I've spent many a Saturday afternoon popping down to Grieves when I've been doing a touch of DIY…read morearound the house. It's wonderful to have something like this just around the corner when you need a particular type of screw, tool or appliance to finish a small project. I've bought new light switches, wood stain, Unibond for tiling the bathroom walls and even cleaning products. The gentleman in here is very friendly and knowledgeable so just ask him if you're not sure what you need.

Boundary DIY is a proper old fashioned hardward shop and the best thing about it is that it's on…read moreBoundary Rd so you can pop in when you're doing your other shopping. I don't have a car so sometimes going to the out of town shops can be too much. This place is handy and the staff are ever so helpful.

If you're anything like me and you think you can manage any home improvement yourself to save a…read morepretty penny or two, then you might want to know that there's a couple of Jewsons in Brighton that can save the day. There isn't anything that they don't cover, from bathrooms, kitchens, fixings, painting, decorating, plumbing, heating, joinery, ironmongery.... If its all a bit overwhelming then do what I do and get one of the helpful staff to frogmarch you to the aisle and shelf you've been looking for. I've been in here countless times recently to fix a door, find a new tap and choose some tiles with friends. Is it sad to say admit that coming to Jewson has been the highlight of my weekend?

There's nothing inspirational about Homebase. I'd never…read moredream of buying a kitchen or bathroom for them. Their styles are too plain and cookie cutter for my taste. Likewise, their plant and garden section never knocks me off my feet. If I need to get paint or polyfilla however, I know I'm onto a winner. They also mix paints in store so if they haven't got the exact shade you want on the shelf, it's well worth thumbing through the colour strips and choosing one to get made up. Price-wise, Homebase is about the same as B&Q give or take a few pennies.

As Homebase stores go, this one stands out from the rest. We'll laid out, as are the others, but…read moreit is the staff that makes the difference here. So helpful, pleasant, cheerful and obviously enjoy working there. The store always has some items for sale., and always at a good mark down....recommended.

I could spend a fortune in this place and quite happily kit my entire house out with everything…read moreavailable in the shop (maybe except the cut in half canoe). It really is understated furniture that I think you could put your own touches too if need be. Shop owner Michael Keehan has only been open for 5 months but has already had a large amount of customers ordering stock. He describes the furniture as 'eclectic and re-cycled for generations'. A lot of it seems to be made form old and re-claimed materials so does have that old antique feeling about it. There's plenty to have a look at in the shop and quite a bit outside also. Prices range quite a bit depending on which piece so best to phone or better still pop in and have a nose.

From the owner: Set in a beautiful old chapel, selling an eclectic mix of antique furniture, decorative items,…read moresalvage, vintage and industrial furniture homeware, you can now also enjoy a wide range of refreshments at Franklin's cafe, with a cosy log burner for winter and a sunny south facing terrace in the summer. We are also the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist in Sussex and hold regular furniture Painting workshops on site.