27 of the best high-street buys for a calm home

Beautiful basics are the building blocks of any modern home. We’ve picked our favourite affordable essentials for every room, guaranteed to never go out of style. From lighting and rugs to furniture and accessories, these high street heroes will be loved for a lifetime thanks to their timeless style use of natural materials.

For more curated shopping edits, see our round-up of the best new season cushions, designer armchairs and modern art prints.

Oversized round handles and chunky legs give this mid-century-inspired oak veneer media cabinet an up-to-date look and feel. Inside, shelves provide space to house those unsightly black boxes, wires and hubs. £449, urbanoutfitters.com

Add a tactile quality to meal times with Zara’s subtly textured stainless steel cutlery. Its gently hammered surface, matt finish and elegant handle shape will ensure your table settings always look Instagram-ready. From £17.99 for a set of four dessert spoons, zarahome.com

Made by artisans in India using an intricate loop embroidery technique, the ‘Cochato’ linen and cotton cushion cover highlights the beauty of traditional craftsmanship and brings a layer of cosy texture to interiors. £95, conranshop.co.uk

Lauded Italian architect and designer Michele De Lucchi was inspired by the pleated fabric of fifties and sixties fashion when creating his ‘Plissé’ kitchen range, and the effect feels almost architectural. We like the white, but it also comes in grey, black and a particularly punchy red. £85.10, finnishdesignshop.com

Deceptively simple at first glance, Foster + Partners’ new design for Benchmark is full of clever design details that make it a future classic. A beveled edge on the seat and back and an organic wool and leather cushion make it supremely comfortable to sit on, while its stackable design means it can be stored easily when not in use.
£995, benchmarkfurniture.com

West Sussex crafters Forge Creative lend their fine furniture skills to a range of perfectly formed objects. Their characterful chopping boards are made from locally sourced oak, which is shaped into a loop at one end for hanging in the kitchen. £65, To.ast

A hard-working design, ‘Poise’ can accommodate up to eight people thanks to the extendable panel that’s stored within the table’s frame. Made from solid oak, its splayed legs and refined lines give a subtle nod to Scandi style and create a timeless silhouette. Dining table, £999; chairs, £99 each; ceiling light, £175, all johnlewis.com

It’s the totally on-trend ‘Soft Mint’ colour of these two accessories by Muller Van Severen and Andreas Engesvik for Danish brand Hay that sets them apart – part 1950s ice cream parlour chic, part contemporary scandi charm. A subtle way to brighten up an all-white room. Toothbrush, £3.36; candleholder, £29.41, connox.co.uk

A shapely ceramic base crafted with a reactive glazes give this design a serene and sculptural feel. Its linen-look shade creates a gentle glow that’s suitable for bedrooms, living areas and hallways alike. £60, habitat.co.uk

Whatever your tipple of choice, Rowen & Wren’s glassware is sure to elevate it to new highs. Handblown in Tunisia, gentle ripples render each piece unique. Carafe, £39; glasses, £11 each, rowenandwren.co.uk

Alluding to the style of Berber rugs, made for more than 1,000 years by the Beni Ourain tribes in Morocco, this practical take on the traditional offers a deep-pile for luxurious bathroom comfort and non-slip feet. £17.99, hm.com

Normann Copenhagen’s ‘Swell’ collection softens minimalism’s precise angles and defined lines, opting for a softer, more squishy take on the aesthetic. Plump and playful, it’s a failsafe way to set a welcoming tone in your living space. £3,745, normann-copenhagen.com

This circular design marries the practicality of hard-wearing jute with an artfully rustic aesthetic. The beauty of its natural look is that it suits any style of space, from sleek city pads to country cottages (and everything in-between). £79, made.com

Made from 100% cotton, these towels come in a tasteful edit of soft, natural colours (‘Sage’, ‘Mushroom’ and ‘Graphite’ pictured) and offer a textural quality that belies their affordable price tag. From £6 each, dunelm.com

Portable and practical, this clever caddy speaks to our world of hot desking and flexible working. Though unmistakably utilitarian, its softened edges grant the design a subtle liveability. If orange doesn’t do it for you, the evocative colour range also includes ‘Mint Green’, ‘Moss Grey’ and ‘Sea Blue’. £65, vitra.com

Inspired by another luxurious home essential, the ‘Stone’ spice grinder by Tom Dixon, this light carved from white Morwad marble has a natural beauty that transcends trends. Added bonus: it’s IP44-rated, so can even be used in bathrooms and kitchens. £270, tomdixon.net

Two clays are utilised for this handmade stoneware mug, which grant the design a distinctive swirling pattern. And with its spill-proof rimmed saucer – or handy croissant holder – it’s as sensible as it is stylish. £39, beut.co.uk

Made of a blend of linen and cotton with a touch of wool, this cushion is soft to the touch with a simple, country-style design that feels classic yet contemporary. For a coherent look there is a matching throw with the same graduated three stripe pattern. £86, neptune.com

What do you do in bed? Normann Copenhagen’s playful duvet sets feature embroidered details by Sofia Bordoni which are inspired by that very theme. There’s five sets in total, from ‘Lazy Morning’, featuring coffee cups and croissants, to ‘Happy Hangover’, adorned with a Chinese takeaway. From £80, normann-copenhagen.com

Nothing pulls together a bathroom scheme quite like matching accessories carefully displayed on a vanity or washbasin. These simple yet stylish essentials in ‘Teal’ from John Lewis & Partners make an effective and pocket-friendly set. Tumbler, £8; soap dispenser, £10, johnlewis.com

Our workspaces have come into sharper focus over the last 18 months, so beautiful desk supplies should surely follow. This versatile pen holder keeps it all at arms reach, while the lid doubles as a tray for paper clips and other paraphernalia. £35, pantechniconstore.com

Though they take their cues from traditional terracotta pots, Italian brand Sambonet’s casserole dishes are made from heat-conducting cast iron. Designed by Stefania Vasques, there are several sizes and shapes to choose from, as well as a range of vibrant colours. From £49, made.com

The perfect size for a load of laundry, this handy basket can be easily wheeled from your washing machine to the drying line. Plus, in a winningly neutral mix of white lacquered metal and linen-coloured waterproof fabric, it will suit any interior. £69.99, zarahome.com

Add a little bohemian style to your home with this mirror framed by decorative loops of rattan. Pair with pastel colours and plenty of soft, comforting accessories for a craft-influenced look with a comforting quality. £20, sassandbelle.co.uk

The distinct handle and blunted edge of these shapely servers grants them a contemporary feel. Made from acacia wood, which has a beautiful natural grain, they should serve you well for years to come. £17.99, zarahome.com

This bed may combine several contemporary trends – from its use of rattan to its wraparound headboard – but it still manages to exude a timeless elegance. A great option if you want to add some affordable luxury to a more compact bedroom. £625, laredoute.co.uk

Named for the Betty Nansen theatre in Copenhagen, this understated stool by Danish-Finnish duo Thau & Kallio combines a lacquered oak frame with a webbed seat handwoven from natural linen fibres. Smartly, there’s a stackable chair to match. £400, twentytwentyone.com