If you’ve followed our house-building journey, you’ll know we’ve spent the last few years making countless decisions. Some were huge, like the layout and flooring. Others seemed tiny at the time but have actually made a surprisingly big difference to how our home looks and feels. Although we always try to shop locally whenever we can, living in Portugal sometimes means the exact thing we’re looking for simply isn’t available. Other times, we find it locally but the price is considerably higher than buying online. That’s where our Amazon home finds have been an absolute lifesaver.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve bought everything from lighting and taps to cupboard knobs and extension leads. None of these purchases were impulse buys. They were all carefully chosen to fit our home, our style and, in many cases, our budget.
The best part? We’ve genuinely been delighted with every single one of them. So if you’re renovating, decorating or simply looking for ideas, here are some of the Amazon purchases we’d happily buy all over again.
Recessed LED Lighting
If I had to pick one thing that completely transformed the look of our house, it would probably be the recessed LED spotlights. Michael had his heart set on them from the beginning but struggled to find exactly what he wanted locally. Amazon came to the rescue, and we’re so pleased it did.
We installed them throughout the house, as well as beneath the covered terraces outside, and they create such a clean, modern finish. They sit neatly inside the false ceilings and give off a lovely even light without drawing attention to themselves. They’re one of those features visitors don’t always notice straight away, but the overall effect is beautiful.
Black Bathroom Taps
I’ll admit, I was a little sceptical about buying taps from Amazon. We’d seen some gorgeous black taps in a local bathroom showroom, but they were eye-wateringly expensive. Since these were going into our guest bathrooms, we decided it was worth taking a chance on some much more affordable ones from Amazon. We also got the black shower and black sink plug to match. I’m so glad we did.
They look incredibly stylish, give the bathrooms a modern feel and, so far, they’ve been absolutely brilliant. Time will tell how they hold up over the years, but at the moment we honestly couldn’t be happier with them. Sometimes taking a chance really pays off.
Gold Kitchen Handles
One of the things I quickly discovered while designing our kitchen was that it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference. We absolutely love our gorgeous green kitchen, but when it came to choosing the handles, the kitchen supplier just didn’t have anything that really appealed to us. There wasn’t anything wrong with the selection—they just weren’t us. So, once again, Amazon came to the rescue.
We knew exactly what we wanted: simple, elegant gold handles that would complement the green cabinets without stealing the show. After a bit of browsing, we found exactly what we had in mind. Brushed brass draw handles. They’ve completely finished off the kitchen and tied everything together beautifully. It’s amazing how something as relatively inexpensive as cupboard handles can change the whole look of a room.
If you’re planning a new kitchen, don’t feel as though you have to buy every little detail from the same supplier. Sometimes it’s worth shopping around because you might just find something that’s a much better fit for your own style.
Door Handles: A Lesson Learned
Choosing door handles turned out to be far more difficult than either of us expected. Like so many finishing touches, they can completely change the feel of a room, so we didn’t want to rush into buying dozens of them without knowing exactly what they’d look and feel like.
We found a lovely Victorian-style pair on Amazon that looked absolutely gorgeous in the photos, so we ordered just one set as a trial. It turned out to be a really useful exercise because, although we still liked the design, they just weren’t quite right. They felt a little too small in the hand, and when you’re using something every single day, that’s the sort of detail that really matters.
In hindsight, it was much better to spend a little money testing one pair than to order enough for the whole house and then regret it. We could have returned them, of course… but I think life got in the way and we simply forgot!
For now, we’ve fitted some simple black door handles from Amazon throughout the house. They weren’t ever meant to be our forever choice—they’re just keeping us going until we find the perfect handles. We’re still searching.
Our dream is to find something with real character, beautifully made, perhaps even handcrafted by a traditional blacksmith in England. That’s the vision, anyway! Until then, these inexpensive black handles are doing a perfectly good job, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking your time over the finishing touches.
LED Bathroom Mirrors
I never realised how much I’d enjoy having illuminated bathroom mirrors until we installed them. The built-in LED lighting is fantastic, especially first thing in the morning or when you’re getting ready in the evening. It gives a lovely soft light that’s both practical and flattering.
Some of ours also have built-in Bluetooth speakers, which means you can connect your phone and listen to music while relaxing in the bath. Yes… we absolutely tried it. And yes… it’s surprisingly good fun!
We’ve since bought a rather gorgeous Marshall Bluetooth speaker, so we’ll probably use that instead in future, but having the option built into the mirror still feels like one of those little luxury touches that makes you smile.
The Electric Fireplace
One of my favourite cosy additions has to be our Dimplex electric fireplace. The flame effect is incredibly realistic and instantly makes the room feel warm and inviting, even when the heating isn’t on.
Now that we have underfloor heating downstairs, we probably won’t use it in the lounge very much anymore. Instead, I think it’ll eventually move into my office, where it’ll be perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere while I’m writing or editing videos during the winter months. Sometimes it’s not about needing extra heat. It’s about creating a feeling. And this definitely does that.
Hexagon Garage Lights
If you’ve never seen hexagon garage lights, prepare to become slightly obsessed. We installed them in Michael’s garage, and they look amazing. They provide loads of bright, even light, which is ideal when he’s working on his motorbikes or cars, but they also make the whole space look incredibly modern. It’s one of those upgrades that feels far more expensive than it actually is.
