H&M Home’s new collection is ‘quiet luxury’ on a budget – but steer clear of the candles

If you want something for your home that looks expensive but doesn’t decimate your bank balance, you might just find it this season on the high street. H&M’s new collection includes some budget-friendly takes on premium pieces: sculptural coffee tables with the look of a mid-century design classic; smart hotel-style bedding; and marble accessories that tap into the “quiet luxury” trend without the corresponding price tag.

While the wisdom is not to skimp on key pieces such as sofas, dining tables and beds, there are times when we crave newness; a quick pick-me-up that will freshen up the kitchen table or the living room without costing a fortune. That’s why H&M Home’s decor pieces have become something of a secret weapon among homeware fans.

The lead members of its design team migrated over to homeware from fashion, which explains the directional nature of many of the pieces. They are designed in-house at the H&M’s Stockholm HQ, so the brand has been able to develop its own distinctive aesthetic: modern and minimalist, but with a cool twist.

Statement looks in calming colours

While budget homeware lines often have a comparatively basic look, here there is a focus on the details that elevate the overall effect – for example, the sculptural forms of the stoneware vases, or the textured floral motif on a cushion cover.

The palette is calming and neutral in mainly off-white and beige, with black accents that give a little edge and energy, and the odd note of green or terracotta in the tableware and textiles. There’s never a huge amount of colour and pattern at H&M, but what it gives is a sophisticated take on a youthful, modern look.

Luxe materials at low prices

The key hits from this collection are undoubtedly the stools and side tables, which look far more expensive than they are, even on close inspection. The graphic black and white stool has a cute shape and statement upholstery, but the more accessible version is the fluffy beige one, which would slot into a room more smoothly (it would work particularly well as a dressing table stool). Sheepskin-effect fabrics such as this are also easier to pull off on a budget piece, as they look luxurious but will wear better than a fabric such as bouclé, which can start to look tatty fairly quickly.

Affordable marble is another of H&M’s strengths, and the chunky candlesticks at £14.99 are a particular steal. So are the tables: a marble-topped side table for less than £200 is a rare find, particularly one as luxe-looking as the rich brown one. H&M doesn’t currently do larger furniture pieces, but it’s seating and tables are consistently strong.

Tactile textures

The cushions start from £3.99 (although some are sold just as covers, without the pads, so check before you buy) – and the most expensive-looking ones are the plain colours, in velvet or linen, with extra details such as fringing or tufts.

Also on the textile side, there’s a graphic black and white wool-blend blanket that’s thick and heavy, although somewhat rustic texture-wise. It’s also not quite as soft as it looks – making it perfect as an extra layer on the bed on a chilly night (less good for wrapping around your shoulders on the sofa).

If you’re looking for something fun and characterful, you might find it in the tableware range, which H&M has been nailing for some time. The nicest of the new pieces include the green platterware platters and plates and the chunky stoneware jugs. The tablecloths are reliably good value, as are the bedding sets.

Scents on the sweet side

If there’s one category I’d avoid, it would be the home fragrance: the candles and diffusers come in smart, understated packaging, but as with most budget scented candles (these start from £2.99), the ingredients list includes a fair few chemicals and artificial ingredients, so if that is something that concerns you, you might want to steer clear.

Some of the fragrances are also a little on the sweet side, which probably appeals more to a younger buyer (the designers have noted a trend among customers towards vanilla and fruit-based fragrances).

Kudos to H&M however for actually listing its ingredients online, which many brands don’t. It also gives details of the suppliers and factories where many of the other products are made. At these prices, of course, you’re not going to get artisan-made products; but you wouldn’t know it to look at them.