Decorating an apartment is easy, right? Wrong? It's a minefield! We have plain white walls in a few…read moreof the rooms, so pretty much a blank canvas. You'd think this would make it straight forward to choose paint and wallpaper but it really doesn't. It makes it more confusing, like where do you start? So, that's where Noblett's come in! I had never heard of the place before but apparently it's pretty notorious and is the go to place for wallpaper and paint. On a trip in to town on Saturday we decided to pop in here to have a gander at some stuff. There's roll upon roll of wallpaper over two floors so after about 10 minutes each roll becomes the same pattern and if you stare at them too long you start seeing other things, kinda like Magic Eyes. The choice is endless, so my recommendation (now that I'm an expert) is to go in to Noblett's with a clear idea of what you want. The store is conveniently separated in to different rooms. They do give out samples but you have to ask the staff to cut the sample off the rolls - they seem pretty strict on this as there's signs everywhere. The staff themselves are really helpful. The store is well staffed and there will generally be a member of staff within shouting distance. All in all a really good store - it's nice and personal and still has that family business feel to it.

Nice selection of paint & wall paper but customers be warned , once you had over your money in this…read moreshop you have NO CHANCE of a refund . If your unsure of how many rolls of wall paper to buy and take an extra then realise its not needed then don't expect a refund . Credit note is the best you will get from them so beware

WOW!!! Customer Service at its ultimate!!! 5 Stars I needed…read morea specific colour and pattern of rug for a newly decorated room and had hunted high and low for weeks...nothing!!! I passed by on Wednesday 18th May on my way home from work....did a double take ....the rug I needed was in the window....5 minutes later the rug was rolled up, I had paid and was laughing with the staff who were exceptionally attentive and friendly. I bought my rug for £50 in The Bedlinen Warehouse - the same rug was £60 cheaper than B&Q who had also stopped stocking the colour I needed....need I say more??? I will be returning for cushions to complement the rug and wall art too....my bedrooms are next for a complete makeover....if I could give 10 STARS I would...Excellent value and Excellent customer service.

I'm not sure how long this branch has been here in Belfast's High Street, but it seems to be doing…read morewell. Of course it's in direct competition with the likes of Harry Corry and The Spinning Wheel, which are both nearby, but it does pull you in off the street with its bright window displays and offers. I called in looking for a gift to by my Mother in Law, what with her big recent house move and redecorating mission, and there were some nice bedding sets on sale and the staff were instantly determined to look after me and help me get what I needed. I didn't buy anything in the end, because I just couldn't quite see a set that would match what the Mother in Law was doing décor wise in her bedroom, but they really did have a wide choice available and at good prices.

I was lured in to Doris and Jeanie today by the chalk drawn sign on the street outside, it said…read more'Keep it local' and being a fan of all things local I was in there like a rat up a drain pipe. When I got in I was amazed at all the bits and bobs but being a little bit clumsy I kept picturing myself knocking something over with one swing of my man bag and causing a domino effect. With this in mind I kept my distance from all the trinkets. There was a strong smell of varnish or paint coming from the back of the shop and when I had a closer nosey I noticed one of the staff was being all arts and crafty (technical term). I couldn't exactly tell what he was doing and he looked pretty focused so I left him to it. This is definitely the type of shop I would come back to if I was getting one of the females in my life a present. There's some nice home décor items and if you're going for the quirky vintage look in your home I would drop in to see what's on offer.

While I like to think I'm hip, show me a cutesy shop with niknaks and I'm through the door like a…read moreshot. Right in the middle of the buzzing Belmont Road this is one of those places. While it prides itself on chalk paint (they also do classes in how to use it) I don't have the patience to upscycle anything. I do love a look round though, as they have a wonderful selection of gifts for the home and if you are in need of any sort of candle holder or little clock or picture for the mantelpiece, this is the spot for you. They've opened an even bigger shop in town now, but for small, local service you'll find me in here, buried in cushions and trinkets.

Utopia is my first port-of-call when I know someone's birthday is coming up, or at Christmas…read moretime...you're pretty much guaranteed to find something in here you know that person will like. The variety is huge - massive wooden chess sets to quirky key rings and everything in between. There's nothing cheap or tacky, just beautiful gifts at incredibly affordable prices. The last time I was (it was only last week, due to their being a friend's birthday on the horizon), I was served by the most friendly lady I've ever had the pleasure of speaking to. She really was genuinely lovely, and that really made the trip for me. There's nothing better than decent customer service, and I definitely experienced some top class service that day. With some of the loveliest ranges in town, and wonderfully helpful staff, Utopia really is a must see...you won't be disappointed.

