WHEN money’s tight you want to make every penny count and invest in homeware that won’t go out of fashion in a season. With this in mind, Gabrielle Fagan checks out the top trends for 2009.

Home becomes an extra special place when we’re feeling battered and bruised by the outside world.

There’s nothing more comforting than a warm, comfortable refuge, where we can take comfort from our surroundings and instantly relax.

So it’s no surprise that all the trends for 2009 focus on designs and styles that will turn rooms into calm, peaceful spaces that will restore our spirits.

Designs for fabrics and furnishings are inspired by the countryside, using both its shape and its soft, rich colours and hues, which are well complemented by natural ‘touch me’ materials like wood, stone and leather, and beautiful fabrics such as silk, velvet and pure wool.

Your New Year resolution should be to create a ‘Home Sweet Home’. That means aiming for quality, craftsmanship and a ‘less is more’ approach.

It’s preferable to take the time to choose one cushion you truly like and will cherish, rather than splurging on six cheap ones on a whim, or saving for a hand-crafted piece that has ‘a story’ and brings personality to a room.

Julie Miller-Sensini, head of home buying for House of Fraser, says the boutique look is going to be big in both interiors and fashion. “This means an emphasis on an individual look rather than following the crowd,” she says. “Luxury, femininity and attention to detail will be the watchwords for 2009.”

Variety is key, advises Fionnuala Johnston, design manager for B&Q. She says traditional and contemporary styles can sit beside each other in today’s rooms.

“A modern sideboard, maybe from the 70s, could contrast well with more period pieces, or vice versa an antique chest or table in a room that’s brightly modern. There are no hard and fast rules any more - it’s about creating rooms with pieces that you love,” she says.

Colour’s back, but because we’re becoming more confident about using it, the trend is for sophisticated mixes. However, there’s still a place for a vibrant piece to inject surprise into a room.

HER TIP: “Cool neutrals are overtaking traditional warm neutrals, to bring a safe colour option up to date. So tones of grey will be key. Florals - from stylised graphic prints to hand-drawn and 18th century etched prints - are big news in 2009, with subtle colour palettes of soft lilac, deep mauves and others such as pinks, aubergine and petrol blues.”

Cosy, romantic rooms with a dash of luxury will be the trendy mix for 2009, according to Judith Wilson, interiors writer and author of The Vintage Home.

“Aside from the vintage mixed look, there’s definitely a mood towards grown-up, elegant manicured interiors with eye catching details like a sparkling chandelier or a maybe a stainless steel cocktail cabinet,” she says. “This is a modern take on 1930s elegance, but to ensure it doesn’t look staid and dull, it needs to include flashes of colour like yellow or hot pink, not just neutrals.”

HER TIP: Don’t try too hard in rooms. It’s better to opt for slightly shabby retro pieces, like a G-plan sofa or dining set than a hugely expensive designer piece. Avoid mass-produced accessories - look for organic, Fairtrade or handmade products instead.

Nature will be a key influence on our homes, predicts Mockie Harrison, design manager of John Lewis’ home range.

“As an incurable gardener, all the natural influences that go into this season’s hot trends are very close to my heart,” she says. “Delicate silhouettes of branches, leaves and insect motifs will play a major role in designs, and embossed fabrics and applique are in for a revival. But do also look out for soft rippling shapes reflecting the ocean - these will be seen in pattern, on wood grain and in sculptured items like bowls and vases.”

HER TIP: Greens - so popular last year - will take on a fresh yellow hue for spring. Raspberry and mint green paired together is a winning combination, while grey is the all-important neutral.

Increasing awareness that the world’s natural resources are dwindling will trigger even more of a trend for eco sensitive fabrics and materials, says James Charles, a member of the British Interior Design Association.

“This will transcend into furnishings that will exhibit a more natural look and feel. Raw materials will be mixed to create a contrast in texture and look, with stone, metal, wood and even concrete featuring heavily,” he says. “Glass will also be big, with ornate features inspired by classical design.”

HIS TIP: Beige, white and grey will form a base palette, with hints of gold, pastels, brights and berry colours.

Celebrating British designers and products will be a marked trend, according to Nick Fox, director of Manchester-based furnishing store Housing Units. “There’s also a growing demand for home-grown design and styles - some people know they want to go for British design, while others are just starting to recognise what fabulous talent we have in the interior market. The finest quality handmade furniture will be sought after and something like our Florence Sofa is a prime example of British quality and style.”

HIS TIP: Watch for a definite move away from leather and into fabrics, and a look that’s ‘about understated luxury, relying on texture and quality to speak for itself’.