After leaving in 2013 where the big chains and multinational corporations ruled the high street, it was refreshing to come back to see a little more personality and individuality in British towns and cities.

The list below is some of our favourite shops and homeware brands in the UK, many of which I found through their strong social media presence while others just good old fashioned word of mouth.

I hope you find it useful and please let me know if I have missed someone off that you think should be included.

1.Woven Rosa

Born from the desire to share worldly treasures, Woven Rosa is an online homeware boutique working alongside skilled artisans from around the world. We celebrate colourful and unique designs that are handmade with high quality and premium materials.

With a love for colour, eclectic objects and bohemian design, Laura and Tom are passionate about introducing one of a kind finds into your home.

Creating interiors that are expressive, playful and have a soul. Shop Now

2. Reste - Hastings

Hastings, the feisty seaside town of East Sussex has a lot to offer historically but also has a great selection of independent shops. Reste a purveyor of artisanal and handcrafted household products and modern home accessories from around the world is definitely worth a visit while exploring the area. 

We both share similar values and beliefs in that each piece that is sourced is well designed and made with skill and craftsmanship using traditional methods and materials. While the relationship between the artisan and a beautiful handmade product creates a story and makes it an individual crafted item and not just a mass market product.

3. Maven - Belfast

If you were thinking, where can I shop for both Irish and Scandinavian made products then think no more, Maven has exactly that. Founded by sisters, this wonderful home interior shop located in Belfast has previously won Independent retailer of the year, and you can see why. They focus on great design and friendliness while shopping, the latter I believe is extremely important, as the whole experience of purchasing a product should make the customer leave happy.

An aesthetically beautiful physical and online store it’s hard to draw yourself away. Their support of local artisans makes this a unique place to visit while in Northern Ireland.

4. Prior - Bristol

Prior Shop, located in the ‘independent shop haven’ of Bristol is a small shop that showcases handcrafted, beautiful homewares that are made responsibly and sustainably. The designers and makers that they represent are chosen because of their responsible choices with materials, processes, sourcing and packaging.

They also double up as a makers space with workshops empowering people of all ages to learn fun and practical art skills.

5. Lifestory - Edinburgh

Edinburgh is home to a number of super cool independent shops with its wonderful architecture it houses a unique shops quite appropriately. Lifestory lifestyle store has been around and evolving since 2014 and is a great spot for lovers of design.

With it’s homeware store “slash” coffee shop vibe (and me been a little bit of a coffee geek) it is one of of my favourites. The mixture of high end homewares, fragrances, notebooks, blanket and lampshades will keep you entertained while sipping your flat white.

This much-loved destination store is home to a host of designers from across the globe. The focus is on Scandinavian and Nordic design (ferm LIVING, HAY, house doctor, Studio Arhoj, Rains, Lindform, Cereal, Secrid, Notem Copenhagen and many more) with UK and local designers featuring too. At Lifestory you can expect to find a curated collection of lifestyle products, art, lighting and personal goods that share the traits of beauty and function.

6. A New Tribe - London

Located now at two aesthetically beautiful locations in London is A New Tribe. offering an eclectic curated selection of beautiful interior objects and textiles sourced from independent designers and small brands from around the world. 

We share a similar love for the products that we both sell, you can see that they are also carefully selected and each one is lovingly captured on their website and showcased in store. They also are mindful of the story that each item holds and believe that the beauty is not only in the physical appearance of the product.

Pieces from  Morocco, Japan, India, the UK and the USA make up their carefully curated stock.  A New Tribe is also home to 'The Rug Trade', with an extensive selection of Boucherouite, Azilal, and Beni Ourain Moroccan Rugs including rare vintage finds and newly designed handmade rugs using the traditional techniques in Morocco.

7. Harriman and Co - Leicester

If you find yourself in the midlands city of Leicester you have to call into Harriman and Co. Located in the old town lanes of the city, it has a specially curated collection of eclectic homewares together with the scent of our favourite home fragrance and of course, an old-fashioned smile. 

Opening their doors in 2014, they pride themselves on the individual pieces and one offs that they showcase. The ever changing selection of homeware, furniture and lifestyle products make it a wonderful place for a weekend mooch.

I love the ethics in which they select their stock, the two questions  that are asked before the product is stocked are; Is it beautiful? And, does it have a function? Equally important yet often missed in some interior shops. They also support local artists, a crucial part of keeping home design personal, ethical and environmentally friendly.