Yeah I have no complaints about Utopia. I'm glad there is only one of its kind in Belfast as that…read morekeeps the family who run it in trade and the customers flocking back. I love to go in at Christmas time as my mum has a thing for Christmas decorations and this is the best place in town to get a quality piece at a really good price. It houses such a mixture of goodies you could spend hours just browsing. There is a massive selection if ornaments such as statues of dogs, animals and fairies. They also have a large collection of really nice inexpensive costume jewellery. You can pick up anything in here from a rubber chicken to a ceramic panda. It is definitely the place to go for gifts of any sort. I was bought a poker set from here many moons ago and I still treasure it as although it wasn't really expensive it has the feel of a luxury item.

Maven is a shop and also offers interior design services. It's a lovely space selling beautiful…read morehousehold items, ceramics, furniture, textiles and gifts. I especially like the Derek Wilson ceramics and the fact you can purchase Northern Irish magazine Freckle from Maven. So even if you're not wealthy enough to use an interior designer (or just like to do your own) you can pick up some beautiful bits and pieces for your home. However the minimalist, simple, natural, muted style Maven trade in wont be to everyone's taste. Well worth a browse though. Unfortunately the shop is small so you'll see a greater range of items on their website: http://www.wearemaven.co.uk/home.

A real hidden gem stocking some beautiful modern furnishings, accessories and locally produced…read moretoiletries. Its in a very nicely restored little hall just off the busy Lisburn Rd and the lady behind the counter couldn't be friendlier, full of great tips on places to eat and other interesting shops in the area (nearly as good as yelp :). A great place to browse and get inspired by modern Scandinavian style...

After a holiday in Andalucia once years ago I came home obsessed with things Moorish, especially…read morethe tiles. A search led me to Fired Earth which to this day still has beautiful patterned Moorish and Turkish tiles as well as other great colours. The shop has expanded into the realms of fitting out kitchens and bathrooms. Fired Earth also does its own own paint range and supplies National Trust colours. It's a real pleasure to visit. Furthermore, the staff didn't take the blindest bit of notice of me which was good as I was unashamedly browsing only though they're probably used to hordes of gawpers which is what you get for having such a superior shop.

I had no intention of actually buying anything from here or hiring anyone to redecorate my house…read more I'm so lazy that the prospect of other people doing work around me leaves me needing a nap, so this was purely a nosey visit. As Diarmuid P has already said, they do focus on bathroom and kitchen furniture and honestly, after seeing the show room, I only wish I could afford to have them come in and move 2/3's of their shop into my house, or at least let me sub let the show room. Top quality design and installation at a price that seems reasonable for someone who's not a recently graduated pauper!

Bright Living is one of those shops which feels quite small but has an amazing amount of things to…read morebuy! Jewellery, pictures, candles, furniture, lighting, table ware and now, miraculously, clothes too! It's an upmarket little place but many of the lovely trinkets are surprisingly affordable. It's perfect for teacher's gifts, birthday presents, and treats for your own self too, because you're worth it of course! I love the big chunky bracelets and necklaces they do with lots of bling hanging off them - hearts and coins and that kind of thing. Bracelets are about £12 and necklaces £30ish so it's affordable and they look much more expensive than that. I also have a lovely chunky Perspex ring which cost me a rather purse friendly £7 and which I wear almost every day. Other good buys are the candles in tins. I bought one for the hostess of a dinner party I was going to and she loved it . Oh yes, must confess I bought one for myself too - cinnamon is a much better smell around the house than my boys' smelly trainers. The clothes are on the expensive side but would be perfect for a special occasion . I splurged on a jacket by Z Biz for a work function and it looks reassuringly expensive!

From the owner: The store offers Home Accessories, Furniture, Lighting, Wall Art, Mirrors, Home Fragrance, Gifts,…read moreJewellery and women's sleepwear. Other services include Interior Design, Soft Furnishings Design, Made-to-measure Upholstery and bespoke furniture.

