6 designers share their favourite high street homeware shops
Interior designers and stylists are celebrated for the way they artfully bring all the elements of a room together – but even when they're working with an enviably large budget, they still relish the thrill of finding a high street bargain. We persuaded them to reveal their sources, along with the sorts of pieces their favourite brands do really, really well. Happy shopping!
• Interior designer Laura Stephens
Favourite brands: Zara Home, Oka, Pooky
Furnishing your home affordably is one of designer Laura Stephens' favourite subjects. ‘If you choose wisely, you can get a great high-end look at a fraction of the cost,’ she enthuses. But to get to the treasure, she warns, ‘you’ll need to be prepared to trawl’. Her favourite high street bargain? A titchy but chic martini table from Zara Home that she styled with an upholstered armchair in one of her projects.
To bring finish to a room, Laura often heads to Oka or Pooky for unusual and quirky lighting. She also suggests refreshing the things you use every day, such as tableware: ‘Zara’s floral earthenware set has a very authentic feel to it and is both practical and pretty.’
• Designer Kate Aslangul
Favourite brands: Ikea, Zara Home
The founder and creative director of Oakley Moore Interior Design relies on high-end suppliers to build the foundations of her room scheme. For Kate, 'a well-designed room has thoughtful layers created by using different patterns, textures, and colours, as well as unexpected details that invite the eye to dart from one thing to another’. But she still has a soft spot for some high street brands. ‘We love Ikea and nearly always have at least one piece in a project,' she points out, citing how reliably well-priced, functional, and perfectly simple those pieces can be.
She also points to Zara Home’s scalloped rattan baskets as a great way to bring texture to open shelving in boot rooms and bathrooms. For a high-end look from high street accessories, Kate recommends focusing on the materials. ‘We always look for cushions and throws that are made of natural materials – linen, cotton, or wool.’ And, she reminds us, don’t forget to give a high street piece a mini upgrade: ‘We often tweak a high street piece, swapping out a foam cushion pad for one which is a down/feather mix.'
• Interior designer Geri O’Toole
Favourite brand: M&S, Zara Home
Retail juggernaut M&S is designer Geri O'Toole’s go-to, citing their quality and versatility: ‘M&S always offers timeless furniture and accessories with excellent craftsmanship’. To re-energise a space, she recommends one of their oversized statement mirrors to create depth and light. She also layers accessories from Zara Home with more expensive investment furniture. ‘Zara Home have chic, minimalist pieces with a luxurious feel,' she says, ‘they’ll add texture and create warmth in any room.'
As a veteran bargain hunter, she also counsels us not to assume that high-end designer pieces are totally out of reach. When there’s something she really wants, she’ll monitor online sales and seasonal clearances vigilantly. ‘Be patient,’ she laughs. ‘Sometimes those truly special pieces are worth the wait.’
• Designer Micaela Sharp
Favourite brands: Dunelm, Oliver Bonas, M&S
Interior Design Masters and Changing Rooms design expert, Micaela Sharp, shares three key considerations for creating an elevated look with high street pieces: scale, shape and contrast. ‘Look for large pieces that have more impact,’ she suggests, such as oversized mirrors and vases. Organic shapes also have the benefit of looking less mass-produced. ‘Wiggly lines, scallops and irregular ceramics are great for this – check out Dunelm, Oliver Bonas and M&S’. For contrast, Micaela advises adding pops of colour and layering pattern to achieve a more high-end finish.
• Interior designer Leoma Harper
Favourite brands: H&M Home, La Redoute, Ruggable
When designing a space, Leoma Harper often leans on high street accessories to enhance bigger investment pieces: ‘H&M’s bold stripe seat cushions really elevate a room – I added them to our dining room chairs for an instant style update.' She also shops at La Redoute and Ruggable for rugs – and recently pounced on a Persian-inspired one for half the price, delighted that ‘their rugs are wipeable – which is super-practical when you live with kids and pets’.
Her quick hack for kickstarting a gallery wall is to buy an affordable picture frame set from The White Company. Add a budget ottoman or coffee table propped with books, a vase and a candle to create a focal point and create a high-end look.
• Stylist Emily Henson
Favourite brands: TK Maxx, Homesense
The key to creating an authentic and curated look is to mix vintage and high street, interior stylist Emily Henson of @lifeunstyled tells us. She’ll often hunt for new fabric shades in TK Maxx and Homesense to elevate vintage lamp bases. ‘Adding a colourful shade to a lamp you already own can change the look of a space instantly and without huge expense,’ she points out. ‘It’s similar to the thrill of shopping at secondhand shops – you never know what you're going to find.'
She also mines the Homesense aisles for affordable vases in different styles. ‘Go back often and really rummage around,’ she recommends. ‘Often amidst the weird and over-the-top accessories, you'll find some real gems.'
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