This Is Where Designers Shop When They Want to Save Money

“Ballard Designs is one of the most underrated online furniture stores,” says Corine Maggio, Corine Maggio Design Studio. Though some of their pieces may not be considered economical, the prices are great for the quality and they offer semi-custom options which is a huge plus.”

Both Molly Carter of Molly Erin Designs and Dara Barker of Dara Barker Designs say Etsy is a go-to for home decor. Carter is particularly a fan of the Yorkshireironworks shop, and says, “We love their finishes on the shelf brackets.” 

Barker refers to Etsy as her “first stop” when sourcing lower priced designs on anything from lighting to bedding. “I peruse it often and keep lists in categories for when the need arises,” she says. “The pricing is often far more approachable, but more importantly, you can find vintage pieces or work directly with makers to customize something (I’m [customizing] reclaimed table top now), which gives a project a sense of originality without the markup of new, mass luxury.”

Another favorite for Carter, Facebook Marketplace presents a worthwhile challenge to find luxe products at lower costs. “You have to dig and look at it constantly because good things go quick, but you can find some amazing hidden gems that you can easily customize (like reupholstering a seat cushion on a dining chair),” she says.

Barker and Michelle Kendall of MK Home and Art remind us not to sleep on H&M’s home department. For Barker, it’s her spot for layering pieces and smaller accessories that can add texture and softness. 

Another place that requires a bit of patience and lots of digging, HomeGoods is one of Kendall’s top picks. “For one-of-a-kind statement accessories and high-quality textiles, HomeGoods remains an undefeated resource for the curated home,” she says. “This is where you find genuine designer overstock, from high-end Loloi rugs to oversized Italian-made ceramics.” 

Kendall’s pro tip? “Flip over the ceramics and look for ‘Made in Italy’ or ‘Made in Portugal’ stamps. The weight and glaze quality of these pieces instantly elevate a bookshelf or kitchen island.”

When Maggio needs artwork for less, she turns to Linen + Cloth. “They have some great reproduction framed paintings at super reasonable prices that really have an elevated look for those who can’t afford original art,” she says.

“Olde Brick Lighting has a lot of pieces that look authentically vintage and historic but at a much lower price point than most lighting places that a designer would typically use,” Maggio says. 

Sometimes, it’s about finding furniture that’s markedly less than what’s sold at comparable retailers. If you ask Barker, that’s Rove Concepts. “When I need larger furniture pieces, Rove Concepts offers clean, modern silhouettes at a fraction of what you’d expect,” she says

Throw pillows are accents, but they’re usually pretty pricey. A more budget-conscious purveyor is Woven Nook, Maggio says. “They have a sizable variety of traditional pillows for less than most of their direct competitors.”

Similar to H&M, Zara’s home department is a section that deserves significantly more hype. “For immediate, ready-to-ship finds, I go to Zara Home,” Barker says. “Their dishes and bedding feel elevated for the price point, and they consistently have beautifully proportioned side tables that read far more expensive than they are.”

If you have the time and energy to hunt for your next best find, Carter and Ashley Clark of sKout Interiors love antiquing or shopping at local thrift stores and flea markets. “At sKout, we gravitate toward secondhand and vintage pieces as a way to save without sacrificing style,” Clark says. “Flea markets and thrift stores play a big role in our process and even how we started as a company. The ‘skouted’ pieces are often the ones that make a space feel collected, personal, and timeless.” 

Carter is based in Northern California, and wakes up early on the first, second, and third Sunday of each month to shop secondhand—latte in hand. Some of her best discoveries have come from the Alameda Antiques Faire, Old Sutter Creek Flea Market, and Sacramento Antique Faire.