Chic Style on a Budget: Look for Less Home Decor

Start with the layout decision, then the finish, then the pieces that get touched every day. Finding inexpensive home decor is easy. Finding inexpensive home decor that actually looks high-end? That's a little harder! But every once in a while, you stumble across one of those hidden gems that looks way more expensive than it actually is!

Today I'm sharing the preferred look for less home decor pieces that give you that designer look for a whole lot less. Think Serena & Lily, Pottery Barn, and Anthropologie style without the splurge. Let's dive in… (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})

Look for Less Home Accessories

Fluted Marble Bowl

A strong choice is the sculptural look of fluted marble bowls for styling a coffee table, console, or dining table. {This 12″ CB2 marble bowl} has a polished carved fluted design that gives it so much texture while still keeping the look simple and elegant:

But {this Quince look for less} is an especially good find! It has the same 12″ diameter, is also handcrafted from solid white marble, and has a very similar fluted silhouette for less than half the price! Since both are made from natural marble, each will have its own unique veining and color variations.

Splurge:CB2 Reve Round Fluted Marble Bowl | Save: Look for Less Marble Bowl

Shower Pumps

When we renovated the bathroom in our last home, our new shower was too pretty for my ugly shampoo and conditioner bottles, so I bought a pair of {these shampoo and conditioner pumps} that A strong choice is:

Recently I found a look for less version {here} where you get three bottles for about the same price as one of the splurge versions!

Splurge:Shampoo or conditioner pump | Save:Set of 3 shower pumps

Scalloped Trays

I LOVE the style of Addison Ross accessories and have several in the house, including {this round scalloped tray} in between the two sinks in my girls' bathroom:

Other Sources:Wallpaper | Mini faux succulent (similar) |  Bamboo toothbrushes (similar) |  Glass bud vases  | Soap pump

It's a polished, high-quality tray but it's also really expensive! I found {this set of two round scalloped trays} that's less than half the price, plus you get two trays instead of just one (the larger tray is similar in size to mine)! I found a great look for less option for their rectangular scalloped trays too:

Splurge:Round tray | Rectangular tray | Save:Round set of trays | Rectangular set of trays

I also found a look for less version of {these Addison Ross bobbin salt and pepper shakers} in a very similar size and shape in white {here}.

Giant Faux Clamshell

Large decorative clamshells can be statement-making home accessories, but their price tag… well, it's usually in the $250-$500 range, such as {this one}. But I found {this giant clamshell} that's actually prettier than some of the pricey ones for MUCH less:

Splurge:Kathy Kuo Home Giant Clam Shell| Save:Home Depot Giant Clam Shell

I have the “save” version on our entryway console and LOVE it! For the holidays, I filled it with a few pretty ornaments:

And for year-round use, The household has filled it with {this clear glass bead garland}:

Cozy Leopard Throw

The household has loved Barefoot Dreams settled cardigans, robes, and throws for years, but they're definitely not cheap! One of their most popular throws is {this CozyChic neutral leopard throw} – it comes cutely packaged with a bow, so it makes a great gift. A great look for less find is {this leopard throw}:

Splurge:Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Leopard Throw | Save:Amazon GY Luxury Fleece Leopard Throw

The large 51″ x 71″ size of the look for less is about ¼ the price of the similarly sized 54″ x 72″ Barefoot Dreams throw. I bought the save version and am super happy with it! Cricket isn't complaining either:

Look for Less Consoles, and Side Tables

Linen/Raffia Wrapped Console Table

The household has had {this console table} for years, using it in the entryway of both our previous and current homes. It's wrapped in raffia, giving it texture that adds a high-end look:

Entryway Sources:Wallpaper  |  White table lamp  |  30″ x 40″ Framed art print  | Faux coral (similar) |  Shallow wood bowl  |  Glass beads  |  Cube ottomans

I recently found a great look-for-less version of my console {here}. The dimensions are fairly similar too, with the original version being just 5″ wider, 1″ deeper, and 3″ taller than the look-for-less option.

Splurge: Driftway Console | Save: Look for Less Console

Note: When I got my “splurge” console, it was wrapped in raffia just like the “save” console is, but they recently changed the design of the “splurge” console to be linen wrapped.

