bBuying a home can be daunting, especially when you're deciding on something that's going to be showcased. A few rules of thumb: If you feel like you have a handle on your recipient's sense of style, go for something bold like an art print or a pillow. Less confident? Try gifts that can be stored away when not in use, such as salad servers or a bud vase. To be really safe, opt for something that few of us can have too many of, like tea towels or candles.
I avoid gifts that are overtly Christmassy in favor of things that look good all year round, with bold, cheerful colors that will brighten up a home in the dreary midwinter but look just as good in midsummer. Here is my pick of the best home decor gifts this festive season.
The best home gifts for interior designers
Get ready to fall
Drinking glass
This playful Maegen Atina collection features graphic stripes and bold colors: effortlessly elegant and the perfect finishing touch to a chic bedside table.
Fruity feeling
Hand towel
I love Donna Wilson's charmingly naive aesthetic. This towel is part of a fun, fruity collection that ranges from washcloths to XL bath sheets, all made from cotton by a family business known for its weaves.
Serving time
Salad set
When all other ideas fail, A beautiful set of salad servers like this colorful pair, handcrafted from glass, is a safe choice.
Milk enjoyment
Butter dish
Handcrafted by multidisciplinary artist Sophie Alda, this butter dish is a small work of brutalist sculpture for the breakfast table. One for the minimalists.
Colorful container
Reversible glass vase
The NPG Shop is an excellent place to find inspirational gifts. This elegant vase has a clever reversible design with distinct chemistry lab tones.
Decent wedge
Concrete door stop
These beautifully brutalist concrete Reggie's Wedgie doorstops – in a range of finishes – are handcrafted in East London and prevent slamming and accidental lock-outs. And they look beautiful even when not in use.
Eat heartily
Ceramic napkin rings
I never used to bother with anything as elaborate as napkin rings, but perhaps as we eat out less, a certain sense of ritual is creeping back into the home kitchen. These fun sculptural pieces would also look great placed on a bookshelf or grouped on a mantel.
Tealight holder
Country house style tea light holder
This playful tea light holder celebrates cozy evenings indoors, which I warmly support.
Get some rest
Spoon rest
For messy cooks, neat freaks, and anyone who hates cleaning up after dinner (like me), this terracotta spoon rest, handmade and hand-painted in Portugal in a sunny hue, is just the ticket.
Urged into action
Stainless steel lemon squeezer
If you lack confidence when it comes to gift giving, find something unique like this lemon squeezer to help your recipient complete a kitchen task in style.
Dodgy behavior
Table lamp with glass shade
Every home lover knows that you only turn on the big light in emergencies. This Art Nouveau-inspired lamp from the collaboration between Habitat and Morris & Co looks like a vintage find with its draped shade and marble base.
Wonderful wall art
Pink print
If you know someone who would rather hibernate than party this festive season, this fun print will make them feel validated.
Serving suggestion
M&S glazed round plate
I love a single plate that makes a statement, whether it's hanging on the wall or serving as a focal point on the dining table. This intricately decorated stoneware platter has a vintage, handspun quality and would be a lovely way for any keen baker to display their wares.
Tactile toy art
Replica of a sculpture
This jesmonite replica was made for the Kettle's Yard gallery in Cambridge using molds taken from an original bronze piece by artist Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, who envisioned this sculpture as both a display and touch toy – a kind of fidget art toy. I have one on my kitchen shelf and love it.
Sneezy Pleasey
Tissue box
For the devoted aesthete who considers every design detail in their home, quirky interiors store Pentreath & Hall offers a range of tissue boxes packed with their own patterns.
after newsletter advertising
Hearty sipping
Ceramic mug
Gifts from Oliver Bonas always seem to be well received. Say it in ceramic with this series of mugs, each bearing an ego-boosting message to bring morning joy to someone special, even before the caffeine hits.
No flower power
Stem vase
This cheerful vase is part of experienced interior designer Nina Campbell's collaboration with Next and would look great on a dressing table or shelf. Flowers optional.
Eye-catching design
Luxury matches
From a selection of beautiful matchboxes from the homeless charity Crisis, this one deserves a place of honor on the mantelpiece; also the perfect gift for candle lovers.
Don't worry, eat happily
Ceramic jewelry bowl
I think Dunelm is increasingly on the right track when it comes to imaginative homewares at affordable prices, and this fun dish is no exception.
Flowery lounging
Pillow
This cotton velvet pillow's maximalist floral pattern is softened by its calming color palette, and I love the tactile fringe.
On message
Bath mat
A cheerful bath mat and/or a low-key, passive-aggressive note to a family member or roommate who's slow to get going in the morning.
Keep it up, you crazy diner
Metal dessert cup set
A lovely way to pamper a sweet treat lover while taking advantage of the rapidly growing silver metal trend.
Know your place
Cherry placemat, set of 2
If you know a maximalist couple who are breeding happily, why not give them something to craft? Dinner for two a little fancier.
Living comfort
Linocut
I've long loved the work of this Somerset-based creative studio, particularly this hand-carved and printed linocut in bright red that celebrates the importance of home.
A bit tasteless
Asymmetrical shell
This gorgeous chrome-like bowl (also available in gold and cream) is a great statement piece for the money. Personally, I would give a pair of these – always a très-chic gesture – one for each side of the sofa, bed, table…
Touch of glass
Mug
I've always had a love for pretty pastels in the home and love the way these hand-pressed milk glass mugs are designed to be stackable, making them perfect for compact kitchens.
The perfect tea
tea towel
Part of Domestic Science's collection of printed textiles and wallpapers, these have a lovely retro quality – and there's always room for another tea towel.
Side or die
Side plates
These charming little side plates pay homage to food and drink from across Europe while doubling as trinket trays, great for storing jewelry.
Colorful candles
Dinner candles, set of 12
Inspired by the colors of a beautiful Devon day, these candles are handmade in Indonesia by a small business, Fair trade company with sustainably sourced stearin wax and coconut oil.
For moreread 42 small, cozy updates for your home and 12 cozy amenities you loved in October
Kate Jacobs is one writer specializing in design, interiors and gardens. She gets the most attention when she looks for pieces for her own home at flea markets and charity shops, and even things that are discarded on the street. She's trying to keep tabs on a serious habit on Facebook Marketplace