8. RE - Northumberland

After recently visiting Northumberland for the first time I was so happy to stumble across RE, a fantastic homeware store with a great message.

The shop opened in 2003 and has grown from strength to strength. Stocking an ever-growing range of unique products they promote recycling, reusing and respecting the environment. They have never used plastic bags in store and  ensure, wherever they possibly can, their products are environmentally friendly, fair-trade, made from sustainable materials that are reusable or compostable.

9. Cuemars - London

If you’re searching for homewares in East London, Cuemars is your place. A conscious curation of aesthetically engaging designs focusing on their ethical value of buy less, buy better. Housing multiple brands that produce durable, culturally-relevant/responsible/influential, contemporary homeware, clothing and lifestyle goods.

Pursuing cultural significance, driven by a belief that design is not synonymous with trends they are committed to honest sustainability through their supply chain.

10. Objects of Use - Oxford

Objects of Use is a modern-day hardware/homeware store located in Oxford, home to a unique selection of everyday household tools, conscientiously sourced from around the globe.Their collection brings together centuries of tradition, passed through the hands and minds of generations, whose processes and techniques have culminated in the production of beautiful tools made with practiced skill, using low-impact methods and materials.

Inspired by the idea of a voluntary simplicity in the way we can live, they aim to foster an appreciation of the value of the hand-made, an awareness of the proper utilisation of natural materials, and of the locale-specific resources and requirements.

With a strong commitment to preserving the heritage of craft, they continually seek to support a resurgence of making through collaborations with independent designers and craftspeople, both established and emerging.

11. Workshop - Brighton

Brighton based Workshop has  a simple approach to design and functionality. They value form, function, place and purpose and select goods from around the world that complement our values and design aesthetic.

I love the fact that one of their core values is stocking products that stand the test of time, while also created with care and craftsmanship. They strive to showcase possessions and objects that get better with time and add to our life stories.

12. KIN - Birmingham

Since its launch in 2018, KIN has become the ultimate destination for those seeking hard-to-find brands and a relaxed shopping experience. The store also boasts a large collection of HAY products and some lines which are available at KIN exclusively in Birmingham.

Owner Lewis opened KIN in his hometown of Birmingham after realising how hard it was to find unusual homeware and design-led products outside London.

Today, KIN is a true antidote to the high-street, stocking a hand-selected range of homewares, gifts and stationery and offering a personal shopping experience - the perfect location for shoppers seeking beautiful, functional items that you won't find everywhere else.

13. Object - Manchester

Located in Manchester’s leafy suburb of Chorlton, Object was co-founded by a husband and wife team. Since 2009 they have been travelling the world together, piecing together parts of their puzzle to create a unique neighbourhood shop for the local people of Manchester and an online destination store for visitors worldwide. 

Working with directional brands built on craftsmanship, quality and simplicity their carefully curated collection of menswear, womenswear and objects for the home, have been personally hand-sourced. They pride themselves on supporting small, independent businesses.

14. IDAHO - Manchester

Perfectly located in the heart of Altrincham, opposite the award-winning Altrincham market, IDAHO celebrates products that bring a little bit of colour and originality to people's homes, offices and wardrobes. With items such as woven handmade throws, print and jewellery. 

They are inspired and enthused by design-led makers and all of their products are hand selected based on their quality and their unique style.

15. Haygen - London

Haygen a lifestyle store dedicated to providing a careful curation of coveted and contemporary homeware, fashion & gifts is located in Camden Passage, Islington, North London. The unique mix of beautiful home furnishings, gifts and fashion items reflect their personal style and fuel their passions. 

Mixing old and new with inspiration from the worlds of fashion, interiors and entertaining alongside an exceptional customer service both in store & online leads to a truly individual shopping experience. In the ever growing world of online shopping, the lack of face to face selling is becoming more common, Haygen are counteracting this lack of personability with a focus on their customers leaving the store with a smile on their face.

16. Truce - Cotswolds

Nailsworth, a quirky Cotswolds town is home to a fantastic lifestyle store called Truce. It has been stocking a contemporary range of products for him, for her & for the home since 2016.

I always love a store that has a unique concept and Truce has an amazing beginning. Born out of a need to attract couples to one store and not focusing on him or her, Truce is a harmonious shopping experience for all.

