27 of Our Favorite Modern Home Decor Stores (That Aren’t IKEA)

updated Jan 15, 2024
Apartment Therapy received compensation for this post, which was written and edited independently by our editorial team.
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When it comes to affordable and on-trend furniture, Swedish giant IKEA remains a fan favorite. Along with sleek styles that work in a myriad of spaces and prices that are undeniably hard to beat, the brand produces basic pieces that are just begging for a DIY IKEA facelift (who doesn’t love a fun DIY home project?) However, when you’re ready to trade up your BESTA media cabinet or your many hacked RAST chests, for furnishings you didn’t build yourself, you may find yourself wondering where to buy modern furniture. That’s where we come in. Here at AT we’re constantly on the lookout for new and exciting brands with a flair for modern design and home decor. Below, let our list of 27 modern shops (both online and brick-and-mortar) be your guide to your next furniture upgrade.  

Do you have a modern furniture store you love that we missed? Tell us about your favorite shops in the comments below!

1. Levity

The sister brand to Ruggable (known for spill-proof, washable rugs), Levity extends that same easy-to-clean ethos to furniture. Every upholstered chair, stool, or bench includes removable covers designed to toss in the washing machine. Plus, they’re interchangeable with more than 50 color alternate options, so you can swap out different styles instead of buying an entirely new piece. Meanwhile, wooden furniture — like dining or side tables — features a durable heat- and water-resistant coating.

2. Urban Outfitters Home

That’s right, boho clothing store Urban Outfitters also has its own modern home extension, packed with contemporary furniture staples and whimsical decor galore. Even better, they also recently launched a landing page exclusively dedicated to decorating small spaces and dorms — in style, of course.

3. Wayfair

If you love scoring a deal on today’s design trends, especially mid-century modern pieces, Wayfair has you covered. Not only does the site run frequent sales, but a majority of their pieces already come heavily discounted. To help narrow your search, try browsing specific brands like George Oliver, Mercury Row®, and Joss & Main.

4. Castlery

Deemed the “Brooklinen of furniture” by AT staff, direct-to-consumer brand Castlery strikes a balance between contemporary and classic designs at surprisingly reasonable prices. They especially excel in living room, bedroom, and dining room furniture, as well as outdoor sets. Just note that there’s not a ton of variety or customization in terms of upholstery and finishes, but there’s still something for every style.

5. Nathan James

Another staff favorite, Home Editor Danielle recently described this brand as, “An ever-evolving collection of home furnishings that look like West Elm and AllModern had a baby, but are — wait for it! — all available at IKEA prices.” Suffice it to say, Nathan James is one retailer we’re going to keep an eye on when it comes to finding pieces with high style at low price points. After all, who would believe you scored this lamp for under $100?

6. H&M Home

Did you know H&M has a stellar home decor section? Well, now you do. The beloved retailer carries its iconic contemporary styling over to the home space with H&M Home. With everything from cozy bed linens and blankets to chic storage, home decor, dining essentials, and so much more, you can outfit your entire home in style at H&M — and all at an affordable price.

7. Parachute

Beloved bedding brand Parachute has been expanding into keepsake furniture and decor, with a curation that’s utterly laid-back Cali cool. Think minimalist bed frames, well-made nightstands, and a plush modular sofa. If you’ve ever bought their sheets or quilts, it’s clear they know a thing or two about comfort, quality, and looks.

8. Restoration Hardware

While very few of us will be able to deck out our homes with furniture from Restoration Hardware, a piece here and there can be a great anchor piece. The company sells a complete line of upscale modern furniture, light fixtures, textiles and other home furnishings. There’s even a baby, kids, and teen line. 

9. West Elm

You probably already know about this dream of a mid-century modern decor store. But one thing to note when shopping there: Items marked as “commercial grade” or “contract grade” are specially designed for commercial use with materials that will hold up well to wear and tear. Spend a little more on one of these durable but still super-stylish pieces, and you might be looking at your next family heirloom. Or you’ll just save yourself a few extra headaches if you have young kids and pets.

10. Design Within Reach

If you’re looking for top brands and are willing to shell out for them, DWR is your new best friend. Featuring products from iconic designers like Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, and more, this store is your one-stop shop for all things modern. The selection is huge, with offerings for every room inside (and outside) your home.

11. AllModern

This e-super store has just about every room in the house covered, from living room furniture and dining essentials to bedroom staples and home office furnishings. They also carry collections from big modern brands like Kartell, Marimekko, Umbra, and more. So consider AM a great choice for designer items and budget-friendly look-a-likes, too.

12. Schoolhouse Electric

You may know Schoolhouse for their throwback lighting designs, but they are so much more than solely vintage-style fixtures. The Portland-based brand’s modern-meets-industrial offerings could fill your house, soup to nuts, without looking the least bit matchy-matchy. Standouts include their hardware, lighting (of course), and bed and bath goods.

