High Street Heroes: The Best Furniture & Homeware For AW23
While most of us are still waiting for summer to start after a distinct lack of actual sun in the UK this July, next month all the new furniture and homeware for autumn and winter 2023 will launch online and in the shops. The AW23 collections always embrace the trends that have proved popular at the start of the year, so expect a lot of stripes, chequerboard patterns, sage green colourways and scalloped furniture.
First up, let’s look at what is new from Laura Ashley. The treasured UK brand now sells its patterned wallpaper, fabrics, furniture and home accessories via UK high street giants Next; the first thing to catch my eye was the new Dandelion print - reworked from their extensive archive and now available as a wallpaper or a fabric that can be made to order on their range of upholstered furniture.
A deep sea blue drinks cabinet that is perfect for Christmas stood out, as did a vintage-style gold bamboo framed print, a lovely indent-shaped rope chair and a sage green pussy willow print wallpaper.
I’m always excited to see what is new in at Heal’s; they have the best team of buyers, plus their own ranges are high-quality and trend-led. For AW23, I am completely obsessed with the new Lazio side table: a 3-legged, lacquered burgundy number that will be on sale from August.
Heal’s is also my go-to for designer lighting; the new Rock crystal LED chandelier is completely unique and I expect it to be a huge seller for the brand.
Primark Home has a very seasonal offering - expect cute mushroom ornaments and pumpkin pots - but it was the cream, scalloped bowls, plates and serveware that caught my eye. This tableware collection is a high-end look product at an affordable price point.
Marks & Spencer has gone very ‘Soho Home’ for AW23 and the end result is a lovely collection of marble-topped coffee tables and retro lighting options.
My favourite piece from M&S for AW23 is the Agnes Wall Lamp: a beautiful coffee-pink glass design that nods to sophisticated retro glamour. It’s available from August, priced at just £45.
George Home - the homeware brand owned by supermarket giant ASDA - is embracing all the key trends for 2023. Expect chequerboard bedding, towels and rugs, as well as wavy-edged bath mats and scallop trim cushions in on-trend brown and blue colourways.
High Street Heroes Dunelm have really picked up on the trend for bobbin, wood-turned, scalloped and stripy furniture; for AW23 they are offering a wide range of lamps, cabinets and side tables in glossy lacquered greens, blues and reds. Their new, woven stripe snuggle chair ‘Beatrice’ has already sent social media into a frenzy.
Finally, you may have seen many a fluted round table DIY on social media; if want one yourself but don’t want to make it, Next have this Dark Fem reeded black dining table available from September.