Shiny, glossy finishes are being combined with metallics such as silver, bronze, copper and gold. Also fashionable are distressed or antique metallic finishes, which provide a pearllike shimmer to enhance natural interiors.

Metallics sparkle in Habitat's accessory collections with an emphasis on ornate copper and silver vases with metallic finishes and acid etched stainless steel and copper wall decorations.

"The vases are an easy way to introduce and add a reflective dimension to a room with minimal cost and effort while the metallic wall decoration panels are an interesting and creative alternative to traditional canvases and pictures, " says Tara Kilkenny of Habitat.

Normally metallics are used as an accent in a room rather than being a dominant feature, observes TV personality, college lecturer and Crown Paints colour consultant, Neville Knott. "If they are used in a dominant way in a room, it's normally some type of progressional space, like a boxy looking hall where they can be used to make it appear bigger, " he says. "The nice thing about that approach is that the surface reflects, making the space look larger."

Metallics can make a real splash in bathrooms, with mosaics or standard tiles opening up small spaces to stunning effect. Tiling with them either half way up a wall or on a feature wall can open up a cramped bathing or showering space, Knott says.

Spanish brand Porcelanosa recently unveiled a line aimed at bringing glamour and light to our bathrooms. Waken up your walls with its Twin Cromo Acero or Twin Strada Acero metallic-inspired ceramic tiles (37.5 x 65.9cm) which start at 107.39per square metre.

Other options include metallic paint and wall sculptures, which can be as big or small as you want. If you've taken a shine to the latest ranges of metallic paint, it's vital to check that your surface is absolutely perfect. "Metallics show up every lump and bump so a plastered wall or varnished paintwork will show up every imperfection, " says Knott.

David Oliver, creative director of the Paint and Paper Library, suggests combining metallic wallpaper with matt emulsion paint. Alternatively marry metallic paints with shades of grey as the neutral.

British company Brahm which uses cutting edge architects, interior designers and fashion designers on its portfolio of rental apartments and which now offers a bespoke property finding service, is also featuring metallics.

Georgie Maw, interior designer at Brahm says gold is very much in vogue although silver hasn't lost its lustre.

"The gold shade fashionable today is much more subtle than that used in the past and is being used as a gold wash or a gold lacquer. Using gold as a trimming on soft furnishings, for example on black silk curtains, or in accessories such as photo frames, is a great way to accent a room using the latest trends, " says Maw.

"As an accessory, metallics are superb and any type can be used from tubular metals to tables and lamps, " Knott says.

Then there are metallic fabrics, a great way of introducing luxe to your living space. Think cushions and window treatments to go with the glow.

"The tones they come in tend to be very soft. There are lovely deep dark pewters, coppers and bronzes, " relates Knott. "You could also bring in some beautiful teals or softer earth type make-up colours to your scheme. You could do a whole colour scheme based on metallic tones, " he says.

Metallic curtain poles could be an eye-grabbing feature in a room, notes Knott. Metallic mania has even extended to fireplace surrounds with contemporary stainless steel surrounds modish.

While metallics can be versatile, they aren't always the right solution, Knott cautions.

"I've seen a dark copper metallic tile in a kitchen and it shows up grease. It can also be slippy whereas mosaic metallics aren't and work brilliantly in smaller bathrooms." With sheets of metallic tiling available, there are plenty of ways to dazzle. Knott suggests going for a metallic that is pixilated through overall mosaic tiling for a dispersed effect.

While metallic surfaces and motifs abound this season, a restrained approach is key to success. When selecting colours, remember that less is more and be careful with large, dark patterns, as they tend to draw a space inwards, making it seem smaller. In a small room, opt for petite patterns in subdued colours or silhouettes and keep to muted neutral colours when choosing fixtures and fittings.