You won't regret the investment.
As much as we love a good piece of affordable furniture, there’s something to be said about mixing low with high. Any reputable interior designer would tell you that the only way to achieve a layered look is effortlessly combining those unique luxury pieces with affordable finds you love. After all, not absolutely everything in your home needs to be a splurge. That said, with some things, you get what you pay for, so opting for the pricier piece is often worth it.
In fact, we chatted with Nina Lichtenstein, who owns and runs her namesake firm in Westchester, New York, and she says, "Investing in foundational, statement pieces while filling in with well-chosen budget-friendly finds allows for a home that feels elevated yet livable, provided those lower-cost pieces maintain a high standard of quality and design.” She’ll be the first to admit that saving where appropriate is a good way to both protect your budget and get a more personalized space, but, like most designers, she loves a luxury furniture item. "While budget furniture has its place, there are compelling reasons to shop luxury, especially when designing a space meant to last." The great thing about a lot of the pricier pieces is the fact that they're materials are naturally built to last, so you won't have to replace the things you really love.
Woven
As you may be able to guess, pretty much everything at Woven is, well, woven, in some way. Most of the pieces feature rattan, bamboo, or seagrass rope, so you'll get that kind of coastal feel without having to lean too heavily into kitschy tropes. Just be sure to read up on each product's specific care instructions so you don't accidentally unravel something or stain it.
Our favorite items:
Thuma
Thuma is another brand we love. Famous for its collection of neutral, minimalist, and easy-to-assemble furniture, the brand is up to something different: Its first-ever collab with another brand. This striped bed frame, for example, is one of the chicest pieces from Thuma’s collaboration with Buchanan Studio, and we’re into it.
Our favorite items:
Hetta
Sentimental people with style, it's time to add something from Hetta to your cart. First, let's start with the name: Hetta is a reference to the word "etta," which means "keeper of the hearth," (technically, etta is English, but with roots in German), and the brand threw an "h" in there for "home." How cute? Next, it was started by the same folks behind Sundays. Lastly, Hetta is known for its collection of heirloom-inspired furniture but with a modern twist that brings it into the current design moment.
Our favorite items:
Urban Natural
Not to give it away, but Urban Natural's ethos is in the name. This brand is all about creating durable, long-lasting furniture that's made entirely free from harmful chemicals. Everything is made in the U.S. using ethically and responsibly sourced materials.
Our favorite items:
Häti Home
Häti Home is one of our favorite places to shop because, as shopping editors, we see a lot of furniture on a day-to-day basis, and it can get overwhelming. Luckily, Häti Home has a solution for that: a quiz that basically tells you exactly what to get based on your responses. All you have to do at that point is add your favorite items to your cart.
Our favorite items:
Jayson Home
If you like a good mix of contemporary and vintage, prepare to buy absolutely everything for your space at Jayson Home. Most of the furniture on offer is new and contemporary, but there's an entire section dedicated to one-of-a-kind vintage pieces that's updated with new inventory all the time.
Our favorite items:
Antique Louis XIII Writing TableShane Dining ChairClarke Bed
Joon Loloi
You may know the name Loloi from the beautifully rustic rugs you've probably heard us rave about over the years, but the same name lends itself to the furniture, lighting, and decor brand as well. Though the furniture skews a bit more contemporary than the floorcoverings do, there's still an element of softness we'll never turn down.
Our favorite items:
Joybird
If you've ever been couch-shopping, chances are, you know the name Joybird. It's all over social media for a good reason: The pieces are just so comfy. This brand has the cloud couch thing down pat, so if you like to sink into your seat, you may want to consider adding a few Joybird things to your cart. The cushions in nearly all of the brand's sofas and chairs are filled with 100 percent blown fiber (a synthetic and hypoallergenic material) designed to mimic down.
Our favorite items:
Bryant U-Sofa Bumper SectionalNia Desk
Amelia Grand ChairArtemest
Artemest is where to shop if you're looking for truly special pieces that may steal the spotlight. That said, those who prefer a more subdued look that isn't boring, perhaps don't decorate your entire space in Artemest pieces. Instead, look for those unique items that set the tone and aesthetic of your space. We also happen to have it on good authority that this spot is designers' secret weapon when updating a space that's in dire need of a facelift. Personally, we love Artemest because it is a treasure trove of hundreds of incredible small-batch brands that, unless we were exploring the streets of a European city, we may have never heard of.