Scalloped Rattan Side Table

{This scalloped rattan table} is a versatile piece that could be used as a side table, small bar cart, or nightstand:

{This “save” version} has a similar look for about half the price:

Splurge:Serena & Lily Scalloped Rattan Table | Save:Wayfair Scalloped Rattan Table

Look for Less Mirrors

Scalloped Mirror

The household has always loved the playful scalloped shape of {Serena & Lily's Fleur Mirror} and the natural texture it adds to a space. But {this cane framed mirror} gives you such a similar look for less! It has the same fun floral shape and breezy, coastal feel, making it a great choice for everything from a bedroom or bathroom to an entryway.

Splurge:Serena & Lily Fleur Mirror | Save:Cane Wrapped Flower Mirror

Round White Rattan Mirror

This is another designer look for less find that I have in my own home! When we remodeled our powder room, I had my eye on {this 28.5″ Serena & Lily round white rattan mirror} but didn't want to spend that much. I ended up finding {this similar 30″ version} for about ⅓ the price, and it worked beautifully, tying in the white of the bathroom shiplap:

Other Sources:Wallpaper |  Vanity  |  Brushed nickel faucet (similar) | Woven soap pump  |  Towel ring (stainless)

Splurge:28.5″ Montara Mirror | Save:30″ Kouboo Mirror

Look for Less Pendants and Sconces

Capiz Honeycomb Pendant

I bought {this capiz honeycomb pendant} years ago, using it in the entryway of our current home and above the kitchen table of our previous home:

Sources:Dining table  | Capiz pendant (22.5″)  |  Geometric gray rug  | Large blush abstract art |  Blue floral framed art  |  Slipcovered dining chairs (similar) 

You can find a “save” version with the same look for a fraction of the price in multiple size options {here}.

Splurge:Serena & Lily Capiz Pendant | Save:Amazon Capiz Pendant

Bell-Shaped Sconce

When I was searching for sconces for our kitchen, I found {this bell-shaped sconce} that has a simple yet stylish design. While they're not a bad price, I later found {these sconces} with a similar look that are about 40% less! I actually prefer their more streamlined look:

Other Sources: Tile | Floating Shelves

Splurge:Dapper sconce | Save:Ross sconce

Lantern Pendants

I chose {these Darlana lantern pendants} for over the kitchen island in our previous home and love how the open pendants kept this space feeling light and airy (especially since our ceilings were under 8′):

Other Sources:Rattan counter stools in Fog  | See my kitchen redo before and after for other details

The only negative? They weren't cheap! At the time that we remodeled our kitchen, I couldn't find any similar pendants at a lower price, but now there are several great looks for less. One of the best is {this lantern pendant} that has a very similar design and the exact same dimensions as the Darlana pendant but is less than half the price:

Save:Darlana pendant| Splurge:Finnegan pendant

In addition to the satin brass finish option that's the closest match to my Darlana pendants, this look for less version is also available in brushed nickel and matte black.

Linear Lantern Pendant

I also found a great designer look for less version of the Darlana linear pendant. Its size and shape make it a great light fixture for over a dining table:

Splurge:Darlana Linear Lantern Pendant | Save:Jonathan Y Linear Pendant

The look for less version measures 49″ x 15″, so it's in between the Darlana medium (41″ x 13″) and large (54″ x 17″) sizes. It's available in several finish options, including antique gold, chrome, gray, oil rubbed bronze, and white. My sister bought it in {this white/brass combination} and it looks SO good over her dining room table!

Look For Less Area Rugs

Scalloped Jute Rug

A strong choice is the texture of jute rugs as well as scalloped designs, so {this Serena & Lily scalloped jute rug} hits all the marks for me! Well… all the marks except price. Luckily, I found {this scalloped jute rug} that looks identical but is less than half the price

Splurge:Serena & Lily Scalloped Jute Rug | Save:Amazon Scalloped Jute Rug

Ivory Patterned Rug

This find is such a good one! If you're familiar with Serena & Lily's Mirabelle rug (it's now discontinued but they carried it for years!), you know that it's a finished patterned rug with neutral colors that work well in almost any room:

Of course, there isn't much of anything from Serena & Lily that's cheap! The 8 x10 size of the Mirabelle rug sold for over $2000, so it's definitely a splurge piece. A spot-on look for less (MUCH less!) with tasseled ends is {this Birdwood rug}:

Splurge:Serena & Lily Mirabelle Rug  |  Save:Birdwood Area Rug

It's available in several size options too. Is the quality of the two rugs the same? No, at such a significant price difference, it's no surprise that the Serena & Lily rug is a higher-quality double tufted wool rug, while the look for less version is polyester.

