More people are beginning to see their homes as somewhere to live rather than as a design project, according to Linda Barker.

The interior designer and spokesperson for the Ideal Home Show suggested there has been a shift away from a preoccupation with interior design fashion trends.

She said: "People are starting to see their properties less as places to quickly do up and move on and more as homes to live in."

Consequently, Barker indicated that householders would rather furnish their homes with personal objects and individual items.

This has led to a craft trend which has seen occupants "put things of themselves into their house" using colour and patterning.

A recent 4Homes blog post picked out natural materials and vintage homeware as two of the top house design trends for 2010.

People wishing to design or renovate their homes may want to consider the use of self storage facilities.