I like to think of my apartment as a cake. So when looking at where to buy furniture — stay with me peeps — only the best "ingredients" will make a premium finishing product.
Just like when making beautifully-made baked goods, you need some good-quality staples when decorating an apartment. Sofas and tables are the "flour" to give the space structure, lighting = the eggs (aka raising agent to add ambiance). And only then, once you've got your "sponge," can you think about icing/frosting with accessories. Still following?
Not everyone wants their space to look so "vanilla." Heck, I don't even like red velvet (get over it, people). So if you want your apartment to be bougie with flavor that few have, you'll need to spend time sourcing your interior elements.
ICYMI, I've already written a whole piece on where to buy cheap furniture, but if you've got a little more in the piggy bank, come shopping with me.
Where to buy furniture — our top five recommendations
OK, so this isn't blank-check territory, but it is nicer than my more affordable edit. Here, you'll find the places I Google most when it's payday, and I either want to shop now or build my basket for later.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.
1. Anthropologie
Depending on how old you are, you'll either remember the OG Aladdin (circa 1992) or the live-action remake in 2019. Either way — this reminds me of The Cave of Wonders. Except no peril will come to you if you touch the products. Buying a beautiful area rug or an Anthropologie mirror is highly encouraged. One of my three wishes in fact.
Anthro's memorial day sale may have been and gone, but their classic designs are worth investing in. In fact, it's a known fact that brands we see on the high street dupe their designs. Take the Ikea RAMEBO mirror for example, which is uncannily like the Gleaming Primrose mirror.
$268
Size (in.): H21.5 x D14
Material: Brass-plated aluminum base, marble
Color: White/gold
This sweet-as-honey side table won't sting your bank balance. Made from premium materials, your drinks and snacks will be within arm's reach without the risk of toppling over. We love the beehive detail and cute buzzy bees that are cast in antique brass.
$448
Size (in.): H24.5 x W22 x D16
Material: Solid eucalyptus, engineered hardwood, and acorn-finished acacia wood veneer
Color: Brown
Though this nut-colored nightstand is designed with mid-century modern style in mind — it has all the smart features you'd expect in today's world. This bedroom storage unit has two power outlets and two USBs — perfect for charging your phone and plugging in a night light or white noise machine.
From $598
Size (in.): H17 x W55 x D18
Material: Hardwood frame, foam inner cushion
Color: Magenta
Give your entryway effortless Sex and the City vibes with this Magenta velvet bench. What I love most is that there's no assembly needed and all the legs and the cushion is removable which makes cleaning and maintaining it super easy!
2. CB2
Owned by the same parent company as Crate & Barrel, CB2 is a home furnishings division geared toward young adults (I guess that's us, right?) The parent company describes its sister brand as somewhere you go if you're looking for "modern flair" or a "touch of whimsy"
Looking for fun, fresh, furniture for lofts and apartments? Follow me, bb.
From $699
Size (in.): H18.5 x W60 x D19.5
Material: Pine, plywood, and iron frame with Poly/nylon/cotton blend performance fabric.
Color: Pewter or ivory
Fancy yourself as a bit of a bubblecore bae? Then add this storage bench to your basket. Available in either Pewter or ivory, this curvy seat would look great sat at the end of the bed, or in your hallway.
IDK about you, but to me, this bench hits the brief for quiet luxury. At first, it might just look like a long piece of counter seating, but look closely and you'll see that true beauty that shines through the acacia wood and leather weave. Personally, the black-on-black colorway is *chef's kiss* but I won't be mad if you choose the khaki green suede cord version.
$999
Size (in): H9.6 x W54.5 x D15.8
Made from: FSC ®-certified wood and brass hooks
Color: Black/Natural
As far as small hallway storage goes, I'm not usually a massive fan of hall trees, but I can make an exception for this one. Combine classic mahogany, brass hooks, and cane and you've got a recipe for success.
3. Crate & Barrel
From one sister brand to another. If you'd prefer to keep things timeless, C&B might be more your cup of tea. Part of the Otto Group, Crate & Barrel is a brand that bases itself on global influences. It works with more than 100 artists and designers from around the world. From the U.S. to Thailand and countries in between, they curate inspired designs to provide exclusive products in every category.
