20 West Elm Small Finds Under $50 That Make a Big Impact With Low Effort

Written by

Holland Baker
Holland Baker
Holland is an editor, writer, and podcaster based in New York City. When she isn't helping create books, magazines, and nostalgia-based podcasts, you can find her listening to K-pop, running in Prospect Park, or updating her cats' Instagram account.
Nikol Slatinska
Nikol SlatinskaCommerce Shopping Writer at Apartment Therapy
I write home shopping content for Apartment Therapy. My job entails product testing and reviewing, as well as writing serviceable shopping guides for furniture and home decor. I received my undergraduate journalism degree at the University of Missouri and wrote for local publications in my college town.
updated Oct 24, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
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Credit: West Elm

Updating your living space can feel like a daunting task when you make a list of all the things you want to replace. However, sometimes it’s the smaller details that can take a room from basic to stylish. Whether it’s incorporating a well-executed pop of color or adding a modern statement piece to a room, it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference. Simply adding an interesting shower curtain, for example, can make the dingiest of bathrooms pop, and implementing some funky bookends to an open surface can take a room from looking drab to fab. West Elm has a huge variety of small pieces that can immediately change up the vibe and keep your home feeling fresh and aesthetically pleasing, and all without breaking the bank. We’ve rounded up 20 of the best small finds on the site that can transform your space, and they’re all under $50 a piece.

1 / 20
West Elm
$27.20
was $34.00

If you only have a limited amount of space in your home and can’t invest in a full bookshelf, utilizing bookends for your book collection is a great alternative. These agate stone bookends come in green or blue, and each piece features one-of-a-kind, naturally occurring rings. Find an empty surface in your home for book storage, and mix and/or match depending on the vibe of your space!

2 / 20
West Elm
$27.20
was $34.00

An easy way to mix-up the design of your space is with some accent pillows, which you can easily achieve with covers such as this velvet number. The cover is available in a variety of colors and sizes, and its velvet material will instantly elevate the couch, bed, or chair you pair it with. These work best with West Elm’s decorative pillow inserts, which you can also get for less than $30.

3 / 20
West Elm
$39.00

A stylish soap dispenser is one of those underrated upgrades that can easily take your bathroom from ho-hum to hotel-worthy. This chic and minimalistic piece from Blomus is made from durable ceramic and silicone, with a palette of beautiful neutral hues to choose from.

4 / 20
West Elm
$25.00

Shoppers can't get enough of these dreamy candleholders. They come in six sizes, and once you place your candle inside, the light will pour through the ceramic holder's star-like holes, creating a constellation effect on the walls and surrounding furniture. It's nothing short of magical, especially once the sun sets.

5 / 20
West Elm
$20.00

Despite its name, this handy storage solution is much more than a clothing organizer. Before you know it, you'll be gravitating to this piece every time you come home to hang your keys, dog leash, umbrella, and other personal items. The fact that it's super chic and minimalist in appearance also doesn't hurt.

6 / 20
West Elm
$45.00

Step out of the shower and onto this incredibly soft heirloom mat, which is one of West Elm's best-selling bath accessories. It sports a vintage-inspired print, which is quite convincing thanks to the washed-out finish. The mat's 100-percent cotton material is also super absorbent, so your floors will stay dry and safe.

7 / 20
West Elm
$38.40
was $48.00

These lacquer wood trays can serve so many purposes in your home, from storage and organization to serving drinks or breakfast in bed. You can find the trays in three colors. They're made from smooth, lacquered wood. The shiny trays will add some much-needed glam to any space.

8 / 20
West Elm
$35.00

This coastal-inspired rattan basket will help to both organize your space and add some style. Its rectangular shape is quite versatile; you can use it to hold everything from makeup to toilet paper rolls. What's more, the basket's natural color will give your bathroom a calm, beachy vibe, and it'll certainly also help to declutter.

