Half the battle of making your home look elevated on a budget comes down to dressing it properly. The other half? Sourcing economical homewares in the first place.
While we would love nothing more than to fill our precious homes with the best and handcrafted pieces of design, our bank accounts just can’t play ball. And that’s before priorities come into play: after all, would you spend triple figures on a mirror or use it to go on a weekend mini-break instead?
Supermarket in-house ranges are a brilliant starting point with options often inspired by higher-end designs - only minus the price tag. Don’t overlook high-street fashion brands with homeware departments either: you can find decent bits in the likes of Oliver Bonas, H&M and Primark every season. They mean you can get the look without dipping into your overdraft, whether you want a full house makeover or just a subtle seasonal lift to refresh your space.
While you should go for the highest quality furniture your budget will stretch to so that it stands the test of time, cheaper homewares like vases, cushions, rugs and photo frames are more forgiving on the wallet. Styled properly, no one would guess their RRP.
There are a few rules. Veer away from anything with slogans; unless it’s done very well, it’ll only look cheap, not to mention date your interiors. Stick to warm, clean palettes with a hint of metallics, like brushed brass or gold hues. Instantly chic, these classic looks work for any interiors scheme and can be moved around the house to revitalise different spaces (think a living room vase transplanted into the bathroom or the entry hall).
Unusual textures and patterns are also a shortcut to luxe-looking interiors - there’s a reason tortoiseshell is everywhere right now - while finishes like sandblasting and glaze on ceramics will elevate it to extraordinary levels.
Not sure where to start? Luckily you’ve got our edit on your side, packed with modestly-priced homewares to bring your home to life and breathe fresh air into your space. From small knick-knacks to side tables and soft furnishings, see our list below.
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M&S Large Reactive Glazed Jug
An unusual shape teamed with a glossy glaze to bring out the colour and pattern. Use the ceramic design for showcasing your latest bouquet or just keep it as an ornament to punctuate your bookcases.
Buy now £29.50, M&S
Dunelm Albourne Tall Bookcase, Oak Effect
Arched bookcases and display cabinets are at the height of interiors right now but you needn't fork out thousands to get the same effect. Dunelm has this shaped bookcase in black or grey with contrast shelves to showcase your treasured knick-knacks in style.
Buy now £229.00, Dunelm
John Lewis Block Stripe Cotton Throw, Dark Navy
Pattern-averse? You needn't go big, something as classic as a navy stripe can work wonders in updating an old armchair. John Lewis's ANYDAY range offers a selection of everyday essentials done well and all at fairly palatable prices, like this cotton throw. Lay it over your duvet as an extra warming layer until temperatures pick up.
Buy now £35.00, John Lewis
George at Asda White Tile Side Table
This tiled resin side table, all in minimalist white, comes from Asda but who would guess?
It can be used in myriad settings, from sunny patios to the living room or even in the bathroom to display your nicest lotions and magazines.
Buy now £32.00, Asda
Dunelm Gold Pillar Candle Holder
The simple mix of wood with gold-coloured metal is timeless. Dunelm's candle holder will give your candles the grandstand they deserve, however cheap they are. Rising to 22.5cm high, the pedestal can be set inside hearths, on mantlepieces or used as a streamlined centrepiece.
Buy now £12.00, Dunelm
George Amber Bubble Hi-Ball Glass - Set of 4
From members clubs to London's top restaurants and hotels, amber-hued glassware is everywhere.
The warm shade suggests an Italian undertone that means it will look eternally chic, however trends shift. Asda has this set of four hi-balls, complete with air bubble imperfections to mimic a got-them-on-holiday-actually look, for a tenner.
Buy now £10.00, Asda
Matalan Decorative Woven Scallop Bowl
Need encouragement to eat your five-a-day? A good-looking bowl will make apples, oranges and pears much more appealing, not to mention add interest to kitchen countertops and coffee tables.
Buy now £14.00, Matalan
H&M Round marble tray
Whether in your kitchen or keeping your skincare in one place in the bathroom, this real marble tray makes a memorable impression. It sits on silicone feet to protect surfaces from scratches, while a short rim helps to stop things from accidentally tumbling off. Beautifully done with an attractive price to match - and if you're an H&M member, you'll get a bonus discount too.
Buy now £24.99, H&M
Habitat Jaquard Effect Cushion - Orange - 43x43cm
For high style that defies its price tag, look to Habitat. The brand offers everything from furniture to furnishings with RRPs that won't make you gulp. Fans of mid-century style will adore this warm rust jacquard cushion that promises to add a splash of colour to sofas, chairs and beds.
Buy now £14.00, Argos
Oliver Bonas Linen Green Standing Photo Frame 6x4"
Green is one of the most pleasing, relaxing colours to the human eye. Liberate your favourite snaps from your camera roll and slip them into Oliver Bonas's linen-lined photo frame. Part of a collection with orange and cream options available too, mix and match them into a gallery wall for a speedy update.
Buy now £16.50, Oliver Bonas
George Blue Scalloped Edge Cushion
Scallops are making serious waves in interiors, with soft furnishings, in particular, looking fabulous with the trim. Offered in a contrast pink to the cobalt blue main section, they're an easy way to liven up your sofa and are a cost-friendly alternative to the pricier designs we've seen elsewhere.
Buy now £10.00, Asda
H&M Small porcelain plate
A fun plate goes a long way to livening up dinner party tablescapes. H&M Home has plenty of options at the moment with illustrations suggesting a handpainted, artisan quality. Paired with muted colours, you'll love using this porcelain plate - even if for only morning toast.
Buy now £2.49, H&M
Abigail Ahern Eucalyptus Trailing
So often faux flowers are cheerful bundles of roses, so it’s refreshing to find this dramatic Eucalyptus on Abigail Ahern’s digital aisles. Designed to fall like a tassel, it’s perfect for adding to hanging baskets as well as arranging in a big dramatic floor vase, as shown. If you want to mimic this look, you’ll need at least a dozen stems.
Buy now £14.50, Abigail Ahern
Rex London Tea towel - Vintage Passata
Encapsulate the feeling of 1980s Italy with this gorgeous vintage passata tea towel by Rex London, realised in highly saturated primary colours to add a pop to your kitchen.
Buy now £5.95, eBay
Van Gogh Exhibition Poster, Irises Print
Castellitx on Etsy specialises in high-quality art posters and prints. This wonderfully saturated and high-quality Van Gogh poster is available in a variety of sizes, including a whopping 118.9 x 84.1cm print for just £39.99.
Buy now £4.90, Etsy
Graham & Green Extra Large Gluggle Jug
Beloved for that characteristic, fishy ‘gluggle’ that you hear when pouring water from this kooky vessel, these versatile ceramic jugs are inspired by late 19th-century Staffordshire pottery. Though available in a range of colourways, we think this deep ultramarine blue is the most versatile. Use it as a water jug for the dinner table, a vase for flowers, or even a utensil pot.
Buy now £39.00, Graham & Green
Simmer Stone Aesthetic Wave Pattern Irregular Frame Mirror
Best for: trend on a budget
Want to get in on the wavy mirror bandwagon without forking out hundreds? Amazon has a smaller 40 x 26cm version for just over twenty quid. Designed to sit on a dressing table or sidebaord, the plastic piece is available in a slew of candy colours as well as black.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
