The Best Interiors Investments For Your 20s, 30s & 40s
Welcome to the second instalment of our 20s, 30s & 40s investment franchise, where we ask our editors about some of the best purchases they’ve ever made. If you haven’t already seen their top fashion picks, be sure to check them out. First, though, here are the home and interiors pieces they swear by for their current life stage. From house share reccs to the luxe heirloom buys, there’s something for everyone on this list.
20’s
My motto with interiors has become MORE is more, I’m in my 20s, living with my best friend in London, why wouldn’t our whole apartment be pink? When else can you have a fully pink and leopard print home as an adult! I buy things for my home that make me happy, and these Rockett St George plates tick that box! – Elle, Senior Venue Partnerships Manager
In your 20s you’re at the whims of landlords, so investment interior buys for most people just isn’t a reality. Upgrading your kitchenware is so essential to actually enjoy cooking, and a cast-iron pan is a must-buy, as they last forever and don’t contain a lot of microplastics the non-stick pans can have.
I love my Lumie alarm clock. It’s really important to wake up gently and not shock your body, this way waking up early/on demand will become easier and you’re going to have a better relationship with it. It’s also really great in the winter time to be woken up by a gentle light and bird song rather than one of Apple’s top 10 most jarring sounds ever created. – Imogen, Graphic Designer
I believe that a nice, soft throw blanket can change your sleeping game. Not only is this one from George super cute, but will also enhance your nighttime routine.
30’s
I love to host, and this cocktail tray always gets compliments. It’s chunky enough to style on the coffee table with fashion books, a good candle and magazines, but it looks best with a negroni and a bowl of Perello olives. – Astrid, Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor
Having just jumped on the property ladder, my favourite purchase so far has to be the Dunelm Beatrice chair. At £400 its not exactly an investment but probably not something I would have purchased in my 20s flat-share era! – Harriet, Head Of Partnerships
Tbh I haven’t invested in any interiors since I’ve been moving home every few months for the past few years. But on my list is just a really nice, comforting teapot that I might not use every day but I like the idea of it sitting on my table. This one from Cath Kidston is gorgeous – Andrea, Contributing Food, Culture & Lifestyle Editor
While dropping a few hundred on a coffee machine isn’t something you do everyday, if you can earmark it for a milestone birthday or Christmas present, you’re really onto something. Just like meal prepping, the amount of ££ I’ve saved already this year from bringing my coffee to work – and often with better results with this machine – is wild. – Natasha, Digital Editor
40’s
As a lover of both photography and painting, saving up for my first piece of art felt amazing. It allows you to bring your personality into your home. Plus, it doesn’t always have to be expensive. My first loves are my Slim Aarons prints, but I also love the work by both Fei Alexeli and Amy Gardner. I love this painting by The Connor Brothers so much that we’ve named her. Gloria’s words – “The reward for conformity is everyone likes you except yourself” – are the voice of reason in our most lived in space – an amazing reminder for myself, but also my lovely teenagers. – Ashling, Contributing Style & Interiors Editor
In my 40s, I refuse to tolerate bad coffee, bad lighting, or bad sheets! Luxe linen is the
ultimate everyday indulgence—soft, breathable, and makes my bedroom feel like a boutique
hotel..ish. Plus, great sheets = better sleep, and better sleep = better skin. Liberty’s Tana
Lawn cotton bedding is like sleeping on a cloud, and John Lewis’ 1000-thread count
range is a total game-changer. – Tamara, Contributing Beauty Editor
The older I’ve got the more the art hanging in my house needs to bring joy and meaning. My husband bought me a very cool piece by artist Dan Pearce from Clarendon Fine Art which hangs in my downstairs loo and makes me smile every time I see it – a graffiti embellished gold mirror glitter cut with David Bowie’s lyric ‘Take Your Protein Pills And Put Your Helmet On’ from Space Oddity. I love it. – Robyn, Managing Director
There’s something truly magical about the way Mrs. Alice tableware transforms a dinner party. Every piece feels considered and elegant, turning even the simplest meal into a special occasion. Amid the inevitable chaos of hosting – children running about, dishes bubbling over a beautifully laid table brings a sense of calm and order. It’s a reminder that style and serenity can coexist, and that a thoughtfully dressed table has the power to ground an entire evening. – Elly, Founder & CEO
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.
