I Gave 2 Designers $50 to Spend at H&M Home, and This Is What They Bought

Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer based in New York City who covers interior design and lifestyle content. She is constantly on the hunt for eye-catching pieces to add to her space and believes that a home is never truly finished being styled.
published Sep 19, 2025
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.
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA - JANUARY 24: H&M Store On January 24, 2014 In Bucharest, Romania. Hennes & Mauritz is a Swedish retail-clothing company and It is ranked the second largest global clothing retailer
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As an avid shopper and home decor fan girl, I’m always eager to find out what types of products have made it into my interior designer friends’ virtual carts. And when the pros I interview or follow online share budget-friendly finds, that’s all the better!

Stylish decorative accessories certainly don’t have to break the bank. H&M Home, for example, has been one of my personal favorite resources, as I’ve settled into a handful of different apartments across multiple cities in my 20s and 30s. Turns out designers have no trouble sourcing pieces they like at H&M Home either. When I asked Paige Dick, the founder of Paige Designs in Charleston, South Carolina, and Elana Mendelson, the founder of Elana Designs in Potomac, Maryland, what they’d each scoop up at H&M Home for just $50, their finds didn’t disappoint. Take a look at these two designers’ affordable picks below. 

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Designer Paige Dick of Paige Designs

Small Cotton Storage Basket
$13

“I’m always looking for solutions that are both practical and beautiful. These baskets are perfect for holding bath towels, toiletries, or even kids’ stuffed animals while still looking decorative.”

$13 at H&M
Metal Wall Shelf
$25

“I’d also grab these wall shelves to help keep counters clear. … [They’re] great for hand towels, candles, or small toys, and stackable boxes make it easy to sort craft supplies, hair accessories, or bath essentials.”

$25 at H&M
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Designer Elana Mendelson of Elana Designs

Glass Vase
$30

“The first item that caught my eye was this simple, yet different green glass vase. I love its uneven, imperfect cylindrical shape, rich color, and handblown aesthetic. I imagine styling it in one of my projects and pairing it with large white hydrangeas or filling it with beautiful orange anemones with purple centers depending on the design aesthetic and mood we’re trying to achieve.”

$30 at H&M
Extra-Small Tiered Glass Vase
$10

“I love this vase for its translucent amber color and simple geometric silhouette and would purchase this as a surprise and delight for a client. I love buying small gifts for clients that will coordinate with the spaces we design for them throughout the duration of their projects.”

$10 at H&M
Small Wooden Tray
$13

“I chose this tray for its simplicity, beautiful organic shape, and its ability to coordinate with — and complement — just about any design style. I would either gift this to a client or keep it in my styling repertoire to use in photo shoots when I need to fill space and add a special detailed touch.”

$13 at H&M

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