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I had carefully curated a Pinterest board called ‘new home’ over the duration of a year. It consisted of dark wood furniture, stylish sofas by iconic designers of the 80s and luxury furnishings, like sheer floor-to-ceiling draped curtains and grand marble top dining tables.
I've been determined to recreate my dream interior design. The only problem is my budget, which is as little as possible.
Writing for esteemed homes \& interiors magazines such as Homes \& Gardens, Ideal Home and Living Etc not only refined my taste, but also gave me an eye for high street homeware. Facebook marketplace and a bit of DIY has also come in handy along the way.
It’s safe to say I’m well on my way to achieving the flat I’d imagined. Here are my 6 tips, buys and finds that will take any space from bland and boring to elegant and chic, without having to spend a shed load.
Marble doesn't have to cost thousands
I love the look of marble, and its durable feel - but I don’t like its price tag. But after scrolling through all the major furniture stores and independent suppliers, I found a few places that sold solid marble for looks-like-marble prices.
DFS’s Carrera marble collection looks like it should cost well into the thousands - especially for a four seater dining table, but it's only £699. I visited a local store to see it in person. They didn't have the larger table I was after, but they did have the smaller side table, and it was as good in person as it looked online.
Louise's Dunelm Carrera marble dining table in her living space.
This striking dining table is made from genuine solid marble, and has been hand polished for a high gloss finish. Bargain!
Adding cheaper marble pieces around your home is an easy way to upgrade a plain space. Dunelm’s marble collections are affordable but chic. The matching sets can also make your space look coordinated and intentional.
Crafted from 100% genuine marble, this chopping board doubles up as a chic serving board you can keep out on display.
For £15, these coasters will stand out on your coffee table or sideboard. Guests have often complimented how luxurious they look.
Upgrading everyday essentials like a tissue box is an easy way to elevate any space.
Facebook marketplace is your friend
Just because a piece of furniture might be out of your price range, doesn't mean you can’t have it. I’ve always loved iconic furniture design, with Ligne Roset chairs and the B\&B Italia Camaleonda sofa, but I am not able to afford an original.
Dusk released a very chic look-a-like the bubble sofa in brown for around a slither of the cost of the real deal. The Bondi sofa became a viral buy - and of course sold out quickly. I luckily found it on Facebook marketplace.
The DUSK Bondi sofa in Louise's flat not long after moving in.
Dusk is a fantastic retailer for expensive looking furniture. This sofa looks just like a designer version that costs well over £10,000.
Another designer piece of furniture on my wish list is the Noguchi glass coffee table, priced at roughly £2,000. I’d seen versions on Etsy, Amazon and Heal’s at John Lewis, all within a price range I was willing to afford. I was pleased to then find an exact match on Facebook marketplace.
The original is being sold at John Lewis.
This is just one of many cheaper lookalikes that look just as good.
I already had an IKEA dining chair that I used as a seat for my vanity area at my old flat, and decided it would be best to purchase another three to go around my dining table. I’d bought the Tobias chair in grey back in 2022, and its modern chrome legs and clear Perspex design instantly elevated my room into a stylish, contemporary space. Since then, the grey colour way was discontinued. I found one in the pre-loved section of IKEA and the other two on Facebook, for just £10. If you like IKEA furniture, then it’s always worth checking out second-hand marketplaces as they’re often selling for cheap. You never know how much they might be worth in years to come too.
The IKEA Tobias chair remains extremely popular, although the grey variant has since been discontinued.
High street homeware can look designer
Most will know M\&S has massively stepped it up in the womenswear department. Their new collections and collaborations have been huge hits with affordable chic clothing that almost looks designer. However, most won’t know that their homeware has followed suit.
H\&M Home and Dunelm also have some great pieces that look just like more expensive brands. H\&M’s checkerboard trays, chrome kitchenware and walnut dark wood furniture seriously look so much more expensive than they are.
Louise's high street version of the Noguchi coffee table with other affordable alternatives to luxury designs like the H\&M checkered tray and Dunelm marble coasters.
If you're not ready to commit to pattern when it comes to decorating, chic trinkets and ornaments you can switch up when you want are a quick fun way to add some interest to your space.
I had these chenile cushions in my basket for a good few months. Whenever I have gone to check out, they've been out of stock. But they're back, so don't miss out.
