The Most Affordable OR Splurge-Worthy Gifts For The Design and Home Lover

Welcome to the gift guide for the home design enthusiast…or let’s face it, maybe you are the home enthusiast wanting to get your house more dialed in before hosting people. While shopping for this, I really curated with my gut – I only chose pieces that got me SO excited. Pieces that felt really noteworthy either by being really stylish and fresh, OR by being so affordable and good (and a few affordable and easy to style staples in the mix). Head to the home gift guide page to see so many other options that are also rad, and keep reading for the best pieces or coolest/most affordable out there right now IMHO.

I think the fastest way to make a room look cool is a piece of vintage art, but the second is a statement lamp. This is the power of styling, and I’m telling you, it elevates a simple sofa or a boring wall color so fast.

Y’all, there are a lot of lamps out there – many really, really good ones (although honestly so many seem to be over $200 these days, which is pretty wild). I really fell in love with all of these and tried to keep them affordable.

Wood and Fabric Shade Lamp: The grain of the wood with the shape of the wavy shade makes this so pretty, and still really easy to mix into almost any style. Very elevated for the price.
Blue Scallop Lamp: I love the playfulness and whimsy of this Schoolhouse lamp (and it comes in a few different colors and as a sconce).

Wood Trumpeted Floor Lamp: The shape of the base and fabric shade on the standing lamp (which are typically more expensive) make this look really elevated.
Wicker Table Lamp: Similar wicker lamps were around $400, and we all know that wicker in modern shapes has a real ability to make a room feel warm and casual (I love this shape).

Traviata Table Lamp: When you think you’ve seen every lamp…Sezane did it.
Handmade Striped Lamp: I have and adore this lamp by a local maker. Support small!!

Both of these lamps make such a statement for the lower price point. Hang the paper lamp in a corner to engage it, pull your eye over, AND add a really pretty ambient light. The black base is so sculptural, graphic, and will edge up any room (and every room needs a hit of black – and I promise this can be mixed with more traditional design).

These two stood out for being striking in either color or shape. The green metal dome light is high gloss in the more muted green (so good), and the shape of the Imani lamp is just so pleasing to the eye while being in a really “safe” color.

I’m pretty obsessed with both of these. The white fabric-covered lamp will give off really good ambient light in such a cool shape, while the Vincenza lamp has such a strong, striking base with the prettiest little brass knob for a more high-end piece.

No doubt one of my favorite gifts to give is a candle with pretty matches. I think that brass matchbox is such a great gift – with their initials on it? Stop it. But if you want to save some money or not wait, Target finally came out with a great glass cloche match holder that would pair so nicely with a candle.

I chose these two candles because they stood out to me, but goodness, there are so many on the market. The Flamingo Estate “Heirloom tomato” scent has such a cult following, sells out over and over and over, that I HAD to try it (despite its $$$ price tag). It’s so good. The green scallop candle is more of a really pretty coffee table piece (we used it in the dark burgundy at my brother’s), and the shape makes your eye dance in a really nice way (see it above).

That Sin tray is so beautiful (splurgy for a real design lover). The HUGE black tray also comes in a brown wood, and I promise, y’all, huge trays tend to be like $200 (or ugly). Every time I walk into World Market and see it, I’m like “wow, that’s a great tray”. Tempted to hoard it.

The Sin Candle Holder: It’s splurgy, but it comes as a single and double for much less. The shape with or without candles in it is such a good styling move that adds so much movement to a stack of books (see my brother’s family room above for proof).
Burgundy Marble Tray: The tray that I can’t stop using. I bought this for Robyn’s living room and my brother’s house – the color, the shape, the lip, the size – it’s perfect for remotes, a candle, as a coaster, in a bathroom, entry, or to hold your pretty salt and butter dish on your counter.

