Furnishing a home certainly isn’t cheap—which is something that I’ve learned first-hand throughout the pricey process of decorating our new apartment.
Plus, with the seemingly infinite number of options available online, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. I always find it challenging to tell if something will look cheap in person, particularly when I’m judging based off of a few product photos from a website.
But with the help of my fab interior designer Megan Hopp, I’ve realized there are plenty of affordable home decor pieces that actually look high-end, despite being at a lower price point—as long as you know where to search.
Megan is a wizard at this kind of thing. Since she works with clients of all different budgets, she has an encyclopedic knowledge of the marketplace, and she knows which furniture and accessories you can use to create an elevated look for less.
Below is a list of her 15 favorite affordable home decor and furniture suggestions. Since these are all pieces she uses regularly, you can rest assured knowing that they are officially “interior designer approved.” Happy decorating!
[P.S. If you’re looking for a faux plant to spruce up your space, I can’t recommend this one and this one enough! We spent hours and hours researching, and we couldn’t be happier with how they look in person. They’re gorgeous, and you’d NEVER know they weren’t real.]
15 Affordable Home Decor and Furniture Ideas
nuLOOM Handmade Wool Area Rug
When it comes to rugs, texture usually comes at a price.
This rug however boasts a super luxe chunky knit texture while coming at a steal of a price.
The neutral color options keep the rug flexible to be used in both modern and traditional spaces.
CB2 Wall Mounted Bookcase
Whether you need just one or a full wall of the stairway shelf, this is a tried and true product I have used in countless projects.
The white lacquer material gives a high-end feel with easy breezy upkeep.
The two screw mounting system makes for the easiest built-in look you’ll ever find…really.
CB2 Lacquered Credenza
Much like the stairway bookshelf, I like this piece for its ability to be used by itself or lined up in a row to build an extra-long console as needed.
I myself have two of the navy credenzas under my TV and they make for a strong color statement in the space as well as lots of extra storage for “stuff” beyond your standard media equipment.
The credenza is also low enough that it could even work as an extra-large bedside table if you have the space for it!
Pottery Barn Blackout Curtain
Custom window treatments can come at a huge cost, so finding ready-made drapes with a high-end look is a huge win.
These drapes have done me well in the past with their classic stripe pattern, adding in thoughtful detail.
The blackout lining also makes for a great bedroom window treatment option.
West Elm Slip Cover Sofa
This is a sofa I can suggest to many different kinds of clients with many different kinds of spaces.
The bench cushion silhouette makes for a super chic high-end look, while the 84” length provides flexibility for a variety of different sized rooms big and small.
The sofa also comes in a great assortment of upholstery options to customize to your design.
Serena & Lily Side Table
I use this open box frame accent table ALL THE TIME. In fact I used in Lindsay’s living room! It’s one of my favorites because of its extreme flexibility.
The open shelf function makes for a great nightstand or classic side table, and the wide open space allows the table to sit next to or parallel to a sofa or side chair for various floorplan possibilities.
West Elm Jensen Desk
I love a glass desk—simple, elegant, and often very affordable. This desk is a go-to for me because of the mixed material style and medium size dimensions.
Another reason I love this piece in particular is the tucked in pedestal base, which allows for seating on all four sides, making the table functional as a small dining table in addition to a workspace.
Project 62 Console Table
One of my favorite tips in sourcing low-price-point high quality furniture is looking for the material of metal.
Metal holds up great, looks and feels substantial and authentic and is extremely affordable.
This console is a great medium size that can be used in all sorts of places in the home, and the second shelf provides storage and functionality.
CB2 Rattan Table Lamp
My philosophy in lighting design is the bigger and bolder the better!
Large interesting lighting pieces with color, pattern, texture, and shape add such a special layer of design to a room, and can take it from “something’s missing” to a fully realized space.
I love this lamp because of its larger scale size and interesting texture.
The darker shade makes for an interesting statement piece while remaining neutral enough to be used in all kinds of designs.
Urban Outfitters Marte Storage Cabinet
Sometimes (and when I say sometimes, I mean always) you just need a place to throw stuff and close the doors.
This wardrobe/cabinet is one of my go to’s, with its dual functionality of full shelving or a hanging bar for clothes.
Although it packs a punch in its storage capacity, the cane material and open-air base give the piece a light non-obtrusive feel.
White Marble Wall Shelves
A common mishap I see in client’s spaces is a lack of
attention to the walls!
Wall shelving will undoubtedly add function to your home, but the layer of dimension and material will up your design game exponentially.
I love these Mix & Match shelves as an affordable way to layer in a dose of real marble stone so as to add a luxury detail.
Feather Filled Swivel Armchair
If you’ve never sat in a swivel chair, you really haven’t had the full furniture experience.
In addition to the optimal motion feature of this chair, the down filling and slipcover upholstery make for a comfortable and chic piece of furniture at a truly attainable price.
Urban Outfitters Bohemian Platform Bed
Not all bed frames are the same! Just because your basic metal bed frame got your mattress off the ground does not mean it is really doing your bedroom justice.
This turned leg wood frame is a simple no fuss way to add a lot of style to your space without having to invest in a whole lot of furniture.
Opalhouse Accent Chair
To know me is to know rattan! This natural material is one of the design keys to my heart.
A small rattan accent chair like this is a great size for a dining, desk, or living room accent chair. It also can be used indoors or out for bonus flexibility.
It's a great example of how affordable home decor can instantly elevate a room.
Arlo Bamboo Roman Shades
Much like drapery, window shades are tricky to achieve without a custom job.
These CORDLESS bamboo romans, however, have saved the day for me over and over again, and I even have them in my current apartment which I rent.
The multitude of sizes in which they are offered means you’ll always have the perfect fit.
One thing to keep in mind: you can always place two of them together for extra wide large-scale windows in your home!
Here’s a space that Megan designed using the Jensen desk.
The wall-mounted bookcase looks incredible in this living room that Megan designed for one of her clients.
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3 Comments
Kristi Monte
April 8, 2020 at 8:57 pmThis was SO helpful. That bookshelf is my favorite!
Appellointeriors
October 5, 2020 at 6:23 amThe blog is very interesting and inspiring. Love the blog very much. It’s so inspiring!
Hamza Iftikhar
September 12, 2021 at 5:12 pmThis is a really amazing list. All of the things are beautiful, but what I like the most is the lamp.