The Bankrupt Shop is fab, it's like a big jumble sale but without the junk. This store is quite…read morelarge ad stock all sorts of furniture like nests of tables and chairs and stools, ornaments and mirrors and photo frames as well as soft furnishings: curtains cushions, throws and of course masses of material for the haberdashers amongst us. The prices are reasonable, although "bankrupt" implies something on par with poundland, its not quite that cheap, but you'll find a bargain. I'm not sure whether a delivery servce is available as lots of the items are quite large and bulky I should think there would be.

Lounge Boutique describes itself as "comfortably chic, elegantly shabby" and I have to agree with…read morethem. It's charming indeed. There is a subtle and classic look about the furniture and homeware on sale here with selections of whitewashed wooden pieces on offer and grand mirrors draped in fabric. I love the little details from the decorative storage boxes and wire mannequins laced with flowers to the cute baby gifts which are scattered across the delicate furniture. Flags and fairy lights and mini pirate hangers, teddies and baby mobiles for the crib will make you want to buy it all up in bulk for your little 'un. Selling items to make a house a home, you'll find some gorgeous treasures in Lounge Boutique to decorate your pad with.

Zara Home whose appropriate next door neighbour is Zara, appears quite camouflaged as its outer…read morecolours blend in with Zara, so most of the time I walk past this without realising. I kick myself for not noticing because this neat little home ware shop offers a whole load of items, which are ideal to make your home look pretty and shiny. Amongst their terrific variety of products, they sell everything from crockery, linen to furniture and beds. You wouldn't think for a small shop like this, that they offer such a decent selection. Whilst prices are moderate, most items appear to be of decent quality. I wouldn't be too surprised if this store attracts many housewives and mothers. This store is perfect for transforming your home, such as making your mantle piece look ten times more fabulous!

Glitz is quite a unique little business providing customized display pieces for your home. There's…read morea huge range of vases and artificial flowers, stems and feathers which are combinedand arranged to customer specification or sold separately for individual creative ideas. Flowers and jewels are sold which could be used for alternative decorative uses and mirrors and ornaments are also on sale. I think this is a great business idea; you can buy something unique for your own home or createa personalised gift for a friend, it's a new take on the traditional bouquet, and it lasts forever!

HomeSense is a chain of discount home furnishing stores, it is owned by TK Maxx, who also has a…read morestore next to this one in the Manchester Arndale. like TK Maxx the branding/styling of the name is different on this side of the Atlantic. The store is large and has a good selection of bits and bobs, from pillows to appliances, from ice cube trays and cheese-graters. Considering, they're supposed to be a "discount" chain, I did find some prices to be a little high, if you're lucky you'll find a high-quality item with a good discount/offer though, so it's kind of like a TKMaxx jumble sale but replacing the clothes with home items. The staff seemed friendly and happy to help me find what I was looking for, and the experience at the checkout was smooth. This is a fairly good store, obviously, some deals are better than others, but probably the best selection of home furnishing in the Manchester Arndale, with a fairly presentable store and helpful staff. 4*

I'm kind of in love with this shop. It's dreamy! The window displays are whimsical and they're sure…read moreto draw you in every time. The seasonal produce is brilliant, both food items and general home ware. They've got the Christmas stock in at the moment and it's absolutely gorgeous, snow globes and crockery, bath products and food. You name it :) I had to drag myself out of the shop before I spent my entire pay check. I love that you can get top quality, one off items here are a very decent price. The staff are always helpful and the store is clean and well presented. They also have a pretty good reduced to clear range. If you're in to DIY like me you can pick up something that's a little damaged for a ridiculous price and fix it up at home. I've saved so much doing this. I also find this shop to be ideal for gift shopping as they stock such a wide range of products, the packaging tends to be beautiful and I can pick up items here that I wouldn't normally see in other shops.

