Where To Get The Best Modern Furniture And Decor That Doesn't Break The Bank

Ikea, Target, and Wayfair are common starting points for budget-conscious shoppers seeking furniture for a mid-century modern home, but don't be afraid to broaden your search. No matter which flavor of modern design you prefer — mid-century, Scandinavian, or something else entirely — you'll find the right balance of price and quality when you add more contenders into the mix. To maximize bang for your buck, comparison shop as you search for seasonal sales, clearance sections, and loyalty programs that unlock extra discounts.

Local resellers can help you save hundreds of dollars on big-ticket items. If you're willing to treat bargain shopping like a scavenger hunt, peruse thrift stores, consignment shops, and estate sales, which are treasure troves of gems from eras past. Flea markets and garage sales also teem with mid-century goods, and their vendors are sometimes open to price negotiation. In some communities, the "for sale" sections of Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and Craigslist contain gently used finds from modern-decor mainstays like West Elm or CB2.

Live near a university? See if it liquidates furniture from offices and waiting rooms. University surplus centers often carry bargain-priced mid-century desks as well as tables, seating, shelving, and lighting. Want a more streamlined shopping experience? Prioritize online storefronts that let you sort products by style and price. The product list at AptDeco, a secondhand furniture marketplace, can also be filtered by size and color. Modern brands such as Jonathan Adler and Blu Dot are well represented, and in most cases, items sell for a fraction of their retail value. For example, in December 2024, a Jonathan Adler Ether apartment sofa sold on AptDeco for $1,300, a 55% discount.

Many online retailers specialize in modern furnishings, but clean lines aren't always cheap. What's more, some stores charge for shipping or returns. Factor these fees into your budget. In addition to granting free shipping, Apt 2B helps you customize a sectional to fit your space and taste, saving you the hassle of returning a bulky sofa. This shop's dining room bundles are a good value, too. The Ralston bundle includes a large table and four chairs for under $1,650.

Nathan James offers free shipping for its entire website, which brims with arched TV console credenzas ($1,199.97 for three), fluted three-drawer dressers ($459.99), and other pieces highlighting wood's natural beauty. Though Living Spaces typically charges for shipping, its flat fee includes furniture assembly. Plus, if something you buy here sells for less elsewhere, staff match the price, then subtract 10%. Living Spaces peddles modern staples like the Eames-inspired Amala leather swivel chair and ottoman ($1,295 per set, $5,600 less than the originals by Herman Miller) and fun finds like a sea green rope-and-steel indoor-outdoor papasan lounge chair ($165 on clearance).

Accessible prices abound on Wayfair's sister site AllModern. In addition to finding vintage-inspired furniture for your modern home, you'll enjoy browsing Linea color-blocked faux-cashmere throws ($45), Marimekko's graphic floral Unikko cotton duvet covers ($150 for a queen), and similarly vibrant decor. H&M's home section nails the Scandinavian modern look and sells it at prices that entice Ikea shoppers. A mushroom-shaped metal table lamp ($59.99) and sculptural stoneware mini-vases ($17.99 for three) can enliven your office, while a mango-wood side table with spherical feet ($259) could make a statement in your living room.

Online overstock dealers such as Amazon Outlet and Bed Bath & Beyond carry priced-to-move rugs, curtains, throw pillows, and more. They also offer coupons and shipping options that garage sales don't. The key is locating products that help you achieve your goal, whether it's designing a modern Scandinavian bedroom or using decor to bring back the 1950s in your kitchen. One strategy involves searching for modern-design brands. Bed Bath & Beyond carries Christopher Knight Home, a furniture line with a masculine mid-century look, and Plank+Beam, which sells solid-wood tables, chairs, and platform beds with an unfussy Scandinavian vibe. Amazon Outlet sells Walker Edison, Modway, and other affordable brands that lean modern. It formerly offered the walnut-colored Walker Edison Saxon mid-century modern glass-shelf TV stand for $182, a 45% discount.

Smaller bargain shops like Bob's Discount Furniture sometimes have better deals or items that sold out at behemoth retailers. Searching for "mid-century" yields the long, low-set Bettie 86-inch sofa ($499), Bettie triangle nesting tables ($100 for three), and other pieces that echo 1960s interiors. With numerous furnishings designed for small spaces, Bob's is a good resource for apartment dwellers.

Still drawn to Target and Ikea? Try to get their products at a discount. Liquidation chains such as Bargain Hunt and Falling Prices salvage unsold Target merchandise (including furniture) and sell it at marked-down prices. If you're headed to Ikea, hit the "as-is" section for bargains, or pre-shop it in the "secondhand corner" of your local store's website. Though some of these wares have cosmetic damage, many are good-as-new returns or discontinued items that exude Ikea's simple, modern aesthetic.