(Image credit: Sarah Coffey) We know — you're tired of seeing IKEA on every single affordable furniture list we pull together. It's one of the biggest and best sources for modern furniture on a budget... but, yes, it can get old. So, to make up for the IKEA overkill, here's a list of sources for cool furniture on the cheap. We tried to stick to non-obvious sources. (Don't worry — there's no West Elm or CB2 here either.) All stores listed below have e-commerce sites with online ordering. This Japanese store has multiple locations in New York City, as well as a US website for national orders. Their selection of sofas, beds, shelving, and tables is simple, stripped-down, and inexpensive. They have locations in New York and San Francisco, and they manufacture knockoffs of classic mid-century designs. The quality is much less solid than the real thing, but the prices are low. Based out of New Jersey, the Grove sells solid wood unfinished furniture. Styles tend to be basic and traditional, but it's a good source for cabinets and case goods that could be painted any color you like.
Related Video: Peter Klinkert Explains Why IKEA is a Leader in the Field All stores listed below have e-commerce sites or catalogs with phone/mail ordering. Roy's is a 30-year-old Chicago institution. They're known for excellent prices on upholstered furniture and big pieces like dining tables and beds, and they recently launched an online catalog. They have stores scattered throughout suburban metro areas in Illinois, Minnesota, and the Pacific Northwest. Styles are a mix of contemporary and Scandinavian-modern, and prices are affordable. This Chicago store focuses on modern metal-frame furniture. Not all of it is cheap, but there are some very affordably priced sofas, tables, and shelving. They tend to carry small-scale pieces designed for apartment living. Headquartered out of suburban Chicagoland, this catalog retailer specializes in industrial equipment. They'll happily sell to retail customers, and you can find sturdy shelves and stools at great prices.
Perfectly suited to this list, TINI stands for This-Is-Not-IKEA. This LA-based vintage furniture store has great prices on mid-century modern stuff, and their website is updated frequently. Serving the Northern California area, Hoot Judkins is an unfinished furniture store. They have a mix of modern and traditional solid wood pieces, from dining sets to beds. Stanford Surplus Property Sales Colleges and universities are rich furniture resources that are often overlooked. Many schools put used office and dorm furniture on sale at the end of the year, and Stanford even has a web catalog where you can search their inventory online. Top Photo: Larsen Chair, $350 at White Furniture Back to U.S. Website, APO/FPO FurnitureExtra 25% OffSelect Furniture by Abbyson*RugsExtra 15% OffSelect Area Rugs by Nourison*DécorExtra 15% offSelect Home Decor by Christopher Knight*Bed & BathExtra 10% OffSelect Bedding & Bath by Madison Park*Home ImprovementUp to 25% off + Extra 10% off Lighting & Ceiling Fans*KitchenExtra 10% OffKitchen & Dining*OutdoorExtra 10% offSelect Outdoor Furniture by Highwood*JewelryUp to 70% Off + Extra 10% OffJewelry*WatchesUp to 70% off + Extra 10% offWatches*WomenExtra 10% offWomens Clothing & Shoes*MenExtra 10% off Mens Clothing & Shoes*Kids & BabyShop Car
Seats MoreUp to 65% offSelect Luggage & Handbags* Shabby Chic is a decor style that uses aged furniture and other items to create a vintage look within the home. Worn around the edges or gently broken in, Shabby Chic is the perfect balance between luxury and lived-in. Frills and ruffles lend to a comfortable and soft space. Distressed furniture and vintage home decor bring intimacy to luxurious spaces, cozy up a large room, and utilize the nooks and crannies in your home. For the decor enthusiast who strives to use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without, Shabby Chic is your cup of tea. Whether you prefer a terraced house in a misty London borough or a whitewashed cottage tucked into a rural hillside, this type of decor is beloved for celebrating the beauty of aging objects that transform a house into a well-loved home. It's all about a collection of the things you love in a space you adore. From taupe to mint green, a Shabby Chic color palette can include white, pastels, and creams.
Start with a favorite neutral and work in rose quartz tones and muted greens to get a true Shabby Chic look. Add flair with pops of teal and turquoise or bold pinks and reds. For all of Shabby Chic's soft and billowing textiles, there is the organic and natural roughness of burlap to balance the look. This coarse textile is popular because it adds edge and texture to pretty places. In place of perfectly polished furniture, Shabby Chic embraces whitewash and layered, chipped paint. Texture and age are celebrated as a sign of well-loved furniture. Lace is dainty and delicate, making it a breezy companion to cottons and muslin cloth. From curtains to table runners, lace has always been a classic element of Shabby Chic. Tin and aluminum work best in a Shabby Chic environment when there's some wear and tear. Painted, sanded, and distressed metals create old-fashioned country charm. Giving the feel of an English Cottage, peonies and tea roses bloom across faded backgrounds.
