B&M vs Dunelm Lamps: 2025 Quality & Price War (The Truth)
It’s the viral battle that has taken UK social media by storm: the “Kylo” vs. the “Paper Rope.”
If you have scrolled through TikTok or Instagram Interior Design pages recently, you’ve likely seen the Dunelm Kylo Woven String Lamp, a piece of “Quiet Luxury” decor that perfectly fits the Scandi-Boho aesthetic. But at £40, it’s an investment for a table lamp.
Enter B&M. Their Large Paper Rope Lamp landed on shelves in late 2024 and is dominating 2025 wishlists with a price tag of just £20. It looks almost identical. But is it?
As a budget decorator, I know the pain of buying a “dupe” only to find it looks cheap in daylight. So, we are going deep. We aren’t just looking at the price tag; we are comparing cable finishes, bulb heights, and material textures.
Here is the honest truth about where you should save your money and where you need to splurge.
The Battle of the Viral Dupes: B&M Paper Rope vs. Dunelm Kylo
Let’s address the elephant in the room immediately. These two lamps look incredibly similar from a distance, but the difference lies in the details.
Design Aesthetics: Rattan Bases & Textured Shades
Both lamps use a woven string/rope material wrapped around a metal frame to create that organic, “Japandi” look. However, the silhouettes differ:
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Dunelm Kylo: Features a tapered base that narrows at the bottom, giving it a more elegant, vase-like structure. The shade is a “faux linen” with a dappled texture that diffuses light softly.
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B&M Paper Rope: Uses a cylindrical, straight-up-and-down base. It’s slightly chunkier and less refined. The shade is a standard cream fabric, perfectly serviceable, but lacks the premium weave of the Dunelm version.
The Size Difference: Why Dimensions Matter
This is where most online buyers get caught out. Photos are deceiving.
| Feature | B&M Large Paper Rope Lamp | Dunelm Kylo Woven String Lamp |
| Price | £20 | £40 |
| Height | 42.5 cm | 52 cm |
| Width (Dia.) | 28 cm | 24 cm |
| Cable | Plastic (White/Black) | Cream Fabric Flex |
The Reality Check: The Dunelm lamp is nearly 10cm taller. If you are placing this on a low bedside table, that extra height is crucial for reading. The B&M version is shorter and wider, which can look “squat” on a large sideboard but works perfectly on a higher shelf.
Fabric Flex vs. Plastic Cables: The “Hidden” Quality Indicator
If you want to know if a lamp is “high-end” or “high-street,” look at the cable.
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Dunelm: Comes with a 120cm cream fabric flex cable. It drapes beautifully and doesn’t kink. It looks intentional and expensive.
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B&M: Uses a standard plastic cable. It’s functional, but it often retains the “zig-zag” shape from being folded in the box.
My Pro-Tip: If you buy the B&M version, use a hairdryer on a low heat setting to gently warm the plastic cable. This helps straighten out the kinks so it lays flat against your table.
2025’s New Contender: Scalloped & Bobbin Lighting Trends
While the rope lamps are fighting for the top spot, the “Scallop” trend has quietly taken over 2025. This vintage-inspired aesthetic is everywhere, and the price difference here is even starker.
B&M Scallop Desk Lamp Review (£10-£12)
B&M has released a Scalloped Desk Lamp in pastel cream and pink. It is adorable, metal, and incredibly cheap.
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The Good: It’s £10. You literally cannot beat this price for a trend piece. It’s perfect for a home office or a student desk.
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The Bad: The finish is painted metal that can chip if you aren’t careful unboxing it. The “neck” is often stiff, meaning it’s hard to angle the light exactly where you want it.
Dunelm Amaria Scallop Table Lamp: Is It Worth £40?
The Dunelm Amaria range feels heavier. The base is often ceramic or weighted metal, and the scallop edge is refined, not sharp.
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Experience Note: I found the Dunelm switch mechanism (often an in-line rocker or a high-quality pull cord depending on the specific model) feels much smoother. The B&M switch can feel a bit “clicky” and cheap. If this is a lamp you turn on every single night, the tactile experience of the Dunelm switch justifies the extra cost.
Technical Deep Dive: Bulbs, Lumens, and Safety
It doesn’t matter how good the lamp looks if you can’t find the right bulb.
E27 vs E14: Avoiding the “Bulb That Sticks Out” Mistake
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Dunelm Kylo: Uses an E27 (Edison Screw) bulb. This is the standard “big screw” bulb most of us have in a drawer.
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B&M Paper Rope: Often uses an E14 (Small Edison Screw) or “Golf Ball” bulb.
Common Mistake: Do not try to jam a standard large bulb into the B&M lamp. Even if you use an adapter, a standard GLS bulb is often too tall for the B&M shade, meaning the glass of the bulb will poke out the top. Stick to E14 Golf Ball bulbs for the B&M lamp to keep the glare hidden.
UK Safety Standards
Rest assured, both retailers adhere to strict UK Trading Standards. Both carry the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark. However, budget electricals often have shorter warranties. Dunelm typically offers a 2-year guarantee, whereas B&M items are usually covered by a standard 1-year retailer warranty (and you must keep your receipt, B&M are strict on this!).
Price vs. Availability: The In-Store Hunt
This is the biggest differentiator between the two brands.
Why B&M’s “In-Store Only” Policy Changes Your Strategy
B&M does not sell these lamps online for home delivery. You can browse the stock online, but you have to physically go to the store to buy it.
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The Frustration: The “Stock Check” on the B&M website is not always real-time. You might drive to your local store only to find the shelf empty.
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The Strategy: If you want the B&M lamp, go on a weekday morning (Tuesday or Wednesday) when stock is often replenished.
Dunelm’s Click & Collect Advantage
Dunelm wins on convenience. You can check stock accurately, pay online, and collect it in 3 hours. If you value your time, paying the extra £20 at Dunelm might actually be cheaper than driving to three different B&M stores burning petrol.
The Verdict: When Should You Buy B&M and When Should You Choose Dunelm?
We have compared the specs, the size, and the build. Here is the final decision.
Buy the B&M Lamp If:
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You are on a tight budget: £20 is an absolute steal for a lamp of this size.
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It’s for a “low traffic” area: If it’s going in a guest room or a hallway where it won’t be inspected closely, nobody will notice the plastic cable.
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You love the hunt: You enjoy browsing the aisles and don’t mind if it takes a few visits to find stock.
Buy the Dunelm Lamp If:
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You need height: If you have a low bedside table, the extra 10cm height of the Kylo is non-negotiable for reading comfort.
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You hate messy cables: The fabric flex cable elevates the look entirely.
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You want longevity: The materials (faux linen and sturdier metal) will age better than the paper/plastic combo of the budget version.
Final Insight
If you want the best of both worlds? Buy the B&M lamp base but swap the shade. You can often pick up a high-quality linen drum shade from a charity shop or clearance sale. Putting a premium shade on the £20 B&M base is the ultimate “High-Low” interior design hack.
Which lamp are you hunting for this weekend? Are you Team B&M Bargain or Team Dunelm Quality? Let us know in the comments!
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