"You know that cool girl whose perfectly curated apartment reflects her vibe to a T? Every piece of decor goes together seamlessly, and her space feels entirely unique to her. We all strive to be that girl, but more often than not, sourcing decor that reflects your individual style and personality is more challenging than it seems. It can feel like you’re constantly removing stuff from your cart because it’s way out of budget, not totally your style, or so basic you feel like you’ve seen it a million times before. No shade to more popular retailers, but if you’re only shopping at the same few home decor stores as everyone else, you’re never going to find pieces that really feel extraordinary. If you’re ready to refresh your shopping habits, keep reading for nine under-the-radar home decor stores where cool girls are shopping.
1. Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters may be a spot you usually turn to for clothes, but their home decor section shouldn’t be overlooked. From investment-worthy pieces like high-quality wood furniture to small, quirky knickknacks, there’s a huge range of home items with plenty of personality to fill your space. It’s a great place to shop if you love trying out new trends and unexpected styles.
2. H&M
If you want pieces that look chic and on-trend but don’t cost a fortune, H&M’s home section is the place to shop. They have tons of minimalist pieces with a high-end look but without the hefty price tag. Whether you want to refresh your bedding, invest in some new artwork, or snag some accessories to bump up your bookshelf wealth, you’re sure to find something you’re obsessed with.
3. MoMA Design Store
You might be familiar with the Museum of Modern Art as a tourist attraction, but the MoMA Design Store is a hidden gem full of all sorts of artsy decor pieces. The MoMA’s curatorial department selects the items they sell, so you know you’re getting high-quality, well-designed pieces. This retailer is the ideal source if you like to collect unique pieces that you haven’t seen anywhere else.
4. Magnolia
You may be familiar with Chip and Joanna Gaines’s Hearth & Hand collection at Target, but their best designs are sold directly through the Magnolia brand’s site. Think less modern farmhouse and more moody cottagecore. In addition to vintage-style decor and furniture that looks like you sourced it from a flea market, you can also find authentic, one-of-a-kind antiques in their Found + Collected section. For anyone who loves a cozy, collected-over-time look, this is about to be your new go-to.
5. Zara Home
Zara has been a go-to for fashion girlies for years, but the retailer’s home decor division doesn’t get the same hype. Head to the Zara Home site to find all sorts of products ranging from kitchen and dining essentials to decorative accessories to accent furniture. Almost everything boasts an affordable price tag and a chic contemporary look that’s definitely cool girl-approved.
6. Etsy
If you want truly individualistic pieces no one else will have, Etsy is the spot. The site has literally anything your interior design-loving heart might desire: affordable artwork, authentic vintage finds, handmade pieces from independent artists, and beyond. Plus, many sellers let you personalize their items, so you can get something completely one-of-a-kind.
7. Terrain
You may recognize some Terrain pieces from its sister store, Anthropologie, but they have even more incredible decor to shop at their own URL. The home and garden brand has many bright, fun pieces to add a pop of color to your space. It’s one of the best home decor stores to shop if you love garden-inspired pieces with lots of florals.
8. Society6
If you need to find prints to fill a gallery wall, Society6 is the place to look. The online marketplace sells artwork from over 450,000 independent artists, so the odds of finding something for your space are very much in your favor. Also, if you fall in love with one design, you can often find the same artwork on prints on throw pillows, trays, blankets, and more.
9. Local small businesses
Local small businesses are arguably the best place to find high-quality decor that isn’t a dime a dozen. Your neighborhood boutiques, vintage shops, and thrift stores will have a wide selection of pieces you can’t find at larger retailers. You’ll also be supporting the local economy and often purchasing secondhand. I mean, what’s cooler than being able to answer the “Where did you get that?” question with “I thrifted it.” If you aren’t sure how to find good small businesses near you, turn to social media to do some recon. Comb through hometown influencers or bloggers to see who they tag, or simply take a Saturday to go exploring! You can also find places through Facebook Marketplace (small businesses and pop-up shops often post items there) or ask your friends and family to see if they have any recommendations.
