Run by veteran antique dealer Paul Downs and his partner April, SWAG is a stylish and unique…read moreshowroom that displays distinctive pieces of antique furniture. Everything is sourced by the couple themselves and as a result, you'll find old leather arm chairs and 1930s sofas next to stainless steel cabinets, wooden chests, trunks and unusual lights. The quality and originality of the stock means the prices venture towards the expensive. For those with a smaller budget however, there's also a small selection of paintings, decorative letters, statues, world globes and mirrors. Since the couple are so friendly, it's also worth making them an offer if there's something you really want but can't quite stretch to.

On first glance I thought this antiques shop looked slightly austere, and in fact I wasn't even…read moresure it WAS an antique shop at first, so sparsely arranged and high quality is the furniture. However, on closer inspection Swag proves to be a very stylish showroom of the highest quality antique furniture and home furnishings. It is an unusual experience compared with many of Brighton's other secondhand furniture dealers, who generally inhabit musty, cavernous shops, characterised by clutter and chaos. Swag is clean and polished; full of 1930s and 1940s office and home furnishings that would fit perfectly in a Film Noir set. I particularly like the metal desk lamps...they really capture something of another time. Although I personally enjoy the rummaging treasure-hunt aspect of the more casual antique/ junk shops in town, I do admire the experience and precision and with which the owners have sourced their collection. The stock is beautiful, just a little pricey for me! A great place to find striking one-offs if you have money to burn.

First of all: assess your budget…read more If you've got a few grand to spare: read on. If you're normal: you might as well not bother. Money aside, I'd vote Rume one of the best, if not the best, independent furniture store in Brighton. Amongst other things they stock two in-house ranges, Baker & Belgae and Jet Baker, that comprise everything from Victorian style Chesterfields to Opulent Chez Longs. They also stock various other pieces including lamps, clocks, cushions and cabinets. If you've serious cash then you can even get a bespoke item made to you exact specifications. If it wasn't so bloody expensive I'd be a bigger fan of this place but I can't give five stars to a business that charges over £3000 for a sofa.

Rume is one of those places that makes you wish you played the Lottery…read more An independent store selling stylish and eye-catching furniture, they sell classic chesterfields, chaise longues, day beds, corner sofas and arm chairs by established names and resident designers Jet Baker and Baker and Belgae. Laid out in an open, warehouse style space, they also sell cool and funky coffee tables, cabinets, dining tables, lamps and chandeliers. If I had a spare three and a half thousand, I'd be tempted to buy Mool's incredible, life-size horse lamp. It makes me laugh every time I see it and would shock visitors. In reality, my budget only stretches to Tom Dixon mirrorball lamps and their divine cushions. Should I pick the rabbit and lettuce ones or pigeon and jelly?

This is the Hove original of the Bert's Homestore chain (there's now one in Brighton too), located…read morein the pleasantly pedestrianised shopping area of George Street. (George Street is small but reasonably quiet, even on a Saturday - it's the complete opposite of Brighton city centre.) They sell lots of stuff for kitchens and bathrooms, concentrating on accessesories such as knives, chopping boards, tea-strainers, tea-pots, mug tress, washing up bowls in funky designs, etc. rather on standard crockery and cutlery (although there are a few basic items). It's attractively laid out and lovely to browse, and excellent for things such as olive spoons, tea-bag squeezers, lemon rind peelers, which in my book are not essentials, but make those specific tasks so much easier. The staff are lovely too. It's hard to leave without buying something

This is a trendy little shop selling everything you need (and a lot you don't) for your home. While…read moreI try not to shop at supermarkets if I can, the one thing I think is worth buying from them is kitchenware as its so much more expensive in shops like this. I just wouldn't pay £14.95 for a fold away colander. Why have a fold away colander? That said, they do sell a really good range of kitchen knives here at good prices and that's one thing you should spend a but of money on.

Honestly the only place to I have visited in years for quality old fashioned customer service,…read moreunlimited knowledge of the products sold and plenty of time to try and choose unhindered. Highly recommend! After sales service good too , for any unanswered questions

From the owner: Trusted Family Run Businessread more

I have no aspirations to be a domestic goddess. If I did…read morethough, I'd slip into my marigolds and my kitten heels And I'd scoot over to Bert's at least once a week. A local homestore two minutes from Jamie Oliver's Recipease, they sell every cute and kitsch accessory you could wish for - from spotted cake tins and stripey aprons to colourful bowls, chopping boards, whisks, spoons and tableware. Oh and the essential items for budding bakers - cupcake and muffin tins!

