The Good Design Journal
The Little Treat Economy Is Full of Affordable Luxury Home Decor and We Found 12 of the Best
We’re all doing it. Tapping our card for a ridiculously fancy coffee, adding a pastry to the order just because, buying the nice block of chocolate instead of the regular one. This is the “Little Treat Economy,” and it’s a quiet, joyful rebellion against waiting for a special occasion to feel good. It’s about bringing a touch of accessible indulgence into your life, and nowhere does a little splurge feel better than at home.
That's where affordable luxury home decor comes in. It’s the design equivalent of the fancy croissant: a beautiful, permanent object that makes you smile every single day.
This is your official invitation to treat yourself (or a friend) to a clever, completely justifiable piece of luxury home decor. Go on.
1. A Jewel-Like Valet
FERM LIVING Santany Bowl, D9cm, Aluminium
Think of this as a jewel-like, personal valet for your most precious odds and ends. The gleaming, polished aluminium bowl is the perfect, artful spot for the rings you take off before bed or your favourite earrings. It’s a discreet, shiny object whose very important job is to keep your important things safe and stylish.
2. A Bowl That's Perfectly Imperfect
FERM LIVING Erena Bowl, D24cm, Cream
This bowl has a lovely, slightly wobbly, handmade quality that feels incredibly soulful. It’s like a piece you found at a small, secret pottery studio on holiday. It's the perfect size for a single, decadent serving of pasta and makes any meal feel a little more grounded and special.
3. A Hiding Spot in Plain Sight
FERM LIVING Pebble Box, Large, H14cm, Sand/Cream
Is it a minimalist sculpture? Is it a giant, impossibly smooth stone from another planet? Yes, but it’s also the most elegant hiding spot for all the things you don't want people to see. This is what makes it a perfect little treat: it solves the boring, practical problem of "where to put things" with an object that feels like a beautiful, artistic indulgence.
4. Your Grandma's Bowl Went to Design School
ROSTI Margrethe Bowl 2L, Steel
You know that classic, indestructible mixing bowl that’s been in your family for ages? This is its chic, sophisticated descendant. Rendered in stunning brushed steel, it’s a legendary piece of Danish kitchenware that’s so good-looking, you’ll want to use it for serving salad, not just for mixing batter.
5. Candles That Look Like Fancy Chocolates
MAISON BALZAC The Chocolate Box Chandelles (Set of 5)
A box of five elegant, slender candles in shades of delectable brown that look good enough to eat (please don’t). They are an instant mood-setter, perfect for bringing a warm, flickering glow to a dinner party or just making a Tuesday night feel a little more romantic.
6. Your Own Personal Spotlight
DESIGNSTUFF Elio Pillar Portable Lamp, Chrome/Chrome
This is your own personal, portable spotlight for creating a perfect vibe wherever you go. It's a compact, rechargeable chrome lamp that you can place anywhere for a concentrated dose of atmospheric, golden-hour light, on demand. It’s a classic ‘little treat’ purchase—an accessible piece of design that delivers a huge return in daily joy.
7. A Glass with a Very Fun Job
MAISON BALZAC Bloody Mary Cocktail Glass
Some objects are multi-talented. This one is not. This glass has one very specific, very fun job to do, and it does it with incredible style. It’s a joyful, dedicated vessel that understands the ritual of a weekend brunch and is ready to be the star of the show.
8. The Grinders That Started It All
AUDO CPH Salt and Pepper Bottle Grinders Set, Small, Hunting Green/Beige w/ Walnut Lid
These are the salt and pepper grinders that launched a thousand kitchen wish lists, making them the perfect 'I've earned this' upgrade. With their satisfying, bottle-like shape and tactile finish, they are the undisputed champions of countertop chic, elevating the simple act of seasoning into a moment of pure satisfaction.
9. The Chicest Chore Companion
HAY Washing Laundry Basket Light Grey
Here is definitive proof that even the most boring chore can be elevated into something beautiful. This light, airy, and sculptural laundry basket is the essence of affordable luxury home decor: taking a mundane daily object and making it a source of aesthetic pleasure.
10. An Exquisite Golden Mushroom
BLACK BLAZE Mushroom Incense Burner, Gold
An exquisite, golden mushroom that is secretly an incense burner? Yes, please. This is a delicate, whimsical piece of art that brings an instant smile to your face. It’s the perfect little oddity for a bookshelf or side table, adding a touch of fairytale magic to your space.
11. The Most Elegant Parking Spot for Your Drink
STELTON ARNE JACOBSEN Cylinda Coasters (Set of 6)
These aren't just coasters; they are the most elegant parking spots your drink will ever have. Designed by a legend of Danish modernism, the set of six brushed-steel discs comes with a sleek holder that keeps them perfectly stacked. They are a quiet, confident statement of exceptionally good taste.
12. A Personal Disco Ball for Your Coffee
BLOOMINGVILLE Shine Cup, Stoneware, Chrome/Silver
If the whole 'Little Treat Economy' started with upgrading your daily coffee, this is its logical conclusion. Why just buy a fancy coffee when you can drink any coffee from your own personal disco ball every single day? Its ridiculously shiny finish provides a potent, personal hit of glamour before you’ve even had your caffeine.
Okay, what exactly is the "little treat economy"?
It's the unofficial movement of rewarding yourself with small, affordable luxuries. Think of it as a rebellion against delayed gratification. Instead of saving up for one huge splurge, it’s about sprinkling little hits of happiness into your everyday life—whether that’s a fancy pastry, a nice lipstick, or a beautifully designed salt grinder that makes you smile.
How can a small object actually improve my daily rituals?
It's all about romanticising your routine! When you use an object you truly love, it transforms a chore into a more mindful, pleasurable moment. A beautiful cup makes your morning coffee feel like a ceremony; a great-looking laundry basket makes a tedious task feel a little more dignified. It's the simple act of surrounding yourself with things that bring you joy.
What makes the best "little treat" to give as a gift?
The perfect "little treat" gift is something the recipient would love to own but might not buy for themselves. It’s a small, luxurious upgrade to an everyday item. Think of a design-forward version of a practical object: iconic salt and pepper grinders, a sculptural incense burner, or a set of special cocktail glasses are all brilliant choices.
Is affordable luxury home decor really worth it for everyday items?
Absolutely. It’s a shift in perspective from cost-per-item to cost-per-use. You might use a special-occasion serving platter twice a year, but you'll use your coffee cup, salt grinder, or laundry basket hundreds of times. Investing in a high-quality, beautiful version of something you use daily means you get a little return of joy and satisfaction with every single use.
Go On, You've Earned It
The best things in life might be free, but the second-best things are the small, justifiable splurges that make your day a little bit brighter. Waiting for a birthday or a big promotion to feel a flicker of joy is officially cancelled. The new mood is about finding and celebrating the little moments, every single day.
That’s the entire point of The Little Treat Economy capsule. It’s a curated collection of affordable luxury home decor, with every piece chosen for its power to elevate a simple, routine moment—like making coffee or lighting a candle—into something more memorable. It’s your official permission slip to indulge in a little everyday happiness.
