WHETHER YOU’RE STARTING a new home project from scratch or hoping to change up a room, sometimes it feels like even the most basic pieces for your home are out of budget. 

But not all interiors purchases need to break the bank. The high street is a great place to look for finishing touches, accessories and even furniture. With places like Zara Home, H&M Home and French Connection all offering wallet-friendly interiors collections (and delivering to Ireland), the choice available is wider than ever. 

Of course, it’s not just international brands that offer value. Homegrown stores like April & The Bear, Article, Designst, Ode, and Meadows & Byrne all have cool, quirky pieces at prices that don’t require handing over your entire sitting room budget for one mirror.

Plus, I couldn’t write a piece like this without mentioning Dunnes Stores, whose Irish homewares brands like Helen James, Paul Costello and Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic, make me want to redecorate almost weekly. 

With that in mind I asked seven of my favourite interior designers, stylists, bloggers and journalists to pick their Winter 2019 favourites from the high street for under €50.  

1. Wooden stool, €45.99 from Zara Home

Ruth McGahey, interior architect: ”My favourite piece is a little timber stool from Zara Home. I’d grab it in a heartbeat, it’s so versatile. It could be used as a side table, or a mini console against an awkward wall with a tall plant on top or even as a bedside table with a lamp. Or just pull it in front of the couch, throw a cushion on top and put your feet up!”

This similar wooden stool from Zara is perfect for setting a drink on this festive season – or see McGahey’s choice in the link above.

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2. Paul Costelloe throw, €50 from Dunnes

Caroline Flannery, interior designer: ”I have become very attached to my recently purchased ombre throw by Paul Costelloe.  My sofa is  dark velvet so I have a constant battle against shedding fibres which can be so annoying, this beauty does not shed  in the slightest and the colours are glorious, I love the ombre effect and the green and pink tones work perfectly with my colour scheme.”

3. Scatter Box Cushion, €45 from Arnotts

Darran Heaney, interiors Instagrammer and part of the @roundourgaff team: ”I love that these cushions are Irish made, excellent quality and always on trend. They’re also made from a soft velvet fabric, perfect for winter evenings on your sofa. Changing up your cushions is an inexpensive way to update your decor, too. This is a really gorgeous patterned cushion from their autumn/winter range.”

Check it out in the image below – it’s the floral one sitting on the floor.

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4. Set of breadboards, €50 from Lamb Design

Orla Neligan, journalist, interiors stylist and producer: ”I have a bit of an obsession with bread boards, especially vintage ones. This set of three recycled teak boards have a lovely rustic finish and look great hung as a display in a kitchen. They come in three handy sizes – great for chopping or as serving trays for cheese or meat at a get-together.”

5. Newgate Wideboy alarm clock, €50 from Harvey Norman

Cathy McGovern, interiors blogger: ”Something that’s currently sitting in my basket is the Wideboy alarm clock from Newgate available at Harvey Norman.  A large retro-inspired alarm clock with a sleek matt black case and mid-century atomic dial, it adds a touch of refinement to either your mantle or bedside.  For €50 it would make an excellent gift for the lovers of iconic design in your life.”

McGovern’s choice of clock fits this modern room perfectly – and you’ll be sure to wake up on a dark winter’s morning:

6. Gilded mirror, €45.99 from Zara Home

Sarah Drumm, interior designer: ”Zara Home is definitely one of my favourite high street shops for homewares. They have such a great selection of cool mirrors, rugs, accessories and smaller furniture items which are always reasonably priced. I particularly love this mirror with the interesting wavy-shaped gold frame, priced at €45.99. It would look fab over a sink in the downstairs WC or over a dressing table to add some seasonal glamour.”

7. Wooden hanger, €9.99 from H&M Home

Ciara Elliot, interiors and home journalist: ”I recently bought two of the hangers for my daughter Astrid’s bedroom and created a length of peg rails which are so practical. I use it every day now to hang her uniform and school bag and it also acts as an extra picture ledge. It gives and instant life to an otherwise plain white wall. I’ve seen them used across a whole length of wall and they are just the most practical things for a child’s room.”

Instagram user @_rikerike has used a similar wooden hanger in her kitchen for hanging mugs and decorative winter berries. 

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