Junk Again is another fantastic furniture place that doesn't require you be to snobby and rich to…read morepurchase their goods. I like Habitat, don't get me wrong, but really, why bother when you can get good quality furniture for much less. Especially if you are a student! Which is perfect for this area. Flocks of students come and go through Leeds, moving every year and needing to get rid of or attain furniture every time they do. Junk Again are aware of this and have cleverly positioned themselves not far from the postcodes that are predominantly student populated. If you are looking for a cabinet, a table, or arm chair, or are looking to get rid of, a fridge, a freezer, or chimney pot, Junk Again is a great place to go. They are slightly chaotic but that just adds to that old fashioned feel of shops of this type. Plus no-one will look down their polished nose at you as they so often do in Habitat.

When my friends and I moved house last year we opted for a grand four bedroom house that was…read moreunfurnished as it wold cost us a little less. That, sadly, was not the case in the end but that's more to do with the Estate Agent and building than anything else. However, pretty much the only thing that we required for our move was a sofa and some arm chairs. Enter: Junk Again! My old housemate had spotted Junk Again on her way through Woodhouse and suggested that we tried here for a cheap second hand suite. I was game for any bargain and so when she called me, all a fluster, to tell me about this awesome sofa, two arm chairs and a pouffe for a mere £40, I came immediately to the scene. Yes. That's right. All that for forty flippin' pounds. The friendly chap explained that he had planned to have them cleaned but hadn't yet, so was willing to let them go for that much - all we needed to do was clean them. No probs, Handy Hire in Headingley solved that one for us dirt cheap too! We couldn't have been more chuffed. Inside you'll find an array of lovely old furniture and the odd antique, for seriously cheap prices. My advice is: if you're moving look here first. I've a few more things I need myself so I'm planning a re-visit very soon...

Pad is an independent furniture shop with 3 floors full of a wide range of furniture and home ware…read more Before entering you have to ring a bell to be let in, which gives it a rather upmarket feel, though seems a bit unnecessary. The furniture is mainly wooden dining furniture, tables of different sizes, shelves and wardrobes. There is also an array of smaller bits and bobs including mirrors, vases, paintings, ornaments, lamps, picture frames etc. so it's quite a good place for homely gifts as well as bigger household purchases. Generally the style here is tasteful with a bit of character, with most designs quite simple but with an unusual touch, such as the basketwork dining chairs or blocky wooden drawers with chunky square handles. The products at Pad aren't cheap but they appear to be of high quality and you can find pieces that really stand out, such as a circular mirror framed by large carved chunks of wood that would be the centrepiece of any room. If you like confident style with character, and natural materials then Pad is definitely worth a look whether you're furnishing your home or just looking for a mirror or vase to liven up a tired room.

If like me you're more of a fan of dark wood furniture and struggle to find it in the chain…read morefurniture shops I'd definitly recommend paying a visit to Pad at Kirkstall (or their sister store in Batley Mill). I have overlooked this shop for a long time, thinking it would be a bit out of my price range, but actually prices are pretty similar to what you would find in most of the normal furniture shops. The lady who works there is very helpful and they will order in any items they haven't got on the shop floor so it pays to ask if you can't see what you're looking for. If I could afford it my home would be like a pad showroom!

What a house of wonder! Chase really isn't kidding when he says it sells everything, it really does…read moresell pretty much everything you might need for your home. From cleaning products, kitchen items, DIY bits and bobs, cheap snacks, cards and so much more - they've got it covered. If you're a keen shopper/browser it's a veritable treasure chest to explore. My particular favourite is the upstairs section. Here's where the items get slightly less bargainous and become a little higher end... They've beds, lamps and all other kinds of home furnishings in a range of styles. Faux-antique right through to the more modern sleek look. I bought an awesome 'telephone box' lamp for my room at home, which is so kitsch and delightful and only set me back £15. (I can imagine it costing a ton more in a vintage shop!) My Mum was particularly overjoyed with a red painted vase that she picked up as well, of which they had many different shades! So, there's plenty to get excited about, and not too pricey as well. However, all that glitters is not gold. I did come away having purchased a few oil reed scent dispensers (the pots of oils with the wooden reeds) and they simply don't work at all. They were only a pound each, but I can see why they were so cheap as they give off no scent at all! Even so, I'm pleased as punch with my lamp so that more than makes up for it!

I was first introduced to QLM by my new wife (I change them quite often, not really if you're…read morereading this love) just after we set up home together. It was the first time I'd been in a shop which I cannot categorize by what it sells, IT SELLS EVERYTHING !! From bleach to crisps, rugs to xbox games, they have almost everything under one roof. The only thing I can say lets it down is a lack of electrical goods like TV's but if you're looking for a pack of brass tacks and a birthday card for auntie Mabel this is a good place to start........ and if you're feeling tired you can nip upstairs and pretend you're testing a bed out :)

Of the interior home stores that I've recently visited I'd say that Anna Morgan wasn't necessarily…read moreone that jumped out at me immediately to say "Hello, here I am!" and wow me with their offerings. Nevertheless I was enjoying a good day of window shopping and so decided to have an elongated nose at their stock. The first window display was reasonably minimalist. There was a striped beige and white sofa next to a beige and white rose patterned armchair. Both had sort of faded union jack flag cushions, presumably faded on purpose, and a striped rug in shades of brown was laid in front of the furniture. On that were two very small leather valises with a model ship in front of them next to a ball of (?) yarn. It was a strange and yet oddly stylish display of interior arrangements. Of course, the rest of the shop did not have the same off kilter vibe but I was stood for a bit of time trying to figure out what was going on - to the point that the lady at the desk began to glare at me which made me feel a little afraid to enter! Wishing, almost, to convince her I was an innocent browser/potential buyer I crept in as unassumingly as possible and had a quick scout around. There were a few more nautical style items, a small coffee table with a faux snake skin finish, hoards of beige variety cushions and a lampshade with a deer at the base. I left pretty sharpish so as not to further annoy the shop lady, although I did enjoy some of the quirky items. In all, it's a fairly eclectic little shop for interiors, but I liked the random country element to their stock. Things were pretty beige though, and that is never too exciting.

Fantastic range of plants in all sizes. They proved to be extremely helpful when it came to…read morestocking out my garden, showing a real interest in making sure I had the plants that would work for my garden and not just what they wanted to sell me! It's not like your normal garden centre where they just point you in the general direction, Palmers know their stuff and will educate you too if necessary. Great place to go for a walk too - like a tropical wonderland in places. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/v/crwN1bkjOzY

Great plants and great prices. It is great to go for a look around too especially on a nice day!…read moreStaff are really helpful and friendly.