13. Industry West

If you love both modern and industrial style, you need to bookmark Industry West. The retailer sells a curated selection of furniture, lighting, and decor, all of which look like they belong in an urban loft. Since their inventory is small, stuff tends to sell out, so if you see something you love, be sure to grab it while you can.

14. Burrow

This direct-to-consumer e-tailer focuses on seating and tables — though they now offer rugs and accessories, too. You can see pieces in the flesh at Burrow’s flagship in New York’s SoHo neighborhood or at one of their partner showrooms. Each piece of Burrow furniture is made from sturdy, sustainably sourced hardwood and non-toxic fabrics. Many of the sofas are designed to be both ergonomic and modular, so you can add or subtract pieces when you move into a new space.

15. Bed Bath & Beyond

While Bed Bath & Beyond may be a well-known resource for linens and small appliances, its selection of modern furniture after its merger with Overstock is something you won’t want to miss. I’d liken its selections to a mix between classic IKEA Stockholm and the modern glam of West Elm and Anthropologie. From beds and dressers to sofas, coffee tables, and more, you’ll find a mix of affordable and luxe pieces, with additional bargains in the rug, lighting, and art departments.

16. Jonathan Adler

Fans of J.A.’s quirky pottery will be happy to know that he has not one, but two lines of furniture these days. Shop glam modern shelving units, coffee tables, sofas, and more at JonathanAdler.com, and hit up Amazon for his lower-priced Now House line.

17. Apt2B

You can’t beat free delivery on furniture, can you? Oftentimes, budgeting for the transport of your purchases can be forgotten — and quickly add up. But at Apt2B, the cost to get your new goods home is zippo. Beyond their goose-egg delivery fees, we love their riff on beloved mid-century silhouettes, classic modern seating, and edgy case goods, most of which are made in the USA.

18. InMod

This unique site hails from Chicago, and features funky, unique pieces that are made with sustainable practices. At InMod, you’ll find modern and mid-century pieces to complete your home’s modern vibe. White-glove delivery allows for peace of mind that your new furniture will arrive in brand-new condition.  

19. Rejuvenation

Known primarily for its lighting, Rejuvenation belongs to the same family as West Elm and Pottery Barn, and it has the modern inventory to prove it. While you can’t go wrong with the extensive lighting section, you can also find plenty of furniture, hardware, and decor. Plus, the site has an incredible vintage and antiques section if you’re looking for authentic MCM goods.

20. HAY

The best word to describe HAY? Fun. The retailer sells Danish-inspired modern furniture and decor with a twist — most of their inventory is colorful, different, and full of personality. Their stuff feels a bit more accessible (and youthful) than other modern retailers, and they even did a collaboration with Urban Outfitters in the fall of 2019.

21. A+R

On the “affordability” scale, A+R definitely falls on the pricier end, particularly with regards to their furniture. But if you opt for their fantastic array of more budget-friendly accessories, you’ll be tapping a treasure trove of modern goodies.

22. ABC Carpet & Home

ABC Carpet specializes in, yup, carpets and rugs, but they also have an impressive inventory of modern furniture. The brand is mainly known for statement seating and high-end art and decor, although you can also find products for beauty, wellness, and even jewelry. Prices are high, but the selection is totally worth it.

23. Blu Dot

My living room products Pinterest board is comprised of many pieces from Blu Dot. Their furniture and decor is modern with a hint of glam — picture plenty of walnut with dashes of brass and marble. Even the names of their collections are fun (Hot Mesh, anyone?). Don’t forget to peruse their outlet section for even better prices.

24. CB2

As Crate & Barrel’s more affordable, slightly hipper younger sibling, CB2 is full of on-trend furniture (heavy on the metallics!), celeb/designer collaborations from the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Lenny Kravitz (yup!), and really great, affordable decor. Though some of their furnishings can get a little pricey, you’ll luck out on lighting, rugs, accessories, and dining/kitchen wares.

25. Article

A great return policy, free (and super-fast) shipping over $999 no matter how many pieces you order, and high-quality furnishings at an honestly low price are all fantastic reasons to check out Article.

26. Joybird

How could you sit on a sofa from a brand named Joybird and not be happy? Another reason to smile is the company’s upstanding sustainable practices — they plant trees with every furniture purchase comparable to what it took to construct the piece (i.e., the sale of a chair equals three trees; a credenza gets eight). If you’re willing to wait 6-8 weeks, you can have your pick of dozens of fabric colors for your new sofa, but a handful of styles are available to quick-ship in standard gray.

27. Room & Board

I love R&B‘s American-made philosophy: 90 percent of their pieces are crafted in the USA by artisans in family-owned workshops. On top of keeping production stateside, they offer many of their pieces in numerous sizes, finishes, and colors, which lets you, the shopper, take the reins of your purchase and get just what you want and need for your home.