A modern selection of pieces that continue to evolve but that always reflect this balanced ethos with anything from statement fashion, bold prints, stylish homewares, furniture and beautiful scents.

17. Alice in Scandiland - Cornwall

While one of my favourite ever names for a shop (partly because I love the movie but also because it’s brilliant), Alice in Scandiland doesn’t just ‘wow’ you at the door, the aesthetically alluring range of products on show will put a smile on your face. 

Located in Lostwithiel in beautiful Cornwall the doors opened to the shop in 2018. Since then the homewares shop has gone from strength to strength both in store and is one of the best homeware shops online UK wide.

18. Snow home - York

The historic city of York boasts a range of independent boutiques and homeware stores. Snow Home has been around now for nearly twenty years and has been constantly evolving since day one.

Their core values of creative design, interesting perspectives, integrity and a sense of fun have been present all the way through their journey. They handpick their stock from small manufacturers around the World and believe that a smaller business has the potential to offer more than a big powerful one.

19. Wattle and Daub - Surrey

Located in a stunning tudor house in Godalming, Surrey, Wattle and Daub is home to a fantastic curation of interiors.

Wattle & Daub create, source and salvage thoughtful and considered products for life and the home.  For folks to share as a gift or as a keepsake to add to the story.Their products reflect a passion to combine the curious and the charming to create a home less ordinary. From ceramic coffee cups, textiles, furniture and handmade jewellery combined with one-off vintage finds. set amongst a striking collection of dried flowers.

20. Abode - Brighton

Located on the South Coast of the UK in sunny Brighton is Abode. Over the 15 years that it has been open it has attracted many people who are on the lookout for a unique style. All of the products are handpicked and carefully curated by the team. The collections are put together to inspire various tastes in homeware and interiors while letting customers add individuality to their home. 

The items that are sourced from around the world are are constantly changing with a focus on the individual piece rather than the range, which enables them to stock a product mix that spans some well-known design houses as well as small artisan producers. With designers such as Marimekko, Chhatwaal & Johnson, Ferm Living, Linge Particulier and Lalie Designs you will be sure to find a style that fits.

21. Hoos - Glasgow

One of the most popular independent shops Glasgow has to offer is Hoos, located in the West End. Stocking a unique range of items from the fashionable Nordic design houses all the way to local handmade homeware designed and made in Scotland. Everything from small rugs, cushions and blankets to kitchenware and lifestyle products.

Passionate people that are passionate about simple and functional designs that will stand the test of time with each product reflects their values and individual aesthetic, exceeding in both quality and style.

22. Mon Pote - Bristol

Derived from the French for ‘my buddy’, or ‘my friend‘ Mon Pote is an independent lifestyle store located in the heart of Bedminster, Bristol. Their European name is also symbolic of what they sell. Products are carefully chosen and selected from both European and local makers and suppliers. They have something for everyone with their wonderful range of textiles, wall decorations and candles.

The affordability and broad range of gifts and homewares for both adults and children alike along with their focus on providing an enjoyable shopping experience for their customers make this independent homeware store one to visit.

23. Labour and Wait - London

From Hardware to homeware to clothing, Labour and wait stock products that celebrate functional design and are therefore appropriate in a traditional or contemporary environment. The everyday classics that are showcased are picked to mellow with age and become favourites. They continue to search for products that work alongside their current range.

The store in Shoreditch, London has been their home since 2010 having also now opened a store in Japan.

24. Warings - Norwich

Warings lifestyle store in Norfolk offers an inspiring range of antique, contemporary and designer homeware, handmade home accessories, furniture and gifts. They also stock a range of bespoke homeware and furniture that are handmade by themselves. 

Their inspiring collection of quirky homeware ranges from lamps, to unique rugs and cushions, whilst the gift collection includes candles, soaps, and a complete range of very special children's gifts. Well worth a visit when you find yourself in the Norwich area, it also has a cafe!

25. Chirpy - Leeds

Northern Leeds is the home of the wonderful independent lifestyle design store, Chirpy. They stock some of the most unique home accessories in the UK and goods with personality, character and style for all ages. 

If you're fed up of the big high-street stores, or just bored of mass-produced, soulless design, these guys might just be the answer! The yorkshire proud team support local and UK designers and makers often host craft workshops and creative parties, led by local artists and makers who's goodies can be found in the shop.

