In the ever-shifting world of interiors, few items achieve the rare status of being truly timeless. Selfridges is home to a selection of such enduring design icons, and whether you’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting them with fresh eyes, they’re worth the investment.
As interior design trends continue to favour longevity, craftsmanship, and sustainability over trend-led impulse buys, it makes sense to look to pieces that hold both aesthetic and cultural value. These are items that often come with a design pedigree, whether they’re already considered classics or fast becoming cult favourites, each one is a future heirloom in the making.
We've combed Selfridges' homeware selection to bring you nine standout icons, from statement lighting and iconic glassware to collectible ceramics and design-led furniture. These pieces may carry a higher price tag, but they earn their place with craftsmanship, story, and style.
9 cult homeware pieces from Selfridges that are worth the investment
An icon for good reason, SMEG’s kitchen appliances are instantly recognisable, rooted in mid-century Italian design – equal parts sculpture and coffee maker. With its sleek stainless-steel body and signature curves, it feels less like a utilitarian gadget and more like an interior upgrade.
This is one of those pieces that quietly asserts its design credentials. Created by Philippe Starck, one of the most influential designers of the past 50 years, it’s minimal in form but maximal in impact. If you’re looking to invest in a future collectible, this is the kind of piece you’ll never tire of looking at. It's both functional and conceptual.
First designed in 1936 and still hand-blown in Finland, this vase is a masterclass in organic form. Aalto’s rippling curves have come to define modern Scandinavian glass. This vase is a 'quiet icon', endlessly versatile, effortlessly sculptural, and always in style. If you buy just one decorative vase, make it this one.
This lamp fuses East and West, quite literally. The bisected design brings classical porcelain motifs into a contemporary context, and it works just as well in eclectic spaces as it does in minimal ones.
This piece by Laetitia Rouget is becoming a real icon. There’s a painterly, modern folk feel to Rouget’s work that elevates everyday objects into art. This candle holder being her most instantly identifiable work.
The cult-classic ultimate toaster design we all know and adore. I wouldn't ever pick any other toaster design, as nothing compares. Its distinctive industrial styling has barely changed in decades – and for good reason. A long-term investment for those who value durability and understated style.
Queen's Gambit, eat your heart out. There is nothing quite as classic as a well-made and beautiful chessboard. This iconic design makes for a beautiful wedding, birthday, or Christmas gift for someone who will cherish it.
This design dates back to the 1930s. It's intricate, timeless, and unmistakably British. A true classic of the Wedgwood archive. Investing in a set like this means bringing heritage, craftsmanship, and heirloom quality into your home. These are pieces designed to last, to be used, and to be passed on.
Selfridges may be purveyors of some of the most beautiful homeware, but there is nothing so iconic at Selfridges as their Christmas Day Hamper. A classic in its own right, this hamper is curated with a considered mix of festive indulgences, from spiced preserves to elegant tipples. It’s less about novelty and more about doing the classics well.
From storied British ceramics to design-led appliances and collectible furniture, these are the icons we believe are worth the investment.
