Welcome to our Essential Homeware buying guides. Like you, but unlike many of our competitors, we actually shop online ourselves. In fact, we make a habit of it!

We believe it’s the only way to truly understand our customers’ needs and cut out the fears and frustrations that can all too often be a part of the online shopping experience.

That’s why we’ve set out this series of informative guides to help make choosing the product that’s right for you not only easier, but a lot more accurate.

Value is about a lot more than just price

In a world overloaded with choice, we realise how difficult it can be to decide which product would really suit you best. Whether you’re looking for duvets or cookware, electrical goods or garden equipment, there are a host of benefits and features to consider - and not all of them obvious.

What are the real differences and what are the key things you should look for? Should you choose natural or man-made materials? Would heavy-duty or lightweight use be best for your needs? What can you expect for your money?

We’ve attempted to answer all of these questions and more, in concise, jargon-free English. The way we see it, the more you know about what you’re buying, the happier you’ll be with your purchase.