Designers will scour the ends of the earth for just the right piece, sourcing everywhere from Paris flea markets and estate sales to specialty shops, to-the-trade ateliers, and big-box retailers like HomeGoods. But like the rest of us, they also turn to Amazon—both for client projects and their own homes. It’s especially useful for basics that need to meet very specific requirements, like an extra-long shower curtain, practical essentials like rug pads, specifically-sized pieces and parts, or even budget-friendly finds that double as clever hacks, like faux greenery.
“I cannot tell you how many times I've needed a specialty light bulb or unique plumbing part at 3 a.m. during an install and I jump on my Amazon app until I find one that will arrive by 9 a.m. that morning,” says Galey Alix of Galey Alix Design. Minnesota-based designer Bria Hammel also notes that Amazon offers surprisingly solid decor picks—“from candlesticks and baskets to vases and picture frames, there are so many great ‘finishing touch’ pieces for styling."
Ahead, we asked several interior designers what’s actually worth buying on Amazon.
Stylish Storage
New York–based designer Ariel Okin cybershops for chic storage. "I've used these wicker organizing baskets from StorageWorks, and they are great!" she raves. Handcrafted from natural water hyacinth, the baskets come in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Soni Mehra, Principal Interior Designer and Founder of Studio Mirae, also opts to shop at Amazon to conceal everyday clutter, especially since there are so many different storage styles and sizes readily available. “I tend to opt for natural materials, like these jute rope bins for shelves or this large Deco79 woven seagrass basket, over synthetic-looking weaves, and especially love using oversized baskets to make storage feel intentional, not utilitarian,” she says.
StorageWorks Rectangular Wicker Basket
Kibaga Jute Rope Basket Set of 4
Deco 79 Seagrass Handmade Large Woven Storage Basket
MidmmVick Collapsible Cube Fabric Storage Bins, 6 Pack
Vases and Vessels
Above, Hammel used a small, dainty vase from Amazon paired with vintage accessories. "It created the perfect balance of old and new," she says. To really lean into the aged look, Alix loves the Hartnett Vase, noting “the smaller size works great for mantels and shelves.”
Another fan of Amazon vessels? Devon Wegman, founder and design director of DGI Design x Build in Chicago, who fills little bud vases with dried flowers and lines them down the middle of her dining room table. "Every few months I'll swap out the dried flowers for something more seasonal," she says. "They look great with everything and add a nice texture to the table without taking up too much space."
Ceramic Dry Flower Vase
Jojuno White Ceramic Bud Vases, Set of 11
Carrot's Den Set of 6 Nordic Donut Bud Vases
Faux Greenery
You can end up spending more on finishing touches than on a sectional, warns Victoria Holly, principal and founder of Victoria Holly Interiors in Los Angeles. To trim her plant budget, Holly looks to faux Spanish moss to arrange around the base of larger artificial trees for a more organic look. "I also use the moss pieces on their own, cascading down smaller planters on bookshelves," she says. "I even use them outside with UV protectant spray for my wall planters where I don’t feel like looking at dead plants."
Alix is also a fan of the artificial greenery on Amazon, and even has this rubber tree (pictured above) in her own home. “I love how realistic this one looks and it doesn't take up too much space because it's not as wide as a full tree,” she says.
AfanD Artificial Rubber Tree
Vivatrees Artificial Olive Tree
Faux Cherry Blossom Branches
Area Rugs and Rug Pads
It’s no secret that our editors love rugs from Amazon, and that’s partly because several of our favorite brands are readily available to shop, including Loloi’s designer collaborations and Rugs USA. “I utilize Amazon for my rugs and home decor because the pricing is hard to beat, almost everything arrives within a day or two, and there's so much to choose from,” says Alix. She’s been using the Fetscher V Rug for the majority of her recent projects, noting her love for its vintage vibe.
While you’re at it, you might as well buy a rug pad—it’s a non-negotiable, according to Mehra. “It not only keeps rugs in place but also adds a layer of softness and longevity,” she says. “Sourcing it with your rug is usually more expensive so I prefer to use the economical and quickly delivered options available on Amazon. Always order a size slightly smaller than the rug so edges stay crisp. Choose thicker pads for living areas, thinner for dining rooms.”
