Can’t afford Le Creuset and Smeg anymore? Interior designer reveals how one can nonetheless get an old-money kitchen on a excessive road finances – and the cheesy errors to keep away from

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A middle class kitchen in Britain was once defined by Smeg kettles and fridges, pricey Le Creuset pans in the colours of the rainbow and Aga cookers – but all three brands have shown signs of weaker demand as shoppers feel the pinch.

This week, kitchen designer Moores Furniture Group – which produced designs for the likes of celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr – collapsed into administration.

Meanwhile, tile maker Fired Earth collapsed into administration last year in another sign that cash-strapped Middle England has abandoned its traditional status markers.

But as some shoppers ditch the expensive brands they used to rely on, two interior designers have revealed to The Daily Mail the high street alternatives that will still look classy in your kitchen – as well as the ones to avoid.

The unlikely places customers are already turning to for kitchens that still feel timeless and quietly expensive include Dunelm, Zara Home, IKEA and Sainsbury’s Habitat.

Ryan Wenham, founder of Liverpool-based Larsen Architecture, said: ‘It’s not about having the most fashionable or most expensive items – it’s about finding the ones that fit the vision you have and give you the feeling you want.’

Interiors expert Jordana Ashkenazi, meanwhile, insisted: ‘Old-money kitchens have never been about owning the most expensive item in every category.

‘They’re about balance. You invest carefully where it matters, and everything else is calm, neutral, functional, and well chosen. Nothing is trying too hard to impress, which is exactly why it works.’

Read on for the experts’ ultimate guide to the high street brands that will make your kitchen still feel classy without the expensive price tag – as well as what to avoid.

Dunelm 

British interiors expert and the owner of Element One House, Jordana said: ‘Dunelm has quietly elevated its kitchen offering and now provides understated accessories and small appliances that sit comfortably in classic kitchens.’

She continued: ‘The appeal is familiarity and practicality rather than trend.’

‘My advice as a designer is that use Dunelm to create a comfortable and stylish framework for your home, for all of the must-haves, and then dress it and find your key focal pieces from a variety of different places,’ suggested Ryan.

‘There are some great examples of furniture from Dunelm, but in my opinion furniture and upholstered items are still slightly dated in their style, and sometimes overpriced for the quality, but for the basics, you can find everything here,’ he added.

Jordana warned against buying anything ‘blingy, glossy or novelty-led’ from the store, urging shoppers to ‘skip slogans, high-shine finishes and decorative gimmicks’.

Instead, plain ceramic bowls, linen tea towels, and neutral kettles and toasters with simple silhouettes are the perfect purchases, according to the interior designer. 

Zara Home

‘Zara Home often follows the design language of more expensive brands, making it a good place to find pieces that feel current without the price tag,’ explained Jordana.

‘It also has genuinely beautiful, more unique items that look far more expensive than they are, such as ceramic bowls, sculptural pieces and accessories with interesting shapes in muted tones.’

However, the expert said customers should avoid ‘seasonal or trend-heavy collections that will date quickly’.

But for Ryan, shoppers ‘could close their eyes, pick up anything in Zara Home and it would look great’.

He said: ‘It’s always my first port of call when I am dressing a new room. It’s so elegant, stylish and tasteful. 

‘What Zara Home does well, is that it’s not just a jumble of items, they are selling a lifestyle; an experience. This is a shop that tickles all the senses, and does it very well.

‘Its not just about beautifully looking items, but the feeling of fabrics and textures, the type of lighting, form and materiality of their furniture and a range of beautiful home fragrances. 

‘This retailer gives you a great option if you’re looking for a soothing, calming home that gives luxury hotel vibes.’

IKEA

Jordana said: ‘IKEA is one of the best places to shop on a budget because it offers huge variety at accessible price points. 

‘You can buy exactly what you need, piece by piece, rather than committing to full matching sets. That flexibility allows kitchens to feel collected over time rather than showroom-perfect.

‘Being able to buy eleven of something, or replace one broken glass without rebuying a whole set, is practical and quietly sensible.’

Ryan, meanwhile, added: ‘We all know that IKEA is the storage king and there are so many options and configurations for IKEA furniture that it can go anywhere and still look great. 

‘One of my favourite things to do is buy the basics – the cabinet structure or kitchen bases, and improve it with some well selected accessories; they could be hand made walnut or brass handles from Etsy. 

‘Or, if your budget allows, you can give it a complete facelift and look at retailers like Husk, which can completely change the look of an IKEA kitchen, giving you that luxury, bespoke feel while saving some of the budget for other items.

‘Regardless of how you look at it, IKEA is a great option for any home. It’s affordable, customisable and can look great.’

Sainsbury’s Habitat 

‘The Habitat brand is good for everything. Out of all of the big supermarkets, Sainsbury’s is my favourite when it comes to home items thanks to the Habitat brand it stocks, alongside Argos,’ Ryan revealed.

‘It gives you good, easy basics that look great, they’re well made and are perfect if you want your home to look good but don’t have a huge budget.

H&M Home

‘H&M Home has become a go-to for pieces that feel modern but quietly luxurious,’ explained Jordana. ‘Its use of solid marble and natural stone elevates even simple accessories, and many designs feel sculptural and artistic rather than trend-driven.’

Ryan agreed, saying: ‘You can find so many decorative items, especially for your kitchen and dining area that can really elevate the space and give it that well considered and curated feel, just from adding a few touches; fruit bowls, soap dishes, candle holders and matching tablecloths and napkins.

‘My favourite range from H&M home is their marble items. You can have the same item as thousands of other people but because it’s made with natural material its always going to be unique.’

The Range 

‘The Range is one of those shops where you have to sift through a lot of cheap tat to get to the good stuff, but when you find it, it’s like finding treasure,’ said Ryan. 

Jordana seemingly echoed this statement, saying: ‘When approached carefully, The Range offers solid, practical basics that fade into the background, which is exactly what you want.’

She suggested customers buy ceramic mixing bowls, neutral jars and wooden utensils from the store, but warned against purchasing faux marble, rose gold finishes and heavily branded items.

B&M

‘B&M is another one of those all rounders,’ said Ryan. ‘You could come out with a tin of soup, or a beautiful throw cushion! You just never know. 

‘For me, B&M is where I would go to find complimentary items, not the star of the show. Their tableware is always really nice and adds those little finishing details when you’re having guests over. 

‘Recently I have bought a couple of glass straws, serving bowls and storage jars with lids. They meet the brief perfectly, look great and I don’t need to spend a fortune. That’s a win for me.’

ASDA 

‘Asda has some great homeware – especially if you’re looking at electrical items, this is where you’d find me,’ revealed Ryan. 

‘Stocking names like Stacey Solomon, this is a great place to find those little gems that can add some style to your home, while making it practical.

‘It’s not always about finding the most expensive thing, its finding the right thing that fits the vision you have. Sometimes a luxury brand might not stock exactly what you’re looking for, but your local supermarket just might.’

Tesco

‘Tesco is often overlooked, but its strength lies in simple, functional basics that don’t draw attention to themselves. That quiet usefulness is very old-money,’ said Jordana.

She suggested customers should go for plain white crockery, clear glassware, neutral table linens and everyday essentials.

However, she insisted shoppers should avoid ‘seasonal novelty items, metallic finishes or decorative trends’.