Housewarming gifts your friends will actually use (and get you invited back again)

It’s an unspoken rule of the millennial lifestyle that you and your pals are going to rent, and then have to move house, and then rent, and then move and rent with seemingly no end in sight. That means there’s always going to be another housewarming on the horizon and you don’t want to be the person who comes empty-handed – or the person whose present instantly gets binned when everybody’s left the building.

We’ve curated an edit of affordable housewarming gifts that your friends will fall in love with and use again and again, with the help of a few home interiors experts.

Housewarming gifts ideas

We chatted to Alessandra Wood, interior design site Modsy’s Director of Style, to get her advice on the ideal housewarming gift.

She told Marie Claire, ‘Housewarming gifts should be three things: thoughtful, useful and affordable. There is no need to outshine others with an expensive gift; as long as it is from the heart and something you can envision your friend using, your job is done! Try to think of a gift that brings people together and will also add a pop to the decor of their new home…Anything marble is sure to be stylish and is a major home decor trend for 2018.’

For a more practical present that’ll go a long way, DIY and interior design YouTuber Hermione Chantal said, ‘The best gift I’ve received since moving into my new home has been a helping hand. Many of my family members and friends pitched in to help with painting, cleaning, plumbing and other bits around the house, which has been absolutely invaluable. Without their help I’d be pulling my hair out, and the best things about it? It’s free! It only costs time.’

She continued, ‘Failing that, a great housewarming gift would be a hamper of cleaning supplies and tools, such as picture hanging hooks and screwdrivers, these seem to be depleted or go missing within hours of moving so it’s nice to have a few extra items on hand.’

Housewarming gifts for couples

Handmade Wood and Bronze Resin Cheese Board 

This faux marble cheese board is a necessity for the inevitable dinner party nights. With a marble-effect detail, it’s more affordable than the real deal but still looks no less chic.

Priced at £30, available on Etsy

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Jo Malone Candles

White Lilac & Rhubarb Charity Candle

Bring the smell of summer into your friend’s home with this candle from Jo Malone (always a classic housewarming gift). The beautiful illustrations give it an extra special touch, plus proceeds from the candle go towards supporting those in need of help with their mental health.

If you’re thinking of buying luxury candles, diffusers, linen sprays – well, anything smelly really – for your friend, Jo Malone gave us a little bit of advice on what scent to buy when. Emma South, their Fragrance and Lifestyle UK Expert advised, ‘Let peonies and freesias bloom during the summer months, then layer juicy berries and tart redcurrants with grounding woods later in the year.’

Priced at £47, available at Jo Malone

Buy on July 1

Funny housewarming gifts

Bathroom Guest Book

Some people leave stacks of magazines out, others leave a bathroom guest book – or well, they should now that this is available. This hilarious little notepad allows guests to rate their toilet experience, with sections including which songs that best describe your bathroom visit through to a dedicated doodle space you can rate as ‘crap’ or ‘not crap’.

Priced at £11.95, available at Oliver Bonas

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Personalised Housewarming Gifts

Personalised Home and Front Door Illustration

This beautiful print by MelSmithDesigns is one that requires a little forward planning, but it’s oh-so-worth it. If your friend is one of the lucky ones who’s just bought their very first home, this print is a cute commemorative piece that celebrates that.

Priced at £75, available on Etsy

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Housewarming Gifts for Men

Theo French Press Coffee Maker

Know somebody obsessed with coffee? This sleek black cafetiere may be a little pricier, but it’s one your pal’s likely to hang onto forever. Perfect for the minimalist, it’ll add a chic Scandi vibe to any kitchen counter.

Priced at £64.95, available at oggetto

Buy now