So if you want to invest in a quality rug that you'll have for 10+ years, I'd go for the splurge. But if you have a busy house with kids and dogs and know that whatever rug you get will need to be replaced in a few years, the look for less version is definitely the way to go.

Look For Less Chairs

Bistro Dining Chairs

When you need between 4-10 chairs for around a dining table, the cost of new chairs adds up quickly! I have {these Riviera chairs} in the fog color around our kitchen table and absolutely love the style of them. They've held up really well too:

Want a similar look for less? When you buy {this set of 4 French bistro chairs}, the price per chair is about half the price of Serena & Lily's chairs.

Splurge:Serena & Lily Riviera Chair | Save:Outdoor French Bistro Chairs (set of 4)

You can also buy the look for less chairs in a pair {here}.

The biggest difference between the splurge and save versions is what the frames are made of. The Serena & Lily chairs have a rattan frame, while the look for less version has an aluminum frame. I personally like the look of the rattan frame better, BUT the aluminum frame has the advantage of being usable both indoors and out.

Rattan Dining Chairs

I found another Serena & Lily dining chair look for less too! If you love the look of their Balboa dining chairs, you'll really love these similar chairs that come in a set and are about ⅓ of the price of the splurge version:

Splurge:Serena & Lily Balboa Side Chair  |  Save:Natural wood and rattan dining chair

You can also find them in a counter stool version {here}. Want to see some of my other kept budget-friendly chairs? See my post on affordable dining chairs that don't look cheap!

Outdoor Lounge Chairs

For outdoor lounge chairs, I own a look for less version that The household has been really happy with! The household has always loved the look of Serena & Lily's Salt Creek chairs but just couldn't pull the trigger on outdoor furniture with that high of a price tag. About 2 years ago, I stumbled on {these outdoor lounge chairs} (set of 2) from Walmart that have a super similar look:

The difference in price is insane!

Splurge:Serena & Lily Salt Creek Lounge Chair| Save:Walmart's Lilah Wicker Outdoor Lounge Chair (set of 2)

I also have {this matching loveseat}.

Designer Look for Less Beaded Lighting

Beaded Flush Mount Light

If you're looking for a beaded flush mount light, these two options look just like one another but with very different price tags:

Splurge:PB Kids Dahlia Flush Mount  | Save:Amazon Bohemia Beaded Flush Mount

The splurge version is a bit larger at 14″ D x 10″ H compared to the look for less version that's 12.6″ D x 9″ H. Both are on the smaller side for flush mount fixtures, so they are best used in smaller rooms like a kids' bathroom, laundry room, or small bedroom.

Wood Bead Chandelier

{This 30″ wood bead chandelier} is a beauty, but if you can make a smaller size work in your space, you can save big with {this 22″ wood bead chandelier} that has a rope-wrapped rim:

Splurge:Wood bead chandelier | Save:Boho wood bead chandelier

Look For Less Coffee Tables

Round Rattan Coffee Table

A round coffee table that The household has always loved is this 44″ Anguilla rattan coffee table from Serena & Lily. It has great texture and an open, airy feel:

While Serena & Lily discontinued it, I still wanted to share the look for less version because it's such a similar design at about half the price of the splurge version:

Splurge: Serena & Lily Anguilla 44″ Rattan Coffee Table  | Save:39″ Round Rattan Coffee Table

Floor and Table Lamps

Glass Globe Table Lamp

The household has always thought that {this glass globe table lamp} from Serena & Lily is a stunner! A strong choice is that it would work with almost any style and colors that you have in your space:

A fabulous “save” version is {this glass globe table lamp} that's about ⅓ the price and has a VERY similar look:

Splurge:Georgia Table Lamp | Save:Hurley Table Lamp

Mixed Metal Floor Lamp

If you're looking for a new floor lamp for your living room or next to a reading chair in your bedroom, A strong choice is the mixed metal look of {this Reese floor lamp} and found a look for less for it too! Look at {this look for less floor lamp} that's almost the same height and very similar in style:

Splurge:Pottery Barn Reese 62″ Floor Lamp | Save:63″ Traditional Floor Lamp

I prefer the larger shade that comes with the Pottery Barn version, but for the price difference, it would still cost less to buy the look for less lamp plus a new shade.

