20 Home Finds AT Readers Couldn’t Stop Buying in 2020—Starting at $5

updated Dec 28, 2020
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Credit: Selena Kirchhoff

Retail therapy is real, folks. Sometimes when you’re feeling down (ahem, 2020), all it takes to turn things around is treating yourself or someone you love to something new for the home—especially when everyone’s been spending way more time there than ever before. Whether it’s a fun gadget for the kitchen, a beautiful bathroom accessory, or a practical tool for your home office, the choices are endless. Below are 20 home buys that earned the most buzz from our contributors and readers this year, including cozy comforters, super-soft towels, stainless steel skillets, and standing desks. Check them out and get ready to add them to your own space.

1 / 20
Macy's
$18.24
was $32.00

Unfussy, affordable, and always in style, Ralph Lauren’s Sanders towel is so good, it made our Best List. "If you’re anything like me, you appreciate a little texture to your bath towel (overly soft towels just don’t dry you as well), and this one is the perfect amount of just-soft-enough," says AT commerce editor Nicole.

2 / 20
Dyson
$399.99

With Dyson’s iconic ball design and signature nickel and yellow colorway, the Multi Floor 2 will probably, one day, be displayed at MoMA. It’s also a workhorse that can tackle any surface and, since it’s corded, could clean an entire mansion in one go. And if you needed further reassurance, we also named this model the best upright corded vacuum out there in our Best List!

3 / 20
Nordstrom
$79.90
was $109.00

If you're going for a minimalist look with your bedding, this set of percale sheets from Nordstrom's own collection is the way to go. These 200-thread-count linens that AT readers love are made from 100-percent, machine-washable cotton. The set, which comes in gray and white, includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases.

4 / 20
The Laundress
$19.00

AT readers love this at-home alternative to dry cleaning. The specialty detergent, which is formulated for wool and cashmere but can be used on any fabric, is made with a blend of plant-derived surfactants and is free of petroleum, phosphate, phthalates, and artificial color.

5 / 20
Macy's
$129.99
was $199.99

This little workhorse from All-Clad is perfect for cooks of any skill level. Oven safe up to 500 degrees, it can take you from breakfast through dinner, frying, browning, searing, braising, sautéeing—and then heating up nachos for a midnight snack. The compact size makes it ideal for any kitchen, and that bargain price can't be beat.

6 / 20
World Market
$179.99

Looking for a fake fiddle leaf fig tree but overwhelmed by your choices? Lifestyle director Taryn tested several and declared this six-foot beauty from World Market to be the best around, citing its "strong faux features, including a dense variety of leaf shapes, good texture, and realistic branching." It comes potted in a simple, unassuming container, or you can transplant it into a vessel that's more your style.

7 / 20
Macy's
$27.99
was $120.00

This comforter is a favorite among AT editors and readers, and after one night's sleep, you'll see why it's on our Best List. It's lightweight yet warm, high-quality yet affordable, and minimal yet stylish. The polyester outside and hypoallergenic fiberfill make it cool to the touch but still warm and fluffy—which works for both hot and cold sleepers. What’s really great, though, is the sleek exterior and reversible colors. It comes in white, plus a variety of contrasting tones and patterns to give you plenty of options.

8 / 20
Urban Outfitters
$18.00

Good luck not falling in love with what has got to be the cutest way ever to display your succulents. The plant opening (aka belly) of this sloth-shaped planter is 4.25 inches long, just the right size for a jade plant or dudleya, and the simple twine rope means you can hang it anywhere. AT contributor Kelsie recommended this little guy as an affordable holiday gift, but it's irresistibly adorable all year long. Bonus: Each planter is hand-painted, so yours is made just for you.

9 / 20
Fully
$439.20
was $549.00

If there is one item that can transform the entire WFH experience, it's this Jarvis bamboo standing desk that changes from sitting to standing height with the push of a button. The eco-friendly gem from Fully is both high tech and high style, all while helping you maintain back and leg strength. "With room to stretch my legs and my back, I no longer ache and creak at the end of the day," says home projects editor Megan. "Since I’ve gotten it, there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t adjusted it down and up at least four times—and my body’s felt all the better for it."

