5Give your rooms a dramatic makeover using Dulux's new 2008 Envy classical palette

There's a wind of change blowing through interiors which has been long overdue, carrying with it new looks that are not just welcome, but also worthy and warming, writes Gabrielle Fagan Our increasing concern for the planet in 2008 is turning rooms 'green'. Not only will they vividly reflect nature's colours and floral patterns, but also feature the increasingly well-designed selection of furniture and furnishings with eco-friendly street-cred.

These ingredients will give homes a punchy injection of colour, decoration and personality and finally blast away the dull vestiges of old-hat bland minimalism. Interior designer, Hannah Sandling, who appears on ITV's 60 Minute Make-Over show says: "It is an exciting time in interiors. There is a real desire to make our homes ultra-comfortable sanctuaries but also show-off our individual taste." She predicts four key looks dominating this year - Eco-Nature, White-on-White, Glamour, and Glitz and Monochrome. But does that mean your rooms will languish in the style-doldrums if you don't totally embrace one of them?

Absolutely not, says Hannah, who points out: "Just as you don't dump all your clothes when fashions change but maybe buy a new bag or top in the latest colour, so the same is true of today's rooms. "The great thing about the looks for this year - which have crossed over into homes from the fashion catwalk - is that you can just as easily take a few elements from each as simply focus on one trend. "Then achieve an instant effect - and easily bring a room up to date - with a new fabric, an easy-to-afford accessory or a perhaps simple colour change for a wall." Hannah believes people will take a more cautious, measured approach to their homes - partly a symptom of harder financial times ahead. "Frankly, few people can afford to completely revamp a home to reflect a trend, which wouldn't in any case be environmentally friendly. The emphasis will be more on taking a lot of care over what we have in our rooms, and waiting until we can afford just the right look and quality piece rather than the instant 'make-over' approach of the last few years." She and our other experts give their guide to the trends for 2008 and their advice on creating bang-on-trend rooms.

change but maybe buy a new bag or top in the latest colour, so the same is true of today's rooms.

"The great thing about the looks for this year - which have crossed over into homes from the fashion catwalk - is that you can just as easily take a few elements from each as simply focus on one trend," Hannah said.

"Then achieve an instant effect - and easily bring a room up-to-date - with a new fabric, an affordable accessory or a perhaps a simple colour change for a wall."

Hannah believes people will take a more cautious, measured approach to their homes - partly a symptom of harder financial times ahead.

"Frankly, few people can afford to completely revamp a home to reflect a trend, which wouldn't in any case be environmentally friendly. The emphasis will be more on taking a lot of care over what we have in our rooms, and waiting until we can afford just the right look and quality piece rather than the instant makeover' approach of the last few years."

accessories from The White Company. Cushions from £25

She and our other experts give their guide to the trends for 2008 and their advice on creating bang-on-trend rooms.

Designer Orla Kiely, consultant for Dulux predicts: "Layers of white and light give this look a dreamlike ethereal but futuristic quality that will make white irresistible again. There are all shades of white from chalky to milky hues that can give depth and interest." She advises vanilla and chalky off-whites, misty greys and muted slates coming together in matt and gloss to create a layered effect.

8GET THE LOOK: Hannah says: "Don't mistake this for shabby chic', which is so yesterday. This is altogether more grown up and elegant. It is quite feminine, especially accessorised with maybe Art Deco style mirrored furniture, soft white cashmere throws, cushions and white lilies. Add warming hints of dusky pinks if it feels too chilly. But it could easily be more masculine if it mimics a Scandinavian style - think white-painted floorboards and streamlined white furniture - and accessorise with slick technology and chrome boys' toys' gadgets."

8SOURCE: White furniture - button-back sofas and chairs will star this year. The White Company and The Conran Shop are good destinations for furniture and accessories. The Little Greene Paint Company has floor paint for floorboards.

ECO-Nature Woolworths design manager, Tina Baxter says: "The expression 'bringing the outside in' has never been more true than in 2008. Interiors will burst with inspiration from nature, featuring imagery or abstracts of flowers and foliage through to insects, birds and animals such as deer and rabbits.

"Bold graphic prints and woven effects will feature, and the contrast of smooth and rough finishes such as polished concrete with textured fabrics will give a fresh look."

Tina advises opting for nature's hues such as grass green, olive green and palm green - a perfect complement to earthy, neutral shades of natural materials like stone and wood.

8GET THE LOOK: Hannah says: "This look could easily look bland, and it's essential to give it a modern edge by adding contrast with colour such as blue - duck egg, sky and teal will be big this year - or rich browns like cocoa, metallic copper, sandy cinnamon, or even shell pink.

"Recycling or reinventing furniture by revamping it is all part of eco-chic."

8SOURCE: John Lewis floral fabrics and papers, and Graham & Brown's Central St Martins/Eco wallpaper range features nature-inspired designs, like the Bittern Cameo . Woolworths accessories include textured wooden picture frames and vases GLAMOUR & LUXURY Nick Fox, director of furniture retailer, Housing Units in Manchester, says: "There is a revival of a classical decadent style - combining luxury and nostalgia.

"It captures the atmosphere of years gone by, and is derived from historic English design - but it is updated and extravagantly-styled to give an up-to-the-minute sophisticated appearance, while maintaining a relaxed appeal."

8GET THE LOOK: Hannah says: "This is all about flamboyance and theatricality, and showing off. Colours should be dramatic and contrasting - deep mauves teamed with rich browns or black, silvery pinks and greys, and loads of velvet and faux fur.

"You can take an over-the-top approach with over-sized chandeliers, and lots of gold and bronze for accessories or fabrics.

"Or interpret in a more subtle way by reflecting the embellished and embroidered and decorative effects inspired by Japan and China."

8SOURCE: Marks & Spencer has embraced pattern and colour in its new collections. Its classic chaise longue will be a must-have piece for 2008.

Flirting with the East is easy. John Lewis features chinoiserie in its ranges while companies like Oka and Orchid are established specialists.

Summit console table £395, Bamboo red pot £30, Osaka pollen wallpaper £15 per roll, all from the Facing East range at John Lewis. Marks and Spencer's must-have' chaise longue. The British Interior Design Association (BIDA) predicts that 2008 will see a rise in popularity of frosted and sparkling effects on wallpapers, fabric trimming and lights MONOCHROME Designer Orla Kiely says: "Black and white is a winning formula which deserves to stay popular, and will be strong in 2008. Rich black contrasts brilliantly with the metallic finishes which will feature so strongly this year. Make the effect even more glamorous by using mirror and glass to reflect and enhance the light. An all-black room is a daring choice for those who are confident enough to pull it off, and could work well as a dining room."

GET THE LOOK: Hannah says: "This look can be tricky because you have to be disciplined. Decide on your dominating colour - either black or white - and use that for walls and floor, then accessorise with the other colour. A random mixture will lack harmony. If the effect is too austere, add accent colours of vibrant green or red."

SOURCE: Zebra-printed cowhide rugs, glossy black accessories, and monochrome wallpaper or fabrics.

QS and Asda's George home range feature brilliant, affordable black accessories. Flock frames from.

11:25am Tuesday 22nd January 2008

Luce shell and resin lamps, from £250

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