Our shopping habits may have changed due to lockdown, but our desire to ‘buy a lifestyle’ has not. There’s plenty of pros to shopping online, but nothing beats the in-person experience of shopping at a concept store. 

A concept store is an event. From cozy curated boutiques to multi-level fashion and design spaces, there’s no such thing as a quick in-and-out shopping experience. These concept stores go beyond simply filling a store with items for you to browse and buy. Instead, they create beautiful displays and showcase their products in a way that not only amplifies the shopping experience but makes it easy to daydream about how those items could fit your ideal lifestyle. 

What is a concept store? 

In a concept store, new ideas are put together on display to not only improve and enhance the shopping experience of those who visit the store but also to encourage shoppers to buy more from the store. 

Concept stores are appealing to those who want a particular lifestyle and want to get all of the things they require from one place. Concept stores are great for those who value efficiency, design and who want a particular aesthetic for themselves and their homes. 

What are the 10 best concept stores in London?

Here’s our list of favourite concept stores in London for the ultimate lifestyle shopping experience: 

1. House of Hackney

If you are into fun and bold home decor, artistic wallpaper, lights that make a statement, and beautiful plants, then you will love House of Hackney. Expect bold and colourful pieces that combine English nostalgia with modern, maximalist design.

The East End boutique was started in 2010 by a husband and wife team who definitely have a fun side when it comes to design. They’ll inspire you to create your own sanctuary, filled with beautiful belongings, joy, and things you love, including what they call ‘future heirlooms.’

And if you need a little design inspiration while shopping online, you can check out their online gallery filled with interior design ideas using products available from their store.

2. Earl of East

Earl of East is a fragrance boutique that was founded in 2014 by Niko Dafkos and Paul Firmin. The pair started Earl of East as a passion project, but it has since grown to a team of 18.

A great scent adds joy to anyone’s day. Certain smells can trigger memories, spark emotions, change your mood, make you feel invigorated, and delight guests who visit your home. Earl of East brings joy to people in the form of scent with products like incense, bath and body products, candles, and home mists, and that is just with their own line of products they make in London. They now have 230 stockists worldwide and like to support independent brands. 

They have been featured in publications like Vogue and Wallpaper. They also host candle-making workshops, and you can learn some of their tricks in their book, The Scented Candle Workshop.

3. The Goodhood Store

If a lifestyle filled with excitement, creativity, and flair is what you're seeking, you might love The Goodhood Store. Shopping at Goodhood is sure to put you in a good mood. 

Here, you'll not only find the latest in London fashion, but you'll also find books, home accessories, ceramics, and cosmetics. In fact, they have brought products from 200 brands together, so you can conveniently shop in one place. 

Their beautiful displays and amazing products will appeal to the trendy and hip living in east London who appreciate beautiful design and style. Every item has a story behind it here, which fits with their ethos. They also have their own in-house brand.

4. LN-CC

If you're going to go shopping, you might as well opt for an incredible experience. LN-CC is arguably the coolest concept store in London and has gained worldwide attention. You have to see it to believe it. 

Expect luxury clothes and accessories, as well as books and music displayed as if in an art gallery. Key pieces from fresh talent and well-known designers are displayed on metal rings and in wooden tunnels. 

If you do want to pay a visit to this store, we recommend booking an appointment in advance.

5. Triangle

What happens when a trio of friends comes together to create a store for those who appreciate good art and good design and want to incorporate more of it into their lives? 

You get the intriguing and enticing concept store known as Triangle. 

Here, you can find fashion, jewellery, beauty products, accessories, and homeware. If a product is going to be sold in their store, it has to be simple, useful, or beautiful. Keeping this in mind, it is safe to say you can expect beautiful designs. They also have mid-century modern furniture for sale placed around the store. The furniture displays, and therefore the look of the store, change frequently.

6. Skandium

If you love Scandanavian interior design principles, you will love Skandium. They can fulfill all your lighting, furniture, accessories, and gifting needs with their contemporary Scandinavian lifestyle products. 

Skandium was founded in 1999 by three Scandanavians who had a dream of becoming the leading global retailers of Scandinavian design and furniture. Customers appreciate the well-presented environment created within their stores, as well as their knowledgeable staff, and since their origin, they have grown a loyal customer base.

7. Modern Society

Modern Society is a boutique in Shoreditch that started as a pop-up store in 2013. Their goal is to connect with their customers and they wanted to make their store the perfect place to do it. 

The space was designed by Trend and Fayre and they often host photography and art exhibitions. They also have a café for those who like to pair their shopping trips with some coffee and cake. 

You can expect to find a lot of independent, unusual, and cool brands here. They sell feel-good fashion pieces and homeware items like ceramics, crystals, and incense. 

If you are in search of a concept store with good vibes only, we highly recommend Modern Society.

8. Couverture & the Garbstore

In the heart of Notting Hill, you will find Couverture & the Garbstore. It is a three-storey townhouse with an open layout that is filled with treasures like eye-catching fashion pieces, beauty products, homeware gems, bedroom linen, and everything you need to create your perfect home, all from independent brands. 

It originally started in 2008 as a creative concept by Emily Dyson-Paley and Ian Paley. It is the ideal place to shop for gifts and to discover interesting products from brands that have a story to tell.

You can shop at their online store too if you cannot visit their physical location.

9. SCP

SCP is a one-stop inspiration destination. The store is divided into two levels. At the top level, you can find beautiful designer furniture from brands like Ercol and Matthew Hilton.

And if you go downstairs, you will find beautifully designed items like notepads and perfume. 

Don’t be surprised if you end up spending a lot more time in the store than you initially planned on, or if you walk out with more than you intended to buy. There definitely are some hidden treasures at SCP.

10. The Conran Shop

Everything you want for your home and more can be found at The Conran Shop. When Sir Terence Conran first created the store in 1973, he took inspiration from continental hypermarkets that existed in the 1950s.

His aim was to sell "the very best and most interesting products and furniture from the four corners of the world." There are now nine stores across the globe and each store is designed with the aim to delight and inspire those who visit it.

Written by Joane Hart