10 / 20
Anthropologie
$14.00

There’s a reason why all Anthropologie shops smell so good, and it’s this Volcano scented candle by Capri Blue. According to the retailer's website, Volcano is a mix of “tropical fruits, sugared oranges, lemons and limes, redolent with lightly exotic mountain greens”—aka, it brings to mind exactly where you’re not and where you’d rather be. Commerce editor Nicole has been a fan ever since she was an Anthro employee. "This was always the candle that I directed customers stumped on gifts to, due to its near-universal appeal and variety," she says.

11 / 20
West Elm
$80.00
was $100.00

West Elm’s faux fur throws might just be the best of the best. Consistently well made and almost too soft to believe, they’re always a good bet. Choose from rich gray or warm brown hues, both of which are available in small and large sizes. If you'd love to wrap yourself up in (animal-friendly) softness this winter, order yours now while they're on sale.

12 / 20
Our Place
$99.00
was $150.00

One pan that does the work of eight pieces of cookware? Yup! The game-changing Always Pan from Our Place functions as a fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, and a non-stick pan, and also includes a spatula in its spoon-rest handle. The 2.6-quart pan has three-inch sloped sides, so you can braise, sear, saute, or fry with ease. "In the six months that I’ve been using the pan, I’ve never had a single scrambled egg stick, and dinner slides cleanly out—always," says Kitchn contributor Patty.

13 / 20
Macy's
$6.99
was $24.00

"It's a pillow miracle!" commerce editor Nicole says of the Lauren Ralph Lauren Down Alternative Logo Pillow, which made our Best List for both its high quality and low price tag. The extra-firm fill, aka the firmest option offered, is not only supportive but also deliciously comfortable and soft. Not convinced yet? Just check out a few of the more-than-8,600 five-star reviews.

14 / 20
Zwilling
$99.99
was $429.00

A Dutch oven is the perfect vessel for practically anything (not to mention a kitchen status symbol), and this beauty from Staub will forever be an AT favorite. The black enamel interior (instead of a smooth white one) gives meat a better sear and helps develop those brown bits that add oh-so-much flavor. It’s also got a tight-fitting lid and self-basting spikes to keep moisture in the pot.

15 / 20
Molton Brown
$4.50

Hotel-level luxury doesn't have to come with a five-star price tag, which is why this little soap bar from Molton Brown is one of AT editors' favorite gifts under $10. It's triple-milled and blended with milk for a fragrance that’s extra clean and creamy. It's also paraben free, gluten free, and cruelty free.

16 / 20
Great Jones
$40.00

Kitchn editors use these Great Jones sheet pans all the time for roasted veggies, sheet pan combo meals, and more. The nonstick ceramic-coated baking sheets contain aluminized steel that's reinforced with steel rods, so these pans will not warp. Add in that eye-catching blue color, and it's no surprise that this beauty was the most popular tool of 2020 among Kitchn readers.

17 / 20
Amazon
$14.99

Bacon grease can be annoying to deal with if you're in the kitchen a lot, which is why the Bacon Bin is a fave from AT's weirdly-useful-gifts guide. The BPA-free bin collects grease efficiently, making it easy to store in your fridge or freezer—and keeping your kitchen sink clog free.

18 / 20
Purple
$99.00

You know Purple, the company that brought a new level of comfort and support to mattresses? Well, they've applied that same grid technology to this double seat cushion, and it's a savior for people with sore backs. You can sit and work at your desk all day without putting pressure on your tailbone (for real!). Plus it doesn’t retain heat and comes with a washable cover that doesn’t slip around on your chair. In fact, commerce editor Nicole is such a fan that she called this cushion "the one thing I would save if there was a fire in the office." When "the office" wasn't the living room, that is.

19 / 20
Urban Outfitters
$29.00
was $39.00

It's safe to say that AT staffers are in love with this adorably fruity find from Urban Outfitters. "When I saw the curtain on the UO site, I loved it so much that I was inspired to redecorate my bathroom just to make it worthy of it!" recalls Kitchn senior social media manager Kaitlin. It's the perfect way to brighten up windowless bathrooms, and it's even machine washable for easy cleaning.

20 / 20
Williams Sonoma
$171.95
was $229.95

If coffee is your way of life, then you need to know about the Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe. Equipped to brew both traditional Italian espresso and classic American coffee, this refined machine uses advanced technology to build complex flavors and sumptuous aromas. Ultimately, if you’re looking to whip up coffee drinks at home that rival what you get from your local barista, this machine is for you.