Rugs USA x Arvin Olano Arrel Speckled Wool-Blend Area Rug
Loloi x Chris Loves Julia Humphrey Collection Area Rug feat. CloudPile
Livabliss x Galey Alix Fetscher V Vintage Damask Area Rug
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Mehnaz Khan, principal designer at Color Conscious Living design studio in Albany, New York, was thrilled to find high-quality faux grasscloth wallpaper that looks very real. "The wallpaper is from Society Social, but their peel-and-stick version is available on Amazon," she says. "You can add color and depth to your walls with this budget-friendly option." To further stretch your dollar, instead of covering walls, Khan recommends applying the faux grasscloth to the ceiling, the back of a bookcase or kitchen counter, or just wrap your lamp shades with it.
NuWallpaper x Society Social Classic Faux Grasscloth Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Tempaper Folk White Woodland Fantasy Removable Peel and Stick Wallpaper
CiCiwind Toile Blue and White Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Ismoon Floral Vintage Beige Peel and Stick Wallpaper
Shower Curtain Liners
A standard shower curtain liner is 72 x 72 inches. But for designer Isabel Ladd of Isabel Ladd Interiors, when it comes to this particular bathroom item, more is more. "I LOVE to custom make shower curtains, and I hang them so close to the ceiling that they feel like actual curtains," says the Lexington, Kentucky-based designer. "Amazon is the ONLY place I can find liners so long!" This fabric version comes in 72 x 83 and, Ladd's pick, 72 x 96. If that much fabric sounds intimidating, she points out, "it can be easily hemmed (or cut with zig-zag scissors!) to the right length... that's what I do, if I need to!" She goes for the colorful ones like blue, green, pink, and lavender.
Alyvia Spring Stall Fabric Shower Curtain Liner
Dynamene Waffle Weave Extra Long Shower Curtain
MitoVilla Linen Tassel Extra Long Shower Curtain
Extra Long Linen Shower Curtain
Light Bulbs
“Lighting temperature is one of the most overlooked elements in a home,” says Mehra. “I always source warm, high-quality bulbs, typically 2700K, from Amazon to make sure every fixture casts a soft, flattering glow. It is so much easier than going to a hardware store and it's often a last-minute purchase that I usually need ASAP!”
LED Chandelier Light Bulbs
Amazon Basics BR30 LED Light Bulbs
GE Relax LED Light Bulbs
Cocktail Napkins
"The Ridhi blockprint cocktail napkins are so playful and beautiful, making them perfect for entertaining," says Holly. "I purchased these with Prime two days before hosting a dinner party, and they arrived in time and were gorgeous. I loved mixing and matching them!" And since you can wash and reuse them infinitely, they're not just stylish, but sustainable, too.
Ridhi Block Print Cloth Napkins
Cotton Craft French Country Toile Cloth Cocktail Napkins
O'lucio Authentique Home Linen Cocktail Napkins
Maison d' Hermine Cotton Cloth Napkins Set
Elevated Kitchen Essentials
From oil dispensers to marble trivets, Alix points out that kitchen staples shouldn’t be boring. She outfitted her own kitchen with these vintage-looking salt and pepper grinders, merging pretty with functional. “I always do two in slightly different sizes,” she says. Her kitchen is outfitted with “a pretty scrub brush that elevates your sink decor while still being super functional.”
Greenth Pro Palm Pot Brush-3 Pack
Molimoli Oil and Vinegar Dispenser Set
Alexander Home The Original Greek Pepper Mill
Colorful SMEG Appliances
"Even though SMEG products are practical appliances and kitchen items, they serve as countertop decor with their retro-chic vibe and fun colors," says Los Angeles–based interior designer and home stager Francesca Grace. She looks for larger SMEG items as well. "I find myself constantly recommending the refrigerator; I think it is great for fun spaces, like an ADU or guest house, and can really add some charm and character to a home," says Grace. "For color options, I usually gravitate towards the cream. It feels classic, timeless, chic, and complements many designs."
Smeg Electric Mini Kettle
Smeg 5-Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
