Scouring the affordable high-street favourites and online retailers, we've filled baskets with the pieces we'd buy right now – across useful
The £100 Homeware Basket Challenge: Where We'd Spend It Now
We gave ourselves a £100 budget at some of our favourite homeware destinations to see what we'd bring home. From high-street heroes to artisan-led brands, here's where we'd spend it.
A hundred pounds is not what it once was. In some homeware shops, it buys little more than a scented candle and a cushion cover; in others, it can transform a room. With that in mind, we set ourselves a challenge: if we had exactly £100 to spend, where would we spend it?
Scouring the affordable high-street favourites and online retailers, we've filled baskets with the pieces we'd buy right now – across usefulkitchen upgrades , hardworking storage, beautiful textiles and the small details that make a home feel fresher, calmer and more put together. Here's how far £100 stretches at some of our favourite homeware destinations.
Scouring the affordable high-street favourites and online retailers, we've filled baskets with the pieces we'd buy right now – across useful
H&M Home: The Living Room Refresh
A lesson in the power of small updates. A linen-blend lampshade, patterned cushion cover, jacquard throw and herbal-scented candle combine to make a living room feel warmer, softer and more considered – all for less than £100.
Basket Total: £99.96
Basket Total: £99.96
Zara Home: The Dinner Party Upgrade
We’ve spent our £100 at Zara Home on pieces that make dining and entertaining feel more chic. Sculptural salad bowls, elegant glass jugs and stoneware plates bring instant table appeal, while a woven food dome could have been lifted from a long summer lunch in the Med. Stylish, practical and ready for guests.
Basket Total: £98.96
Basket Total: £98.96
Dunelm: The Bedroom Reset
If your bedroom is in need of a little zhuzh, £100 goes surprisingly far at Dunelm. This edit combines practical storage with softer lighting and tactile textiles – the kind of small upgrades that make a room feel fresher and considerably more inviting.
Basket Total: £99.80
Basket Total: £99.80
IKEA: The Organised Home
Few retailers do organisation quite like IKEA. It is awash with baskets that bring practical solutions, pegboards that keep desks and craft spaces in order, and mini chests to corral life's smaller bits and bobs.
Basket Total: £100
Basket Total: £100
Habitat: Contemporary Classics
Habitat excels at contemporary design at palatable prices, and this basket is a case in point. A striped mirror and resin trinket tray bring a playful hit of colour, while a stacking stool and folding chair are flexible, moving easily from room to room. Practical, cheerful and full of personality.
Basket Total: £94
Basket Total: £94
Sostrene Grene: Small Luxuries
Sostrene Grene remains one of the high street's best destinations for affordable homeware. This basket mixes practical pieces with decorative touches, from a compact side table and wall-mounted drying rack to a collection of vases, candle holders and ceramics. And the result? Stylish rather than budget-conscious.
Basket Total: £96.96
Basket Total: £96.96
FAQs: £100 Homeware Basket
Can you still update a room with a £100 homeware budget?
Absolutely. While £100 will not buy a complete room makeover, it can have a surprisingly transformative effect when spent strategically. A new lamp, fresh textiles, storage solutions or updated tableware can make a space feel noticeably more considered.
Which homeware shop offers the best value for money?
It depends on what you're shopping for. IKEA excels at storage and organisation, Dunelm is hard to beat for textiles and bedroom updates, while Sostrene Grene offers some of the most affordable decorative accessories on the high street.
What should I buy if I only have £100 to spend on my home?
Focus on pieces that deliver the biggest visual impact. Throws, cushions, lighting, mirrors and decorative storage can refresh a room without requiring a major investment.
How can I make my home look more expensive on a budget?
Layering textures, introducing better lighting and choosing a cohesive colour palette can elevate a space. Natural materials such as linen, cotton, wood and ceramics often look more expensive than their price tags suggest.
Is it better to spend £100 in one shop or mix and match retailers?
Both approaches work. Shopping from one retailer can create a more cohesive look, while mixing brands often allows you to find the strongest value in different categories, from storage to soft furnishings.
What are the best affordable homeware retailers in the UK?
Some of our favourites include H&M Home, Zara Home, IKEA, Dunelm, Habitat and Sostrene Grene. Each has its own strengths, whether that's textiles, tableware, storage or decorative accessories.
Which homeware purchases make the biggest difference to a room?
Lighting, textiles and storage tend to have the greatest impact. A well-chosen lamp, a beautiful throw or a stylish storage solution can instantly make a room feel more polished and put together.
How often should you refresh your home décor?
There are no rules, but seasonal updates can keep a space feeling fresh. Swapping cushions, adding new candles, introducing ceramics or updating table settings are simple ways to refresh a room without overspending.
By
Nancy Alsop
·
Published June 2026
Nancy is a magpie for the best in design and culture.
