12 Stylish Home Finds We’ve Loved for Years — And Wouldn’t Dare Leave Behind

Stephanie, AT’s lifestyle director, stores all of her keepsakes in a spacious trunk like this one from PBTeen. With an accessory like this, you’ll never lose your priceless birthday cards, letters, and mementos. Adrienne, our house tours director, also has a trunk she’s kept for years and even used as a nightstand at one point. It reminds me of another Pottery Barn piece, which is a brand bestseller and also doubles as a bedside table.

Lifestyle Editor Quinn found a set of gold sun-shaped mirrors on Facebook Marketplace at least three years ago. They’ve moved spots a few times — first living above her stove, and currently hanging next to her front door above her coffee bar. She says this one from eBay looks similar to the ones she has, although Etsy also has a lot of cute and affordable options that’ll brighten up a bare wall.

It’s not a bad idea to get a durable bakeware set for your first apartment. For Lifestyle Editor Lizzy, it was a French Corningware set from Macy’s. She says her family owns and loves Corningware, so it was a natural purchase. This 10-piece set comes with every stoneware dish size you could possibly need — and all for a great price, too!

CB2’s Gianna candy jar is a bestseller, so I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve already seen it in a friend’s apartment. Its popularity makes sense when you consider its chic round shape and floating design. Associate Home Editor Cullen says she’s had her Gianna dish in her apartment for four to five years, and she definitely plans on taking it to her next home. It’s the perfect entryway table statement piece.

Another beautiful glass object, Kinto’s Aqua Culture vase is an item I will never part with. It’s simple and practical; I break it out of my storage cart every couple of weeks to hold fresh flowers. It goes with every arrangement, and I love that it has a lid with a narrow opening to keep skinny bouquets upright so they don’t splay out. Despite its thin soda glass construction, the vase is very durable, too.

Rugs USA is a top destination for fashion-forward and budget-friendly washable rugs. Sofia, AT’s associate lifestyle editor, has used her Mitzi rug in a few different places, including her bedroom and dining room. She says it makes a good kitchen rug, too, because its checkered pattern hides stains and is easy to clean. Plus, the rug frequently goes on sale, so you can get it for a steal.

“I have held onto these floor pillows from when I had zero seating in my first studio,” says Morgan, AT’s lifestyle shopping writer. The cushions come in an array of punchy colors and make any seat feel more comfortable, including the floor! You’ll definitely want to purchase them in a set. I have no doubt you’ll love their soft, velvety exteriors.

When Editorial Assistant Tamieka saw a human-form-shaped vase at Urban Outfitters, she knew she had to have it for her apartment. Although UO no longer sells the vase, this West Elm version looks similar to the one she owns. It’s a surefire compliment-getter and will make your bouquet stand out amid other decor on your countertop or bookshelf.

“As we were talking, I just remembered something that I’ve had for several apartments now!” Cullen told me. “It’s the MacKenzie-Childs tea kettle! It was my first ‘big girl gift’ for my first New York City apartment.” The brand’s signature checkered print is instantly recognizable and serves as a timeless stovetop staple. Even if you’re not looking for a gift, the kettle is a fabulous buy if you just want to treat yourself.

I’ll be honest: I didn’t understand the hype around essential oil diffusers before trying Vitruvi’s Glow diffuser. But now that I’ve owned it for two years, I couldn’t love it more. I adore its tiny footprint and the fact that it can make an entire room smell good despite its small size. And because it glows, I frequently use it for relaxing ambient lighting in my bedroom instead of turning on a table lamp.

In addition to her floor pillows, Morgan has also had this serving tray from Crate & Barrel since her first apartment. She didn’t have a dining table then and still doesn’t have space for one now, so the tray comes in handy for dinners at home on the couch. With its sleek white design, it’s not bad to look at, either.