At first sight, the current fashion for picking up other people's old furniture, fabrics and bric-a-brac at markets and using them to decorate your rooms is, frankly, fraught with danger.

In inexperienced hands your home can end up looking like the jumbled, down-at-heel set of TV's famous rag and bone men, Steptoe and Son.

But this risk shouldn't put you off because those slightly battered pieces - which are so much cheaper than buying new - are a chic essential in today's successful interiors, to bring colour and personality.

As well as saving money you avoid creating boring, predictable rooms where everything co-ordinates or patently comes from one high street store - that's just so yesterday.

Still having doubts? Ali Hanan, co-author of an inspiring new book, Flea Market Style, is the woman to convert you and make you flea market savvy.

Talking at her own home, stylishly furnished with bargains from London's famous Portobello Market, she says: "I believe that the old saying that 'one person's trash is another person's treasure' has never been more true.

"Unlike hot-off-the-shop-floor high street products, second-hand things have a casual, careworn air which is chic and stylish and wonderfully comfortable to live with."

Original designer pieces - such as her own treasures, an Eames chair or a Castiglioni lamp - can be picked up for a song.

Collections of china, vintage fabrics, or sepia family photographs well displayed add instant charm.

As she says: "It's not only great fun to browse markets or auctions - you're bound to find something to suit your taste, and maybe classics at affordable prices.

"Look out for timeless pieces such as old leather sofas and refectory tables, which have an important feature in common with faded denim jeans and little black dresses - they always look good."

So what are you waiting for? Get and out hunt those flea market bargains.

Flea market guide

Country style fans should look out for wicker storage baskets, wooden rocking chairs, farmhouse-style tables.

Retro enthusiasts can source a feast of vintage furniture at markets and auctions. Look for wooden sideboards, kidney shaped tables, low level vinyl sofas and plastic modular storage.

Research before you shop, and learn to recognise design classics such as an iconic Verner Panton 'S' chair, or a Charles and Ray Eames recliner.

When buying furniture think of yourself as a talent scout searching for potential supermodels. Check for sound bone structure - a sturdy frame, springs and legs and intact stuffing.

If a piece is in good shape but haggard think cosmetic surgery - a coat of paint, a new cover, or re-upholstery. Always test for comfort before buying.

Find the best hunting grounds by checking local papers and noticeboards for jumble and car boot sales. Surf the net for details of larger markets and antiques sales here and abroad.

Show off style

When trying to create a relaxing space in flea-market style the backdrops - walls and floor - really count. If you want to include patterned furniture keep the walls and paintwork neutral.

If you like pattern, use vintage wallpaper to decorate one wall, and add interest on a plain floor with old animal skins, interesting rugs such as Persian prayer mats or Indian dhurries.

Use vintage fabric finds for throws on furniture or sew together pieces for a decorative wall hanging.

Soften a minimalist look with cushions covered in luxurious secondhand finds, including silk dressing gowns, pashmina shawls, or cashmere jerseys.

If you need side tables look for school desks and outdoor furniture in wrought iron.

Give a modern kitchen soul with retro treasures - bent chrome and leather chairs or moulded plastic 1960s chairs, and to add surprise, an antique candelabra or Victorian vases.

Start a collection, whether it's fossils, antique jewellery, or 1930s vases and display them.

Flea Market Style, a guide to finding bargains at flea markets, by Emily Chalmers and Ali Hanan, is published by Ryland Peters & Small, priced £18.99. Out now.