Top 10 Best Home Decor Brands in Thanet

How Thanet Became a Destination for Interiors

A decade or so ago, few people would have travelled to Thanet to shop for their home. That has changed considerably. The regeneration of Margate's Old Town, the arrival of artists and makers priced out of London, and the district's abundant supply of large, affordable retail and studio space have produced a concentration of independent interiors businesses that is unusual for a town of its size.

What makes the local scene distinctive is its character. Rather than replicating national chain offerings, Thanet's decor businesses lean heavily towards vintage and mid century furniture, salvage and reclamation, handmade ceramics, textiles, lighting, coastal art and objects with a story. The result is an interiors landscape that rewards browsing rather than list shopping, and one that suits the district's period housing particularly well.

The Coastal Interior Aesthetic

Coastal style is often reduced to blue and white stripes and rope detailing, which does a disservice to what actually works in seaside homes. A more convincing approach draws on the qualities of the environment itself: abundant natural light, weathered textures, muted and chalky colours, natural materials and objects that look better with age.

In practice this means pale walls that reflect the strong coastal light, natural timber and rattan, linen and wool textiles, ceramics with visible making marks, and pieces of genuine vintage furniture rather than mass produced imitations of it. The palette tends towards soft greys, sands, chalky whites, faded greens and the occasional deep blue used as accent rather than theme.

1. Margate Vintage Interiors

A well known destination for mid century and retro furniture, lighting and homewares, offering restored pieces alongside original finds. The stock changes constantly, which is part of the appeal for regular visitors.

2. Isle Ceramics Studio

A working pottery producing tableware, vases, planters and decorative pieces in coastal inspired glazes. Items are made in small batches, giving each piece individual variation.

3. Coastal Home and Living

A contemporary homewares retailer stocking cushions, throws, candles, glassware and seasonal decoration, aimed at customers refreshing a room rather than furnishing from scratch.

4. Harbour Salvage and Reclamation

Dealing in architectural salvage including original doors, fireplaces, ironmongery, sanitaryware, timber and lighting, this business is invaluable for owners restoring period properties authentically.

5. Broadstairs Textile Company

Producing and selling fabrics, curtains, blinds, upholstery and soft furnishings, with a making service that suits the irregular window sizes common in older local housing.

6. Northdown Lighting Studio

Specialising in decorative and statement lighting, including restored vintage fittings, contemporary pendants and bespoke pieces made to order for specific spaces.

7. Westgate Furniture Makers

A workshop producing solid timber furniture including tables, benches, sideboards and beds, built to order with material and dimension choices suited to the buyer's room.

8. Cliftonville Art and Print

Selling original artwork, limited edition prints and framing services, with a strong focus on coastal subjects, local scenes and work by artists based in the district.

9. Pegwell Garden and Outdoor Living

Offering outdoor furniture, planters, garden lighting, sculpture and weather resistant decorative pieces designed to cope with exposed coastal positions.

10. Thanet Sustainable Home Store

Focusing on reclaimed, refurbished and responsibly produced goods, including upcycled furniture, natural fibre textiles, refillable household products and plastic free alternatives.

Building a Coherent Scheme

The most common mistake in decorating is buying individual items that are each attractive but share no relationship. A more reliable method is to fix three things first: the wall colour, the flooring and the largest piece of furniture in the room. Everything else then responds to those decisions.

Light deserves particular attention in coastal properties. Thanet gets exceptional natural light, but it is cool and bright, which changes how colours read. A warm white that looks inviting in a London flat can appear stark here, while chalky, slightly complex colours with depth tend to behave better. Test large samples on more than one wall and observe them at different times of day before committing.

Layering matters too. A room with a single overhead light will feel flat regardless of what is in it. Table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights and dimming create atmosphere and make evenings comfortable, which is particularly valuable in winter months.

Buying Vintage Well

Vintage furniture is central to the local scene, and it offers real advantages: better construction than most contemporary equivalents, lower environmental impact and genuine character. It does require some judgement. Check drawer runners and joints, look for woodworm evidence, assess whether upholstery is original or replaced and consider whether foam and fabric meet modern fire safety expectations for resale items.

Measure before buying, and measure the route into the property as well. Thanet's narrow staircases and tight landings have defeated many large sofas and wardrobes, and a piece that will not go up the stairs is an expensive lesson.

Supporting Local Makers

Buying from local studios and independents keeps money circulating within the district and often produces better outcomes. Makers can adjust dimensions, colours and finishes in ways that national retailers cannot, and pieces are typically repairable rather than disposable. For fitted items, textiles and lighting in particular, a local maker can solve problems that off the shelf products simply do not address.

Final Thoughts

Thanet's home decor scene reflects the district itself: independent, characterful and shaped by the coast. The businesses profiled here cover vintage furniture, ceramics, salvage, textiles, lighting, art and sustainable goods. Start with the fixed elements of a room, let the light guide your colours and build slowly with pieces that mean something, and the result will feel considered rather than assembled.