The Design Museum Shop (High Street & Atrium)

A shop shaped by design thinking

The Design Museum Shop is not a typical gift store: it exists as an extension of the museum’s mission to explore good design in everyday life. Shelves and displays are arranged with an editor’s eye, pairing iconic objects with newly commissioned pieces so that functional items sit comfortably beside collectible curiosities. Lighting and sightlines are chosen to highlight form and material rather than volume, inviting you to examine making, detail and proportion as you browse.

The three retail rooms and what they offer

The retail offer is delivered across three distinct spaces that together serve different needs. The High Street Shop presents a broad, walk-in selection aimed at passers-by and gift-hunters; the Atrium Shop sits inside the museum’s ground level and focuses on museum-related ranges, books and exhibits-inspired product; the Exhibition Shop appears in-gallery with a rotating selection tied to the current show. Each space has its own rhythm: steady choices in the High Street Shop, editorial displays in the Atrium Shop and themed, timely pieces in the Exhibition Shop.

Product mix and price character

Expect a considered mix of design books, stationery, small furniture pieces, homewares, lighting, ceramics, limited-edition prints and fashion accessories. The palette ranges from accessible impulse buys—small objects and stationery—to mid-priced design goods and occasional higher-value pieces from established designers. Presentation emphasises craft and provenance, with product labels and book blurbs that contextualise makers and processes rather than just prices.

Atmosphere and sensory details

Inside the shop the atmosphere is calm and focused: soft background soundtracks, neutral finishes and neat displays make it easy to concentrate on objects. Materials—paper, ceramics, textiles and timber—contribute subtle tactile cues that reward handling. The storefront faces Kensington High Street, so natural light softens wooden displays during daytime; on busier days the hum of the street filters in, merging city energy with the interior’s restraint.

Practical notes about service and purchasing

The shop operates to the museum’s opening pattern and accepts card and contactless payments; members typically receive retail discounts. Staff are usually knowledgeable about product origins and can advise on books or designer items. A limited selection is available through the museum’s online retail platform for buyers who prefer to check stock or order items for delivery or click-and-collect.

Why designers and collectors come here

The Design Museum Shop functions as a small-scale showcase: it surfaces contemporary practice, introduces emerging makers alongside established names, and highlights production techniques in a retail context. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful souvenir, a designer object for the home, or a book that explores design ideas, the shop frames purchases as part of a wider conversation about how design shapes everyday experience.