Bedside tables can be expensive - who knew? Which is why I bit at the chance to get these dark-stained pinewood tables that look very Soho-home, from H\&M Home. At £125 each, they're a steal.
Argos's furniture looks so much more expensive than it is. I am yet to actually check out on this accent chair, but it's at the top of my wish list right now.
I need a new lamp to go on top of my chest of drawers. It needs to be large enough to stand out, but not enough to detract from the statement check and stripe design. Honestly, this M\&S lamp is perfect, and within budget.
Dunelm's chairs are seriously cheap, but look straight out of mid-luxury stores like Made.com, DUSK or even John Lewis.
Build up your collection over time
Transforming your home takes time. That’s not to say you shouldn't have a plan. I had a vision a long time before I moved in, and think it’s important to think of your end goal, even if you’re not in your dream house just yet.
I started collecting pieces for my new place about a year before moving in, which includes around seven Le Creuset finds in various shades of blue. Some had been gifted, others bought at T.K.Maxx and few were ‘treat yourself’ moments I’m yet to regret. They’ve all now found their place in my kitchen, but they took their time to be there.
And start small. Love Le Creuset but can’t afford to splash out on a huge Dutch oven? Shop their sales. They often have smaller pots and accessories with big discounts, like the casserole dish with 40% off and mini cast iron on sale now.
Louise's Le Creuset collection
Addison Ross is another iconic home brand you just can't beat with a high street version. They are expensive, but cheaper lookalikes really are knock offs. Addison Ross has high quality pieces that will last you. I love my bobbin lamps and salt and pepper grinders. In fact, I'd say they're the most complimented pieces in my home.
Addison Ross bobbin salt and pepper shakers on Louise's kitchen countertop after unboxing.
I use this dish all the time - it's replaced my baking trays. Being decorative enough to place right on the table from the over, it's versatile and perfect for hosting.
My chocolate Bobbin lamps instantly upgrade my space. I love that they're wireless meaning I can move them around my home for where I need them.
Le Creuset's cult range is often available at John Lewis, and on offer. You can get warranty and the option to spread the cost if you need to.
I like a minimalist kitchen, but these Addison Ross bobbin mills are worthy of staying out on my counter top.
Invest in statement pieces
I do believe some expensive things are worth the spend. Take the SMEG kettle for example; yes it’s just a kettle, but it does look incredibly stylish on my kitchen worktop. I gave it a full review you can read here.
The SMEG kettle on Louise's countertop.
The Smeg kettle has an iconic design that will elevate an otherwise plain kitchen surface. Not to mention guests will be impressed. It's the ultimate middle-class kitchen appliance.
High quality furniture will stand the test of time, and make a statement. You can tell the difference between a real oak chest of drawers and a cheaper dark wood stained version. The finishings on more expensive pieces also tend to be made from quality materials. It’s these small upgrades that take a piece of furniture from basic to unique.
I immediately checked out on this John Lewis sideboard when I saw it. There’s nothing else online that easily compares with its striped and checkered design in 100% oak wood. There is a whole collection of bedside tables, a drinks cabinet and smaller drawer unit. However, I’d suggest selecting particular high end pieces you need and mix and match with more affordable finds.
The John Lewis check and stripe chest of drawers next to the H\&M bedside tables in Louise bedroom.
The John Lewis check and stripe chest of drawers in Louise's bedroom after unboxing.
This John Lewis furniture collection is robust and high quality, made from rich, dark stained oak. Its design is distinct, perfect for adding flare and interest to an otherwise plain space.
Make sure your basics aren't boring
Every home needs an ironing board, pedestal bin, dust pan and brush and other everyday essentials which usually look a little boring. Buying slightly elevated basics is a simple way to upgrade your space without having to spend a fortune or completely re-do a room in your house.
Brabantia household products look modern and come in neutral colours as opposed to tacky primary colours you usually see if you’re buying from supermarkets or Amazon. Pulling out a sleek dust pan and brush and tipping it into a high tech bin will do wonders for your hosting skills too.
Who knew an ironing board can actually look quite chic? Minimal and easy to use it doesn't stand out in my home and tucks away nicely into my cupboard.
Bins aren't attractive - but this Brabantia one slots seamlessly into the corner of my bathroom. It looks premium, but knows how to blend into the background.