Shell vases and rattan: six trendy decor pieces for every budget

From colourful storage to statement lights, these small touches can make a big difference

White Danfred shell vase at Jysk, Dh25

Ceramic shell vase, HKLiving at Urban Nest, Dh150

Ferm Living Meadow rug at The Bowery Company, Dh4,500

Ikea Hampen high pile rug, Dh175

H&M pendant light, Dh399

La Petite Friture Vertigo ceiling light at The Bowery Company, Dh 5,718

Hay design crates at Smallable, Dh131

Aykasa crates at The Kids Collection, Dh49

Wood statue at West Elm, Dh399

Florent wood statues at Home Centre, Dh89

Nordal buffet mesh cabinet from Amara, Dh4,011

Sofia Rattan cabinet from The Attic, Dh1,450

Home beautifying is one of the more positive offshoots of spending so much extra time indoors during the pandemic. However, whether you have no budget or a tight one, it can become tricky to identify which interior accessories to splash your hard-earned dirhams on. Here are our top pieces that are so similar, you will be hard-pressed to tell them apart, except from the price you pay.

Shell vases

A shell vase has been an Instagram staple for some time now: filled with pampas grass or a dried arrangement, it has featured on many a social media account – and looks fantastic to boot. Savers and spenders alike can pick one up, either Jysk’s white version (Dh25) or HKliving’s gorgeous terracotta-toned one (Dh150).

Brown rug

The colours, textures and imagery from Ferm Living’s new collection are swoon-worthy, and one of the standout pieces is its brown shag Meadows rug, ideal for bringing that 1970s vibe back. If your budget cannot stretch to accommodate its Dh4,500 price tag, Ikea has its own style that is just as plush at a fraction of the cost, at Dh175. Ideal if you like to swap out your trends season on season or have rambunctious children.

Rattan cabinets

If there's one item you buy this year, opt for it in rattan, 2021's hero material. Photo: Sweetpea & Willow

Sometimes referred to as cane or wicker, the rattan trend has been seen season after season and adds a touch of textural charm to your home. Having a statement cabinet as a sideboard in your dining space, or as storage in your hall or beside a cupboard can spruce up any space. When other elements are kept clean and simple, rattan can stand out and be modern. Not just reserved for boho looks anymore, rattan is being added to minimalist and mod-con spaces for finesse as well as functionality. Invest in the Nordal cabinet from Amara (Dh4,010) or shop local with the Sofia rattan cabinet from The Attic in Dubai (Dh1,450), to add oomph to an otherwise simple space.

Statement lights

A statement light fitting can dramatically change a room, adding focus and detail to a plain canvas. Over a dining table, it can add drama, while in a bedroom it offers clean lines to the soft furnishings. The two picked out here are great for the minimalists out there who like a structured, geometric light fitting. The eye-catching H&M pendants (Dh399) provide a wide light source for any space, and we recommend using these as multiples over a large dining table at different heights to add some artistic flair. The Vertigo light fitting from La Petite Friture (Dh5,720), meanwhile, is all about graphic lines, drama and style while it wraps around you in a style that will never go out of fashion.

Handy storage

Who doesn’t need a storage solution for all the little items that seem to pile up in the house, whether it is for keeping things tidy and in their place, or to add some fun colour to a space? Look to colour-coded crates, whether to sort out the Lego blocks and other myriad toys, or to organise the pantry. Crates are a great addition to keep your home clutter-free and super-organised. If you want to keep things categorised, add a label to the front of each so everyone can see what is stored inside. Both the options listed here are available in a range of shades, are attractive good to display and hide all the essentials. Invest in the classic Hay design from Smallable at Dh130, or keep the price well down with Aykasa crates, for Dh49.

Earthy accessories 

Wooden elements are great for adding interest to your home. Placed on a console or in a shelving unit, these statues look fantastic and serve to soften your interiors with their natural look-feel and anchor the room with their organic form. Whatever your style - whether you add an element of midcentury with a more polished approach or layer your shelves with books, vases and this statue to add depth – choose from the petrified wood piece from West Elm (Dh399) for a rugged look or the ones from Home Centre (Dh89) for clean lines and a 1950s appeal.

All international brands mentioned here deliver to the UAE, with shipping and tax costs added at checkout