Copenhagen Tray: I bought this tray at a local shop (shout out to Form and Function) and have the large version on my coffee table (the feet are very cute and I love the mixed finishes).
Calista Vase: If you only buy one big vase, I love this one (also comes in white). The shape is really easy to arrange flowers in (narrow mouth that widens), and the matte texture is soft and so easy to work into any style.

Another solidly good tray that I have in both light oak and black (entry, coffee table, office). And I love this sweet little homemade Scandi candle holder from an Etsy maker.

It’s true that I love the new Sarah Sherman Samuel collection with Lulu and Georgia – that vase is so sculptural and beautiful. The big creamy tray is a very good price for how “elevated farmhouse” it is.

I became obsessed with this vase after I saw it in Jess’s room makeover. Those colors.
I am definitely in a “picture frames of family all over my house” phase. I love this one.

I harp on this every year because I believe in them as great gifts so much – Olive oil cruets that look really pretty on your kitchen counter bring me daily joy. The brass one is dope, but the glass ones are also really pretty (I have multiple versions). I also love the color and the large ball on the stoneware one!

Colorful glasses are having a massive moment, and I don’t think that’s going away. These burgundy glasses would look gorgeous on a bar. And what a pretty bowl for your island for fruit or as a salad bowl.

A couple splurgier pieces that I personally want. That blue pitcher is incredible – how stunning on a bar?? And I’m a massive fan of local pottery studio, Notary Ceramics, and while this scalloped cake plate is very expensive, if you can afford to support a small maker, this one is a fantastic one.

Another gorgeous centerpiece hat makes your eyes dance. I also found this one on Etsy if you’d rather support a small maker. The wood scallop bowls would look stunning on a shelf (and think about nuts, olives, etc).

Another handmade Etsy gift (the salt cellar) that would look really pretty on a counter, perhaps next to a pretty butter dish (I have and love that one). I also love this butter dish by Studio McGee.

I just bought myself this scallop cutting board (in the largest version) because it makes me so happy to use every day. And what a pretty tea kettle for someone who uses one daily on their counter.

Very impressed with this French press (that color is so pretty) and one more olive oil cruet for anyone who wants to go a bit more French country (I have this one, too).

The ruffle on those affordable tea towels gets me (and comes in a few colors). While the trio of bowls is expensive, I think they could be great individual gifts with a pack of pistachios (is that just a weird stylist move?). But if you are into charcuterie, these are so pretty.

That pieced velvet pillow is so excellent (and can dress up any basic pillows nearby). Love that ochre check throw (year-round).

The tapestry trend has finally hit an affordable price point with that pillow (thanks to Lone Fox + Joon Loloi). And a burgundy plaid blanket for those of us who love modern (non-80s) looking plaids.

Sezane launched some home items this year and KILLED IT with their velvet textiles and lamps. Probably the most talked about pillow of the year (lol) is the black and white round stripe from Pierce & Ward’s West Elm collection.

I saw this quilt in person and gasped. It also comes in a couple of other colorways, but how gorgeous! Another fantastic Sezane mixed material diagonal striped pillow (canvas and velvet).

A brand new collaboration between Schoolhouse and Pendleton (shout out to my Portland brands), this quilt is so beautiful with that pop of cobalt (clearly, I’m really into it). The round wine-toned pillow has a great contrasting trim on it, and I used it in the newest update of my living room.

If you want my kid’s opinion, this is the softest faux fur blanket out there. I’m sure there are others (the Pottery Barn one below is also so soft), but we have this one in that icy blue and we LOVE IT. Love the blue/navy reversible throw to punch up a room.

Another homespun quilt (clearly a theme for me) in a more contemporary colorway and pattern. And a bigger faux fur blanket (that comes in really rich colors). Also incredibly soft (they call it “the softest,” which is bold!).

The last blankets (my goodness, I love blankets). The Schoolhouse one was our #1 selling item from last year’s guide, and the colors and quality are too good not to include again. It’s just STUNNING. Buy a boring sofa and put this on the back to make it interesting immediately. But I also love this broken stripe blanket, too.

