8 Surprising Sources for Cheap, Stylish Decor, According to Designers

Let’s face it: We all want to zhuzh up our places from time to time.

Maybe it’s as small as new linens for a dinner party, bedding for the fall, or even a whole new set of furnishings when you move in with a significant other. Whatever the reason, it’d be great to have an unlimited budget. But most of us have to get a little scrappy and learn how to make the most of our budget—and, yes, that includes the hottest designers out there.

Lucky for us, a few were willing to share some of their favorite sources for saving. To help you dress your home to the nines, here are some of their top under-the-radar spots for finding affordable decor:

“I not only create items for Spoonflower, but I buy from them. Made up of a community of artists, you know you are getting one-of-a-kind designs. They offer fabric, wallpaper, and bedding. I love using them for wallpaper, especially since they have the choice of peel and stick. It is so easy and affordable—I recommend them all the time to clients, who were previously wallpaper-adverse. Plus, you can order a sample before purchasing a full order.” —Stephanie Purcell

“I use trunks from this dorm furniture site all the time! They come in pretty much every color and make awesome storage coffee tables or footrests.” —Sara Cannon of House Heroes LLC

“Tov Furniture is a budget decorator’s dream! I especially love their stunning velvet sofas in beautiful colors and silhouettes—most of them are around $1,000 to $1,500, a bargain for a piece you’ll use every day that can add so much style to your room.” — Nicole Alexander, owner and principal of Siren Betty Design

“I’ve had a lot of luck with used classroom furniture—chairs in great colors and old metal desks that really hold up. Sometimes the local school districts will have sales, or you can check out sites like School Excess or Public Surplus.” —Nicole Alexander

“One go-to source is Liveauctioneers, which links you to a worldwide source of auctions where you can browse and bid on a huge array of unique items. One is able to search generally, for instance, beds, or specifically, such as for a certain artist or theme. The tricky bit is the cost and arrangement of shipping, so be careful to understand how far away the auction is, as it can be costly to ship depending on the size and weight of the item. You can bid online or find an auction near you to attend in person.” —Anne Fairfax, architect, AIA, RIBA, of Fairfax & Sammons

“One place that I am constantly surprised that has affordable designer items is T.J.Maxx. They get amazing designer items and sell at less than trade pricing. I most recently found the most gorgeous pair of Lillian August chairs for around $300, which retail for around $1200! Online is the best place to see the most variety.” —Julia Longchamps, interior designer

“What I love the most about Zara Home, which I found not too long ago, is their woven and rattan baskets. The mix of natural elements with clean yet modern lines makes this company an absolute must check when working on client projects.” —Sherri Monte of Elegant Simplicity

“Hobby Lobby is my go-to for frames. They are reasonably priced, have a huge selection, and offer sales regularly. I know if I go in one week and frames are not on sale, they will be next week. So if you are willing to wait, you can get a really good deal. Hobby Lobby is also great for custom framing. I used them to have my prayer rug framed. It is the focal point of my living room, and I could not be happier with it. They don’t just do frames though—they have all kinds of great finds, from lamps and wall decor to doorknobs and fabric.” —Stephanie Purcell, owner of Redesigned Classics.