Taskers DIY is almost like a version of Ikea but not as grand enough if you were to spend a whole…read moreday browsing their furniture and garden sections. This branch in Long Lane is a fairly large establishment compared to the branch in Wavertree. They sell a massive variety of products for your home, no matter how big or small a job you have. Staff will be there to help choose or find your items and give you a price estimate for that new bathroom suite or laminate flooring. Prices in general for DIY essentials are not too bad, obviously depending on the brand and type of item. Most of the time, you will find what you are looking for and not have to run around in circles since they have well displayed signs for each category. Taskers is certainly a decent store and up there with the best; it sells quality products at competitive prices therefore it is always worth a gander.

This is a great place to come if you have just moved into a new place or if you fancy redecorating…read more Their range includes eighteen departments of furniture and furnishings for every room in your house and garden plus DIY equipment and tools for all the services. They have a good selection of contemporary and conventional furniture styles. I've started saving for a new Parker Knoll chair. Although the business has been around 50 years and has a few stores around Liverpool, its still independently owned. Any queries will probably be answered by John Tasker son of the founder Jack. With their own kitchen designers, paint mixing, timber cutting and delivery services, this is an excellent alternative to soulless big chain shopping.

Calico Skies is a very interesting shop. The shop is mainly fireplaces but also has lots of…read morebeautiful interior products to fill your home with and make it look awesome. I went in for the interiors rather than the fireplaces. Interior wise they really do have a good range, including picture frames, pictures, beautifully designed glass vases, candles, lamps, clocks, mirrors, chest of draws, candle holders, wooden baskets, glass bowls and chairs. I think my favourite was a very artistic glass vase with a green and black fired pattern on. I would definitely recommend a smooch around the shop.

A must for emerging and established knitters, Purlesque is a gorgeous boutique that sells beautiful…read morewool, yarn, buttons and crochet books. If you haven't got the patience or fingertips to stitch yourself, they also sell adorable hand-made bags, accessories and homeware. I love the mix of DIY jewellery, tote-bags, scarves and cushions but it's the knitted cupcakes and tea-cosies that I have my eye on. You bring the jam and scones, I'll get the kettle on...

This is a lovely little haberdashery store. The staff here are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable…read more Amongst the goodies on sale there is wool, yarn, buttons, jewellery beads, crochet kits, knitting patterns, bags, cushions, fabric and scarves. Everything is arranged neatly and the shop is a joy to browse around. This is a great little shop for when you're feeling a bit crafty :)

Loads of Wallpaper - you are bound to find one you like. Very good prices and trendy designs…read moreavailable aswell as more classic styles. Upstairs they have a very cool area with more expensive items to dress your homeif only!

Tramway stables, cow sheds, motor bus proprietors, telephone call office, picturedrome, cinema,…read moreknitwear factory and DIY store- never has a building had such a varied history as the one that is now the Handyman's Supermarket. It's worth visiting if only to catch a whiff of sawdust, also known as the international smell representing things getting done, manfully. This is a store that looks at glossy bungler-havens like B&Q before shaking its head and smiling with a faint air of pity. The place is so comfortable in its mettle that it doesn't need to tidy up. Tools and bits of wood are strewn across the bare floorboards and you half expect the back corner to be occupied by a burly blacksmith belting a horse-shoe into shape. That's not to say it's arrogant. The staff here are superlatively helpful and will listen with eager patience as you waffle on about what angle of doorstop you need or what kind of hammer you require to wrench nails out of a botched picture frame. Then they shall find the item within arm's reach, making you feel like an utter cretin. Also, they cut keys.

Oh this is more like it. A real manly shop amidst the students and namby pamby bohemians of…read moreSmithdown. A place a man can get any hardware and, tool stuff he needs to, chop things and, drill stuff. I went in purely to have a look around for a review and see what is what. I have very little need to often shop in these places, even when working for tv drama art departments I tend to just have a bash at hammering something with anything heavy and blunt or just use gaffer tape - usually solves any problem. So I went in. Yep, screws, drills, hinges. Until I was asked 'need any help?' And obviously not wanting to look a complete pleb by giving the usual 'just looking' - because I am in a specialist, hardware shop and must have reason for being there - I ended up leaving with a tube of polyfilla and and a bag of nails. Damn this male pride.