26. Tea and Kate - Suffolk

In the small seaside town of Felixstowe on the Suffolk coast is Tea and Kate, a design destination and homeware lifestyle concept store. Their carefully curated collection of products houses furniture, homeware, kids ware, clothing and lifestyle accessories. 

Beginning their life as small instagram account sharing homeware and interior photographs their following grew and in 2013 opened their online store. Two years later they opened their brick and mortar store in Felixstowe. They focus on stocking brands with a story behind their products whether its in their design, production or materials used.

27. Goodhood - London

Established in 2007 Goodhood is a unique retailer stocking luxury homeware brands across menswear, womenswear, lifestyle and cosmetics. Their wonderful store in Hackney is home to an ever-changing collection of effortless life style products that are chosen to redefine the idea of luxury living.

Their curational buying procedure ensures every product has a story and relevance to their ethos. They actively aim to create a culturally relevant experience influenced by the flow of culture rather than the trends of the fashion industry.

28. Oh Curio - Oakham

Oh Curio, located in the midlands town of Oakham is host to a wonderful collection of unique homeware products. From scissors to storage baskets, candles to handmade cushions, each item in the Oh Curio collection is selected for its beauty, simplicity and versatile design.

29. Movement - Bristol

In the leafy quarter of Bristol’s Clifton village nestled amongst the cafes and independent house shops is Movement Boutique, an independent lifestyle store.

The carefully curated products are chosen to make you feel happy, whether it’s wearing clothes that make you feel confident or stylish items for your home, with many of the labels been ethical and sustainable. Without compromising quality and style Movement are introducing new labels to Bristol and the UK while constantly researching new brands.

30. SMUG - London

Nestled on the world famous Camden Passage in Islington, North London is SMUG the home of  a collection of unique works of art designed by the founder and owner, Lizzie Evans. The collection of exclusive, eye-catching stationery and homeware products have a distinctive design with plenty of colour.

The top floor of the store is where the magic happens and Lizzie designs, writes and creates content. Another reason to visit one of the many homeware shops London offers.

31. Love Frankie - Devon

The unique name, Love Frankie is not the only thing unique about this independent homeware shop. The array of colour and some of the most quirky home accessories in the UK that are showcased make shopping fun again.

Based in Totnes, Devon they showcase a range of furniture, rugs, colourful cushions and statement lampshades all of which will add a touch of playfulness to your home.

32. Elm - Norwich

Nestled in the lanes of Norwich, lives Elm; An independent lifestyle store that boasts thoughtful, design-led, high quality homewares and gifts.

Store owner Paige, works in house as a ceramicist, usually found in her studio on the top floor of the shop.

33. Venner - London

Venner (Norwegian word for friends) is a shop & gallery space celebrating independent artists, designers & makers. Located in Leyton, London it showcases a wonderful range of homeware from candles to cushions and lighting to plants.

34. The Little House Shop - Manchester

The affluent town of Knutsford is home to the small team at The Little House Shop and adds to the list of homeware shops Manchester has to offer. They are always working hard to source new and exciting homeware and treasures people for the people of the surrounding area. The blend of quirky items are worth an afternoon perouse, they stock a mixture of jewellery and homeware that are sourced from a number of designers. They primarily stock styles that can be described as relaxed industrial living and their love of mixing contemporary with vintage.

With an extensive choice of handmade and sustainable homeware, it’s one of the best home shops in the north-west and is definitely worth a visit if you happen to be in the area.

35. Inside Store - London

Inside Store is an interiors focused concept store based in Tufnell Park, North London. The curated collection is a selection of modern homeware & lighting, furniture and lifestyle accessories.

Their relaxed approach to life is apparent in their culture, they are personable and are people selling to people, leading to an enjoyable shopping experience. Simple, stylish and thoughtfully designed products with an understated yet playful personality is at the forefront of their curation. In a market that occasionally takes itself a little too seriously, Inside Store have a refreshing approach to showcasing homeware and focus on the fact that homes are there to be lived in.

36. DOWSE - Brighton

Brighton is home to many hip independent stores and one of our favourites is DOWSE. Showcasing a wonderful range of thoughtfully made jewellery and lifestyle products and always made with care and consideration. 

A cool place to visit while also holding great ethics, they believe that beauty in an object comes in part from how it is made and by whom and they collaborate with people they know are fairly paid for their work.They support and promote the efforts of those designing and making their work themselves rather than bigger companies.

