I’m a designer – the best supermarket homeware, including a £5.50 throw from Asda

Have you noticed that when you pop to the supermarket, the homeware section is looking more expensive and high-end than ever? Supermarkets like Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s (with their Habitat range), and Morrisons have stepped up their homeware game in a big way, meaning you can find surprisingly stylish pieces that hold their own against expensive brands. Aldi and Lidl often yield great finds, too – if you’re fast enough to bag one of their weekly bargains.

Sophie Smith, interior designer and co-founder of The Living House, says supermarket finds can absolutely work in your home, but it’s all about how you pair them with other items to create a cohesive look. “For instance, a £30 supermarket table lamp can look fabulous on a £1,000 sideboard. It’s all about what else is going on in the room and what you pair it with. The real skill is knowing how to mix and match pieces.”

Interior designer Gemma Blake agrees that there are some great homeware buys to be found at the supermarket, and regularly shares her top picks on TikTok to her 35,000 followers. She loves picking out pieces you can grab while doing the big shop, with many designer dupes to be found in your local superstore.

So, if you’re looking to pick up some candles alongside your cauliflower, or a new tablecloth with your tomatoes, Smith and Blake have picked out the best of what the supermarkets have to offer.

George Signature Scents Lime, Basil & Mandarin XXL Candle

Asda, £25

“You know those really large, really expensive candles you see in a lot of homes and hotels?” Blake says. “Asdahavean incredible dupe – and believe me, the smell is incredible. I wouldn’t buy all candles from a supermarket, as they don’t normally have the staying power; however, this is a must-have.”

Wooden Scalloped Salad Bowl

Habitat, £16, matching salad servers £15

Blake says this wooden serving bowl is a summer essential. “It’s a perfect hosting bowl for crisps or salad, and ideal for a picky lunch with friends. I would also snap up the matching salad servers, too. The ‘little things’ like the matching servers often get overlooked, and I try to remind clients that it’s those finishing touches that really pull a look together.”

Stacey Solomon Seersucker Stripe Cotton Duvet Set

Asda, from £19

Blake’s top tip when it comes to supermarket bedding is: look at the material composition, as cheaper sets may be made from scratchy or uncomfortable material. “This 100 per cent cotton bedding classic stripe and ruffle set is an incredibly reasonable price, and with four colours to choose from, it would suit many bedroom schemes.” Interior trends come and go, but the classic stripe is timeless, with ruffled striped duvet covers seen everywhere from John Lewis to Dunelm this year.

George Natural Wood Table Lamp with Pleated Shade

Asda, £15

Smith loves this table lamp because it has a real Zara Home look, but at a steal of a price. “I loved it so much I had to buy one for myself; it’s the perfect addition to my built-in living room shelves. Plus, because it’s battery-operated, you can place it anywhere in your home without needing a socket.”

F&F Home Acacia Scalloped Edge Tray

Tesco, £15

Smith rates this scalloped-edge tray made from hard, durable acacia wood. “It’s an amazing find and would make the perfect addition to a coffee table or footstool. It’s also available in white, but I think the wooden finish makes it look far more expensive than its £15 price tag.” She notes that wooden trays have become more popular in recent years, driven by consumers looking for neutral items that will last, and they can be seen in many homeware collections such as West Elm, Next and Marks and Spencer.

F&F Home Premium Crystal White Wine Glass 4 Pack

Tesco, £14

You may think you need to pay a lot for quality wine glasses, but Blake disagrees. “We all hate a stubby little wine glass, and these are the polar opposite, so I always recommend these to clients – thin, large, crystal, chic, and only £14 for four!” A similar set at John Lewis would cost £15 per glass, and you’d struggle to tell the difference.

George White Reactive Glaze Dinner Set 12 Piece

Asda, £38

Blake says: “I really love styling neutral ceramics for the table, with more interesting fabrics and place mats that you can change, depending on your mood. The neutral base means that the food always looks great on it, too! A great price for a very well-made dinner set, that looks like the kind you would buy from the White Company for £120.”

Nutmeg Home Ribbed Scallop Glass Vase

Morrisons, £5

A good vase is something unusually hard to get right and at a good price. “Look for a vase that doesn’t have too large an opening, but has plenty of space to hold water,” says Blake. “Also, you don’t want it to be too fussy. This is a great find, and will really let the flowers do the talking, whilst being interesting enough on its own. A bargain at a fiver

George White Tablecloth

Asda, £12

According to Blake, factors that make a tablecloth look cheap are the material and the length. “Make sure there is plenty of overhang on all sides of the table, especially if it has detailing on the edge. If it isn’t long enough, it will really cheapen the whole look. This simple but classic tablecloth, made from a cotton and linen mix is an absolute bargain and would not break the bank if you needed to buy a few.”

Nutmeg Home Blue Stripe Jug Vase

Morrisons, £10

Morrisons’ homeware is often overlooked, but there are some real gems in their Nutmeg range. Smith says: “This striped jug vase would instantly brighten up a room, and I’d even pick up some daffodils or tulips during my weekly shop to fill it with.”

Nutmeg Home Green Stripe Dinner Plate

Morrisons, £3

“These plates are truly giving summer,” Smith says, “and I love how the stripes have an organic, imperfect look. If you’re entertaining this summer, they would be perfect.” There are also matching side plates and bowls available if you want a complete dinner set.

Habitat x Morris & Co. Glass Shade Table Lamp

Habitat, £46

Blake says: “Even if I’m buying from a supermarket, I still want it to feel high-end. This Art Nouveau-inspired table lamp has an opal glass shade that drapes over the walnut stem, finished with a solid marble base. It’s one of those lamps that people would think you’d spend a small fortune on and looks like something you’d buy on Soho Home.”

Checkered Trinket Box – Brown

Habitat, £7

Smith couldn’t fight the urge to pick up this great little trinket box. “The checkerboard pattern is definitely trending right now, and at this price, how could I resist? Try placing it on top of a couple of stacked books, like I do, to add height and interest to your styling.”

George Geometric Super Soft Throw

Asda, £5.50

The unpredictable British weather may have you reaching for a blanket, even in the summer, and Smith likes this super soft throw with a modern geometric print. “It’s perfect for adding a touch of pattern to your sofa while keeping things cosy. At less than £6 it’s also a great option for protecting your sofa from family life, and it is tumble dryer safe, too.”

George Gingham Frill Cushion

Asda, £10

Smith says frilled and ruffled edge cushions are everywhere we look right now, with versions seen in Damson Madder, Marks and Spencer and Dunelm. It might seem like a subtle detail, but a frilly cushion can immediately bring a soft, playful and romantic feel to your decor, and this gingham frill cushion, available in five colours, would work perfectly to update the style of your sofa or bed. “Pair it with other patterns and textures for a layered look,” says Smith.