Best homeware picks of the high street to refresh your home on a budget for 2024

05 January 2024 , 13:00

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2024 homeware picks from Mirror's shopping team

January, along with the pulling down of Christmas decorations and gym membership sign ups, brings with it an urge to do a bit of a spring clean. A spruce up after the spruce has come down, if you will.

This time of year will see many homeowners and renters looking to refresh their living space, but with the cost of Christmas and January’s payday still weeks away, shoppers are very much looking to transform their home on a budget.

As the new in ranges hit the high street shelves, and January sales are in full swing, I headed to , , Primark and to find the cheapest but chicest ways to give your home a makeover without breaking the bank. Here are some of the trends I spotted, and the top picks from the popular home retailers.

Cushions

My mum has always enjoyed a ‘pop of colour’ trend in our family living room, opting for grey walls, a neutral sofa, rugs and furniture. But every few months, she’ll swap out the colour scheme by changing up accessories like prints, throws and cushions. This works especially well for bedrooms too, not needing to redecorate the entire space, but some new scatter cushions in different prints, colours or patterns can really transform the atmosphere without the need of a tin of paint or even new bedding.

New in frilly cushions at Marks and Spencer for £19.50

Frilly cushions I think will be a big trend this year, with some gorgeous new-in options like the and the I love the different shades and the washed muted colours of the striped option (£19.50) reminding me of little beach huts - they’ve definitely got an air of country charm about them and will never go out of style.

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Meanwhile, for something a little cheaper, Dunelm have this equally as stylish . Priced at £7, the cushions are available in pink, yellow and blue, with soft-touch covers and a soft filling perfect for adding a touch of colour to your bedspread, or accessorising a cute reading corner. Oh and the covers are removable to make for easy washing, too.

Dunelm's £7 frill cushions and Primark's £10 accessories

Meanwhile, you can add a pop of colour from Primark with this £10 green number, however, this range has been incredibly popular on TikTok and will undoubtedly sell out pretty quickly.

Candles and home fragrance

These M&S candles are strikingly similar in scent to Jo Malone

Candles and diffusers are a cheap and easy way to create a cosy atmosphere in your home, and this year, I think diffusers are going to be huge for the fact they’re flameless. That’s not to say that candles are going anywhere, mind you, with traditional wicked numbers and stick options dotted on almost every flat surface of every home.

At Marks and Spencer, I spotted some really and noticed that the scents are very similar to Jo Malones, including Blush Peony, Lime, Basil and Mandarin, and Pear Blossom and Freesia. Coming from the and are a great alternative to Jo’s boujee £56 candles.

In Sainsbury’s, I adored this reed diffuser so much I bought two of the oil refills and a candle. If you adore gourmand scents, then you won’t be able to get enough of this ‘Morning Coffee’ scent. The blended with a splash of vanilla, like a freshly baked pastry.

Sainsbury's deliciously scented reed diffuser and Primark's candlesticks new in for 2024

Personally, I’ve never really been a fan of Primark’s candles as I don’t find the fragrances to be very long lasting - but their candlestick holders on the other hand are absolutely beautiful. Imagine these pink and green cottagecore ceramic holders on either end of your fireplace or one on each bedside table? They are so cute.

Armchairs

Have you got a corner of your home that feels empty and can’t work out what to put in it? An accent armchair I think is going to be a fun 2024 trend. Again it’s a great way to inject a bit of colour into a room, though these do tend to be a little more expensive.

The M&S chair comes in at £429

The The mid-century design is super sleek and modern with wooden arms and makes for a very snug reading spot.

At Dunelm, the (possibly my favourite) is so stylish and leans into the stripes trend we also saw in the cushions above. It’s a real statement piece that can give your space a whole new vibe.

Alternative armchairs at Dunelm and Habitat

If you’re hoping to find something with a double digit price tag instead, though, Habitat at . The art deco inspired seat is the perfect place to perch and is a lovely choice for a home office space, too.

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Glassware and pottery

Primark's pretty plates and Dunelm's stylish glasses - a match made in heaven

And finally, if you’re looking to freshen up the kitchen, then mixing up your glass and dinnerware is a great place to start. Primark currently has a beautiful selection of crockery, while are perfect for making a toast to the New Year and hosting get-togethers.

Elsewhere around the home, some fresh or dried blooms in a pretty vase can also be a cost-effective addition. looks way more expensive than its price tag would suggest.

Vases are another affordable way to transform your home, coming in at £15 at Dunelm and M&S

For something a bit more kitsch, is another affordable option at £15, and has received nothing but five-star reviews from shoppers so far.

If you’re feeling like it’s time for a bit of a change in your space, these homeware picks based on the latest trends could be a great place to start. From cute cushions to cosy candles, you should never underestimate the effect these small and inexpensive updates can have on your home.

Bethan Shufflebotham