Designer Look for Less Benches

A strong choice is having a bench at the end of our beds and rounded up my favorites in my post on end of bed benches. They also work well in entryways, where they're nice for having a spot to sit while you take shoes off or put them on. These are the look for less deals I found on benches…

Waterfall Bench

A bench with a waterfall design is well suited to a more modern bedroom. A strong choice is the coziness that the boucle covering of {this waterfall bench} adds:

I found a “save” version of this waterfall bench {here} with a similar design AND almost the exact same measurements too:

Splurge:Tate bench | Save:Ivory boucle look for less bench

Other Look For Less Furniture

Arched Glass Door Storage Cabinet

I'm a big fan of Anthropologie's Fern line of furniture! It includes several polished pieces, including {this finished glass door storage cabinet}. If you love the look but want a cabinet that comes with a lower price tag, look at {this Mason storage cabinet} from Urban Outfitters that's half the price:

Splurge:Anthropologie's Fern Cabinet | Save:Urban Outfitters Mason Storage Cabinet

Anthropologie & Urban Outfitters are sister companies, so my guess is that they're made by the same manufacturer. The pluses of the Anthropologie cabinet are that it has beautifully designed feet, a marble shelf, thicker wood shelves, and is a few inches larger. You can decide whether those upgrades are worth the extra cost.

Brass Etagere Bookcase

If you have a room that you'd like to add stylish storage to, an etagere bookcase like {this one from Ballard Designs} is a great option. What's an even better option? {This save version} that's a fraction of the price:

Splurge:Ballard Designs Silvia Etagere | Save:Wayfair Chiasson Etagere

The save version is also available in additional finish options, including black, white, bronze, and a few others (the white option is really pretty!) The dimensions of the two options differ a bit, with the splurge option measuring 80″H X 36″W X 12″D and the save option measuring 70.88” H X 30” W X 14.5” D.

Spindle Bed

The household has been crushing on {this spindle bed} ever since I first saw it – it's finished!

It's also a pricey sucker! So I was thrilled to find {this similar spindle bed} that comes in three finish options at a much lower price point:

Splurge:Pine bobbin bed | Save:Oak spindle bed

The wood types and finishes on the two beds are a bit different (I prefer the lighter sunbleached pine version of the splurge bed), but the price difference between the two is huge, and I think the save version would look polished painted!

Bench Seat Sofa

And last but not least, let's talk about sofas! While I'm all about inexpensive home decor, for upholstered pieces that I plan on having for years and years, I think investing in a high-quality piece is well worth it. I have several nice upholstered pieces that The household has had for 10+ years that are still going strong.

After redo work our “circus room” (look at our shiplap ceiling if you missed it!), I went on the hunt for a new sofa for that space. I looked at several sofas from Serena & Lily including {this Beach House Sofa} because their upholstered/slipcovered pieces are made by Lee Industries which is a top notch, high-quality brand.

We own several upholstered Lee Industries pieces, including our sectional sofa (see my post on the best sectional sofas for details).

I also looked into a new-to-me brand, Maiden Home. Like Lee Industries, their pieces are made in North Carolina and seem to be of similar quality but are available for less since they sell direct to consumer. Comparable sofas on Maiden Home are about 30-40% less than Lee Industries sofas on Serena & Lily. And these two have a very similar look:

Splurge:Serena & Lily Beach House Sofa | Save:Maiden Home Dune Sofa (customize with classic back cushions to get this look)

What did I end up going with? The Splurge! Having bought several Lee Industries pieces in the past, I knew it was going to be a high-quality piece, and the Maiden Home reviews are a bit mixed. Also, I was able to get the sky blue performance fabric I had been crushing on. I need to take a new photo since we have a larger rug and coffee table in this room now, but here's a peek at our sofa:

It would help if you enjoyed today's post and found a few new favorites that prove you don't have to splurge to get a high-end look!

Enjoy your weekend,