage that continues the airy look, and how to mix wood, gloss and matt finishes without the room feeling flat. Finally, we cover the common mistakes that undo the floating effect, so your room feels lighter, tidier and easier to live in....

Continue Reading
Dining Table Colour Trends for 2026: From Cream to Black
September 25, 2026

Dining Table Colour Trends for 2026: From Cream to Black

Dining table colours are moving in two directions at once. Warm creams, stone shades and pale natural oak are replacing the cool whites and greys that dominated for years, while black, charcoal and deep walnut are being used for contrast and drama. The common thread is warmth, with matt textures, visible grain and softer undertones replacing hard, cold finishes. In this guide we work through the full spectrum from the palest tones to the deepest. We cover cream and ivory for north facing rooms, the versatile family of stone, greige and mushroom shades, raw pale oak, returning honey tones, rich walnut and smoked oak, grounded charcoal and confident matt black. We also look at two tone tables that combine light and dark in one piece. Finally, we explain how chair colours change the way a table reads, and share practical questions about light, flooring and daily use to help you choose a colour you will be happy with long term....

Continue Reading
The Dining Table Trends Interior Designers Are Loving in 2026
September 25, 2026

The Dining Table Trends Interior Designers Are Loving in 2026

The dining table trends interior designers keep returning to share a clear theme: tables that feel tactile, softly shaped and built for everyday living. Round and oval shapes are softening boxy British rooms and encouraging easier conversation. Marble, travertine and sintered stone tops bring natural variation and individuality, while warm walnut and oak are replacing the cool greys of recent years. Beneath the table, sculptural pedestal bases in fluted and cylindrical forms are becoming a feature in their own right. Designers are also moving away from fully matched sets, mixing benches, carvers and upholstered chairs in boucle and velvet for a more personal look. In this article, we explore each direction in detail, including earthy colour palettes, statement lighting and honed, touchable finishes, and explain why each is resonating. We also share practical advice on adopting a trend without regret, so your dining table continues to suit your home long after fashions move on....

Continue Reading
Dining Chairs and Console Tables: Creating a Coordinated Look
September 25, 2026

Dining Chairs and Console Tables: Creating a Coordinated Look

Console tables are no longer just for hallways. In dining rooms and kitchen diners they offer a serving surface, storage for linen and a place for a lamp or artwork, all without the depth of a sideboard. When they relate well to your dining chairs, the whole room feels planned and complete. In this guide we explain how to coordinate the two by repeating a material, working with colour and echoing shapes such as tapered legs or rounded corners. We cover where to position a console so it never interrupts chairs being pulled back, and how height and width affect balance across the room. We also share advice on styling the console with purpose, using lamps, mirrors and a few chosen objects while keeping space clear for serving. Three example schemes show the ideas in practice, and we finish with common mistakes to avoid, from overly deep consoles to matching everything too exactly....

Continue Reading
Luxury Dining Table and Chairs Set Looks on a Sensible Budget
September 25, 2026

Luxury Dining Table and Chairs Set Looks on a Sensible Budget

A dining room that feels indulgent rarely depends on how much was spent. It depends on proportion, texture and restraint. In this guide we explain how to achieve a luxury dining table and chairs look on a sensible budget by focusing on the details that genuinely change how a room reads. We start with table surfaces that have depth, such as high gloss lacquer, glass, stone effect tops and rich veneers, and explain why chairs often make a stronger impression than the table itself. Velvet upholstery, tufting, curved silhouettes and brass legs all bring a tailored quality. We look at why buying a coordinated set can be a smart move, how to keep your colour palette tight and deliberate, and why a well scaled pendant or chandelier on a dimmer does more for atmosphere than almost anything else. Finally, we cover rugs, table styling and supporting pieces like sideboards and mirrors, so the whole room feels finished and calm....

Continue Reading
Dining Chair Colour Trends for 2026: From White to Charcoal
September 25, 2026

Dining Chair Colour Trends for 2026: From White to Charcoal

Dining chair colours are settling into a warm, grounded spectrum that runs from soft white and ivory through oatmeal, taupe and mushroom to slate and deep charcoal. In this guide we explore the character of each shade and where it works best. We explain why softer whites have replaced brilliant white, why oatmeal and stone are such versatile everyday neutrals, and how taupe and mushroom bring quiet sophistication, particularly in velvet. We also look at the shift from cool blue greys to warmer greys, and at the growing confidence with which charcoal and slate are being used to frame a table. Practical sections cover mixing colours around one table, graduating shades for a soft ombré effect, and the important role texture plays in how a colour appears. Finally, we explain how to choose for north or south facing rooms and busy households, which accent colours and metals pair well, and answer common questions in a short FAQ....

Continue Reading
Dining Chair Colour Trends for 2026: From Grey to Navy
September 24, 2026

Dining Chair Colour Trends for 2026: From Grey to Navy

Dining chair colours are moving away from cool, flat greys towards warmer, deeper shades, with navy leading the change. In this guide we explain what that shift looks like and how to make it work in your own dining space. We begin with why grey is evolving rather than disappearing, and how warm greys and greige offer a gentle update for rooms that still want a neutral base. We then explore slate and stormy blues as a bridge between grey and navy, before looking at navy itself as a versatile, grounding choice that suits both modern and period homes. Supporting colours such as forest green, terracotta and caramel toned leather are covered too, along with honest advice on how natural light in north and south facing rooms affects each shade. Finally, we suggest how to pair these colours with wood, gloss and marble tables, and how to mix chair colours confidently for a relaxed, current look....

Continue Reading
What Goes With an Upholstered Dining Chair? A Coordinating Guide
September 24, 2026

What Goes With an Upholstered Dining Chair? A Coordinating Guide

Upholstered dining chairs pair well with tables in solid wood, marble or stone, and glass; with a low sideboard in a complementary finish; with a rug that shares at least one colour from the fabric; and with warm, layered lighting that flatters the texture of the upholstery. The key is to let the chairs bring softness while the other pieces provide structure, and to repeat colours or materials at least twice around the room so the scheme feels intentional. In this guide we look at coordinating upholstered chairs with each of the main table materials, with storage, rugs, curtains and walls, and with the lighting above the table. We also explain how to handle patterned upholstery, how to balance soft and hard surfaces, and how to make fabric chairs work in an open plan space that also contains a sofa and kitchen. It is a practical, room by room approach rather than a set of rigid rules....

Continue Reading