When you are bored of flat pack and the idea of IKEA brings you out in a sweat, get yourself down…read moreto Creations. Looking for a chest of drawers with a friend I was dragged in on a Saturday afternoon (not my favourite way to spend the weekend), but I must honestly admit to being surprised. The place is enormous, very easy to get lost in, and while I wasn't the one buying they had so much furniture to suit most tastes and wallets. What I was most impressed by was their selection of accessories, and while before I didn't think I'd need a giant Buddha head I my living room, I'm totally considering one now.

Definitely one of the superior interior shops in Belfast. It's in a bit of a strange location so…read morethat's why I'm sure more people don't know about it. The place is absolutely huge inside with room after (fake) room of lovely furniture and other householdy stuff. The furniture seems to be off good quality and the staff are always helpful to advise on sizes and other price options as well which is nice. I bought a bed in here not so long ago and it was a pretty effortless exercise unlike my experience at IKEA around the same time where there was a massive screw-up with the delivery of a sofa. That's a rant for another day though. I really am always impressed when I visit here, the selection is second to none and the price range is right across the spectrum so you should always find something to fit the budget. Pros: Huge selection, well laid out. Cons: There's a lot to get through.

There must be 8 (no exaggeration) coffee shops/cafés in a mile stretch on the Lisburn Road and they…read moreall have their little things that make them what they are. Bedeck's little thing is that it is joint on to a home décor/ gift shop. I think Bedeck started off as a gift shop with a small café but now it seems that the hop plays second fiddle to the popular café. The décor of the café is great - the shop front is all glass so there's a lot of natural light beaming in which makes it a nice working environment, if the Wi-Fi was better. The Wi-Fi was so poor in fact that I cut my visit short but not before I had eaten. I ordered a Bacon and Chili Jam wrap, which was delightful, the wrap was packed to the brim and served with a side salad and some homemade coleslaw. They had a few different warps on the menu but that one took my fancy. I don't think Bedeck Café is the type of place you'll get a stodgy lunch; it's more of a quick snack stop. Good news is they make a mean coffee and if you order an Americano like I did expect it to be served up in a huge bowl style mug. I liked Bedeck but it didn't have the wow factor - I think the awful Wi-Fi put me off slightly.

I always feel I have to walk gracefully in Bedeck as it is such a beautiful shop. Am I weird? I…read morethink I know the answer. So anyway, I glide about Bedeck when I need something like a housewarming gift or a cheer myself up gift. I also have to be feeling flush as Bedeck is not a cheap place to shop. But the stock is just so darn lovely. Bedeck is all about tasteful interiors. As well as offering a bespoke interior design service, they also sell all manner of what I call trinkets for your home - candle holders, vases, wine glasses, photo frames, lamps and artificial flowers. They sell lots of things from a home accessories company called SIA which I am just mad about. Everything on offer is totally upmarket and totally fab - lots of glass and crisp cotton and the kind of napkin rings which will transform your next dinner party. Well I believe it anyway. Downstairs is home to the most beautiful bedding for adults and kids - Designers Guild and Sanderson so we're talking pricey here. Mind you, my younger child has Designers Guild bed linen (does he appreciate it? He's 6, what do you think?) which I snaffled in Bedeck at 70% off which made it affordable and the quality is amazing. Speaking of kids, it's probably best that you visit Bedeck without yours if you have any of the little blighters. Otherwise you will be a frazzled wreck. Or £50 worse off when you pay for something that has been broken,

Absolutely beautiful furniture, such unique pieces. The staff are very knowledgeable and…read moreexceptionally friendly!

Wow - Bright lights everywhere! Exclusive Designs is located just inside the Royal Avenue entrance…read moreof Castecourt, if you're coming in from the street on a sunny day don't bother taking your sunglasses off because Exclusive Designs is bright. There are so many shiny objects in this shop, physicists could use it to stage some sort of refraction or reflection experiment. Exclusive designs sell all sorts of home decorations, furniture, lamps, mirrors, vases and odd light fixtures. Looking at a few price tags it all seemed priced quite well and I noticed that they have payment plans available if you really want a bright red TV stand but just can't quite afford it this month. Exclusive Designs is not really to my taste but it is certainly popular in Belfast. If you're in to home decorations then pay them a visit - I'm sure you'll find something in their huge stock that you love.