They say if you want to succeed, just pick a craft you love and stick with it – and this was the simple truth we found while compiling this year’s finest names in home and lifestyle.
Welcome to Home Journal’s Best 50, our annual round-up of makers and visionaries who shape the way we live. Many established names that make it to this year's Best 50 list have proven to be living legends who have managed to stay relevant decade after decade. From centuries-old candlemakers still hand-pouring in their original workshops, to leather artisans whose craft now graces both fashion runways and refined interiors, to bedding craftsmen maintaining time-honoured techniques passed through generations.
What binds these success stories isn’t just longevity, but an unwavering dedication to their founding craft. In times of economic uncertainty, this single- minded devotion to craft – over profit – rings especially true. We’re seeing storied houses revisit their archives, bringing back beloved designs from the 1960s and 1970s with contemporary refinements.
This isn’t mere nostalgia – it’s proof that true classics carry a sense of staying power that is deeply reassuring. As the economy slows, people spend no longer for luxury, but for meaningful value – something that can be cherished and passed down regardless of the times.
Here are our top 50 picks of the year. You can find the full brand stories in our physical copy, now available at Eslite Bookstore, clubhouses and newsstands across the city.
BATHROOMS
AGAPE
Italian furniture maker at the forefront of bathroom architecture
BETTE
Delivering German engineering excellence in the bathroom
GROHE
Fresh, great-tasting filtered water straight from the tap
BEDDING & MATTRESSES
FRETTE
Sleep and bathe like a king or queen
HÄSTENS
Sleep in a bed of luxury with the world’s most expensive mattress brand at up to HK$5M
RALPH LAUREN
Timeless elegance from fashion to the home
FLOORINGS & CARPETS
PIERRE FREY
The past finds a whole new meaning with this eclectic fabric house
TAT MING FLOORING
From wallpapers to flooring, from homegrown to globally known
AMINI
Weaving innovation through decades of carpet craftsmanship
TAI PING CARPETS
Roll out the carpet of refined taste
FURNITURE
BONALDO
Style and class with modern furniture designs
CASSINA
An Italian design powerhouse that offers authorised editions of iconic 20th century furniture designs
FENDI CASA
Fashion for interior design excellence
HERMÈS
Six generations on, the world’s most prestigious luxury fashion house keeps innovating while honouring its roots
KNOLL
Avant-garde and ergonomics collide for a better living
MOROSO
Italian furniture that doubles as art
MINOTTI
The guardian of “made in Italy” quality
ROCHE BOBOIS
A symbol of playfulness, boldness and innovation that never ceases to surprise
STELLAR WORKS
Japanese heritage that speaks to global audience
WEWOOD
A Portuguese heritage joinery offering premium wood furniture since 1964
ZANOTTA
Where heritage, Italia craftsmanship and pioneering design collide
HOME ACCESSORIES
AESOP
This wellbeing advocate offers that ultimate sensorial experiences for the skin, hair, and home
BACCARAT
This French crystal powerhouse continues to dazzle — this time with wix
TRUDON
French candlemaker renowned for providing Louis XIV’s Royal Court with handcrafted candles
LIFESTYLE APPLIANCES
BANG & OLUFSEN
A sound investment to all things audio
MARSHALL
It’s music to your ears with some British charm
EUROCAVE
The best care for your delicate wine collection
HOME TECH
HUNTER DOUGLAS
Create a window to your world
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
A new age of smart home living with style in mind
YALE
You want your family safe — lock in this 185-year-old expert
KITCHENS
GAGGENAU
A 342-year journey that reflects the transformation of German industrial prowess
BOSCH
Where German technology meets timeless design
ELECTROLUX
Show off your kitchen with this red dot-winning cooking beauty
FRANKE
Your best friend in the kitchen with sustainability in mind
MIA CUCINA
Cook up a storm with this kitchen maestro
CARPOREE
Leading artificial stone manufacturer that provides more than 100 options of textures
LIXIL
Space-smart Japanese kitchen solutions that designed for comfort and efficiency
V-ZUG
Swiss perfection in your kitchen
KITCHENWARE & TABLEWARE
BODUM
MoMA-exclusive coffee solutions that brew something special every morning
DIOR MAISON
This Dior collection embodies its captivating spirit and elegance
SUMMERILL & BISHOP
The crown jewel for your tablescape, designed for conversations and lasting memories
LIGHTING
&TRADITION
Creating a tradition of its own
HAY
A little something to brighten everyday living
TOM DIXON
The maverick who lights up British design
SAINT-LOUIS
A royal heritage illuminating crystal-making since 1767
GERVASONI
A lamp that’s become a designer favourite for high-end residential projects
SURFACES & COATINGS
FORMICA
Synonymous for premium high-pressure laminates backed by technology and exquisite taste
VALPAINT
Modern decorative paints that grace K11 MUSEA and the Henderson
SPIVER
The artistic paint of choice for the leaning tower of Pisa
BENJAMIN MOORE
A leading architectural paint and coatings manufacturer that boasts a colour library of more than 3,500 hues