37. Uneeka - Cornwall

Cornwall based Uneeka sells unique furniture, lighting, sofas, colourful rugs, luxury cushions, handbags, jewellery & some of the best home accessories to cushions, large sofa throws & UK home furnishings. Their products are ethically sourced and are often one off or limited edition pieces.  

The personal touches that they put on everything that they sell are always a hit with their customers alongside the personal relationships that have been built with their suppliers and designers that are sourced locally first before looking further afield. They also are aiming to offer something different than the impersonal large internet companies and create a personal feeling with every purchase.

38. Earl of East - London

Kingscross and Hackney host Earl of East, a creative business founded in 2014. They produce their own line of home fragrance products encompassing candles, incense, home mists and bath and body products, all of which are produced by themselves in their Coal Drops Yard store often pouring the candles in full view of our customers and passers by. 

They also have a wide range of soft furnishings, glassware and jams and pickles.

39. Botanic - York

Although not strictly a homeware store Botanic, a botanically themed shop with a focus on exotic and unusual indoor plants including foliage plants, cacti and succulents is a wonderful shopping experience. A great place to visit and learn a little from the highly knowledgeable staff while adding that bit of greenery to your home.

40. Rag and Bone - Bristol

With it’s laid back culture and tremendous support for independent’s it’s no wonder Bristol is home to a number of UK homeware stores and boutiques. Rag and Bone sell an eclectic mix of Decorative Antiques and vintage furniture, homeware, mid-century design, industrial lighting and original artwork. 

Definitely worth a visit when in the area as a lot of the products are one off’s that are full of character and a little out of the ordinary.

41. Triangle Store - London

Close to Hackney Marshes in London is Triangle Store located on Chatsworth Road. They believe in good design without following fads or fashions.

One of their ethics that we share is conscious consumption, buy less, choose well and make it last. All of their products are chosen for their simplicity, usefulness and beauty. A simple concept in a simple store.

42. Bristol Artisan - Bristol

Representing independent Bristol and UK based designer makers is The Bristol Artisan. One of the many homeware shops Bristol boasts, this fantastic store is a curated space for contemporary design and craft.

They stock a range of handmade ceramics, jewellery, homewares, lighting, clothing, cards, gifts, original prints and beauty products. They have put an emphasis on handmade sustainable practises, which is also one of their core values. 

They also host a selection of workshops to Inspire from designer makers.

43. The Shop - Bury St Edmunds

Located in Bury St Edmunds and at markets throughout the East of England is The Shop. Starting off at markets and evolving through demand to a physical location the independent homeware shop specialises in animal hides that are sourced locally.

44. Two Colombia Road - London

Two Colombia Road is a gallery and collection of new homeware, furniture, design and art. Established in 1995 they stock pieces from all over the world that are in pristine condition.

Although there are hundreds more wonderful independent homeware shops in the UK here are a couple more that we have recently come across that are based purely online homeware websites:

• Ruth Holly - A lovely online store who design unique & contemporary home & lifestyle goods including a stylish selection of handmade cushions, lampshades & tea towels.

Homeware shops near me?

Take a look at the above map for homeware stores nearby. The 43 that we listed were some of our favourites, however, there are still plenty more wonderful interior shops to discover in the UK.

What is a homeware shop?

Homeware shops sell a range of products from home pizza ovens through to soft furnishings like rugs and cushions.

Where to buy handmade homeware UK?

Many of the homeware shops listed above will showcase handmade pieces. There are also many online boutiques and stores that sell handmade homeware online UK wide. Woven Rosa source all of their homeware directly from the artisans that crafted each piece in the Andean mountains of Peru.

Finding the best homeware shops online?

It is sometimes hard to gauge how independent a shop is online. There are many websites that sells products for other brands (drop shipping) and it’s hard to know how genuine a shop is when you are sat in front of your computer. However, as online shopping has dramatically increased over the last couple of years it is important to still support local independent businesses even though it means making the transaction online. 

If you are looking for independent homeware shops and not aware of the business you have come across, take a look on social media to get a feel for the brand and the store. It is always a great place to see the personality of a business and it’s the closest you will get to the interaction you have in a physical store. 

What is Homeware?

Homeware is generally a range of products that are found in certain areas of the house that can add comfort or colour to the room.

Homeware is a form or style and comes in many forms. For example cushions or rugs are classed as homeware as are bed throws.