$99.94
Size (in): H76 x W27.5 x D20
Material: Solid hardwood and engineered wood
Colors: Black
Quit sitting on your bed to WFH or revise for your college exams. If you thought you'd have to spend $100s of dollars to buy a small desk — I've saved you time, money, and space. This leaning, modular design includes shelving too, so you won't need to fork out on a separate bookshelf for all your materials. But be quick — it's on final sale!
$299
Size (in): H17.25 x W28.25 x D18.5
Material: Boucle
Colors: Cream
Footrest or snack float? Get a piece of on-trend boucle furniture that can do both with this upholstered ottoman. Or buy multiple to create bench-style seating. The possibilities are endless.
$499
Size (in): H39 x W18 x D22
Material: Leather, wood, foam, aluminum, brass, and steel
Colors: White/black/navy with either brass or chrome frame
Leave the croissants in the kitchen and sort out your posture with a proper office chair. With premium leather, an engineered wood core with foam padding a cast aluminum base, and brass-plated steel tube arms — consider this an investment for your future. And yes, the inner kid in you *is* allowed to play with the gas-lift height adjustment.
4. West Elm
If you're a mid-century modern mamma, make way for West Elm. Most people usually assume you've got to have a pretty healthy bank account to step into this store (or a huge house), but I've kept my imaginary cart picks under $800. Plus, they've even got a small space edit made for pocket-sized pads.
$189
Size (in): H20 x W19 x D20
Material: Mango veneer over engineered wood, metal
Colors: Natural/black
Bring a slither of Indian warmth into your lounge with this beautiful Mango wood side table. It's the perfect companion for chilled evenings and lazy Sunday mornings. Wine or coffee, book or Real Homes magazine, swap in your method of rest and relaxation.
$269
Size (in): H69 x W10.4 x L39.5
Material: Bamboo/Plastic
Colors: Natural
Section off your open-place space with the help of this Zeze room divider. This boho-chic, seventies-inspired decor is great for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six, and it folds up for easy storage and transport.
$799
Size (in): H28.7 x W67.3 x D33.3
Material: Velvet (100% polyester), engineered wood, solid rubberwood legs
Colors: Clay
This how-low-can-you-go small sofa is the epitome of couch goals. Its caramel-hued seat is perfect for apartments and smaller living rooms and though it looks squishy-soft, it's a 3 out of 5 on the firmness factor.
5. Pottery Barn Teen
Home hack! If you like Pottery Barn but feel like you're not quite "grown up" yet, then let me introduce you to Pottery Barn Teen. This, IMO is the halfway house between say Pottery Barn and Dormify for example (just not as "collegecore" as the latter).
From $199
Size (in): H32.25 x W40.5 x D4
Material: Medium-density fiberboard and 100% micro-denier polyester warp knit velvet
Colors: Available in five colors (velvet blush, velvet ivory, chunky boucle, eco-performance textured weave oat, and velvet white)
Never run out of juice again. Whether it's to charge your phone, headphones, or iPad, you'll always have one USB port and a 9-inch 3-prong outlet close by. Simply mount it using the 3M Velcro or D-ring mounting hardware that's included; it's a matter of two anchors and two screws.
$449
Size (in): H22 x W36 x D34.5
Material: Pine wood, polyurethane foam with polyester fill
Colors: Lilac
Looking for a li'l something-something that's got a quirk? Best believe this is going to do allllllll the "werk." Poetry aside, this 360-degree chair is giving me all the Y2K vibes with tinted sunglasses and a foundation that hasn't been blended down to my neck. Thank God for no social media.
From $2,799
Size (in): H43.5 x W41 x L79 (twin)
Material: Poplar, spruce, birch veneers, and MDF for support
Colors: Weathered White or Brushed Charcoal
It can be a challenge getting a bed, shelving, and storage into a studio apartment. This is where this all-encompassing piece of furniture comes in handy. The ingenious design comes complete with four spacious drawers and shelves at the end, ideal for stowing books and phone accessories.
Other places to buy furniture
Still on the hunt for fine-ass furniture? You might like these stores instead...