You don't need a designer budget to make your home look good. You just need to get a little better at spotting the things that look like they had one.
A brilliant lamp. A ridiculously oversized vase. Something striped. Something sculptural. Something that makes a friend pick it up and ask, ‘Where did you get this?’
The trick isn't filling your home with more stuff. It's finding a few really good things that add colour, texture, shape or personality and look considerably more expensive than the number on the receipt.
We've done some digging and found 10 of them.
Your bank account can relax.
Wooden dining table and wall art.
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01 - The sculptural lamp
Never underestimate the power of a really good lamp. It's lighting, obviously. But it's also basically a small piece of sculpture that happens to make your living room look excellent after 5pm.
We're drawn to interesting shapes, unexpected colours, chunky bases and shades with a bit of personality. Something that looks just as good switched off as it does switched on.
Because if you're going to have a lamp sitting there all day, it might as well have something to say.
This gorgeous Rechargeable Marble Touch Table Lamp does just that. Natural marble, a soft off-white linen lampshade, cordless and rechargeable - easy to place anywhere.
Two arc lamps.
02 - The oversized ceramic vase
When in doubt, go bigger. There's something about an oversized vase that makes a room feel instantly more considered. Go sculptural, colourful, beautifully wonky or gloriously chunky - we're not interested in anything too polite.
Leave it empty. Add some branches. Steal something vaguely attractive from the garden. Either way, it looks like you know what you're doing. Maximum impact. Minimal faffing.
OK, OK, they’re not oversized but I just couldn’t go past these beauties - the Kimdio Cermamic Vase set. You’d be doing your home a dis-service if you didn’t buy these immediately. Perfect as a side table pair or table centre piece. Place on a shelf supported by some books and a trailing plant. These look great and are versatile whilst adding something really interesting to your space.
White and black floor vase holding green leaves.
03 - The cushion with a bit about it
Your sofa called. It's bored.
Cushions are one of the easiest ways to introduce colour, pattern and texture without making any major decorating decisions. Stripes with florals. Checks with squiggles. Linen next to velvet. Something fluffy beside something completely unnecessary with tassels. Don't worry too much about everything matching.
In fact, it's probably more interesting if it doesn't. Check out this one - the Croker Horse Throw Pillow cushion cover that you could literally place in any room of the house - the corner chair, the bed pillow, the sofa pillow - you name it. This can live anywhere and make a statement. I’d pair it with a bold plain coloured textured pillow, pulling out some accent colours that already exist in the room.
Stripe cushion on chair.
04 - The coffee table tray
A coffee table tray is essentially a very attractive way of pretending you're organised. Candles. Matches. Glasses. Books. Coasters. Remote controls. That random thing you don't know where else to put.
Pop them on a tray and suddenly it's not clutter. It's a vignette.
Interior design is clever like that. This one is a little pricier, but I think it’s a real statement piece and one that will last forever. Introducing the Preciousness Marble Decorative Tray. Perfect for that coffee table that needs something extra.
Coffee table with tray holding glasses and camera.
05 - The statement mirror
Mirrors are practical. But that's no reason for them to be boring.
Look beyond the sensible rectangle and find something with an unusual frame, exaggerated proportions, colour or a slightly unexpected shape. A great mirror bounces light around, makes a room feel bigger and doubles as artwork. Plus you can check yourself on the way out.
The BST FURNH Irregular Full Length Wall Mirror is the perfect statement. I’d hang this in your entrance to bounce light, create the sense of more space and add a real initial design statement. Style it with a floor basket to hold shoes or a really nice pot plant.
Mirror with gold edging on top of shelf, next to vase with flowers.
06 - The basket that hides the evidence
We love a beautiful home. We also live in the real world. Which means there are blankets, chargers, dog toys, magazines and approximately 700 other things that need somewhere to go.
Enter: the basket. Choose one with texture, pattern or an interesting weave and it becomes part of the room rather than something you're desperately trying to disguise. Throw everything in. Look organised. Tell no one.
I don’t think you can go wrong with this DelSol 108L Extra Large Round Blanket Basket. Practical and gorgeous.
Bathroom vanity unit and mirror.
07 - The little side table
Small table. Surprisingly big contribution.
Beside the sofa. Next to the bed. Between two chairs. In that awkward corner you've stared at for three years thinking, something should go there.
Go for an interesting shape, a pop of colour, timber, metal, stone - anything that brings something new to the room. And yes, technically it's somewhere to put your drink. But we're calling it functional sculpture because that sounds much more expensive.
If budget allows I’d definitely be considering this Round Side Table-Faux Marble Finish Coffee Table. If you’re looking for something a little less ‘statement’ I’d opt for the VASAGLE Side Table.
Wooden chair and wooden side table carrying pot plant.
08 - The slightly unnecessary candle holder
Do you need a sculptural candle holder? No.
Do we think that's a good enough reason not to buy one? Also no.
These are the little pieces that stop a room feeling like everything was bought purely because it served a practical purpose. Add one to a dining table, mantel, shelf or coffee table and suddenly you've got a little moment happening.
Not everything in your house needs a job. Some things are allowed to just look excellent.
Yep, it’s marble again - these Marble Tealight Candle Holders can be both decorative and practical - think side table, centre dining table, shelving, paired with some larger candles. Just perfect. They’d look great paired with these 3 Taper Candle Holders.
Three candle holders with candles.
09 - The oversized coffee table book
Yes, you should absolutely buy books because you want to read them.
But occasionally? We buy them because the cover is fabulous. There. We said it.
A great coffee table book brings colour, scale and personality into a room. Stack a couple under a lamp, add one to a console or leave an enormous one open on the coffee table like you casually spend your Sundays studying Italian architecture. Bonus points if you've actually read it.
You won’t be able to put this one down from Shea McGee. Her best selling 'Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home.’ We’re all about it.
Large books on coffee table.
10 - The kitchen thing that’s too good for the cupboard
Kitchens are full of things we use every day, so why are so many of them deeply unattractive?
A beautiful chopping board. Colourful glassware. A striped fruit bowl. A ridiculously good pepper grinder. A utensil holder that doesn't scream utensil holder. If it's going to live on the bench, make it something you're happy to look at. Useful doesn't have to mean ugly.
And sometimes the things you use every day deserve to be the best-looking things in the room. You definitely wouldn’t want to keep this Radicaln Marble Mortar and Pestle Set in the cupboard. Durable, long lasting and excellent at grinding. It’s a kitchen must-have. Or at least thats what I’m telling my partner!
Blue and white strip ceramic cup.
The Gem Likes Design take
Making your home look good isn't about spending more. And it definitely isn't about buying everything from the same collection so your cushions perfectly coordinate with your curtains. It's about finding things with personality.
Mix the expensive thing with the bargain. Put the vintage find next to something brand new. Add colour where you weren't sure you should. Buy the weird lamp. Your home doesn't need to look perfect.
It needs to look like you. And ideally make someone ask:
“Where did you get that?”
