This post has been a long time coming. Over the years readers have asked where we shop for rugs, lamps, and all the small things that make a house feel like home. After creating more than 120 mood boards and renovating our entire house, we’ve developed a reliable list of sources for quality, stylish items at a range of prices. In this guide we share our favorite retailers for lighting, furniture, textiles, decor, and more—organized by category so it’s easy to find exactly what you need.
We focused on stores that are widely available across the U.S., so you won’t see many small local shops listed here. Local boutiques and family-owned stores are wonderful resources though, and it’s always worth exploring what’s nearby. Check local business directories, ask friends, or visit neighborhood shops to uncover unique finds. Below is a condensed, practical source list based on our own purchases and many projects over the years.
Chandeliers & Pendant Lights: West Elm, Lamps Plus, CB2, Overstock, Z Gallerie, Ballard Designs, Ballard, World Market, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ikea, Marshall’s.
Table & Floor Lamps: Target, JC Penney, CB2, West Elm, Z Gallerie, Crate & Barrel, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ikea, Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, World Market, Walmart (Canopy collection).
Swing-Arm Lamps & Sconces: Local lamp outlets, Z Gallerie, JC Penney, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Overstock.
Rugs: Overstock is our top pick for rugs—great selection and prices—followed by Flor, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, The Company Store, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1, West Elm, Ikea, Pottery Barn, Dash & Albert, CB2, JC Penney, Lowe’s, Home Depot, World Market.
Sinks, Faucets & Fixtures: Overstock, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Plumber’s Surplus, Ikea, eBay.
Curtains: Urban Outfitters, Bed Bath & Beyond, JC Penney, West Elm, Target, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, World Market, Pier 1, Overstock, Ikea.
Curtain Rods: Lowe’s, Home Depot, JC Penney (good for extra-long rods and extenders), Target, Ikea.
Blinds & Roman Shades: Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Ikea, Walmart.
Frames: Ikea and Target for unbeatable price and variety, plus Bed Bath & Beyond, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and specialty framing companies.
Armchairs & Slipper Chairs: Overstock, Target, West Elm, Ikea, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, JC Penney, Pier 1, Craigslist, thrift stores.
Desks: West Elm, CB2, Ikea, JC Penney, Target, Overstock, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Room & Board.
Desk Chairs: Target (affordable leather options), Ikea, CB2, Overstock, JC Penney, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods.
Sofas: Rowe retailers, Ikea, Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, JC Penney, Overstock.
Dining Tables & Chairs: Target, Ikea, JC Penney, Overstock, West Elm, World Market, Pier 1, Craigslist, thrift stores.
Console & Media Tables: Target, JC Penney, West Elm, CB2, Ikea, World Market.
Coffee Tables & Side Tables: Target, Ikea, West Elm, CB2, JC Penney, Z Gallerie, Crate & Barrel, specialty retailers, Craigslist, thrift stores.
Throw Pillows, Towels & Linens: Target, HomeGoods, Pier 1, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, CB2, Overstock, Kohl’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Z Gallerie, Urban Outfitters, West Elm.
Hardwood Floors: Lumber Liquidators, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ikea.
Electronics (TVs, Radios, etc.): Target, Best Buy, Walmart.
Ottomans & Benches: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, West Elm, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, JC Penney, Overstock.
Decorative Accessories: Z Gallerie, Target, West Elm, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, World Market, Pier 1, Ballard Designs, Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, CB2, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters.
Mirrors: Target, West Elm, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, JC Penney, Ballard Designs, Z Gallerie, Overstock.
Art & Wall Decor: Ikea, Etsy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Pier 1, West Elm, Target, Ballard Designs, Z Gallerie, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, JC Penney.
Servingware & Kitchen Accessories: Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, World Market, Pier 1, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Ikea.
Vases: Michael’s, Target, Crate & Barrel, thrift stores, Ikea.
Storage Boxes, Bins & Baskets: Ikea, Target, Marshall’s, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, The Container Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, West Elm, Crate & Barrel.
Cabinetry & Countertops: Home Depot, Ikea (affordable butcher block and cabinetry), Lowe’s, KraftMaid, local stone yards, Corian.
Kitchen & Laundry Appliances: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, Best Buy.
Bedding: Bed Bath & Beyond, West Elm, Target, Ikea, JC Penney, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, The Company Store, Overstock, HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshall’s.
Shelves & Bookcases: Ikea, Target, World Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, JC Penney, Overstock, West Elm, CB2.
Ceramic Animals & Quirky Decor: Z Gallerie, Ballard Designs, Target, HomeGoods, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, thrift stores, eBay.
Pet Supplies (Bowls & Beds): Target, Overstock, specialty pet retailers.
Shower Curtains & Liners: Amazon, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, JC Penney, Walmart.
Dressers & Armoires: Target, West Elm, Ikea, JC Penney, Overstock, World Market, Craigslist, thrift stores.
Outdoor Furniture: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, Target.
Other Online Marketplaces: Large marketplaces and comparison sites make it easy to search multiple vendors and compare prices quickly; a simple keyword search will turn up many options across categories.
Finally, remember that DIY projects can refresh your home without buying everything new. Sewing pillows and curtains, upholstering a chair, or building a headboard and a small table are satisfying, cost-effective ways to personalize your space. We encourage you to mix store-bought pieces with handmade upgrades for a layered, collected look.
We hope this list becomes a helpful reference. If we’ve missed any categories or your go-to stores aren’t listed, please share them—your recommendations will make this guide even better for everyone.