Bye-Bye, Billy! 7 Affordable First-Apartment Furniture Finds That Aren’t from IKEA

If you’re moving into your first “grown up” place, you’ve probably been told time and time again that you just have to go to IKEA for affordable, functional furniture. While it’s no secret that we’re huge fans of the Swedish retailer—not to mention the countless hacks you can perform to glam up even its most basic pieces—the search for inexpensive furniture items doesn’t have to end there. If you live far away from an IKEA storefront or just want to think a bit outside the box, check out the seven pieces below that any first-time renter will appreciate.

This midcentury-style nightstand is sleek and classic. The drawers are great for keeping books, lotions, or sleep masks tucked away for a streamlined look.

No time to scour secondhand stores to find that (affordable) diamond in the rough? Have no fear: you can get the vintage look at a budget-friendly price (and with two-day Prime shipping!), thanks to this stylish rattan and bamboo piece. If you’re furnishing an apartment from scratch, you’ll want to make sure you have at least one chair on hand from the get-go (you need somewhere to sit and drink your morning coffee, after all). Once your place is more decorated, the folding feature still makes this chair an ideal option to keep on hand, should extra guests pop by your party.

Reviewers say this coffee table is easy to assemble, and we love that it has a bottom shelf so that small space-dwellers can sneak in a little more room for storage. The wooden style will go with all types of design schemes, and at just $100, the price can’t be beat!

Yes, you can score a beautiful, gold bar cart for just $70! This Walmart option is making us want to get styling! Whether you keep yours in the kitchen or are tucking it into a small corner of your studio, you won’t regret having this chic storage option on hand, especially if you love to entertain.

Standing desks aren’t just for your health-conscious coworker who swears that sitting is bad for you. This one is a great space-saver in a small apartment: Its shelves provide a home for novels and knickknacks, and the drawer is perfect for stashing your laptop if you need to use the table to write on a notepad or even entertain. Not quite ready to press the “purchase” button? West Elm pieces frequently go on sale, so you’re bound to score a major deal if you’re patient.

Living in a basement unit or another spot with limited sunshine? Investing in some extra light fixtures is key. We love this gold arched lamp, which looks super luxe and will help any living area feel a little more cozy. Choose from three different shades of metal depending on your color preferences.

We love these folding shelves because they work practically anywhere: in a kitchen, closet, bathroom—you name it! Whether you need to stash sweaters, extra toilet paper, or a few cartons of cereal, these will save the day. Since the shelves fold up, they’re easy to move around as your storage needs change, too!