Our favorite items:
Kreoo Lord Broccatello Viola Marble ConsoleReDéco Hanami Leather SeatDa A I-Tube Coffee Table
Bassett
When Bassett was founded in 1902, most furniture designers were, for the most part, cabinet makers, and Bassett was no different. The early 20th century experienced a massive boom in growth, so there was an urgent need to supply furniture to all of the new houses, tenements, and more across the country. Now, you won’t find any cabinets with the Bassett stamp, but rather, an array of hand-crafted furniture that reflects the brand’s humble beginnings. Though highly traditional and without a lot of ornamentation, Bassett’s pieces are nostalgic in all the right ways, boasting a very subtle hint at Americana vibes.
Our favorite items:
Origins Dandridge Dining TableSouthpark SofaVienna Tufted Upholstered Bed
Kathy Kuo Home
If the name Kathy Kuo sounds familiar, you may recognize it from the pages of myriad design publications or HGTV's Knock First and Rowhouse Showdown. Believe it or not, Kuo doesn't spend all of her time designing beautiful spaces or appearing on television shows; she also has a namesake furniture collection that covers every room of the house, including the outdoors. The retailer also carries several other brands, so feel free to buy everything you'll need for your space here. Lichtenstein says, "This brand features curated, high-end selections with a designer’s touch."
Our favorite items:
Palecek Capitola Barrel Lounge ChairMadeline SofaDawson Curved Writing Desk
One Kings Lane
One Kings Lane may be most people's destination for vintage treasures, but the online marketplace actually sells more than enough new and custom pieces. In fact, there's actually more than triple the amount of vintage furniture, so it's almost impossible to get the categories (contemporary and decades-old) mixed up. If, on the other hand, you're in the market for something vintage, just click on the vintage tab.
Our favorite items:
Abask
Full disclosure: Abask sells more decor than furniture, but its small collection is incredible. Take, for instance, this stool, which Osanna Visconti handmade for The House of Lyria. If you're not familiar with Abask, let us just say that every piece—even the hardware—is made by an individual artisan in all corners of the world, from Paris to São Paulo.
Our favorite items:
Osanna Visconti x The House of Lyria Crinkle StoolLucas Castex Hand-Engraved Wood StoolBy Walid Florentine Silk Cube
Chairish
Chairish is another online spot that sells unique, old furniture, especially this antique farmhouse coffee table from the early 1920s. However, Chairish also sells lighting, art, and decorative objects.
Our favorite items:
Art Deco Club ChairVintage Dining Chairs and Table SetAntique Swedish Bench
Lemieux Et Cie
If the name sounds familiar, that's because Lemieux Et Cie was founded by interior designer and home furnishings entrepreneur Christiane Lemieux (who also founded The Inside) back in 2020. The brand, which is designed to look highly luxurious, partners with master artisans and producers around the world.
Our favorite items:
GreenRow
GreenRow may be new, contemporary furniture, but it's designed to be passed down and eventually become heritage pieces. Unlike most centuries—old pieces —which weren't exactly made with sustainability in mind —GreenRow crafts its pieces with innovative, natural materials, all responsibly sourced.
Our favorite items:
Hadley Slipcovered Sofa Chaise SectionalPop-Top Bar StoolsMerida Upholstered Headboard
Rove Concepts
Rove Concepts sells a lot of favorites familiar to those with an affinity for midcentury modern design. Plenty—if not most—of the furniture is a reproduction of the original design. You'll find everything from arguably the most famous modular sofa (the Togo by Ligne Roset) to a giant slab of marble that doubles as a coffee table (a very popular design move in the 1960s). Trust us: you'll find the perfect midcentury piece at Rove Concepts.
Our favorite items:
Le Maé
If you're wondering why you may not be familiar with this coastal-cool furniture brand, it's not because you're out of the loop; it's because it just launched (in September 2024, to be specific). Founded by interior designer Lindye Galloway, the collection is like an ode to easy, breezy, minimalism, complete with natural materials, soft textures, and a beautifully muted palette. While you can definitely score a few items on the cheap, most of the pieces on offer are what we'd consider a splurge—and 100 percent worth it.
Our favorite items:
Serena & Lily
Serena & Lily is famous for its collection of coastal-inspired furniture that somehow works in any space—no matter how far it is from the ocean. If you like the maximalist look, Serena & Lily may not be the brand for you because every piece—whether it's the gently detailed bedding or the handmade light fixtures—has a pared-back feel. Lichtenstein says, "Serena & Lily is a go-to for coastal-inspired luxury with beautiful textiles and craftsmanship."
Our favorite items:
Avalon Rattan DaybedAmherst Swing Arm Floor LampPacifica Umbrella Side Table
Maiden Home
Maiden Home is a female-founded and -operated brand based out of New York City. Though the pieces look utterly contemporary, there's something Scandinavian about them that makes them extra visually captivating to us.
Our favorite items:
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