The hunt for a decent divan and bed sheets, food waste solutions, awnings and high-gloss vinyl

Need expert advice on your home? Email Zena at homes@sundaymirror.co.uk

Q - Where can I buy a 3ft 6in divan with drawers and a decent ­mattress?

John Board, by email

ZENA SAYS:Finding a 3ft 6in bed can be difficult as standard singles are 2ft 6in and 3ft. Mr Mattress (Call: 0191 233 2203) sells the Highgate silk 1000 divan at £329.95 with a pocket-sprung ­mattress. If you ­order from them and ­mention the Sunday ­Mirror they will send two free Silent Night ­Luxury Hollow-fibre ­pillows.

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Q - I’ve always had plain white duvet covers and pillowcases but have ­decided to add some colour to my bedroom. I still want a white duvet cover but with a small pattern in a subtle colour, not an all over pattern. What do you suggest?

Katie Jones, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

ZENA SAYS: A white cover with a trailing floral pattern or ­embroidery running along the top or sides is so simple, pretty and timeless. Bath, Bed and Home, fronted by pop star Paul Young, has a lovely fresh green design which I think you’ll like as the dominant colour is white. Their website has many designs at good prices. They also offer a colour-matching ­service which makes it easier to choose ­bedding, bath and living room products by ­colour and suggests ­accessories to match.

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Q - Last week you had a letter from someone who didn’t like the idea of a slop bucket to collect leftovers to put out for the binmen. I’d like to suggest an idea. Put leftover food in an old ice-cream tub and keep it in the freezer until collection day. That way it won’t smell.

Alison Kittle, by email

ZENA SAYS: Excellent ­low-tech, affordable idea, Alison. Thanks.

For great deals on household and kitchenware, see Readers Offers.

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Q - At the bottom of our garden is a six foot fence and conifers, Beyond the fence is a magnificent view and a farm track. We would like to remove the fence and conifers, build a small wall and on top place some see-through plastic panels of a reasonable height for security purposes so as to make the most of the view. Don’t know where to search for panels.

Christine Mallinson by email

ZENA SAYS: I mentioned your query to the man who came over to measure up for my new windows and by coincidence he had just completed a job of installing a glass ballustrade in a garden. He suggested 6mm safety glass, which you can order from a local merchant. You will have to consider how to fix it - a frame or metal posts, perhaps, but the glass-provider will be able to help with this.

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Q - Where can I find a mug which has a split handle for holding a spoon and no writing on the sides.

E Beer, Saltash, Cornwall

ZENA SAYS: How about these? The first is a set of three ­ceramic mugs in a ­paisley design with spoons and lids for £9.98. The second is a red and white heart print mug with a spoon for £5.38 for two. Both sets are from ­Amazon (Call: 0844 887 4999).

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Q - We live in a cedarwood bungalow and would like a retractable awning over our decking. The ideal size of this awning would be 2.5m x 2.5m as we are limited for space. However we can only find awnings of 3m x 2.5m which are too wide or 2.5m x 2m which do not project far enough. Do you know of any fims that make awnings of the size required,we could go an extra 0.25m on the width.

Bill Morgan, Llandrindod Wells, Powys

ZENA SAYS: The reason behind your difficulty in finding your size of awning is because most awning manufacturers require a space for the arm and workings that is a minimum 0.5 m wider than the projection. So 2.5m wide by 2m projection, or a 2m x 1.5m projection if fine but not a 2.5x x 2.5m projection.

However, there is a solution. Look for a manufacturer who use a crossover arm. This method of retracting the awning doesn’t require that extra half a metre on the width. You’ll have to contact the British Blind and Shutter Association (Call: 01449 780 444) to find a local supplier.

For great deals on outdoor, parasols, gaxebos and awnings, see Readers Offers.

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Q - About five years ago I wrote to you about a high gloss vinyl for my kitchen.

You ­recommended Nairn ­Cushionfloor Reflections Pure Indulgence and it was lovely.The gloss never faded no matter how many times I washed it.

I have now moved and ­want to use it again but it has been ­discontinued. Is there something else that you know of which is similar? I hope you can help as I now have twin grandsons who rush in and out bringing ­everything in from the garden!

Pam ­Connell, by email

ZENA SAYS: Unfortunately, as you say the range has been ­discontinued and there are no high-gloss finishes available in other ranges from Nairn, or even anything close. I tried all the major vinyl manufacturers and I couldn’t find anything with a gloss finish. If you are keen to stick with this look you will have to forget about vinyl and choose ­ceramic tiles or laminate. ­Installation costs are higher but you’ll get a tough finish that will last for years. I like Moradillo high gloss laminate flooring, £18.79 per sq m from Homebase. Call: 0845 077 8888.

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Savvy savers

Alison Cork gets you more... for less.

Get a head start on ­autumn by ensuring your radiator is the right size for your room. B&Q has a handy calculator to see how much power you’ll need.

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Need a bigger radiator but can’t afford an upgrade? Try the Radiator Booster Mk3, reduced from £24.99 to £15.29 at Play. It’s designed to increase your radiator’s efficiency by blowing air from the back of the radiator around the room with more force.

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Sell unwanted books at www.greenmetropolis.com and you will get £3 each for them. You’ll pay for postage but still make a few pence – and for avid readers the total will really start to add up...

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Caulk is great for sealing doors and windows. It also helps to keep rugs from ­slipping on hard floors.

Put several lines of it on the bottom of the rug, allow to dry and then lay on the floor. You’ll save on having to buy anti-slip underlays. Pick up a caulking gun for £1.85 at www.toolbox.co.uk and find caulk from 96p at www.screwfix.com

For great deals on DIY gear, see Readers Offers.

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Give your sofa the royal treatment with this funky red and gold ­embroidered crown cushion, £24 from Very (Call: 0844 822 2321).

Want regal style at a ­bargain price?

Head to B&Q where the Colours Collection crown cushion is just £3.98 (Call: 0845 609 6688).

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Combining sleek white lacquered surfaces with tapered oak legs, these side tables are a stylish twist on retro cabinets.

The Harrison dining storage unit costs £450 from Habitat (Call: 0844 499 1111).

Or save hundreds with a a Scandi-style ­Bergman cabinet for £129 from Made.

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The big news in speakers is the freedom of wireless technology. We’re excited about the Big Jambox.

It’s a small but powerful wireless speaker that can be moved from room to room wherever it’s needed... and it’s pretty cute, too.

Operated by Bluetooth technology the Jambox is also perfect for barbecues. With no cables, docking station or plugs, you get a sleek look.

It can be used for music, film, gaming and as a speaker phone. Priced £259.99 (Call: 020 3027 2094).

For great deals on Hi-Fis and technology, see Readers Offers.

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For more great shopping offers, visit Reader Offers.