In the bathroom, an open storage trolley can sit in the middle of the room, around the base of the basin or in a corner near the bath. It is a practical place for soap, toothpaste, bath toys and shower gel without cluttering the floor—similar to the open storage pieces in La Redoute's Solution Maison range, where available.

We do not always think of décor as a health measure, yet indoor air matters as much as light or warmth at home. New furniture, paints, some glues and certain textiles release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). What we know today is straightforward: regular ventilation and low-emission materials can already reduce your exposure. In practice, your décor can become a preventive habit, room by room.

Slim storage trolley tucked around the base of the basin, with soap and bottles neatly stored
Three tiers around the basin keep the wet floor clear
Freshly painted living room with the window open and painting equipment on the floor
Paints and new furniture release VOCs, so open the windows wide

Open the windows wide after building work, after painting a wall or when a new piece of furniture arrives. This helps clear moisture and the pollutants that build up. Repeat it in the evening, especially in damp rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Rounded cherry-wood chest with tapered legs in a light-filled bedroom
Solid cherry wood gains a patina that a basic board never will
Clean-lined daybed by a window with a folded wool throw
Clean lines and a low seat make the daybed an easy fit by the window

Before you fall for a linen armchair or a dyed textile—a Louis XV bergère with country-house charm, for example—check the label: Oeko-Tex certification restricts the use of certain harmful substances in the material. Note, however, that it covers the textile's composition, not what happens to the furniture at the end of its life.

Cotton and linen lampshade lit with warm light in a living room at dusk
Warm light in the evening makes the end of the day feel gentler

A folding screen remains a useful ally in a living room: it divides one small space from another, hides a damaged wall, or gives you privacy when you are getting changed. A bright, colourful design adds a little life to an interior and earns its place as decoration.

Store bottles on a slim trolley tucked around the base of the basin: you gain storage without cluttering the wet floor. If you are sensitive to allergies, speak to a healthcare professional before rethinking the whole room.

Linen folding screen set up between two areas of a small room
A bright folding screen divides the room, hides a damaged wall and adds decoration

For lighting, a cotton or linen lampshade gives a softer light, and it is better to avoid very cool-toned LEDs in the evening: warmer light makes the transition to the end of the day easier. A floor lamp in a corner creates a cosy glow without glare. The large round IKEA lamps are another easy option: group a couple by an armchair for a reading corner.

Two large round paper lamps lit in a reading corner
Two large round lamps are enough to make a reading corner feel cosy

Choose furniture you intend to keep for years. Solid, repairable furniture tends to age better than a basic particleboard piece—think of the rounded cherry-wood Extra chest from French brand Cinna (availability in the UK varies), the Charlestone cherry-wood coffee table, or Cinna's clean-lined daybed. Sometimes one detail is enough to change a room—a warmer material, a lighter colour, a tile that catches the light, such as a glass-paste mosaic in blue and sea-green tones. It can make a surprising difference.

Blue and sea-green glass-paste mosaic catching the light
Glass paste catches the light and changes the whole room

There are plenty of places to find pieces like these: DIY stores, homeware retailers, independent makers or second-hand shops. Reuse centres and buying second-hand can lower the cost while avoiding a new piece of furniture—and they are often where you find the most distinctive pieces.

Cherry-wood coffee table with softened edges, holding a book and a vase
Softened edges and lively grain give the living room a softer look

The simple habit: open windows wide for a few minutes in the morning and evening, even in winter, rather than leaving one window slightly open all day. This renews the air without chilling the walls.

What to budget

As a broad guide for UK shoppers, expect to pay around £30–60 for a slim trolley, £40–120 for a fabric folding screen, and £40–150 for a floor lamp with a shade. A well-made linen armchair is more likely to cost between £150 and £500; a second-hand cherry-wood chest between £80 and £300; a coffee table between £80 and £250. Mosaic is usually priced by the square metre, with real variation depending on material and installation. What affects the price? Material (solid wood or board), finish, brand and where you buy it. The good news is that second-hand buying, reuse centres and end-of-line stock remain the best ways to keep costs down.

Sources

  • ADEME (the French agency for ecological transition), resources on indoor air quality.
  • Santé publique France (the French national public health agency), information on indoor air and its pollutants.
  • ANSES (the French agency for food, environmental and occupational health and safety).
  • Oeko-Tex, reference for the STANDARD 100 textile certification.