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John Lewis Anyday: We take a first look at the retailer’s affordable new homeware range

<p>From furniture to accessories, there’s more than 2,400 products to explore</p> (The Independent )

From furniture to accessories, there’s more than 2,400 products to explore

(The Independent )

For those on the hunt for affordable homeware, the first stop has almost always been a certain blue and yellow Swedish retailer. But competition for the title of best budget interiors store just got a little tighter with the arrival of John Lewis & Partner’s Anyday collection, which encompasses more than 2,400 products for every area of your home.

While some of the range is comprised of existing lines that John Lewis has absorbed under the Anyday umbrella, much of it is completely new and accessibly priced – in fact, it claims that Anyday is, on average, 20 per cent cheaper than its other own-brand labels.

So when we got a chance to visit John Lewis’s Oxford Street store to get up close and personal with the pieces, we jumped at the opportunity to see how this shift in price has affected the look, feel and overall quality of what’s on offer.

Bright colours are everywhere when it comes to bedding, sofa beds and other soft furnishingsEleanor Jones
Bright colours are everywhere when it comes to bedding, sofa beds and other soft furnishingsEleanor Jones

While its name indicates the everyday nature of the items included – everything from mattresses and sofas to kitchenware and vases – a lot of the Anyday edit is anything but basic. Real care and attention has been paid to the design of the line, and unlike many entry-level offerings, it doesn’t shy away from bright, bold colours in addition to the standard palette of neutrals.

When it comes to furniture (both indoor and outdoor), trends like rattan and pastels take centre stage, and there’s plenty of Berber rugs and sculptural candles to up your Instagram game. But this focus on aesthetics isn’t at the cost of practicality – you can buy a starter set of nursery furniture including a cot, changing table and Moses basket for £164, for instance, and the items are reassuringly sturdy and made from FSC-certified wood.

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In short, Anyday is not to be overlooked, no matter how large or small your next interiors purchase may be. We couldn’t, of course, try all 2,400 items during our visit, but these are the ones that have shot straight to the top of our wishlist, and perhaps might inspire you to take a closer look for yourself.

The bathroom has not been forgotten: cute mats and bath trays take centre stageEmma Henderson
The bathroom has not been forgotten: cute mats and bath trays take centre stageEmma Henderson

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

John Lewis & Partners Anyday velvet cushion

Velvet is the never-ending trend when it comes to sofas and soft furnishings around the house. At £20 for both the cushion cover and filler inside, we think this is a great buy compared to other high street shops where you have to snap them up separately, often adding to the price (and sometimes the fit isn’t quite right either). These are plump and far more luxurious. Our only issue? We can’t decide what colour to get them in, as we love night sky, auburn and gold equally. Decisions, decisions!

Buy now £20.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday colour pop glass tumbler

Coloured glass never fails to disappoint when it comes to outdoor dining, as it really lifts the table decor and gives that Mediterranean holiday feel... likely the only holiday vibes we’ll get this year. These cups are perfectly shaped for table water glasses, or, more excitingly, G&Ts. Priced at £5 each, a set of four or six is affordable. They’re also available in a taller style and other colours including grey, light pink and light blue.

Buy now £5.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday honey vase

We’ve all spent more on home decor in the past year than ever before, and if you’re anything like us, you’ve also bought more flowers to decorate your make-shift desks and feel brighter while working from home. But plenty of vases are very expensive, especially if they’re to hold a decent-sized bouquet and not just a few stems. This blue earthenware design, which is handmade and finished with a glaze, ticks the boxes for us and, happily, also looks great without blooms. At £18, it’s a great buy.

Buy now £18.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday jute round rug

Jute is such a good way to add texture to your home while still being subtle thanks to its natural colour. It’s also a natural material too, which your cat might mistake for the sisal on its scratch post – so feline lovers, you have been warned. This large round rug will look good in practically every room in the house, from play rooms to bedrooms. If the round shape isn’t for you, there’s also oval and oblong rugs in the same range.

Buy now £100.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday terrazzo bulb holder table lamp

Tapping into another of our favourite interiors trends is this terrazzo lamp, which, if you’re not familiar, is a composite material that has chips of different colours added to it to give it a flecked pattern. We also like the exposed bulb idea here too, although the bulb isn’t included, but the 1.6m cable is. We think this design is an easy way to add just a touch of colour to a minimalist room, but if you’re more into colour it’s also available in pink and steel grey.

Buy now £18.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday grid duvet cover set

Grid-print bedding might be all over social media already, but we love that this set is reversible, giving two looks for the (very reasonable) price of one. It’s made from cotton so will keep you cool on hot summer nights, and it’s pleasingly soft to the touch. A double will set you back £40, rising to £50 for a king and £60 for a super king.

Buy now £40.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday cotton rope storage baskets

This type of storage basket will never not come in handy – we’ve got several similar designs at home already, but we’re still tempted to add these to our collection. The fact you get two for the £25 is great value, and they’re roomy enough to act as toy storage or a home for your throws and blankets or bedding. The sage green colour is stylish yet subtle; ideal for an item that’s designed to disguise clutter rather than draw attention to it.

Buy now £25.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners Anyday cuthbert bookcase

It’s listed as a bookcase, but there’s nothing this shelving wouldn’t look good displaying: your houseplants, your bathroom products, your bric-a-brac in the kitchen – the possibilities are endless. The contemporary design means it’ll slot in seamlessly alongside existing decor, and it’s a solid piece of furniture that lives up to your expectations of a product from John Lewis.

Buy now £159.00, Johnlewis.com

John Lewis & Partners rattan folding chair

You can’t go wrong investing in rattan these days – indeed, this particular number is reminiscent of a similar H&M home design that retails for £199. While you’ll want something more ergonomic for longer stretches at your WFH desk, it’s more comfortable and supportive than you might expect, and folds away for easy storage when it’s not in use. A great-looking option for dining tables or additional seating for guests.

Buy now £99.00, Johnlewis.com

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