Unmistakably prim and ladylike, these tiny blossoms can be incorporated into Shabby Chic interiors with a light hand to draw attention to the details. Even though this pattern has origins in Moroccan decor, pastel paisleys make a delicate and interesting addition to any Shabby Chic room. Paisley offers intricacy to an otherwise simple room. Simple stripes lead the eye through your space to give the illusion of tall ceilings or a bigger room. For a toned-down Shabby Chic design, stripes can be light and neutral. Reminiscent of the Renaissance, damask is back in lavish patterns with leaves, flowers, and feathers. This detailed fabric is unique because it comes in a huge assortment of colors and styles to help you take the chic up a notch. Shabby Chic Living Room Ideas Use throw pillows to add patterns and solid blocks of color to create interest in an otherwise neutral design. No decor is dismissed as too old or too new when creating a Shabby Chic space. Past and present marry to create an interior that is undeniably yours.
Shabby Chic began in Britain, reflecting country cottages that were quaint and full of character. From the delicate chandelier to the vintage-inspired coffee table, a Shabby Chic living room has a lived-in look. Elegant and fragile-looking accessories cover flat surfaces, meanwhile heavy furniture with plenty of storage spaces balances the room. Incorporating slipcovers updates furniture and adds Shabby Chic ruffles and patterns easily. Think of Shabby Chic as a chance to embrace the imperfections of a well-loved — and therefore well-used — space. Past and present marry to create an interior that is undeniably yours. Linen and muslin are a must in your Shabby Chic design. They create an inviting feel that will put you and your guests at ease. The light and airy qualities are perfect for layering and for filtering light in a dreamy way through curtains and lampshades. If there is a "must-have" element in Shabby Chic, it's distressed furniture. Sanded, cracked, and peeling paint are a Shabby Chic staple.
A weathered look dons chips, nicks, and scratches with grace. Shabby Chic easily incorporates storage as a decorating element. Trunks as side tables, wicker baskets for shoes and blankets, and curio cabinets to display treasures all bring character to a Shabby Chic living room. Shabby Chicists have admiration and affection for the stories every item has to tell. Hand-me-down lace, vintage vases, and crumpled cotton tell stories and add depth and texture to a design. Take time to find your storytellers. Shabby Chic Dining Room Ideas A pale, creamy palette draws the focus to pops of color in dinnerware and floral centerpieces. They say the fastest way to someone's heart is through their stomach, so share the love by feeding your dearest friends and family in a space that's designed to make everyone feel at home. A pale, creamy palette draws the focus to pops of color in dinnerware and floral centerpieces. All white isn't just for the clean edge of contemporary. This palette can easily be warmed up with cozy upholstery, a soft area rug, and inviting hardwood.
Typically built from repurposed barn wood, farmhouse tables are characterized by their rustic design and solid wood construction. A sturdy table will ensure that it will stand the test of many shared meals with friends and family. A crystal chandelier is an upscale accent piece that adds sparkle and contrast to a well-worn dining room. A Shabby Chic chandelier offers a soft sense of luxury for those who just want a dash of elegance in their Shabby Chic dining room. A large farmhouse table calls for plenty of seating. After all, the more the merrier when you're living the Shabby Chic lifestyle. Choose mix-and-match chairs or bench seating to create a cheerful dining room. Fresh or silk flowers in enchanting arrangements will bring a flower garden sentiment indoors. Shabby Chic flowers may include peonies, tea roses, wild flowers, and hydrangeas. Flower arrangements are also a great way to experiment with and change color accents when the mood strikes. Shabby Chic Bedroom Ideas
Everything about Shabby Chic is meant to be comforting and personal, and the bedroom includes both of those characteristics and more. Welcome sweet accessories such as charming curtains, pretty Shabby Chic photo frames, and tranquil throws. Don't shy away from soft, billowy, and downright fluffy items to fill your bedroom. Everything about Shabby Chic is meant to be comforting and personal... Petal pinks and powder blue are key when creating a soft sleeping space. Choose a shade that elicits a relaxing emotional response. For you, that may be white, but be sure to consider other colors in soft tones. Ruffles can be classy and timeless without looking fussy or over-the-top. Pintucked duvet covers, comforters, and curtains with ruffles can add the perfect touch of Shabby Chic to your space. Shabby Chic embraces the use of sugar, spice, and everything nice. The options for pretty patterns in a Shabby Chic bedroom are endless. Toile, floral, quatrefoil, and stripes all belong in the little details that make this bedroom yours.