Shhh! We Asked Designers Where They Shop for Affordable Home Finds – 5 Secret Sources, Revealed
You scroll past; they dig deeper. These are the under-the-radar sources designers rely on for stylish home finds at unseasonable steals
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Anyone can fill a home with beautiful things by shopping exclusively at luxury stores. The real talent lies in spotting the diamonds in the rough. Because the truth is, a tasteful thrifter will out-style even the most deep-pocketed boutique shopper, every time.
We spoke with a handful of designers who have built entire careers on this premise: that knowing where to look is often more powerful than throwing more cash at the problem.
Spending money is easy. Shopping well is a skill. Ahead, five of their favorite destinations for beautiful decorating ideas that don’t cost a million dollars.
5 Affordable Brands Designers Have on Their Radar
1. Target
Would you have guessed this sleek, real-oak cupboard came from Target? We won’t tell.
Target is about as much of a 'secret' as iPhones or upping your protein intake – its sheer ubiquity can be incentive enough to turn up your nose. But designers insist that gems abound.
More often than not, Target offers pieces that rival stores charging several times more, thanks largely to its roster of best-selling collaborations with tastemakers like Shea McGee and Joanna Gaines, both of which bring real design credibility into a mass-market setting.
‘Target is a go-to for affordable accents and seasonal refreshes that allow for experimentation without commitment,’ shares Scottsdale-based designer Jennifer Beget. This advice applies across categories, from furniture to bedding – though there are a few areas where the retailer consistently overperforms.
‘I love the branded Threshold and Casaluna towels; the quality is great, and they cost next to nothing,’ observes Summit, New Jersey–based designer Jessica Hobson, while Lauren Andersen, Creative Director of SEN Creative, points to the retailer as her go-to source for chic table lamps.
2. Etsy
This handmade linen wall tapestry isn't actually antique. Thanks to skilled artisans, it just knows how to play the part.
Etsy is less of a brand in the traditional sense and more a sprawling digital bazaar of independent artists, artisans, and vintage dealers. It earns its place here for one simple reason: this is where you find the kinds of one-of-a-kind pieces that simply don’t exist anywhere else. If you like decorating with vintage on a budget, this is the place to look.
‘Etsy is my go-to for pieces that add soul without blowing the budget,’ notes Alice Moszczynski, interior designer at Planner 5D. ‘I rely on it for handmade ceramics, vintage art, sculptural lighting, and sometimes even fun millwork that instantly makes a space feel personal rather than mass-produced.’
What often gets overlooked is the platform’s potential for customization. Need curtains in a very specific length and pattern? Want guest towels monogrammed just so? Wish that side table came in auburn instead of chocolate? Odds are some fabulous creative on Etsy will make it happen.
3. IKEA
It's not all minimalism at IKEA. The retailer’s OMMJÄNGE collection, pictured here, reimagines Swedish folk art with a more playful point of view.
IKEA still carries a reputation for streamlined storage. But as you may have gathered from its string of buzzy collaborations, from Off-White to Gustaf Westman, and a steady output of sculptural, well-proportioned basics, it’s increasingly becoming a place where the design-literate flock for deals.
‘There are so many great finds at IKEA!’ gushes designer Jessica Hobson, who recommends the retailer's window treatments. ‘When I need budget curtains, I go for the legendary RITVA curtain panels, always in white. The linen-like fabric on these looks very expensive, drapes beautifully, and the panels come in hard-to-find long lengths. For a more custom finish, take them to your local dry cleaner to have hemmed to the perfect floor-skimming length.’
Lighting is another iconic IKEA category. If you love styles that muse the sculptural softness of Noguchi's iconic Akari Light Sculptures, or the internet's more recent orb-light fixation, the brand’s lights offer a similar sense of modernism and atmosphere, often for under $50.
4. T.J. Maxx
Magpies, take note – T.J. Maxx is your new home-decor happy place.
T.J. Maxx breaks all of the rules of traditional retail. Inventory is inconsistent, and nothing is guaranteed to be there twice. But that very sense of novelty – not to mention that post-click 'Reveal Designer’ rush – is why you probably have at least one proud ‘Maxxinista’ in your life.
‘T.J. Maxx or HomeGoods are great places to visit. You will find pillows, accessories, and even small furniture pieces like occasional tables,’ observes Jane Morgan, founder of R. Jane Morgan Interior + Design, a Chicago-based firm. (HomeGoods, its sister brand, remains especially useful for in-person sourcing.)
‘T.J. Maxx is a staple for styling layers. I rely on it for pillows, throws, decorative objects, and occasional furniture finds that look far more expensive than it is, especially when it's been edited thoughtfully rather than bought in bulk,’ agrees interior designer Alice Moszczynski.
5. World Market
From woven lampshades to pattern-filled ottomans, expect plenty of abroad allegations post World Market haul.
World Market tends to fly under the radar – especially if you don’t live in California, Texas, Florida, or Washington, where its brick-and-mortar presence is strongest. But this store is exactly as advertised: a broad, eclectic mix of globally inspired finds. Fortunately for the uninitiated, the full assortment (and then some) lives online.
‘World Market is known for selling furniture items, pillows, kitchen, and bathroom items, and just about anything you might need for your home,’ notes interior designer R. Jane Morgan.
The retailer finds the beauty in seemingly every locale. If you’re after a mango wood side table, a pair of chinoiserie-style mirrors, or ornate brass lanterns made in India, this is the kind of place where those off-the-grid impulses are indulged.
Essentially, shopping at World Market creates the kind of layered interior that suggests you travel often. Let people draw their own conclusions.
As satisfying as it is to score a deal from your sofa, there’s still real value in being boots-on-the-ground. ‘Don’t forget outlets,’ notes Jane Morgan, founder of R. Jane Morgan Interior + Design. Though you won’t be able to shop them online, ‘All the big retail chains like Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware, and CB2 have them. You will often find discontinued or gently damaged furniture items at great prices. You can even find bed linens and bathroom items like shower curtains or towels, rugs, and art.’
In-person vintage hunting also comes highly recommended. ‘As an accessory enthusiast, I am always on the hunt for chic, affordable pieces that feel collected and design-led. One of my most unexpected and rewarding sources is animal shelter boutiques,’ notes Scottsdale-based designer Jennifer Beget. ‘Many animal shelters operate small resale shops stocked entirely with donated items… making them a true high-low secret.’
And for those willing to plan a proper outing, longtime art and antique dealer Heather Karlie Vieira of HKFA recommends a circuit of well-established markets, including Chelsea Flea Market, Brimfield Antique Flea Market, The Nashville Show, High Point Furniture Market, Round Top Antique Show, and – also in Texas – Marburger Farm Antique Show, which she calls ‘most definitely the Grand Dame of the twice yearly Texas shows and one not to be missed.’
