15 mugs to instantly elevate your kitchen

For an everyday mug with a rustic feel, you can’t go wrong with Toast’s offering, hand-thrown in London by Edmund Davies. A speckled finish (created by naturally-occurring iron in the clay) plus a comfortable, squared handle make this a modern kitchen staple. £30, toa.st

Mexican-made in a range of bright ceramics with a slimline shape and pleasingly weighty handle, this mug is Algo Studio’s very first project. It went through several iterations before the designers found the ideal balance between form and function, so you know it’s just right. A clean, fun choice for a city flat. About £34, byalgostudio.com

If you prefer your mug to come with a matching saucer (perfect for a biscuit or two) the ‘Inlay Cup’ from Ferm Living is a distinctive yet versatile choice. The large-scale marble inspired pattern, created by a two-tone mix of clays, is unique to every piece. A high-gloss glaze sets the whole thing off to perfection. Around £34, fermliving.com

A quirky choice for a country kitchen, Harriet Cheal’s stoneware chequered mug in deep blue is hand-built and decorated – and the exquisite craftsmanship shows. Just the right size for a cup of tea, mix-and-match this simple mug with Cheal’s other designs for an offbeat look. £29, glassette.com

Inject some colour into your kitchen with Hay’s functional but fabulous mugs, crafted from heat-resistant borosilicate glass. Light, streamlined and modern, we love the sunshine-hued jade yellow shade best – but we wouldn’t say no to multiples, for an eclectic table arrangement. £29, hay.dk

Fast becoming as well-known for his ceramics as for his clothing designs, Henry Holland has hit the sweet spot with this Art Deco-inspired mug, built in a sumptuous chocolate brown and white earthenware clay and finished with a high-gloss glaze. We’re particularly fond of the chunky, slightly off-set handle. £55, henryhollandstudio.com

We may not know much, but we do know that this charming ceramic mug from Anna + Nina is destined for a spot in your cupboards. With its textured exterior, small handle and cheeky catchphrase etched into the glossy finish, this is the one for your first coffee of the day (especially if what you know is that you need that extra shot). £13, libertylondon.com

Rounded and durable, this mug from Soho Home is characterised by its organic shape and unique finish, created using a reactive glaze. Microwave and dishwasher safe, this design is crafted by artisans in Portugal and would be a great, slightly 1970s-inspired finishing touch for a pared-back kitchen. £50 for four, sohohome.com

If ever there were a mug for a special occasion, this would be it: Luke Edward Hall’s collaboration with Italian porcelain manufacturer Richard Ginori is so luxurious, it makes this mug almost as suited to Champagne as it is to an espresso. Riffing off Greco-Roman mythology, the design is finished with a gold rim for an extra splash of splendour. £90, ginori1735.com

Calling to mind the ropes of a ship, the ‘Twistee’ mug by Miyelle features a fabulously formed graphic handle, while the rest of the design remains sleek and simple. Made by hand using lightly speckled stoneware clay and glazed in matt off-white, this mug would be just as at home in a Cornish cottage as in a London townhouse. £50, conranshop.co.uk

In celebration of London Craft Week 2022, artist Yinka Ilori has designed this bright, uplifting bone china mug, decorated by hand in the UK. Originally commissioned by The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, this hopeful number is sure to lift spirits on even the glummest of mornings. £45, conranshop.co.uk

This set of colourful stoneware mugs is the brainchild of British-Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi and Italian artist Ivo Bisignano – and channels all the high-end casual vibes you’d expect. Handle-free and minimalist in all the right ways, these would be an excellent addition to a summer picnic. £40 for four, ottolenghi.co.uk

Handmade in Australia using porcelain sourced from France, this mug comes in a staggering array of rich colours to suit every kitchen. The rounded shape is ideal for a slightly bigger cup of tea or frothy coffee and can (for extra ease) be popped in the dishwasher, microwave or oven. Around £34, mudaustralia.com

The marvellously named ‘Chug Mug’ from Studio Arhoj has achieved practically iconic status since first being introduced in 2017. Our favourite iteration? The delightful ‘Pink Grapefruit’ design, which accents a soft wash of baby pink with a lemon yellow rim for the ultimate summer mug. Around £34, arhoj.com

A Brutalist beauty for all those who like their homewares streamlined, this mug by Dutch designer Maarten Baas uses circular motifs in its unusual design. If you’re looking for tableware you won’t see anywhere else, this is it. £19, valerie-objects.com