Snuggle up: how to transform your home with the new autumn ranges from Ikea and River Island

From trinkets inspired by 18th-century design to rugs made from reclaimed materials, Ikea and River Island will help bring your interiors up to date.

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Jess Denham13 September 2018

The long, hot summer of 2018 is drawing to a close. That's the bad news. The good news is that cosy new autumn homeware is hitting the shops.

Whether you're heading off to uni or simply want to revamp your home, Ikea and River Island are purse-friendly places to start.

Ikea's autumn/winter range is based around four key looks – the tradition-inspired New Age Folk, eco-friendly Bold Sustainability, opulent Rich Pigments and decidedly 'hygge' Winter Warmer.

Colour-wise expect darker hues like burgundy and deep purple and softer tones of light grey and dusky pink mixed with hints of brass.

By choosing from the smaller items at Ikea you can shake up your space without the need for an expensive overhaul.

NEW AGE FOLK

Ikea

This collection is influenced by traditional motifs and 18th and 19th-century traditions and designs.

Worried this will make your living room look like your grandma's? Don't be. Everything has been brought up to date, combining earthy colours and patterns with modernity.

Look out for new display cabinets, storage boxes and glass coffee tables that show off your treasured possessions.

Ikea has also collaborated with Swedish glass and ceramic artist Per B Sundberg on 25 unusual pieces. Expect plant pots shaped like skulls and surreal coat hooks.

BOLD SUSTAINABILITY

Eco-friendly homeware is no longer confined to neutral tones and natural fibres.

This edit celebrates bold and striking interiors, highlighting that recycled or reclaimed materials can still be full of personality.

"Bold Sustainability is about the materials but it’s also about having fun," says Clotilde Passalacqua, Ikea’s interior design leader.

WINTER WARMER

Scandi interiors often centre on shades of white but this more contemporary look favours rustic greys and pinks with metallic flashes to warm things up.

"The great thing about this trend is that it’s simple to achieve," says Clotilde. "Replace textiles including throws or curtains with alternatives that follow the colour scheme, then add accents of brass to make the trend pop."

RICH PIGMENTS

Dark and moody interiors have been in vogue for months now and the trend will continue.

This collection is elegant and decadent, oozing depth and character without veering into gothic.

"To stop the scheme becoming too overpowering, pair it with pops of lighter colours and metallics to complement the dark and rich tones," says Clotilde.

FROM THE CATWALK TO THE HOME
Over at River Island, the high street fashion favourite is preparing to launch its first 160-piece homeware range on September 25.

The eclectic mix of furniture, soft furnishings and accessories is based around three key trends — Baby Doll, Electric Opulence and New Nordic — with prices starting from just £8.