9 / 20
West Elm
$29.99
was $50.00

Even in a pink hue, natural stone accents are an instant classic. These four quartz coasters prove no exception to that rule, and they’re a colorful but low-commitment addition to any coffee table. Bonus points if you perch a colored drinking glass or two on top of them as well.

10 / 20
West Elm
$25.00

Command hooks are undeniably useful, but they don't look nearly as great as this modern wall rack, which comes in gray and white. It looks almost like a work of art with its different-sized hooks, which flip out and lie flat again when not in use. Place this inexpensive piece in your bedroom, by the front entryway, in the garage — it won't take up more space than necessary.

11 / 20
West Elm
$25.00

A quick way to make your vanity look neater is to incorporate a tiered organizer, which will not only open up more space, but it'll also allow you to see where everything is much better. This round plastic caddy is the perfect product for the job. It can hold anything from makeup brushes to skincare, and its swivel base lets you grab exactly what you need without disrupting the other items.

12 / 20
West Elm
$45.00

Taking inspiration from an antique lithograph print of cloud cover, this Etched Cloud shower curtain is a simple yet stylish way to refresh your bathroom. Made from 100 percent cotton, the curtain's drapey fabric shows off the cloud design perfectly. You can also tack on a shower liner when checking out for an additional $20.

13 / 20
West Elm
$16.97
was $49.00

No matter the season, this cute ombre throw will make your sofa look extra inviting and homey. The blanket is available in five idyllic colors, including ocean, evergreen, and sand. Its brushed acrylic fabric mimics the feel of ultra-soft mohair, so it'll quickly become the piece you reach for during lounging hour.

14 / 20
West Elm
$45.00

Although there are lots of shelf organizers out there that get the job done, many of them look quite dowdy. That's not the case with these chic bamboo boxes, which come in a set of two for $45. Double up on shelf space by stacking them on top of each other, and line them with anything from cosmetics to bathing products to washcloths.

15 / 20
West Elm
$28.00

Your dinner guests will surely "ooh" and "ahh" over these dazzling double old fashioned glasses, which come in a set of four for under $30. Their ridged design feels slightly reminiscent of the Art Deco aesthetic, and we have no doubt you'll be constantly reaching for them regardless of whether you're entertaining or just getting a drink of water.

16 / 20
West Elm
$39.20
was $49.00

Whether you display this vase on its own or decide to emphasize its beauty with some faux plants, it's bound to draw plenty of positive attention. You can get the small version for under $30, or opt for this medium size for just under $40. It might seem a bit pricey at first, but this durable glass decor piece will bring charm to your space for years and years.

17 / 20
West Elm
$34.99
was $85.00

What's meant to be a relaxing bath can quickly go haywire if you don't have a spot to hold your phone, book, drink, and other items. This roomy steel caddy will not only store whatever you need within reach, but it also looks extremely luxurious with its ornate frame and brass or bronze finish. If you're low on shelf space in the shower, this is also just a great piece to keep around to hold extra shower gels and shampoos.

18 / 20
West Elm
$20.00

This item is definitely unlike any tray you've seen before. That's largely because it has four tiers, meaning you get plenty of storage space for your earrings, bracelets, and other jewelry pieces. At the same time, your vanity stays clutter-free, as the tray takes up little horizontal space. Its fanned-out construction is also quite fun in itself.

19 / 20
West Elm
$30.00

Photos are, hands-down, some of the most sentimental pieces of decor you can adorn your space with. Place yours in these pretty brass frames, which come in two sizes. They add a touch of bling without looking tacky, and despite their name, you can just as easily hang the frames on your wall as you can prop them up on a desk or side table.

20 / 20
West Elm
$12.99
was $20.00

Protect your table from crumbs with these rustic woven placemats, which arrive in a set of two for just $13. They're handwoven, and their textured finish will add visual interest to your dining setup. When you're finished eating, just shake the mats off, and they're ready to go when your next meal rolls around.