Louis & Max

Louis & Max is the antidote to beige home décor. Packed with colour and personality, this independent Auckland retailer built their collection around one simple idea: everyday things don’t have to be boring.

Named after the owners’ dogs, Louis and Max, they started out as a small local store in 2023 that has quickly grown into a larger Howick location and a second store in Lunn Ave, as well as their busy online shop supplying Kiwis all over the motu with playful products to liven up your space.

Pop into one of their stores and you’ll quickly see what they mean when they describe their style as ‘dopamine décor’ – their shelves are full of things designed to feel fun and welcoming, rather than overly precious or intimidating. They say their buying philosophy is less about filling up a space, and more about asking whether something brings joy. That could mean anything from a Frank Green bottle or a Le Creuset piece, fragrance, a cookbook, or a decorative thing you didn’t know you needed.

Their brands span familiar names like Sage x Clare, Saben, Ecoya, Pepper & Me, Blunt and Mustard Made, alongside smaller independent labels from both New Zealand and overseas. Their team is genuinely hands-on and happy to help you choose a gift or find the perfect solution to a homeware dilemma.

They also run fun community events to bring people together, like their Shop & Sip and engraving evenings, plus pop-up product launches and brand collaborations to keep things interesting. Even once you’ve been in, they make sure there’s always another reason to come back and see what’s new on the shelves this week.