9 Designers Share the Affordable Home Finds They Love the Most
True love is hard to find, and the same can be said about dependable home furnishings. With all the stylish yet affordable decor items on the market, separating the stellar from the subpar isn’t always easy.
Curious to see what reasonably-priced home decor pieces the pros are head over heels for? From a sculptural candleholder with sentimental value to a sleek LED floor lamp for under $40, nine interior designers say they can’t live without these affordable home finds and where you can score one for yourself.
Sculptural candle holder
Designer Jenelle Lovings adores her favorite candle holder so much that she displays it with a treasured sketch her artist father gifted her, as seen above. “When I saw this candle holder from Souk Bohemian, it immediately reminded me of the intricate braided hairstyles of African women,” she says. “I paired it with a framed drawing my father drew of himself and our mother, who passed away when I was three years old. I don’t have many photos of my mother, but this one is particularly special because it is how my father saw her.”
Buy: Noire Candle Holder, $42.00 from Souk Bohemian
Stylish entryway valet
Designer Gabrielle Santiago says she can’t imagine life without her beloved leather entry table tray from Etsy. “It’s the only thing that keeps me from losing my keys or wallet,” she explains. “It’s minimal, chic, and meets all my needs while supporting someone’s passion.”
Buy: NorthwindSupply Molded Leather Valet Tray, Starting at $25.00 from Etsy
Soulful seat
Designer Emma Beryl scored her most cherished home find while she was traveling in Morocco a few years ago. “I love this leather pouf because the distressed finish brings texture and soul into my space, and the shape makes it so versatile,” she says. “It’s great as a foot rest, as an extra seat, and to fill awkward corners in a room. I love sourcing similar ones for clients from Etsy and eBay.”
Buy: HiMorocco Original Moroccan Pouf, $62.00 from Etsy
Clear coffee table
For designer Marika Meyer, true love is an affordable acrylic cocktail table from CB2 that’s every bit as dapper as it is dependable. “It’s great for small rooms because it does not take up visual space, but it’s also ideal for families because it’s virtually indestructible,” she says. “I can personally attest to this since it has been in my own home for years, and my two boys have definitely tested its limits!”
Buy: Peekaboo Acyrlic Coffee Table, $299.00 from CB2
Statement bookends
Designer Carneil Griffin of Griffin Direction Interiors says his favorite affordable home decor find is one that plays up his beloved book collection. “Pandemic study and leisure reading has reached a peak for our clients and in our personal lives, and managing that growing collection doesn’t have to be boring,” he says. “I love unique bookends to organize and beautifully display the hope that we find in books.”
Buy: Agate Bookend, $25.00 each from West Elm
Bamboo shades
For designer Megan Hopp, the best home finds are ones that are functional and affordable. “I couldn’t live without the Arlo Bamboo Cordless Shades,” she says. “I have used them in every home I live in and recommend them to clients and folks on Instagram all of the time. You can order them in just about any width, giving the shades a custom quality — the price, however, is anything but. They are super easy to install, and the best part is no dangling cords, as they easily glide up and down.”
Buy: Arlo Blinds Petite Rustique Bamboo Roman Shades, Starting at $68.99 $57.79 from Overstock
Sleek floor lamp
When Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design first laid eyes on Project 62’s Floor Lamp with Removable Base from Target, it was love at first sight. “It is clean, minimalistic, and fits perfectly in any space in your home,” she explains. “This lovely lamp would work wonderfully in a modern living room, placed in the corner providing some ambient lighting or placed next to a desk to serve as task lighting. It’s a very versatile and sleek floor lamp with multiple ways of incorporating it into your space and to top it off, it’s affordably priced!”
Buy: Project 62 49.5″ Floor Lamp with Removable Base, $39.00 from Target
Shapely ceramic vase
Designer Dominique Fluker of DBF Interiors is nothing short of smitten with a sculptural ceramic vase she found at West Elm. “This vase is so versatile and can be featured in any room of a home,” she says. “It brings elegance and opulence to every setting. Add faux plants and place it in the living room, bathroom, or entry hallway.”
Buy: Pure Ceramic White Vase in Raindrop, $25.00 from West Elm
Stylish serving tray
For designer Kimberlee Gorsline of Kimberlee Marie Interiors, a good-looking catchall tray with an affordable price tag is a forever kind of love. “Not only do they help ground a grouping of items, but they are versatile and can be used in just about any room in the house,” she explains. “Use a woven tray with decorative objects as a centerpiece for a kitchen island or in the living room to corral coffee table books, candles, and sofa-side essentials.”