Maybe you’re envisioning a cozy minimalist bedroom. Or perhaps it’s you have your heart set designing a hygge-chic home office. Either way, we get it. We love the Scandi furniture behemoth that is Ikea, too. So, if you love Ikea’s look, but hate waiting months for back-ordered products—or aren’t sure you can spare five hours to wind your way through the massive store—here are 14 alternative options that have everything from affordable, minimalist furniture and decor to contemporary designer pieces that make Ikea look like child’s play.
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What They Sell: Functional, modern design for casual spaces
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Price Point: Affordable (furniture starts at $100)
Umbra is basically Ikea-lite, with a thoughtful selection of “original, modern, casual” pieces from bar carts to makeup storage. If Ikea gives you decision fatigue, Umbra is a great alternative. For example, when it comes to coffee tables, they have three distinct options (including this 1960s modernist we have our eyes on). While their price point might not be Ikea-accessible, they are far more affordable than, say, a Design Within Reach. Make a statement with an oversized arched floor mirror ($183), add dimension with an acrylic stool ($283) or simply get organized with an over-the-sink dish rack ($24).
If you’re more concerned about crafting an organic modern aesthetic and less concerned about budget, then you’re about to die and go to design heaven. 2modern offers a gamut of exclusive designer homewares that are manufactured and shipped from around the globe. And when we say ‘exclusive designer,’ we mean everything from Kelly Wearstler’s famous lip sofa to classic brass-polished floor lamps by Jonathan Adler.
Floyd Home is a hidden gem. The Michigan-based furniture brand began as a Kickstarter campaign in 2015 and raised 14 times their initial goal—mainly because it was founded on the belief that furniture should be built with modern living in mind. The shop sells a range of simple-to-build, affordable pieces—think bed frames, sectionals, dining tables, shelving units—many of which include customizable options.
Decor lovers, this one goes out to you. While H&M Home is still developing its furniture offerings, its refined decor selection is the most aesthetically pleasing (and most affordable) we’ve seen. Seriously, we’re talking checkered doormats for $18, Chanel coffee table books for $40, stoneware serving dishes for $13 and wool-blend throws for $35. Our two cents? If you’re in need of elegant-looking decor on a budget, *this* is how you do it.
As the name suggests, All Modern is probably one of the more affordable online destinations for mid-century modern everything—from furniture and decor to serveware and storage. Think: Mad Men with a glitzy, ‘80s metallic spin. And FWIW, we just spotted an 8-light sputnik chandelier that totally nails this year’s sculptural lighting trend.
Article combines Ikea’s clean lines and understated colors with premium materials and manufacturing. The brand carries everything from buildable sectionals, outdoor furniture, decor and more—and it even has a ‘shop by room’ feature if you’re someone who needs to see items in a space before purchasing. What’s more, the brand offers a flat $49 shipping fee on all orders—regardless of the size of your item(s). Sure, the furniture is pricier, but it’s still one of the more affordable options on this list compared to other retailers.
Blu Dot is another high-end Ikea alternative that you should definitely have on your radar. You’ve probably seen its best-selling Sunday sectional on your feed at one point or another, and the brand carries tons of contemporary staples that Instagrammers love—from ghost lamps and had-woven rugs to upholstered bed frames and swivel barstools. While its prices are more akin to West Elm, Blu Dot also guarantees that its products are manufactured with high-quality materials that can survive movers, change of seasons and general wear and tear.
Ah yes, Amazon. It has everything you need—from tech to tube socks—but did you know that it’s also hiding some ultra-modern furniture? It takes some sleuthing, but if you have the patience, you can find brands that offer woven leather accent chairs, capiz accent tables and sculptural ceiling pendants—all under $500. Plus, if you’re looking for a few knick-knacks to add to your entryway console, Amazon has a pretty impressive decor selection (and it’ll arrive on your doorstep in two to three days).
Another place you may have overlooked in the home department? Etsy. Just like Amazon, Etsy can be a bit of an undertaking when it comes to searching for modern furniture and decor. Yet, if you’re willing to put in the time, you’re bound to find some unique, contemporary pieces that give Ikea a run for its money. Think: linen upholstered headboards, curved coffee tables and ribbed glass vases. Not to mention that this is a great way to source vintage and handmade furniture without leaving the house.
If you’ve seen Target’s latest home collection, this one probably comes as no surprise. While it’s definitely a one-stop-shop for boho lovers, it also has a wide-range of sophisticated-farmhouse style pieces. Think: mixed-metal hardware, soft-neutral tones and solid patterns. We recommend you hone in on their brand partnership with Studio McGee for everything from contemporary metal patio loveseats to oversized throw pillows with clean lines.
If sustainability is essential to your bottom line, consider shopping at Burrow. This brand is centered around combating the “fast furniture” trend by crafting functional pieces with premium, durable materials. Plus, we love how in addition to a Scandi-style aesthetic, many of their items include built-in chargers, multipurpose trays or modular assembly.
Another hidden gem you probably haven’t heard of? Albany Park. This brand was created with simplicity and affordability in mind—they also want to eliminate the fatigue of furniture shopping, delivery and installation. The shop features three seating collections—Albany, Park and Kova—and includes everything from sectionals and loveseats to armchairs and ottomans. Plus, everything comes in lightweight, apartment-friendly packaging that can easily be maneuvered in stairwells and tight hallways.
While we love Walmart’s affordable prices, we were also surprised to discover its mix of contemporary furniture and mid-century modern decor from big brands. We’re talking sleek brass lighting from Drew Barrymore Flower Home to natural fiber area rugs from Safavieh.
While we’ve equated this brand with college tapestries and rattan pendants in the past, do not sleep on Urban Outfitters home. Their selection has gotten an elevated, decluttered facelift in the last few years. Never would we ever expect to see this retro 6-drawer dresser or organic-shaped coffee table in UO’s spring collection.
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PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow’s editorial and sales departments.
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