Art is almost impossible for most people to buy (out of fear). I scoured Etsy to try to find any artists that had a nice inventory of original, affordable art that I loved (paintings, watercolor, collages) and found some solidly good options (and I love supporting small artists – do it if you can!). How pretty are both of those paintings???

The watercolor artist has a huge inventory, with the prettiest colors, and you can frame them in readymade Target or Michaels frames so easily. For those who like more contemporary art, don’t sleep on these weird/cool collages.

I’m pretty over white towels except in guest rooms. They just don’t stay super white long enough (I also use a lot of self-tanner, lol). So you are about to see a bunch of super cute, colorful towels that will last a lot longer (won’t stain) and can dress up your simple bathroom.

If you have to see your basket, make it pretty. The scalloped wicker is great for bathrooms/closets or bedrooms, while the floor basket I’ve had forever and holds blankets (because clearly I have a blanket hoarding problem).

This is my bed basically, and I’m extremely picky (and a bit of a diva, TBH). I love these percale sheets so much (also love the pattern – light but not just white). I love their percale duvet cover as well – just really soft and cooling (and comes in a lot of colors and patterns). The duvet insert is so soft, and neither too hot nor cold (get the all-season for that). And my Leesa Sapira Chill Mattress is hands down the best mattress for what I love – soft on top (like a GD cloud!) and then supportive underneath. Elliot, my sister, and multiple friends now have it and LOVE IT. I love getting into bed every night so much.

While these aren’t as much show pieces, the linen and solid velvet options out there are necessary to mix in (and boy have I ever). I threw in the striped pillow because I think that it’s fantastic for being a neutral pattern (and everyone can use a broken black/white stripe in their life).

Stackable Ribbed Durable Glasses: They come in really pretty colors (and are affordable). These look so pretty for everyday glasses.
Dutch Oven: It’s my firm belief that you don’t need a Le Creuset (sure, they are great!). This is far less and still looks so good on your stove (or if you want a splurgier one I love this from Made-in).
Skinny Measuring Spoons: I know these measuring spoons aren’t design forward, but I’m done with the ones that don’t fit inside my spice jars and make a mess every time. These wash without rusting or having paint/enamel flake off and nest nicely in your drawer.

What a pretty jewerly box for your nightstand, bathroom, or vanity and you could even put it by that adorable scallop tray. The cableknit candle + matches is such a great gift (and so affordable).

Green Tray: Thank you for not putting handles in this tray (I like the streamlined look).
Nesting Shaker Boxes: I’ve had a thing for shaker boxes ever since I was 22 – Fantastic stacked, nested or broken up.
Stash Box: What a sweet little homemade stash box by an Etsy maker. Write a compliment, fold it and put inside for a really solidly sweet gift.

Leather Wrapped Rock: It’s not for everyone – but trust me that everyone on the EHD team has one or wants one (it’s Anthro rock adjacent but only $25 – IYKYK).
Patterned Porcelain Cups: This Etsy shop is so stinking cute (and a lot of other floral patterns as well). Think toothbrush holder, pen holder, vase or of course you could drink from them 🙂
Footed Bowl: So great and in a really pretty organic shape and color.

Cheese Board and Ramekin Set: I love this set, and perfect for the charcuterie lover (olives in the ramekin).
Wood Box: A pretty box with a nice texture and lovely brass metallic detail.

Burgundy Catchall: I used that Clare V. Catchall in so many shoots this year – it just catches the light in such a pretty way, with a really rich color and a shape that contrasts perfectly off a stack of books.
Candlestick Holder: Sin candlesticks, on more time – these architectural candle holders make such a statement.

OK y’all. I could obsess about this list for longer, but the good news is that I’ll be adding to the For The Home shop page almost daily, so keep checking over there and let me know if you have any requests in the comments! I feel like I know the entire internet now 🙂

*Unless Otherwise Noted, Photos by Kaitlin Green