The new high-street homeware buys that will brighten up your home

Online shopping has been a mainstay of lockdown, but there's no getting around the fact that some purchases require a personal touch. Homeware is no exception. You've doubtless seen your share of absent-minded shoppers snag what they think is the deal of a lifetime, only to receive furniture fit for a dolls house. Needless to say, hitting the high street is one of the best ways to make sure that your new furniture is the right fit - quite literally - for your home.

As shoppers hit the high street once more, we've done the heavy lifting for you and assembled our picks of the best collections coming to retailers near you.

Affordable style at John Lewis

John Lewis & Partners has reopened its stores, and headline homeware news is its new own-brand collection, Anyday. Developed in-house, much of it remotely during lockdown, the collection includes over 2,400 new products, taking in homeware, home tech and baby products, at prices on average 20% lower than its other own-brand ranges.

In a palette of blues, greens, mustard, terracotta, pale woods and black accents that allows you to mix and match within the collection, the pieces have a notably youthful look designed to appeal to first-homers and others who might have previously been priced out of the brand. The design team is keen to point out, however, that the more accessible price point (the most expensive item is a three-seater sofa at £499) doesn’t involve a compromise on quality, but more a careful selection of materials and processes (for example bamboo panelling on some of the pieces, rather than more expensive woods) that cuts down on manufacturing costs.

There’s a focus on pick-me-up pieces to accessorise your home, such as cushions (from £5), lamps, mirrors and kitchenware, as well as sofas and chairs, beds, dining sets and storage furniture. Standout pieces include an oak dining set which comes in various sizes (from £349 for a table and two benches), velvet and embroidered cushions that look and feel far more expensive than they are, a black bed frame and headboard, and a comfortable velvet sofa bed (from £349) that would make a smart addition to a spare-room office.

A new, budget-focused home-design advice service called Refresh for Less has also been launched, which gives you a 45-minute free consultation, either in store or virtually.

Designer chic at H&M Home

Inspired by the success of its designer fashion collaborations, H&M has extended the tactic to its homeware offering. Following on from its debut collab with Jonathan Adler at the end of 2019, the brand has just launched a range with fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg. Pieces include cushion covers with DVF’s signature animal-print motifs, vibrant glass vases and wall art, some of which is still available at time of writing.

Next up, the brand’s summer collection, available now, includes ceramics, colourful hammam towels and long daybed-style floor cushions for easy lounging in the garden (or to soften up the seat of a less-than-comfortable sofa).

Painterly pattern at Anthropologie

Matching your tableware to your attire has become a social-media trend, and the bright and breezy new Vera collection from Anthropologie fits the bill. The line extends from summery dresses, shirts and bags to outdoor-appropriate tableware, candles, woven napkins and picnic blankets, all emblazoned with colourful fruit and flower motifs inspired by the work of the late American artist Vera Neumann. The collection also includes matching games, such as croquet, table tennis and backgammon, to help entertain your picnic or garden-party guests.

Summery linens and florals at Zara Home

Zara has always been a safe bet for tableware and textile updates, and among this season’s new launches are summery earthenware plates and table accessories with faded floral motifs, hammered gold cutlery, and washed-linen bedding and cushions (with wafty linen shirt dresses to match).

On-trend gingham makes an appearance in the outdoor collection, with cheerful checked melamine plates, bowls and trays in yellow or green. New furniture from the brand includes home office-appropriate pieces such as compact shelving units, folding tables and chairs and a designer-esque sleek wooden desk.

Outdoor updates at Habitat

Habitat has honed in on its more affordable and small-space ranges, with sofas and chairs in a mid-century-inspired palette, compact desks, and multi-functional storage solutions such as ottomans and slimline display cabinets. The latest launches are outdoor updates such as metal bistro sets and benches, lightweight rattan chairs, loungers and hammocks, along with the brand’s best-selling tiki bar.

For those with a more modest outside space, there’s also a wooden tea trolley for £45 that would work for serving cocktails indoors or out.

Laura Ashley at Next

Capitalising on the current cottagecore-inspired fascination with floral prints, Laura Ashley has launched a new collection available at selected Next stores. Those with fond memories of the brand’s 70s and 80s heyday will be drawn to the statement prints rather than the more neutral sofas and art-deco-style mirrors. The botanical patterned wallpapers and fabrics, some inspired by artworks from the brand’s archive, would give a pretty, vintage look teamed with a ceramic table lamp and the brand’s range of trad-style dark, chestnut-wood cabinets and tables.

WFH saviours at Heal’s

Along with a sofa or bed, one thing that’s worth trying out in person is a comfortable office chair, especially after a year of working from home. Heal’s is a one-stop shop for good-quality versions, from investment pieces by the likes of Vitra and Fritz Hansen (some in new colours and finishes) to more affordable versions from the own-brand range that are built for comfort and look more ‘home’ than ‘office’.

There’s also a good selection of desks, including several around the £500 mark, such as the new Flette design in light oak with on-trend cane panelling.

Sustainable style at Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters has a reputation for fashion-forward accessories aimed at a trend-conscious younger buyer, but it’s upped its game recently with more substantial furniture pieces. The just-dropped new collection has over 150 different products, among them sofas, cabinetry, beds and daybeds, and coloured metal Mustard Made lockers.

The brand is also tapping into the current sustainability-focused demand for second-hand pieces with a selection of vintage one-offs, including chairs, rattan tables and storage.

Top of the shops

The White Company: Home fragrance, basketry, and outdoor accessories including lighting, seat cushions and a pretty fringed umbrella. This season’s table and glassware range has some stylish picnic pieces with not a tropical print in sight.

Marks & Spencer: Inexpensive patterned blankets, cushions and rugs to help put a new-season spin on the living room.

French Connection Home: Rustic wood, industrial-style metal and relaxed rattan furniture, especially chairs, stools and occasional tables. The rugs and floor cushions have become cult favourites.

Oliver Bonas: Colour-pop accessories such as ceramics, planters, storage baskets and lamps. The new coloured glassware for coffee, tea and cocktails has a playful, designer look.

BHS: Lighting, especially rattan and glass pendants at lower-than-average prices.

Clockwise: Edit swivel chair, £499, Heal’s; Tea trolley, £45, Habitat; Velvet Stripe cushion, £12, John Lewis; Shorty locker, £129, Urban Outfitters; Flette desk, £649, Heal’s