‘Fun and quirky style statements’: How to bring the ceramics trend into your home

Pottery is all the rage – and you don’t need to break the bank to find unique and Insta-worthy pieces, says Liz Connor

This is a trend that lends itself to pieces that are a little rough around the edges (PA)

Thanks to Instagram, interiors trend inspiration is never far away. First we had millennial pink walls, and then came the obsession with velvet. But right now, ceramics are getting all of the limelight.

The craft scene is flourishing, and pottery has emerged from car boot sales and second-hand shops and into the realm of luxury interiors. Gracing our curated side tables, bringing some joie de vivre to our tableware and adding a simple hand-thrown touch to our floral arrangements, ceramics are all the rage for spring.

So, if you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive way to update your home, here are a few tricks and tips for bringing some fun and quirky style statements into the mix.

1. Buy a statement vase

Spring is a wonderful time to have fresh flowers in your home and updating your space with a ceramic vase will not only serve a function, but it also acts like a beautiful sculpture.

Try something like Raawii’s Strom vase, £45 (cosstores.com), which has a contemporary shape that can add some design flair to your home. Or, if you’re on a tighter budget, we also like H&M’s abstract Ceramic Vase, £12.99 (hm.com), which is great for holding simple sprigs of fragrant eucalyptus or pampas grass.

2. Clear out your odd mugs

Many of us have a kitchen cupboard that’s filled with mismatched, chipped and faded mugs that we’ve collected over the years. Lockdown is a great excuse to have a declutter and treat yourself to some new earthenware that actually sparks joy – after all, we’re spending so much more time in our kitchens right now.

If you can afford it, you can make coffee breaks that little bit more special with the Koa Breakfast Mug in Ink, £20 (thirteen-thirtyone.com), or we also like the rugged craftmanship of the Thea Stoneware Mug from Bloomingville, £12, was £14 (nordicnest.com). Popping on the kettle and pulling out one of these beautiful ceramic pieces will bring an extra bit of cheer to your day.

3. Update your tiling

If you’ve got a bigger budget to play with, you could look at bringing some statement ceramics into your kitchen. Simply updating your splashback can really bring a touch of personality to your home, without needing to rip out all your units and start again.

Ceramic wall tiles are fast becoming an interiors favourite as a more wallet-friendly alternative to marble or granite styles that have been popular in recent years. An eclectic print is a playful way to add impact to a white kitchen, and you can make a focal point of an alcove by tiling in a statement splashback.

The key here is to choose bold tile designs in a contrasting colour to the rest of the kitchen, to add extra impact.

4. Light it up

Whether you live in a city loft apartment or a country cottage, lighting is often the key to making a house feel like a home. A ceramic table lamp can add some wow factor to any living room, especially one that’s hand-painted like Pooky’s blue and white striped Ellie table lamp, £75 (pooky.com).

Also, check out Instagram favourite Oka (oka.com), which has a fantastic range of contemporary hand-painted lamps that are a little on the pricier side, but will be a practical investment that will last a lifetime.

If you’re picking up a statement lamp, make sure your lampshade is a single colour, and partner with simple accessories, like coffee table books or small trinkets, so the base can do the talking.

5. Go antiques hunting

Going antiquing is really fun – it’s kind of like a treasure hunt, as you never know what you might find. Boot fairs and charity shops might be closed right now, but you can still hunt for hidden gems on online marketplaces.

From ceramic jars and jugs, to figurines and bowls, you can find just about anything on the internet, whether you’re after some pottery made in England or fine china from further afield.

The great thing about buying pre-loved ceramics is that you’ll have a totally unique piece too, that none of your friends are likely to have in their homes.

6. Do it yourself

The great thing about the ceramics scene is that the more hand-crafted and imperfect your pieces look, the better. So, you might want to have a go at making your own pinch pots, bowls and plant pots at home instead.

Sculpd, £39 (sculpd.co.uk), is a pottery delivery kit that includes clay that dries naturally in a couple of days, so there’s no need for a potter’s wheel or kiln. Inside, there’s also a guide to learn basic techniques, plus tools, paints, paintbrushes and varnish.

Roll up your sleeves and get messy. Not only will you create your own one-of-a-kind object for your home, but having a creative hobby can help to pass those dull lockdown weekends.

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