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Most people have updated to a flat screen TV now – lighter, less cumbersome and the picture is a world apart from the models of old. Finding the space on your TV stand for your DVD player or games consol though can be tricky, and the TV is far too heavy to simply plonk on top. Luckily the newly launched Flattvworld.co.uk is on hand to help with just this, offering a full range of solutions for flat screens.

Today’s answer to yesterday’s beanbag, the newly launched LoJo is both portable, flexible and, above all, a comfortable seat. When zipped, it forms a sphere shape, useful as a stool or footrest; when unzipped, it forms a stylish and contemporary lounge chair. The seat is filled with beans for comfort, whilst the back is sculpted to support your lower back, and there are a variety of different colours, fabrics and finishes to choose from. All designs are priced at £99 and are available online at Lojoball.com

Next time a light bulb blows, why not change it for an energy saving model from Lightbulbs-direct.com and its new Energy Saving Selector. It has over 200 different types of energy saving bulb to choose from with everything from standard light bulbs to halogen spot lights, candle bulbs to outdoor spotlights and more. Don’t know the technical spec of your bulb?

After the summer we’ve had, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little sun-deprived. But there is a way to be prepared next time a stretch of grey days gets you down, and that’s with this Sun Jar (£19.95) from Firebox. Equipped with a solar cell, battery and LED lights, this traditional-looking frosted glass container allows you collect sunlight. Just leave it by a window to collect energy; when darkness falls, it will provide you with a warm, ambient glow literally “stolen” from the sun. Next week: chasing rainbows.

When the sun does finally decide to show its face this summer, I for one, will be celebrating with a long picnic – and I wont’ be forgetting my favourite picnic accessory, the Steady Stick from Gilbert’s Food Equipment. Helping protect bottles, cans and glasses from the inevitable spillage, the Steady Stick will hold your drink above the grass, ensuring that your expensive Champagne or Chardonnay does not get spilt. Available in packs of two (approx £8.95).

Jam spoons left in the jam pot inevitably result in a sticky handle, sticky fingers and a general sticky mess. It’s a small annoyance in the grand scheme of things, but tiresome nevertheless, which is why Baileys Home & Garden has come up with this curved spoon. Simple, yet effective, it allows you to hang the spoon over the edge of the jar, keeping the handle squeaky clean, and ensuring a flawless start to the day. Priced at £4.50. Call 01989 561 931 for mail order.

Need an extra bed for your guests?

With the kids out of school for the summer, and a whole host of accidents waiting to happen, it’s worth bearing in mind that Magnet has a gallery of safety gadgets to help prevent disasters. A remote locking system (£157.90) for cupboards; lockable bleach cage (£125.90); a kiddie cam (£608.90) to help keep an eye on the little horrors; and this hob guard, which prevents hot pans (£73.90) being pulled of the hob when kids venture into the kitchen. Call 0845 123 6789 or visit Magnet.co.uk

With all the rain we’ve had this year, it’s good to be prepared before you leave the house. A classy and attractive way to keep your brolly ready to grab as you leave the house (or a place to put wet brollies in as you come in), this umbrella stand (ref. 16890) from Natural Collection has been hand-painted by a fairly traded cooperative in Kashmir and is priced at a reasonable £34.95. Call 0845 3677 001 to request a catalogue.

I spent quite some time browsing around Essentialbits.co.uk. A temple to all things useful, it offers a wide range of handy homeware gadgets for all areas of the home and garden. Whilst the Garden Tool Mobile (£13) offers an aesthetically pleasing way to hang all your garden tools in one place; pretty gauze food covers (£5) help keep flies off your lunch this summer. Meanwhile, these folding coat hangers (£5, now £3 per hanger) help prevent stretch t-shirt or dress collars, and are ideal for taking on holiday.

It’s often the simplest of ideas that are the most effective, and this is certainly true of the Flux door and window stopper from JWP. Made from high-grip rubber and designed in a stylish geometric shape, this is ideal for heavy sash windows – and a more practical wedge than your average shoe or book. High quality and weather-resistant, the Flux is a great way to keep homes ventilated during hotter summer weather, and is priced at just £3.95. To find your nearest stockist, call 01254 503 780.

A useful and well organised website, Homeofficeworld.co.uk offers a wide range of home office furniture solutions at up to 70 per cent less than usual prices. This Memphis Hideaway is an ideal buy for workaholics struggling to call an end to the day when working from home. A compact workstation during “office” hours, your computer, key board and documents can all be closed away when it’s time for that evening drink.

One of the major advantages of summer months is being able to dry your clothes outside, but washing lines can often take up more space than you’d like. An ideal alternative for the smaller outdoor space, this WallFix laundry dryer from Brabantia fixes unobtrusively to your outside wall. Whilst a simple one-handed pull extends the dryer to a substantial 2.5 metres; when the guests come round, you can tuck it all away discretely. Buy the WallFix (£74) by calling Brabantia on 0870 240 7641.