This lovely little store is a new addition to Western Road, building on Bert's successful original…read moreoutlet at 33 George Street in Hove (their web-site has not yet been updated to include the new venue). Basically, they sell things for the kitchen, like crockery, cutlery, draining racks, chopping boards, gadgets, and so on. Although the range is not that large - only a few styles of cutlery, for example - they do have lots of useful things, and the store is lovely just to browse around. The place was buzzing with happy shoppers, doing just that. (In marked contrast to the January Sales hell that characterised the rest of Brighton). I have spent hours trying to find an small olive spoon, for example - and they had one, and an olive spear, and a spring-loaded pickle fork, and... We also bought a really large, heavy beech wood chopping board - from a sustainable source - for under £8. Something else that caught my eye were several designs of nice wire draining racks, in bright funky colours - no horrid plastic tat. Oh, and lovely, friendly, helpful staff. I hope they succeed.

Abode is the perfect place to find homeware gifts for a loved one…read more Or for a loved one to find gifts for you! Situated about halfway down Kensington Gardens, it's charming boutique store that has lovely side tables, console tables, room dividers, fringe panels, floor lamps, table lamps, pigeon lights, marimekko fabrics, wall stickers, mirrors and luxury bedding. If you already have everything you need in the lounge and bedroom department, they also sell gorgeous kitchen and bath accessories from china, glasses, tea-pots and coasters to candles, soaps and towels. Don't know if they still have any in stock, but last time I went in I fell in love with the wicker bulls head and the Ibride ostrich console table.

Abode is a lovely little lifestyle boutique, which sells all sorts of fancy things for your home…read more Scented candles, velvet cushion covers, vases and more are laid out in uncluttered, attractive displays around the shop. They also sell small items of furniture, including some really classy wooden side tables and stools. Christmas is by far the best time to visit the store, as they have all sorts of beautiful decorations for your tree. They have a gorgeous selection, including gold Christmas trees and stars as well as some really beautiful glass decorations in the shape of parrots and other pretty birds. I bought a few last year in turquoise, white and gold and they really transformed my tree! In fact, they're so lovely that I've hung them up in my bedroom all year. Abode is a shop full of things you'd rarely buy yourself...quirky light fittings, gilded bird cages and some really delicate chinaware. It is almost impossible to walk around without starting a mental wish-list, making it the perfect place to start your Christmas list, whilst picking up a few gifts yourself! You can even create your wedding list at Abode! NB. Everything feels a bit delicate, so it's not a great place to bring the kids!

They closed WAY earlier than closing time and my sister just gave birth and we asked them to hold a…read moreblanket for my sister that they said to get today!! TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!

This is a great shop to pick up some quirky gifts or pieces for your home…read more I'm obsessed with their animal plant pot range that starts at only £7.99. Go check it out!

Such a cool shop with nice furniture selection.read more

Great home decor store with lots of options. Very stylish and reasonable prices.read more

Very polpular store that is financed, (well it seems like it), by my daughter..and now my wife!!!…read moreFantastic stock and styles, sadly no seating for frail old gentlemen who have to wait!!!!!! Still, loads of coffee nearby. Seriuosly, a smashing shop which does have some good gear and nice people serving.

If you want to kit out your home wuith the most gorgeous furniture definately go to Velvet - i…read morecould easily spend my wages in here on pay day!!! :) from the most beautiful mirrors & smaller items its a great shop for people of all ages & tastes.

Home decor and designer's accessories store. This one in Brighton, four others in different parts…read moreof London. They sell desiger's lights on the ground floor, designer's furniture on the first floor and basements you will find rugs. Ask for their interior design service if you need some suggestion.

Hands down the best furniture store in Brighton, Heal's is a four storey building that specialises…read morein stylish and cool furniture, storage and accessories for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, lounge, living room and office. What distinguishes it from other homeware shops is the quality and creativity. The company clearly appreciate style and they go out of their way to employ established and up and coming designers. There's classic Eames chairs, Phillip Starck lights, Tim Dixon chairs, hot pink flock chandeliers and cushions by Nitin Goyal. I could happily buy most of the things in this store but the thing I really, really want is one of their Chesterfield sofas. The first problem is, I don't have a spare three grand. The second problem is, they offer it in about 30 different shades of leather and I can't decide which colour. Should I go black, white or turquize?