Glass Skull Cupboard Knobs
Now these are probably the most me purchase in the whole house. When I came across glass skull cupboard knobs, I knew they had to go on the shelving in my office. They’re quirky, a little gothic, slightly magical and they make me smile every time I see them. It’s proof that even something as small as changing cupboard knobs can completely change the personality of a piece of furniture.
Black Extension Leads
This might sound like the least exciting recommendation on the list, but hear me out. Most extension leads are white. In my office, where I have darker furniture, white cables seemed to stand out everywhere. Black extension leads, on the other hand, almost disappear. It’s such a tiny thing, but it makes everything look so much tidier. Sometimes it’s the smallest purchases that end up making the biggest difference.
Outdoor Lighting
We also bought several outdoor wall lights and floodlights for the garden. Good outdoor lighting completely changes how a house looks in the evening. It highlights the architecture, makes pathways safer and creates a lovely atmosphere when you’re sitting outside on warm summer nights. It’s one of those finishing touches that can make a new-build feel much more established and welcoming.
Colour-Changing Underwater Pool Light
One of my favourite outdoor purchases has to be our colour-changing underwater pool light. It’s one of those things that you don’t really need, but once you’ve got it, you wonder why you didn’t buy one sooner. During the summer evenings it completely transforms the pool, creating such a lovely atmosphere.
Most of the time we tend to choose either the soft lilac or blue setting, which looks absolutely beautiful after the sun goes down. It makes the whole garden feel calm and almost a little magical.
But the real fun came at Halloween. We switched the light to bright orange for our Halloween party, and the effect was hilarious. Instead of looking warm and autumnal, it made the pool look like it was filled with blood! It was gloriously spooky and had everyone talking. We couldn’t have planned it better if we’d tried.
It’s such a simple addition, but it completely changes the mood of the garden depending on the occasion. Whether you want a relaxing evening by the pool or you’re going all out for a themed party, it’s one of those purchases that brings far more joy than you’d ever expect.
Shelly Smart Switches
If you’re interested in smart home technology, we’ve been really impressed with our Shelly smart switches. They allow us to control various parts of the house, including our electric shutters, through Wi-Fi, making everyday life just that little bit easier. It’s one of those modern conveniences you don’t realise you’ll appreciate until you start using it.
Our Wi-Fi Mesh System
One thing we hadn’t really anticipated when we moved into our new home was just how much harder it would be to get a strong Wi-Fi signal everywhere.
Our previous house was much smaller, so it had never really been an issue. Suddenly, we found ourselves with certain spots where the signal wasn’t as reliable as we’d like. Not ideal when both of us spend so much time online!
After doing a bit of research, we bought the TP-Link Deco XE75 Mesh Wi-Fi System, and honestly, it’s been one of the best tech purchases we’ve made for the house. Instead of relying on a single router, the system uses three units placed around the house to create one seamless Wi-Fi network. That means we can wander from room to room without losing signal, and we finally have fast, reliable internet throughout the house.
Whether I’m uploading YouTube videos, writing blog posts, streaming films, or Michael’s tinkering online, everything just works without us having to think about it. It’s probably not the most glamorous purchase on this list, but it’s certainly one of the most useful. If you live in a larger home or struggle with Wi-Fi dead spots, I’d recommend a mesh system in a heartbeat.
Ceiling Hooks for My Yoga Hammock
One of the more unusual purchases we made wasn’t actually the yoga hammock itself, but the heavy duty ceiling hooks to hang it from.
I’d wanted an aerial yoga hammock for years to help with my lower back, and when I finally decided to get one, I chose to buy the hammock from a specialist company. The ceiling mounting kit, however, came from Amazon, and it’s been absolutely perfect.
The hooks feel incredibly solid and secure, which is exactly what you want when you’re trusting them to hold your weight! Once everything was installed, I was finally able to start using my hammock properly. It’s honestly been brilliant.
Whether I’m stretching, gently decompressing my spine or simply hanging upside down for a few minutes, it’s become one of my favourite ways to ease the discomfort in my lower back. I only wish I’d bought it years ago.
If you’ve been thinking about trying aerial yoga at home, don’t overlook the importance of good quality ceiling fixings. They’re not the most exciting purchase, but they’re arguably the most important.
The Little Details
Some of our favourite purchases weren’t the expensive ones.
Desk drawer handles. I have the brushed ones and Michael went for black for his desk.
A gorgeous gold sink for our basement bathroom and a brushed gold sink plug.
Dimmable light bulbs. and dimmable vintage style wall sconces for our bathroom.
Spotlights that light up the wooden ceilings. We got the same spotlights in black too, for my office.
Interesting spotlights for my office (with a slight vintage feel)
Olive chalk paint to change the colour of our old armoire. And gold chalk paint for the inside of it.
Little finishing touches that quietly pull everything together. When you’re building a house, it’s amazing how many of these small decisions you have to make. Individually they don’t seem particularly important, but together they create the home you end up living in every day.
Final Thoughts
Building a house has taught me that it’s often the little things that have the biggest impact. We didn’t buy these Amazon home finds because they were trendy or because someone on social media told us to. We bought them because they solved a problem, suited our style or simply made us smile.
Months later, I can honestly say there isn’t a single purchase on this list that I regret. In fact, we’d happily buy every one of them again. If you’re renovating your own home or simply looking for ideas, I hope this has given you a little inspiration. I’ll add links to all of the products we’ve used below so you can have a look for yourself.
And if you’ve discovered any brilliant Amazon home finds for your own home, I’d genuinely love to hear about them in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for clever ideas!
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