12 To Buy: Homewares Under $50 That’ll Add Colour and Joy to Your Space

The fashion industry brought “dopamine dressing” to our wardrobes. Now it’s time to channel some bold hues at home for a hit of happy every time you walk through the front door. Here are some ideas to get big colour pops for relatively small price tags.

Lucky Things Plant Pin
Handmade in Melbourne from recycled plastic, Lucky Things Plant Pins are designed to support your greenery as it grows, and look very bright and jolly while doing it. Choose from a range of deliciously named colours, including Full Cream (royal blue), Butter (yellow) and Grape (purple). $45

70s Ceramics coffee and tea mugs
These retro mugs from Dutch label HK Living – featuring rich layers of colour and handmade finishes – look for all the world like the best op shop haul ever. Part of a wider collection that includes plates, bowls and jugs, you can find them in Australia via House of Orange. Coffee mug $17.95, tea mug $22.95

House of Nunu hand towel
Sydney label House of Nunu specialises in bright and cheerful glassware, with these fun towels to mix and match. Crafted from 100 per cent cotton, they’re available in stripe and check patterns with plenty of punchy colour combinations for a little bit of cheer every time you wash your hands. $49.95

Sitting Pretty steel incense holder
Handmade from start to finish by NZ designer Josh Milward, Sitting Pretty incense holders are crafted from pressed steel plate and high-gloss polyurethane. Simple undulating zigzags collect ash as you burn through your favourite scented sticks. Plus, they’re available in nine colours – including Blood Orange, Sunshine Yellow and Flamingo Pink. Around $43 AUD

Casa Celva Murano tumbler
Handmade in Murano, Italy, these tumblers take their design cues from the island’s iconic Goto glass with bright dappled hues and multi-coloured details. Traditionally speaking, they’re the vessels glass blowers keep at hand for a sip of water (or wine) while they work – but they’re also at home in more relaxed environs. Find them in Australia at Pinky’s Store. $45

Wrap Magazine Coffee Pouring Tricks coffee tin
East London magazine Wrap is known for its artist collaborations – including this cheery coffee tin showcasing highly caffeinated works from illustrator Cari Vander Yacht. Holds up to 500 grams of coffee (or anything else you please) and comes complete with a candy-pink scoop. Find it at Preston Apothecary. $35

Maison Balzac Volute candles
Available in a range of playful colours, these Volute candles from Sydney label Maison Balzac will brighten up your place even before they get lit. Made from 100 per cent plant-based stearin wax with a cotton wick, they promise nine to 10 hours of burn time and fit in most regular candle holders. $15 for set of two

Variety Hour tomato tea towel
Melbourne-based studio Variety Hour is known for its vibrant clothing, accessories and homewares lines featuring original prints by textile designer Cassie Byrnes. The tomato tea towel is crafted from 100 per cent linen, and brings an upbeat pop of colour to your next dish-drying session or random kitchen task. $35

Kip & Co marble enamel cooking pan
Why bake eggs or oats in a regular pan when you can whip up something tasty in one of these marble enamel numbers from Sydney’s Kip & Co? Available in three peppy colourways, they’re just as happy displayed on the table as they are in the oven, stovetop, dishwasher and freezer. $39

Baggu reusable cloth set in Pastel Pixel Gingham
Featuring chunky stripes and pleasantly clashing colourways, Baggu reusable cloths come in handy as napkins, placemats, kitchen wipes, hankies, kerchiefs and pot holders. Or just about any other situation that calls for 50 centimetres square of bright organic cotton. Available at Pinky's Store. $39 for set of three

Tsubota Pearl Queue gloss green and purple petrol lighter
When it’s time to upgrade from the plastic Bic that usually lights your candles and incense sticks, iconic Tokyo-based lighter brand Tsubota Pearl is a good place to start. This slim refillable stick lighter is minimalist in design and maximalist in colour, with a Joker-like green and purple colour combo. Available at Winona Wine. $45

& Klevering Turban candle holder
Dutch interiors brand & Klevering is not shy about colour. These bold-yet-dainty Turban candle holders are inspired by delicious bundt cakes and come in a range of brights and pastels for just about any colour whim you and your home may have. Available at Hands Lifestyle Store. Large $46.80, medium $39.50, small $29.50

This article was updated on October 17, 2023 to reflect changes to pricing and availability.