Perfect little buys that will complete your home in style

Home accessories are important visual elements in a decorating scheme but most are brilliantly practical too. The table lamp that matches that rug in your yellow accent colour is also the light you read by. Even the ultimate throw-on accessory, the cushion is quietly utilitarian. Well, can you imagine lounging on the sofa without a few of them? Changing the accessories is one of the quickest ways to update a room, making it feel as good as it looks.

Kitchen cupboards and drawers are often filled with a mish-mash of cookware and there’s nothing wrong with that. Some utensils are trusty old favourites – a fool-proof peeler, Grandma’s old mixing bowl and the baking tray that makes the best roast potatoes. But if you’re looking to invest in new, choose a style you know you’ll love for years to come and that will serve you well. If you are on a budget or have children heading off to college soon, take a look at ANYDAY Cook for matching essentials at prices you’ll love.

Bring a little sunshine to your morning cuppa with bright canisters and countertop accessories to complement your kitchen – they will make that hit of caffeine all the more uplifting. Storage boxes for all rooms can add colour and hide a multitude of clutter, as well as making things easier to find. Happiness all round.

Let’s face it, adding colourful new towels are a whole lot easier than retiling or painting when it comes to revamping your bathroom. In a mostly white room, colour and pattern will add warmth – in an already colourful room, they can really seal the style. Layer up the accessories with a bath mat and perhaps framed prints for the wall. Can’t decide on a theme? Having two different sets of towels and mats also allows for a change of scenery from week to week.

Occasional furniture can be the star that improves the functionality of a room. Small kitchen? Look at compact ranges to see if you can squeeze in a small table and chairs, even if they just seat two. An accent armchair in a bold colour can create a striking focal point in a living room or bedroom – a pouffe or footstool can fulfill the same function in a smaller space. 

New bedlinen is another instant makeover win. Have fun mixing up cushions and pillowcases to create a fresh new feel in minutes. An eclectic variety and a few throws are a great way to change things through the seasons, while adding in a few smaller accessories to match them will cement it all as a considered design decision. Interior stylists like to work with groups of three so follow their lead and add extra accents with bedside lamps, vases, wall art, storage or a rug.

There’s room for a lamp in almost every room including the hallway, where pools of light can invitingly lead the way in. A mix of table lamps and floor lamps, meanwhile, can create softer, more soothing light in the living room and bedroom. And don’t underestimate what lamps can bring to a scheme in terms of sculptural shapes and a hit of colour even when unlit. Try mixing them with houseplants to create interesting shadows across floor and walls.