Where Do Millennials Shop for Home Decor?
Millennials are currently the largest generation in the United States, which means that we have some serious buying power when it comes to home decor. If you were born between 1981 and 1996, congratulations - you are a millennial. Welcome to the club! It also means that most millennials are in the stage of life where they are ready to have a nice home, whether it’s owned or rented. Gone are the post-college days of cobbled together furniture that may or may not come exclusively from IKEA. We are ready for furniture and home decor that looks nice and lasts for years to come.
Enter the dilemma…where does one shop for quality, yet affordable home decor?
I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into my favorite picks for stores and brands that will help cultivate a beautiful home, no matter your style.
Popular Home Decor & Furniture Brands for Millennials:
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My home office, decorated with a mix of vintage (dresser, knick-knacks), West Elm (vase), Pottery Barn (faux-greenery stems, frames), Etsy (candle, art) and Crate & Barrel (frames).
Amazon
It’s no secret that millennials have a bit of an Amazon obsession. The convenience and accessibility is just so dang appealing! What I like about Amazon is that you can find really functional pieces on a budget, and with a fast delivery time. My tip for Amazon home decor is to sprinkle it in with more high-end pieces from other retailers to create a layered decor look. Often times it is hit or miss, so be sure to carefully read reviews! I personally would not purchase furniture that I plan to sit or lounge on without testing it out first, so I’d recommend skipping things like sofas or accent chairs. Rather, focus on wall decor, lamps, throw blankets and storage items.
Anthropologie
I have a bit of an Anthropologie obsession and have quite a few pieces mixed in with my home decor (most recently the curtains in our living room!) Shop here for unique, showstopper pieces that you want to splurge on. I’d say the design aesthetic is vibrant, colorful and textural-bohemian, with a touch of organic influences. There are a few brick-and-mortar stores that have design centers with furniture in-person, which are a real treat to explore, as you get to touch and feel all the fabrics and materials. In general, I find that most Anthro stores include a home decor section with great candles, dishware/glassware and smaller decor items - perfect for finding last-minute gifts and special knick-knacks!
CB2
The cooler cousin to Crate & Barrel is CB2. I highly recommend checking out this store if your style leans Organic Modern, with a bit of Paris Modern and Old World Revival. Their pieces typically feel super contemporary and just cool (there’s no better word for it!). That ‘Old World Revival’ vibe helps their collections lean slightly vintage, like you found it in a boutique shop in an off-the-beaten-path shop in Europe. It’s all about the unexpected and unique trends. My most recent CB2 purchase was the extra long lumbar pillow in our primary bedroom and I love how it adds that contemporary flair to our space!
Crate & Barrel
Such a classic! Crate & Barrel is a millennial staple and I know that whatever I buy there is quality and will stand the test of time. Their design style is firmly in the “clean aesthetic” camp, with contemporary and modern influences. Whether it’s furniture, kitchenware, decor pieces, or seasonal decor, Crate & Barrel will have everything you’re looking for. I also love stopping by here to find a birthday or hostess gift because most households will seamlessly blend with the Crate & Barrel neutral style. I often see this store on wedding registries as well, which is such a testament to their versatility and timelessness. My most recent purchase from here is a leather-wrapped table lamp for my home office - I’m in love with it!
Our primary bedroom, decorated with a mixture of West Elm (dresser, curtains, jewelry box), vintage (art print, vase), Target (frames), and Amazon (faux-florals).
Pottery Barn
Another classic and principal brand for many millennials. Part of the Williams-Sonoma brand, Pottery Barn is similar to Crate & Barrel in that it’s a brand you can trust. The furniture you buy here should last for years and years. Pottery Barn’s aesthetic is perfectly transitional, with both classic and contemporary influences blending together to create comfortable and inviting pieces. A lot of their collections have a modern-farmhouse vibe and there is a whole section of their inventory that leans coastal. So if you are decorating a mountain house or a beach cottage, Pottery Barn will have you covered. Otherwise, you can be sure to enjoy the timeless quality of their decor in your home. I specifically love their lighting and dishware, although our most recent Pottery Barn purchase was our dining room table and chairs! Oh - and they are unmatched when it comes to holiday and seasonal decor. As a house warming gift, we were given a pair of concrete bunny statues for the yard and they bring me so much joy every time I look outside.
Target
There’s nothing quite like an afternoon grabbing Starbucks and browsing the aisles of Target. I love it for the essentials, the clothes, and the decor. What’s great about the home decor at Target is the designer collaborations showcasing a wide variety of design styles. From Joanna Gaines to Shea McGee to Jungalow, there is something for everyone. I’m all about decor that looks more expensive than it is, and Target really walks the line of high-end affordability. Now, that being said, I tend to like small decorative accessories from Target, like candles, vases and art. The furniture always photographs well, but isn’t necessarily the most well-made or comfortable. For things like media consoles and entryway tables (pieces that don’t need to be comfortable, just cute!) I would totally get it from Target. For things like accent chairs, just be sure to do a sit-test first!
West Elm
For any mid-century modern lovers out there, West Elm is the perfect place for you! I like how their collections feel modern and organic, while still creating a comfortable home environment. And the price point really isn’t that bad. Just like Pottery Barn, West Elm is part of the Williams-Sonoma family. Think of this store as the artsy-sister to Pottery Barn (kind of like how CB2 is to Crate & Barrel). I have a ton of West Elm in our home, from our sectional to our living room area rug. Our wedding registry was through West Elm, so a lot of our kitchenware is from here too, and I’m happy to report that after three years married, it’s held up great! Our Horizon wine glasses are a particular favorite (they look like science beakers - so cool!) A hot tip: the curtains from here are fantastic, especially the cotton velvet ones (as seen in our primary bedroom).
Vintage/Thrift
The negative to vintage or thrifted items is that I have nothing to link for you. The positive to vintage or thrifted items is that I have nothing to link for you! I love incorporating this category of home decor into every room of my house because it adds a layer of story and individuality. Not to mention the actual pastime of vintage shopping is one of my favorites. It’s like a treasure hunt! One of the best ways to make your home look curated and personalized to you is to add in a cool vintage vase, a sculptural object, or an art piece. Mixed in with your beautiful items purchased from one of the retailers above, a vintage piece can make your home feel unique. My two biggest tips when going thrifting is to have a general idea of where in your home you’d like something new to go and to bring a tape measure. Because you’ll never quite know what you’ll find, you can’t go into it with a really specific need in mind. Allow the thrill of the hunt to inspire you. And your tape measure will ensure that it will actually fit in your house!
Other Stores to Explore:
Arhaus
Article
Etsy
Homebody
Lulu & Georgia
Rejuvenation
Schoolhouse
Serena & Lily
World Market
