Like any good 20-something, I love IKEA with every fiber of my being.
There’s something refreshing about wandering around in a housewares store where things don’t cost all of the dollars. That being said, it gets a little exhausting to know that your furniture is also everyone else’s furniture. Aside from that, IKEA has the affordable, modern decor game on lock…or does it? As it turns out, there are some great alternatives that can help you decorate your new apartment with sleek pieces that won’t break the bank.
Even better than that, they can help differentiate your decor from that of everyone else you’ve ever met.
1. Society 6
If you’ve ever tried to fill your apartment with modern decor and almost driven yourself into crippling debt, you know that the struggle is, as the kids say, so real. That’s where Society 6 comes in. This company gives artists the opportunity to sell their designs on everything from throw pillows to shower curtains. The best part is that the prices are incredible. I might visit this site on a weekly basis….I might.
2. CB2
Have you ever gone to a Crate & Barrel store and said, “HAHAHAHAHAHA NO”? Same. Fortunately for us, the masterminds behind that furniture powerhouse rolled out CB2, which is a more affordable alternative that hits the sweet spot right between Crate & Barrel and IKEA. They also have great outdoor furniture options!
3. Midnight Velvet
While Midnight Velvet sounds like the name of a company that might sell X-rated movies to minors, the brand is totally harmless (and totally awesome). Their collection actually has much more variety than IKEA’s, since they carry affordable pieces across the aesthetic spectrum. Oh, and they sell clothing, so after you find a great couch, you can spend all the money you saved on a new summer wardrobe. You’re welcome.
4. Muji
If you want something that’ll set your minimalistic heart aflutter, Muji is here for you. This is probably one of the most spot-on IKEA alternatives, so if you don’t want to have the same coffee table as your mom and your sister and your cousin and your cousin’s cousin, this store will hook you up.
5. AllModern
How do I love thee, AllModern? Let me count the ways. This Wayfair hosting site helps lovers of all things modern skip the traditional stuff and get right to the chic, streamlined treasures. From bathroom vanities to stunning lamps, this one-stop shop will help you fill your home from floor to ceiling without melting your credit cards.
6. Target
Most people look forward to hitting the club on Friday night, but me? I love going to Target. I live for Target. I’m going to need everyone to stop sleeping on Target. They slay the home fabrics game, so if you need curtains, blankets, throw pillows, or a rug that doesn’t inexplicably cost a million dollars, get your butt over to the best store of all time. Their great prices really softened the blow when my dog went ahead and vomited on my living room rug 30 minutes after I brought it home.
7. Bonus: Z Gallerie
Let me preface this by saying that Z Gallerie isn’t really in the same price bracket as IKEA, but if you’re really good at adulting and you can move up a financial step, Z Gallerie carries some of the most gorgeous contemporary furniture of all time. I’m not being hyperbolic. It is a scientific fact.
IKEA’s sleek aesthetic is amazing, and if you want to take that style up a notch, check Z Gallerie’s site out. They also run great sales every week for those of us who are still new to adulthood and its expensive charms.
And there you have it. Leaving IKEA behind is going to be hard, but I have faith in you.
(via BuzzFeed)
I stand by my decision to buy a $25 coffee table, and you can pry my IKEA bookshelf from my cold, dead hands. That being said, I know from experience that there are plenty of affordable options floating around out there. The Internet is your oyster, friends. If you need me, I’ll be giving all of my money to Society 6.
